The Qulan islands off Hamata are low sand islands ringed by turquoise reef, part of the Wadi el Gemal National Park in the far south of Egypt’s Red Sea coast. There are mangroves along the shore and shallow water around each island, which makes this the best beach day of a Marsa Alam charter.
What is there to do around Hamata?
- Snorkel the shallow reefs around each island, straight from the tender.
- Walk the sand and spend an afternoon on a beach with no one else on it.
- See the mangroves, which grow along this stretch of coast and shelter young fish.
- Visit Wadi el Gemal, the desert valley inland, on a guided trip ashore.
Some islands are protected for nesting birds, so the crew checks where landing is allowed.
Where is Hamata?
Hamata is a small port in the far south of the Egyptian Red Sea coast, south of Marsa Alam. The Qulan islands lie just offshore. Some yachts start their charters here, which shortens the passage to the Fury Shoals.
When is the best time to visit Hamata?
Hamata is warm for most of the year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, and winter stays mild. See our month-by-month guide for water temperatures.
People also ask
Can you land on the Qulan islands?
On some of them. Parts of the islands are protected, so the crew follows the park’s rules on where guests can go ashore.
Is Hamata good for families?
Yes. The water around the islands is shallow and calm, which makes it one of the easiest stops of the week for children.
How do you get to Hamata?
Most guests fly into Marsa Alam and either board at Port Ghalib and sail south, or transfer by road to Hamata.
Red Sea yacht charter itineraries.
7-Day Red Sea Yacht Charter Itinerary: Marsa Alam and the Southern Reefs
A seven-day southern Red Sea route from Port Ghalib: Elphinstone Reef, the Dolphin House, the Fury Shoals, Sataya and the Qulan islands.
See full itinerary
7-Day Red Sea Yacht Charter Itinerary: Hurghada to Sharm el Sheikh
A seven-day northern Red Sea route from Hurghada to Sharm el Sheikh: the Giftun islands, Abu Nuhas, the SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed and Tiran.
See full itineraryPhotos via Wikimedia Commons: Qulan islands by Andrea Piroddi (CC BY 3.0); green sea turtle by Alexander Vasenin (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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