Port Ghalib: the Marina of the Southern Red Sea
Port Ghalib is one of the most elegant and modern destinations on the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea, an international marina and an integrated tourist complex that has transformed a stretch of desert coastline south of Marsa Alam into a centre of excellence for nautical and underwater tourism. Located a few kilometres from the international airport of Marsa Alam and overlooking some of the most crystalline waters of the entire Red Sea, Port Ghalib represents the privileged access point to the legendary diving sites of the southern Red Sea.
Inaugurated in the early 2000s as part of an ambitious high-end tourism development project, Port Ghalib grew rapidly to become a reference point for divers from all over the world, for boating enthusiasts and for travellers seeking a holiday that combines luxury with marine adventure. Its strategic position, equidistant from the great reefs of the south such as Elphinstone, the Brothers Islands and Daedalus, makes it the ideal base port for the most sought-after diving cruises of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
The International Marina
Port Infrastructure
The marina of Port Ghalib is a port facility of international class, capable of hosting up to 1,000 vessels in berths equipped with all necessary services: electrical connections, water, fuel, waste disposal and technical assistance. The docks are designed to accommodate both small pleasure craft and large yachts, up to over 50 metres in length.
The marina is protected by breakwaters that guarantee calm waters inside the basin even in rough sea conditions, offering a safe refuge to vessels in transit. The marina's service centre offers navigation assistance, weather forecasts, customs service for international vessels and a yard for small repairs and maintenance.
Departure Point for Diving Cruises
Port Ghalib is recognised internationally as the main departure point for diving cruises (liveaboards) bound for the most spectacular diving sites of the southern Red Sea. Dozens of cruise boats of various categories depart regularly from the marina for itineraries that touch the most famous reefs of the region.
The main destinations include the legendary Elphinstone Reef, famous for encounters with hammerhead sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks; the Brothers Islands (El Akhawein), where vertical walls covered in soft corals host an incredible marine biodiversity; the Daedalus reef, with its resident colony of hammerhead sharks; and numerous other lesser-known but equally spectacular sites that dot the southern Red Sea.
The Promenade and Shopping
The Waterfront
The promenade of Port Ghalib is the beating heart of the tourist complex. This elegant pedestrian waterfront winds for over a kilometre along the marina, flanked by buildings in an architectural style that recalls the Arab tradition reinterpreted in a contemporary key. Arches, mosaics, fountains and well-tended gardens create a sophisticated and relaxing atmosphere, ideal for strolling at sunset admiring the moored yachts and the sea changing colour.
Along the promenade follow fashion boutiques, jewellers, local craft shops, pharmacies, a supermarket and several diving centres that offer equipment and courses for all levels. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan and lively, with an international clientele that mixes passionate divers, families on holiday and boaters.
Restaurants and Nightlife
The gastronomic scene of Port Ghalib is surprisingly rich and varied. Along the marina and on the promenade are restaurants that range from traditional Egyptian cuisine to Italian, from international haute cuisine to the freshest fish just caught in the Red Sea. The cafés and lounge bars offer cocktails and shisha overlooking the marina, creating the perfect atmosphere to conclude a day at sea.
Among the most appreciated restaurants are establishments specialising in grilled fish, Italian trattorias run by expatriate chefs and Lebanese restaurants that propose traditional mezze and mixed grills. For those seeking a more authentic experience, the small Egyptian restaurants in the staff quarter offer local dishes at contained prices and with genuine flavours.
The Luxury Resorts
Accommodation Facilities
The complex of Port Ghalib comprises several resorts of superior and luxury category, each with its own stretch of private beach, swimming pools, spa and restaurants. The facilities are designed to integrate harmoniously with the coastal landscape, using natural materials and colour palettes that recall the tones of the desert and the sea.
The resorts offer a complete range of services: from standard rooms to suites with sea view and private pool, from wellness centres with treatments inspired by Egyptian traditions to clubs for children with animated activities, from sports fields to equipped fitness centres. The quality of hospitality is generally high, with a value-for-money ratio often advantageous compared to comparable European destinations.
