How to Spend 2 Days in Marsa Alam

Two days are enough time to immerse yourself in the Red Sea resort of Marsa Alam. From speeding through the desert on an all-terrain vehicle to snorkeling among wild dolphins and exploring Luxor or Aswan, here are some ideas for a 48-hour itinerary.

Day 1: Getting Your Bearings

**Morning:**Start your day on the back of a camel, watching the sunrise in the Eastern Desert—or just head straight for the beach. For a dose of adventure, join a self-drive ATV tour and zoom across the desert in a guided convoy.

**Afternoon:**If you want to see the Red Sea’s marine environment without getting wet, catch one of Marsa Alam’s semisubmersible trips, and watch from an underwater observation deck as exotic fish and rays glide by. Alternatively, wander the souks, shops, and beachside cafés of historic El Quseir.

**Night:**If you missed an earlier ATV expedition, take a late-afternoon-and-sunset drive, racing past desert mountains to a Bedouin village for a barbecue, camel ride, and cultural show. Or, travel by chauffeured Jeep, with mountain stops en route.

Day 2: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, or Sightseeing

**Morning and afternoon:**Devote today to snorkeling  or scuba diving at a Red Sea hot spot such as Abu Dabbab (home to turtles and the occasional dugong) or Sataya Reef (aka “the dolphin house”). Beginners can opt for a dive course. Otherwise, earmark the day for a guided sightseeing trip: admire Luxor’s Karnak temple and pharaonic tombs, or marvel at Aswan’s unfinished obelisk and Philae temple.

**Night:**If you’re back in Marsa in time for dinner, relax to the sound of the waves at a beachfront restaurant. Or, change it up and dine at one of the eateries along the palm-lined corniche in nearby Port Ghalib Marina.