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 coastline 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 live a board; can now be dived by day boats from Marsa Alam Egypt.

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, gorgonia, and fans. Pelagic 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.

Shaab Marsa Alam Egypt A large reef in front of the last southern civilian town on the Egyptian coastline. Corals gardens have formed near huge coral blocks, "porites," and there are shoals of Banners, Goatfish, Snappers and Jacks.

Shaab Samadai A horseshoe shaped reef, which 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 are possible.

Shaab Sharm (Gota Sharm) A big reef with big walls, Hammerhead and Grey Reef Sharks in summer, Malabar Grouper, Barracudas, and schooling reef fish the rest of the year. Also present are currents, soft corals, and giant fans.

Abu Galawa On "Fury Shoal" group, this reef has a good hard coral garden on the north side, and a wreck of an old tugboat fully covered with corals leaning on a pinnacle on the south side.