Is Marsa Alam safe?
Very low crime in resort areas. Isolation, long desert roads, strong sun and marine hazards matter more than theft.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-07-14.
- Homicide rate in Egypt: 1.3 per 100,000 people (2017, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Egypt: 10.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
Safety in Marsa Alam at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft from rooms or beaches is rare; overcharging for taxis and tours is the main nuisance. |
| At night | Quiet and dark after dinner, with little to do outside resorts. Arrange transport in advance because few taxis run late. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in resort areas; there is little street harassment. Dress modestly in Marsa Alam town and use hotel-arranged transport at night. |
| Other risks | Strong currents and sharks at offshore reefs; Extreme sun and heat; Remote roads with limited help |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi drivers quoting inflated fares for resort transfers
- Unlicensed snorkel and boat operators with changing prices
- Souvenir shops adding charges for packaging or shipping
Take care
- Offshore reefs such as Elphinstone: strong currents, advanced divers only
- Remote desert tracks: use licensed guides and tell the hotel your plans
- Long night drives on the coast road: trucks and few lights
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing people needs their consent; children, officials and military sites, including the Suez Canal, are off-limits.
- Importing or flying a drone without Defence Ministry permission can mean up to 7 years in prison.
- Criticising the government, including in social media posts, can lead to detention.
How Marsa Alam compares in Egypt
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hurghada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Aswan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dahab | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marsa Alam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Gouna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siwa Oasis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Luxor | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Alexandria | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Marsa Alam safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in resort areas; there is little street harassment. Dress modestly in Marsa Alam town and use hotel-arranged transport at night.
Is Marsa Alam safe at night?
Quiet and dark after dinner, with little to do outside resorts. Arrange transport in advance because few taxis run late.
What is the crime rate in Marsa Alam?
Petty theft from rooms or beaches is rare; overcharging for taxis and tours is the main nuisance. Nationally, Egypt records 1.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2017).
What number do I call in an emergency in Marsa Alam?
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
More about Marsa Alam
Going to Marsa Alam solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
- Go Bus
- UK FCDO travel advice: Egypt
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.