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Marsa Alam
Many modern guides to Marsa Alam describe it as a fishing
village on Egypt's Red Sea coast 132km (82mi) from Al-Quseir.
However, with a new international airport, a number of other
planed tourism projects and many new hotels, it is rapidly
becoming much more than a fishing village.
Marsa Alam sits on the T-junction between the Red Sea coast
road and the road from Edfu which sits on the Nile river
about 230km (142mi) inland. This road, which was probably
originally built by Ptolemy II in the Greek period, passes
through some historic landscape where the ancient Egyptians
mined much of their gold. Several gold mining operations are
known. Just off this road are found two areas, called Wadi
Barmiya, and about about 30 kilometers further into the
mountains. Wadi Baramiya extends into another larger Wadi
named Miya, where a temple was built by, among others, Seti
I. Both areas were probably gold mining communities.
In addition, a wealth of rock inscriptions from as early as
the predynastic period may also be found along this route
near Marsa Alam. Here, the smooth rock faces were an ideal
canvas for ancient graffiti, which dates from the earliest
times right up until the present. The ancient graffiti
depicts animals, including giraffes and cattle, but also
includes hunting scenes, such as an ostrich hunt with dogs.
Unfortunately, with the expansion of this road, many if not
all of these inscriptions will be soon lost.
While this road in ancient times was used for the gold
mining trade, archaeologists believe its main use was as a
trade route between the Nile Valley and the Red Sea where an
important ancient port was located.
Today, Marsa Alam remains a fairly small tourist town, but
we may expect to see considerable development in the very
near future. The airport is actually part of a larger
development project designed to create a state of the art
resort area in Port Ghaleb, including both a 1,000 berth
marina and port, with a dock-side harbor, yacht club and
spa, along with a highly animated town center and a corniche
around the marina area. On the corniche will be shops,
galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bistros, nightclubs,
discos and a casino. In addition, there will be a conference
center and festival hall, along with a combined desert and
links golf course
The private marina will not only be the largest in the
Middle East, but an international sea-gateway for yachts to
visit Egypt. Located just outside of Marsa Alam, that
project is scheduled for completion in 2004, though the
marina may open as early as this year (2002). By then, even
conservative estimates indicate that some 4,000 hotel rooms
will be available in and around Marsa Alam. Senior Counselor
for the investment group involved in this project, James
Pringle, explains:
"Our vision is to create a world-class integrated resort
community, recognized globally as a model for environmental
conservation, cultural preservation, design creativity and
beauty, and diversity of experiences and facilities…a
community where life is colorful, exciting and varied yet
balanced with the serenity and peace that comes from being
in harmony with nature…a development that excites, pleases
and rewards the developer, investor and holiday-maker
alike.”
Only a short time ago, it would seem that most of the
accommodations here were tent camps, but even now, many new,
fine hotels have been built. However, for the moment, the
primary reason to visit the mainland Red Sea community is
for the snorkeling and diving. This whole coast line is one
huge reef of exceptional quality with new dive sites being
discovered all the time. Dive sites such as Elphinstone
(famous for its hammerheads!) and Dolphin Reef, previously
only accessible to southern Red Sea liveaboards, can now be
dived by day boats from Marsa Alam. Also, only recently
opened to divers here, is access to the famous St Johns
Reef. To quote one diver just starting out on the first dive
on a trip to Marsa Alam, "Oh my, it's clear! deep. deep
blue, and fish so many, what's that? a Lionfish, a
Parrotfish, A Triggerfish, A Blue Spotted Ray....it's warm,
its blue and it's beautiful". It should also be noted that a
nature reserve stretches from here to Gebel Elba in the
south. .The primary dive sites in the area include:
Elphinstone Reef
With sheer walls plunging down to over 70 meters,
Elphinstone Reef is the mythic dive site of the south. The
walls plunge deep into the blue, richly decorated with soft,
bright pink, red, white and brown corals, sponges, gorgonias
and fans. Pelargics often swim by the spot to feed on the
abundant reef fish population, but many other species,
including dophins, fusiliers, jacks, snappers groupers and
wrasse may also be seen. The northern plateau is home to
schooling hammerheads with frequent sightings of oceanic
gray white tip sharks, along with Barracuda, numerous big
Jacks and even Tuna.
Abu Dabab
No Information available at this time.
Shaab Marsa Alam
Large reef in front of the last southern civilian town on
the Egyptian coastline. Corals gardens formed near huge
coral blocks 'porites' and shoals of banners, goatfish,
snappers and jacks.
Shaab Samadai
A horseshoe shaped reef creates a shallow turquoise water
lagoon where a large herd of spinner dolphins live
permanently. Others often show up around noon for a rest and
to teach their babies how to hunt. Several dives are found
on its outer walls. The western tip provides a large group
of pinnacles rising to the surface from a carpet of sea
grass, populated by schools of reef fish.
Daedalus Reef
A huge round reef with a lighthouse more than 40 miles away
from the coast, features an excellent opportunity for
spotting big pelargics all around its steep walls with an
extreme variety of fish and coral. Strong currents possible.
Shaab Sharm (Gota Sharm)
Big reef with big walls, hammerhead and grey reef sharks in
summer, malabar grouper, baracudas, and schooling reef fish
the rest of the year. Currents, soft corals and giant fans.
Habili Gamal
No Information available at this time.
Abu Galawa Soraya
No Information available at this time.
Abu Galawa
On 'Fury Shoal' group, this reef has a good hard coral
garden on the north side, and a wreck of an old tug boat
fully covered with corals leaning on a pinnacle on the south
side.
Shaab Mansour (Shaab Maksur)
Good dives on both north and south plateaus, with strong
currents which favour the growth of all types of coral,
inclucing black, soft and fans. Sharks, napolean and tuna
fish.
Shaab Claude
No Information available at this time.
Sataya (Dolphin Reef)
Also named 'Dolphin Reef', huge barrier reef that offers a
sheltered inner lagoon and shear walls on the outside
schooling hammerhead, large tuna fish and jacks.
Zabargat (Zabargad)
Enormous mountain coming out of the water surrounded by a
lagoon and circling reef, . A couple of wrecks and some
decent diving with a great variety of both corals and reef
fish. In addition, the island itself was most probably mined
by ancient Egyptians for precious stones.
Rocky Island (North, East and South Coasts)
Tiny rock emerging a few feet out of the water, it offers
one of the most incredible underwater scenarios of the whole
Red Sea. Steep walls falling into the deep blue, currents,
soft corals and a great abundance of pelargics and all kinds
of fish.
Erg Diab
No Information available at this time.
On 'Fury Shoal' group, this reef has a good hard coral
garden on the north side, and a
wreck of an old tug boat fully covered with corals leaning
on a pinnacle on the south
side.
St Johns Reefs
No Information available at this time.
Hurghada
Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century, and until a
few years ago, remained a small fishing village. But today,
it has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the
Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic
sports. If it takes place in or on the water you can do it
here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, but,
above all, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater
gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world,
justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are
ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which
may also be observed through glass bottom boats. This area
has many fine accommodations, usually offering warm and
efficient service. Restaurants are mostly along the main
road. While in Hurghada, don't miss the museum and aquarium,
with their complete collections of flora and fauna of the
Red Sea.
Today, Hurghada is known as a party town, particularly among
Europeans. Locals and others will tell you that life begins
at night in Hurghada, with the many, many clubs. They are
particularly frequented by the young, but certainly many
others of all ages. One may often find a rousing party
centered around the visitors from a tour group taking over
the action of a particular bar. They are easy to find along
the main street, along with loads of inexpensive and
expensive hotels.
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