The Beaches
The beaches of Port Ghalib are among the most beautiful of the Marsa Alam coast. The fine, light sand slopes gently into turquoise waters of extraordinary transparency, with sandy seabeds that alternate with patch reefs rich in marine life reachable a few metres from the shore. Snorkelling directly from the beach is an experience accessible to all, with the possibility of sighting clownfish, butterflyfish, rays, turtles and, with a bit of luck, even dugongs in the early hours of the morning.
Scuba Diving
The Diving Centres
Port Ghalib hosts several diving centres of international level, affiliated to the main world teaching organisations (PADI, SSI, CMAS). These centres offer courses for absolute beginners up to the most advanced specialisations, guided dives on the local reefs and the organisation of daily excursions and multi-day cruises towards the most remote sites.
The equipment available is generally of excellent quality and regularly serviced. Most of the centres have their own boats, compressors, nitrox and trimix for technical diving. The staff is multilingual and often includes Italian instructors, particularly appreciated by the numerous Italian divers who frequent the area.
The Local Diving Sites
Besides the famous cruises towards the offshore reefs, Port Ghalib offers excellent diving sites accessible with daily boat trips. The coastal reefs in the marina area host a rich biodiversity with gardens of hard and soft coral, colourful sponges, gorgonians and a myriad of tropical fish. The local night dives offer thrilling encounters with lobsters, octopuses, morays and lionfish.
For the more experienced divers, the walls of the Abu Dabbab reef, reachable in a short time, offer almost guaranteed encounters with green turtles and the possibility of sighting dugongs, while Shaab Marsa Alam and the surrounding reefs present walls rich in gorgonians and soft corals of every colour.
Tips for the Visit
How to Get There
Port Ghalib is reachable from the international airport of Marsa Alam, located only 5 kilometres away. The airport is served by direct charter and scheduled flights from numerous European cities, including Rome, Milan, Bologna and Naples, with particularly high frequencies during the winter season. The transfer from the airport to the marina takes less than ten minutes.
From Hurghada, Port Ghalib is about 270 kilometres away, coverable in three and a half hours along the coastal road of the Red Sea. Some transfer companies offer shuttle services between the two locations.
When to Visit
The ideal period to visit Port Ghalib runs from October to April, when temperatures are pleasant (25-30°C) and marine conditions are optimal for diving and snorkelling. The water temperature oscillates between 22°C in winter and 28°C in late spring. The summer months (June-September) are very hot, with temperatures that can exceed 40°C, but aquatic activities remain enjoyable nonetheless.
What to Bring
For a holiday at Port Ghalib bring light and informal clothing, a swimsuit, high-factor sun protection, a hat and sunglasses. If you own personal diving or snorkelling equipment, bring it with you to guarantee maximum comfort, although it is easily rentable on site. Slightly more refined clothing is welcome for dinners in the promenade restaurants.
Budget and Practical Tips
Port Ghalib offers options for different budgets: from all-inclusive luxury resorts to cheaper rental apartments available in the residences adjacent to the marina. The restaurants on the promenade have prices slightly above the Egyptian average but remain competitive compared to European standards. To save, explore the restaurants in the residential quarter behind the marina, where prices are sensibly lower.
The currency is the Egyptian pound, but euros and dollars are widely accepted. ATMs are available on the promenade. Tips are an important component of local culture: a tip of 10-15% in restaurants and a small recognition to the service staff are always appreciated.
Curiosities
Port Ghalib owes its development to the entrepreneurial vision of the Kuwaiti magnate Nasser Al-Kharafi, who in the 2000s invested hundreds of millions of dollars to transform this stretch of desert coastline into a tourist destination of international level. The original project envisaged the creation of the largest private marina of the entire Red Sea. The proximity to the airport of Marsa Alam, inaugurated in 2003, has made Port Ghalib one of the fastest-growing destinations in Egypt, particularly popular among European and in particular Italian tourists, who represent a significant share of the annual visitors.
The marina has hosted numerous international regattas and nautical gatherings, consolidating its reputation as a centre of excellence for boating in the Red Sea. For lovers of the sea and diving, Port Ghalib is not simply a holiday place, but a gateway to an underwater world of indescribable beauty, a departure point for adventures that will remain impressed in the heart of every visitor.
