Introduction
Port Ghalib is a planned marina town on the south coast of Egypt. It is a short drive from Marsa Alam International Airport. You will find beautiful Nubian-style buildings and canals throughout the town, giving it a desert version of Venice feel.
The marina is the centre of the town. A modern, fully serviced port that can accommodate up to 1000 large yachts. There are plenty of cafes and shops along the promenade.
Outside the marina, there are plenty of exciting activities to enjoy. The reefs are easily accessible, and there are boats leaving to go out to the diving spots. The area behind the beach is also a beautiful desert. This travel guide will show you everything you need to know about Port Ghalib, the best things to do, and the best reefs and wildlife to see. Plus the Red Sea and how it fits into the Nile Valley of Egypt.
Port Ghalib offers beautiful reefs, a lively marina, and stunning desert views. Take a look at our Egypt travel package with OFT Travel to create your perfect itinerary. Our travel experts can help you with transfers and excursions.
Table of content:
Where is this Red Sea Marina Town?
The town is located on the southern section of the Red Sea in Egypt. It is around 60km from Marsa Alam town. The resort area is set in the Eastern Desert, and there are plenty of resorts to give a relaxed feeling compared to the busier areas like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Find out more about Marsa Alam attractions. You can also find out more about the Red Sea in Egypt and how it differs from the Northern resorts.
Getting there is easy. The airport is around 5km away and takes around 10 minutes to drive to. It is also a short 1-hour flight from Cairo.
Many hotels along the Red Sea coast offer private beach frontage, pools, and a house reef you can walk into from the sand. Hotel dive centres generally rent gear and run guided trips.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Port Ghalib?
There are plenty of great things to do in Port Ghalib. Start by walking around the marina, relaxing, and enjoying a slow afternoon.
Walk Around the Marina
There are plenty of cafes, seafood restaurants, and shops to browse. The boats gently bob up and down in the water. The marina is a relaxed place to walk around. You can spend 3-4 hours walking around the promenade and market and enjoy some food by the sea. The shops sell jewellery, spices and handicrafts, and the seafood restaurants face the boats in the marina.
New Khan Bazaar
A great place to buy souvenirs. The New Khan Bazaar has a more lively market feel. It suits anyone looking for spices, crafts and gifts to take home.
Go out on the water
There are plenty of dive centres nearby. The boats leave from here to go out to the reefs. If you are not diving, there are snorkelling trips. There are also beautiful beaches to relax on.
What Are the Best Reefs and Wildlife to See?
Most of the activities will involve a boat trip and some time in the water. Each location is great for different levels of experience.
Elphinstone Reef
This is the most famous reef nearby. As the currents are strong, it is best for more advanced divers. Daedalus Reef and the Brother Islands are further out and will be visited on multi-day liveaboard trips.
Abu Dabbab Bay
This is a shallow sandy bay covered in seagrass. Sea turtles love to come here. It is great for snorkelling as you can just walk straight into the water. It makes a gentle first outing for anyone new to open water. Occasionally you may see some dugongs.
Samadai Reef
This horseshoe-shaped reef is also known as Dolphin House or Sataya. It is a longer trip further south. This can only be visited with a guide. The reef and dolphins are protected by rules, so follow your guide’s instructions on how close to get.
Wadi el Gemal National Park
This is a beautiful place to visit. It is located south of the main resort area. Within a few hours, you will move from the mangroves along the shore to a dry rocky valley. Most people visit with a guide. Don’t forget sun cream and a camera.
How does this Marina Town Compare to other Red Sea Resorts?
Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh have the biggest resort areas. The Marsa Alam area is smaller and more focused on diving. If you want to visit another marina and canal town further up the coast, take a look at our El Gouna travel guide.
If you want to visit a bigger resort area with an international airport, take a look at our Hurghada city guide. El Gouna is built around lagoons and canals that link its islands, hotels and waterfront restaurants.
What makes this place different is how close everything is. The airport, marina, dive centres, and reefs are all within a short distance.
Can I visit sites in the Nile Valley?
Yes! There is a desert road through the Eastern Desert to Edfu. This means you can easily visit sites like Luxor Temple. The same route also makes the Aswan High Dam an easy stop. We offer Nile River Cruises from Luxor to Aswan. These cruises call at Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way.
Take a look at OFT Travel’s 12-day Egypt tour to see how the two sides of Egypt fit together. You can visit Cairo and enjoy the sights, plus a 4-night Nile Cruise. Plus 3 nights on the Red Sea in Sharm El Sheikh.
What Should You Know Before Visiting?
The sun can be quite harsh on open water. Be sure to take sun cream and reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral. Take some water and a hat for the days on the boats. Take a camera for Wadi el Gemal.
Dive centres will ask to see your certification before taking you to deeper or more exposed areas. Have your documents to hand. Samadai Reef, Wadi el Gemal and Elphinstone Reef should all be visited with a guide.
FAQs
What are the most popular things to do in Port Ghalib?
Most people will start by visiting the marina promenade and New Khan Bazaar. Most will then go on a snorkelling or diving trip. There are plenty of boat trips to the reefs like Elphinstone Reef. Abu Dabbab Bay and Samadai Reef are popular longer trips.
How far is the airport?
The airport is around 5km away. This takes around 10 minutes to drive. There are private transfers available to take you directly from the airport or your hotel.
Do I need to dive?
No! There are plenty of snorkelling trips. Abu Dabbab Bay is great for swimmers, and the marina promenade doesn’t require any equipment.
Are there any places that need a guide?
Samadai Reef can only be visited with a guide. The reef and dolphins are protected by rules. Most people will visit Wadi el Gemal National Park with a guide. Elphinstone Reef should be visited with an experienced guide.
Can I visit the Nile Valley?
Yes! There is a desert road through the Eastern Desert to Edfu. This means you can easily visit the temples. We also offer Nile River Cruises from Luxor to Aswan.
