The reef at Marsa Shona
The first snorkeling stop is on coral reefs at Marsa Shona, spelled Marsa El Shone on our program.
Home / Attractions / Port Ghalib and Marsa Mubarak
Marsa Alam · Red Sea coast, Marsa Alam
Port Ghalib and Marsa Mubarak
Port Ghalib, a marina resort on the Red Sea at Marsa Alam, is where our snorkeling boats leave for the reefs of Marsa Shona and the lagoon of Marsa Mubarak.
About Port Ghalib and Marsa Mubarak
Port Ghalib is a waterfront resort community on the Red Sea at Marsa Alam, home to the Port Ghalib International Marina, which has run since 2002 and has space for up to 1,000 yachts. The marina describes itself as Egypt's first private seaport and is an official port of entry to Egypt, with customs and immigration for arriving ships.
Marsa Mubarak, reached by boat from Port Ghalib, is a lagoon our program describes as protected, where dugongs and sea turtles may be seen if you are lucky. Marsa Shona, the first reef stop, is one of the two field sites where Egypt's Red Sea protectorates train researchers in sea-turtle monitoring, and the environment ministry names it among the most prominent dive sites in the Red Sea.
A short history
- 2002Port Ghalib opened with its international marina, on 18 km of shoreline at Marsa Alam.
- Port of entryThe marina was classed as an official port of entry to Egypt, a first gateway for yachts sailing north from the southern Red Sea toward the Mediterranean.
- June 2025Egypt's Red Sea protectorates held field training in sea-turtle monitoring at Marsa Shona and at Giftun Island off Hurghada.
What you'll see
Port Ghalib marina
Boats leave from the marina, which has customs, immigration, repair and fueling facilities and room for up to 1,000 yachts.
Getting there and how the visit runs
Drive to the site
| From Marsa Alam hotels | 65 km · about 49 min |
|---|
Without traffic, from our tours' map routing
Our snorkeling day picks you up at your Marsa Alam hotel and takes you to Port Ghalib, where the boat leaves for a first reef stop at Marsa Shona and then the lagoon of Marsa Mubarak. Lunch is served on board, and a small speedboat (Zodiac) takes you to a nearby lagoon to swim or snorkel again before the boat sails back to Port Ghalib. Snorkeling gear (mask and fins), mineral water and soft drinks are included.
Before you go
What to wear and bring
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the boat
- Sun protection and a hat
- Modest clothes once you leave the resort and the beach
Photos
- Drones need permission from Egypt's Ministry of Defence
- Ask before photographing people
Questions about Port Ghalib and Marsa Mubarak
Where do the boats leave from?
From the Port Ghalib International Marina, 65 km, about 49 minutes without traffic, from Marsa Alam hotels on our tour's routing.
Can you see dugongs at Marsa Mubarak?
Sometimes. Our program describes Marsa Mubarak as a protected lagoon where dugongs and sea turtles may be seen if you are lucky; a sighting is never guaranteed.
What is included on the Port Ghalib snorkeling day?
Hotel pickup and return, the boat trip, snorkeling gear (mask and fins), lunch on board, a Zodiac speedboat ride, mineral water and soft drinks. Tips are not included.
How big is Port Ghalib marina?
It has space for up to 1,000 yachts and has operated since 2002, per the marina's own website.
Sources: Port Ghalib; Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Day tours
Tours that stop at Port Ghalib and Marsa Mubarak
Guides
