Marsa Alam vs Hurghada ?
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Hi. Dived both in Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Like both. Enjoyed Marsa Alam more -unlimited (3 a day, really) shore dives, relaxed atmosphere, desert living with no hassling. Got to feel like I met people that were more relaxed and genuine than the tourist hustlers in the big cities that often spoil the overall expression of this wonderful country. There are great liveaboards from Hurghada, but you have to check the weather this time of year. Elphinstone is easyly accessible from Marsa Alam. I really enjoyed staying at the Tondoba eco village.
So if you want some night life etc, Hurghada. If you are into it for the diving, Marsa Alam. best way to dive Egypt is via liveaboard, cheapest is probably Dahab or Marsa Alam, though they say Marsa Alam is in more pristine condition.
The house reef in Tondoba bay is greath with healthy coral, but dont expect any big stuff.
Say high to the goby shrimp and the shrimp goby for me!
So if you want some night life etc, Hurghada. If you are into it for the diving, Marsa Alam. best way to dive Egypt is via liveaboard, cheapest is probably Dahab or Marsa Alam, though they say Marsa Alam is in more pristine condition.
The house reef in Tondoba bay is greath with healthy coral, but dont expect any big stuff.
Say high to the goby shrimp and the shrimp goby for me!
Thank you very much for reply Black , because diving come in the first place, so Marsa Alam is take the advantage also me don't like the noise and crowd of big city so Marasa Alam is better choice to relax and enjoy your diving .
There is 3 site come to my mind after fast search in the web :
Thanks again
There is 3 site come to my mind after fast search in the web :
Elphinstone ,
Samadai and Daedalus Island . is there another site recommended to visit ? and what about wreck diving in Marsa Alam ?Thanks again
Oh yeah, theres a wreck there. very sweet. dont know the name, but we spoke about it, search the forum for wreck and marsa alam.
Elphinstone - do it if you are experienced. it is out in the open. YOU and everyone in your group MUST HAVE an SMB -surface marker, a HORN you attach to your tank - LOUD SURFACE signal, not a whistle, a strobe signaling device, a flashlight and I recommend a GPS distress signaling device. Read up on Elphinstone, you will understand why I say this...
Dadealus is nice.
Watch out for desert scorpions in the shower, stepped on one but he was nice and did not bite me... It is a great adventure!
Elphinstone - do it if you are experienced. it is out in the open. YOU and everyone in your group MUST HAVE an SMB -surface marker, a HORN you attach to your tank - LOUD SURFACE signal, not a whistle, a strobe signaling device, a flashlight and I recommend a GPS distress signaling device. Read up on Elphinstone, you will understand why I say this...
Dadealus is nice.
Watch out for desert scorpions in the shower, stepped on one but he was nice and did not bite me... It is a great adventure!
EmperorOceans
New
Hi Pal, I work in Marsa Alam and have dived Hurghada so can probably help with some advice. What kind of diving do you like? Are you a photographer or do you like exciting drifts etc? Do you prefer wrecks to reefs or the other way?
Regards,
Regards,
, i can carry your greeting to the nice scorpion when i see him 
EmperorOceans
New
Hi Pal, every diver has their preferences, and we have such a mix of sites from the turtle smothered shallow seagrass beds of Abu Dabab, deep walls and drifts of Elphinstone, swim-thrus and Dolphins at Shaab Samadai that it's hard to say which are the best in a week. Have a look at this page of the sites we visit: Marsa Alam Dive Sites, Descriptions and Maps - by Emperor Divers and that should give you some ideas.
A few things to bear in mind - Marsa Alam is a big region so depending on where you stay and who you dive with you may not be able to visit some places. The airport is actually based in a development called Port Ghalib, and the region really extends 70km north to El Quesir and 60km or more south to the town of Marsa Alam and beyond. Also you'll find that dive site names are not always shared across dive centres etc as the diving is still developing, but the big names like Elphinstone and Abu Dabab are standard.
Thanks,
A few things to bear in mind - Marsa Alam is a big region so depending on where you stay and who you dive with you may not be able to visit some places. The airport is actually based in a development called Port Ghalib, and the region really extends 70km north to El Quesir and 60km or more south to the town of Marsa Alam and beyond. Also you'll find that dive site names are not always shared across dive centres etc as the diving is still developing, but the big names like Elphinstone and Abu Dabab are standard.
Thanks,
You can have wicked diving on either location. The wreck no one seems to know the name of is most likely Hamada that is located south from Marsa Alam a good hour and half or so in a small place named Abu Ghousun and it's sort of a miniature version of Ghiannis D which you find next to the reef Abu Nuhas. Have a look at those two pages where you find plenty of information on both locations plus maps of dive sites with briefings.
HURGHADA vs MARSA ALAM
If you have questions just send me a mail, PM or post again here.
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HURGHADA vs MARSA ALAM
If you have questions just send me a mail, PM or post again here.
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Scuba Online
New
Actually, i prefer Hurghada, because it is has everything, rich diving sites, markets, diving shops, cafes and resturants, people and night life.
Hi there, your advice is very helpful for me. Is Marsa Alam the kind of place you could spend one month there and not get bored? I mean, if you are there for diving mainly, but would also like some shore stuff to do..not into clubbing or anything, just enough on shore to make the place interesting, maybe meet some locals, see a bit of culture, have some nice laid back bars to hang out in etc. ??? Thank you!
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