Snorkeling Hamata Island from Marsa Alam: 3 Virgin Islands

Corals and colored fish you won't find anywhere else, anchored around three islands.

This full-day snorkeling tour from Marsa Alam takes you 130km south to Hamata marina, then by boat around 3 Virgin Islands in Hamata National Park. You snorkel multiple reefs, walk a white sand beach on one island, and return with lunch served on board. Hotel pickup, all snorkeling equipment, entrance fees and a guide in your language are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling tour to Hamata Islands

• Pick up from Marsa Alam hotel
• Travel to Hamata marina
• Receive snorkeling equipment
• Board boat and sail to Virgin Islands
• Snorkel around 3 Virgin Islands
• Dock on tropical island and watch birds
• Walk along white beach
• Have lunch on board
• Snorkel at last site
• Sail back to Hamata marina
• Transfer back to Marsa Alam hotel

The Experience

The day starts at 7am with pickup from your Marsa Alam hotel. Your guide meets you and you drive south 130km to Hamata marina, arriving with time to board the boat and set out into the lagoons. The boat stops at three separate snorkeling sites around the Virgin Islands, each with different reefs and fish populations. Between water time, the boat docks on one island so you can walk the white sand beach and watch the birds that nest there.

Lunch is served on board after the second snorkel stop. You'll see corals and colored fish the operator notes are not found in other parts of the Red Sea—the Hamata reefs have their own ecosystem. The final snorkel site comes before the boat heads back to the marina. From there, the driver transfers you back to your hotel, arriving in the late afternoon.

A guide who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one of four other languages stays with the group throughout. All snorkeling gear is provided, and bottled water is available on board during the drive and the boat ride. Entrance fees to Hamata National Park are covered in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• all snorkeling equipment.
• lunch on board.
• bottled water during the drive and boat ride.
• entrance fees to Hamata National Park.
• guide in your choice of language.
• all taxes and service charges.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for back problems

Operated by Tamer Safari

Is this one for you?The early 7am start and 130km drive mean this is a full commitment—you're on the road and water for seven hours—but that distance is what puts you at reefs most day-trippers from Marsa Alam never reach.

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Top questions

How far is Hamata from Marsa Alam, and how long is the drive?

Hamata marina is 130km south of Marsa Alam. The drive takes place in the morning before you board the boat, and you travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with your guide.

What will I see when I snorkel around the Virgin Islands?

The 3 Virgin Islands in Hamata National Park have corals and colored fish species that are unique to these reefs and not found elsewhere in the Red Sea. You'll also see the lagoons and different reef formations around each island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

All snorkeling equipment is provided for you during the tour. You don't need to bring your own gear.

What's included in the lunch, and when is it served?

Lunch is a meal at a local restaurant, served on board the boat after your second snorkeling stop. It's included in the tour price.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and four additional languages. You can request your preferred language when you book.

Is there time to walk on the islands, or is it only snorkeling?

The boat docks on one of the Virgin Islands so you can walk along the white sand beach and observe the birds that live there, breaking up the snorkeling with time on land.