This park encompasses a variety of ecosystems: mangroves, islands,coral reefs, sand dunes, desert plains and a cluster of mountains and together these unique habitats support a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna found nowhere else in Egypt.

The emerald is the oldest known gemstone. Uniquely green in colour and widely used in jewellery, emeralds were prized and cherished as symbols of eternity and power uring antiquity. It is believed that Egypt's Pharaohs began mining emeralds in the mountainous area in the Eastern Desert southwest of Mersa Alam. Later identified as the Cleopatra mines or Mons Smaragdus (Emerald Mountains), the area became the most famous mining complex throughout the ancient world. The mines at Wadi Gimal, Wadi Sikeit, Wadi,Nuqrus and Gebel Zabara were energetically exploited during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

They were also worked during later centuries until left deserted after the Spaniards discovered emeralds in Columbia in 1545. Today, the ruins of the Zabara and Sikeit mining settlements are still evident, as are the remains of temple structures and some old caved-in mine sites.

in the Deep South some 40km after Marsa Alam. The park is a protected area which covers nearly 100km of coastal blissfulness (tropical palm groves, mangrove bays, paradisiacal white-sand beaches), and a 60km-deep wadi, or dried riverbed, well into the Eastern Desert. The area is protected due to its peculiar biodiversity and the wealth of greenery. It comprises, besides the aforementioned coastal area, the vast wadi itself, and a mountain range of impressive colours and geological importance. The indigenous inhabitants of Wadi el Gemal, belong to the Ababda tribes. They constitute one of four branches of the Beja tribes, known historically as the Blemmyes who were in constant war with the Romans, until they were finally subsidized by the conquerors. The Ababda are nomadic pastoralists, who graze their herds on the vegetation found in the wadi. They are very superstitious and are indifferent toward material things, have a deep respect for nature, are self-sufficient, hospitable and have great tribal solidarity.

A new tourist development near Marsa Alam International Airport, Port Ghalib is to feature a golf course and a wide range of bars, Restaurants, shops, hotels and an international marina.