I nearly went there during December, sounds like a nice place and I have heard lot of large developments have been started.

Anyone with more info around this area, any pictures to share?

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CrescentHomes real estate, TurkishLiving & EgyptianLiving forums.

looks nice..found this on a general site..about the region

Marsa Alam is located in the south of the Eastern Desert in Egypt on the Red Sea. It is 790 kilometers south of Cairo and about 300 kilometers from Hurghada. Marsa Alam is an old, small town famous for diving, fishing, and for its international port. However, in the past few years, Marsa Alam has become an important tourist destination, especially after the opening of the Marsa Alam International Airport. Many people, tourists and Egyptians alike, believe that Marsa Alam in the coming few years will become another Sharm El-Sheikh.

There are many reasons behind this belief but in order to understand them, we first need to understand the nature and conditions of Marsa Alam.

Marsa Alam is located in a very special place on the Red Sea. This is why there are so many coral reefs there that attract tourists from all over the world. Marsa Alam itself is a tiny primitive town with the international port four kilometers north of the town. The town consists mainly of two or three Oriental cafes and four small supermarkets. This is in addition to the bus station, a fuel station and a motel called Negmet Marsa Alam.

This motel is suitable for tourists who prefer cheap prices with average service.. A double room in the motel costs less than ten dollars per night with a private bath. Negmet Marsa Alam or Marsa Alam Star Motel provides some services like laundry, room cleaning, and they can organize some excursions. The only problem is that they have no air conditioners and the weather, even in the morning, is quite hot.

Though there is little in the town itself to allure tourists, the main attractions of the city are the many resorts spread on the Red Sea to the south and north. There are many three and four stars resorts, with five star facilities on their way. The Cataract, Sahara Resort, Breaka Resort, Amaraya, Kahramana, Sharm Alam, and Ibortel are all examples of good resorts that offer proper services with reasonable prices.

I had read somewhere about a huge new port being built there called Port Ghalib this will have some really nice residential sites with it with a marina, this and along with expansion plans for the little airport, the area is heading for some massive interest from investors and buyers.

Another area on my list to explore in the near future.

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CrescentHomes real estate, TurkishLiving & EgyptianLiving forums.

Hi, we stayed at Coral Beach diving hotel at Port Galib a few weeks ago. Fantastic hotel which has been built right on the Marina. It has been built specifically for divers, as the area has the best virgin dive sites in the Red Sea. The area is basically a building site and probably will be for quite a while to come. The main Port area is still under construction, but we were informed that some of the shops/resturants should be open Nov/Dec this years!!! The hotel we stayed in was excellent, its owned by a Kuwaiti Sheik and No expenses has been spared, and for those who dive, the boats are moored in front of the hotel, so no travelling etc. There are a few hotels in Marsa Alam, but basically everything is hotel based. If you want to see a lot more of Egypt this is not the ideal place to go. There are a few local trips to go on but even by tour operator prices are really expensive. But if you want to chill out round the pool and just relax, or are a diver its certainly well worth the visit. Also understand that when finised you will be able to depart from the Airport via a canal system to some of the hotels in the Port Galib area. Would certainly return, but suspect that in a few years time it will be very much like Dubia and a really really upmarket resort.
Sharon

Coral Beach sounds like a very good place to visit. I really think that sounds like a very cool place.

I have been reading on here for awhile and it seems like their is a lot of building going on. How do the locals feel about all the construction and the putting up of alot of buildings? I just know here where I am from in the states they don't look to kindly to all kinds of apartments and tract housing going up. That is just in the area of the states I live in. So how do the locals feel about this? Thanks

There are NO real locals in Marsa Alam its a brand new resort being built, and the nearest main town is 1hrs drive away. All the hotel staff live in small compounds which have been built by the hotel owners. The builders live in huts made of anything they can find. The area was just desert that was bought by a Kuwait Sheik and he built the airport, which is used by the military, and he owns the only hotel thats built on the port/harbour and has leased out the rest or the area where the hotels etc are being built. Its pure virgin land/beaches/sea, so is very barren, but beautiful. Will realy be very spectacular when finished. As for the local egyptian staff/worken, the are like all egyptians really friendy and helpful.

sharon

I'm sure the area will blossom when the building is completed. I would be willing to bet it won't remain as cheap once construction is done, however.

The off-plan studio apartments were going for £125,000 when we were there in January, certainly not in my price bracket,

sharon

Thank you for the explanation. It sounds like it is going to be an up and coming place. I would have to agree once it becomes known I wonder how long the prices will stay cheap? But sounds like a great place to visit.