A family week here feels different from a crowded resort week. Beaches are calm, the water is clear, and the pace is slow. That is a gift if your children like to splash and look at fish, and a challenge if they need constant entertainment.
Our advice is to keep each day short, put the water in the morning, and leave afternoons for the pool and rest.
Best first trip: the bay
The Abu Dabbab morning is a good opener. You walk into shallow water from a sandy beach, so there is no boat to climb onto. Turtles feed over the seagrass and can often be watched from a short distance. The whole trip lasts about five hours.
The Marsa Mubarak boat trip is similar in length. It adds a short ride and a second stop on a coral reef, which older children tend to like.
Children often enjoy the first ten minutes most, when everything is new. A guide on the beach can show them how to breathe through a snorkel on the sand, before they put their face in the water. A calm start makes the whole morning go better.
Gentle desert evenings
The camel ride at sunset, followed by dinner at a Bedouin camp and stargazing, works well for children old enough to enjoy an evening out. You are back at your hotel around 20:30. A warm layer helps, because the desert cools quickly after dark.
Quad safaris are great fun but come with limits on age and size. Ask us before you plan on them, and expect a safety briefing and a practice ride first.
Dinner at the camp is simple food, eaten sitting on cushions or at low tables. Children who like adventure tend to love it, and fussy eaters usually find something to eat. Bring snacks anyway, just in case.
Trips to save for later
The Sataya dolphin day lasts 13 hours with a 04:30 start. The Luxor, Aswan and Edfu and Kom Ombo days run 14 to 16 hours. These are tiring even for adults. For most families with children under about ten, we suggest skipping them.
If your older teens love history, a private Nile day can work, since the pace is yours to set. Plan for plenty of breaks and a quiet day after.
A good test is whether your child can enjoy three hours in a vehicle on a normal day. If not, a trip with a long drive will be a struggle. Short boat days and bay mornings are a safer way to build up to longer ones.
Staying safe in the sun and sea
- Cover up – rash vests, hats and sunglasses, in every season
- Drink often – bring a refillable bottle on every trip
- Respect the sea – life jackets for weak swimmers and constant adult supervision
- Keep your hands off – corals cut skin, and some sea creatures sting
- Rest – put a quiet hour between morning and afternoon plans
Keep a child within arm's reach at all times in the water, even with a life jacket. A jacket is a help, not a babysitter. Check the weather and the wind with the crew before you board, and pick a calm day for the youngest.
What to pack
Bring swim shoes for rocky entries, a spare towel, a small first-aid kit and any medicine your children need. Pharmacy choice may be limited near some resorts, so do not count on finding your favorites. Pack a few toys and a book for the van rides.
A hotel with a gentle beach and a kids' pool will make the week easier. Browse our hotel pages for options along the coast.
One last tip: let your children help choose a trip. A child who picked the turtles or the camels is far more likely to enjoy the day, and far less likely to complain about the early alarm.
Plan with us
Marsa Alam with kids: a practical family guide
Planning Marsa Alam with children? Which trips suit families, how to handle sun and sea, what to pack and which long days to skip.