Short answer: Wadi El Gemal, Arabic for the Valley of the Camels, is a national park on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast, declared in 2003. About 2,100 km² of it is sea, with reefs, seagrass and islands. The best-known boat trip inside it goes to the Hamata Islands, also called the Qulan Islands, off Hamata, more than 100 km south of Marsa Alam town.
The park at a glance
| Declared | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Area | About 7,450 km², including about 2,100 km² of sea |
| At sea | Coral reefs, seagrass beds and islands, including Wadi El Gemal Island and the Hamata (Qulan) Islands |
| Wildlife | Reef fish and corals, green turtles and dugongs on the seagrass, and nesting seabirds on the islands |
The Hamata (Qulan) Islands
The Hamata Islands are small islands such as Siyal, Shawarit and Umm El Sheikh, a few kilometres off the coast. Their sandy shallows and the reefs around them make a long, quiet day of snorkelling. Terns and gulls nest there, and green turtles nest on Siyal from May to November. Wildlife is never guaranteed.
How a private boat day works
- Hamata is a long way south of most hotels, so the day starts early. Your quote states the time and whether a transfer is included.
- Small boats often carry swimmers from the yacht to the shallows.
- On a private boat you choose how long to stay at each stop, and the captain picks stops for the wind and the sea.
- Your quote lists gear, food, park fees and the transfer line by line before you pay.
Where boats leave from: Port Ghalib, the town and Hamata. Another famous Marsa Alam trip: Samadai (Dolphin House).
Park rules
- Boats tie up to mooring buoys instead of anchoring on coral.
- Do not touch or stand on coral, and take nothing from the sea, not even shells.
- Keep away from nesting birds and turtles, and take all rubbish back with you.
- Currents can run over the reef edge; stay close to your guide and wear a vest if you are not a strong swimmer.
Questions
When is the best time to go?
Boats go all year, depending on the sea. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for a long day. See Marsa Alam weather by month and Red Sea water temperature.
Will we see dugongs?
Dugongs feed on seagrass in the park, but they are rare and sightings are never certain.
No yacht listed in Marsa Alam yet
Tell us your date and group and the LYT Concierge Team will check with operators in Marsa Alam. These yachts take requests in other cities now.
Sails from Sharm El Sheikh
30 m Motor Yacht · Sharm El Sheikh · Ras Katy
- Motor yacht
- 30 m
- Up to 40 guests
From EUR 650 per trip
Sails from Sharm El Sheikh
30 m Motor Yacht · Sharm El Sheikh · Ras Mohammed & White Island
- Motor yacht
- 30 m
- Up to 38 guests
From EUR 950 per trip
Sails from Sharm El Sheikh
30 m Motor Yacht · Sharm El Sheikh · Ras Mohammed & White Island
- Motor yacht
- 30 m
- Up to 38 guests
From EUR 850 per trip
