Qulan, also spelled Qulaan, is the Maldives of the Red Sea. Turquoise waters. White sand. Shallow lagoons. Colorful corals. Tropical fish. The one difference? They aren't atolls. The islands of Qulan are formed by fringing reefs atop a sandy ledge.
Tour boats depart daily from the pier in Hamata to the north of Berenice. The islands lie to the north and east and are a 30-minute (boat) ride away. Most area hotels offer full-day snorkeling excursions that include pick-up and drop off as well as a buffet lunch. With a bit of legwork you can do it yourself for a much lower fee as all hotels outsource this trip to a local company.
Not all of the islands have shallow lagoons; the currents and depths at some may prove to be a challenge for young children and novice swimmers. But rather than skip this remarkable trip, pick and choose the islands at which you snorkel. The islands of Qulan are a protected area. It is illegal to go ashore.
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Submitted on 16 February 2010 by snowedunder from Monza, Italy
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The sand strips known as Qulan were the highlight of our trip to Marsa Alam. Not only are these fringing reefs teeming with sea life, the water is clear and, for the most part, shallow. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly and good with children. (We booked with Qulaan Travel Services.) The Egyptian buffet lunch was plentiful and delicious. What's more, this excursion doesn't require hours on a bus. The bus trip to Hamata pier is under an hour from the southern reaches of Marsa Alam and less than 30 minutes from Berenice.
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