Marsa Alam with children: what works at each age

A family week here is mostly about warm water and slow days. The resorts cluster along the coast and many have gentle house reefs or lagoons. Excursions add variety, but the key is to choose the right ones for the age of your children.

Toddlers and the youngest children

At this age the hotel is the main event. A short morning at Abu Dabbab Bay works for many families because you stay close to the shore and the guide is nearby. If your child does not like a mask, paddle in the shallows while others snorkel. Skip anything with a very early start.

Primary-school age

This is the best age for Marsa Alam. Children can try a snorkel with a vest, spot a turtle and ride a camel at dusk. A morning boat trip to the Marsa Mubarak turtle reefs is a good step up. Choose the five-hour options first and see how your children get on.

• Half-day bay or boat trips with a turtle chance.
• A sunset camel ride with dinner at a Bedouin camp.
• A day in the national park, with a swim at the beach.

Teenagers

Older children often want a challenge. A quad bike ride across the desert is popular, and no experience is needed, though the guide gives a safety briefing and a practice ride first. Many will also enjoy an introduction to scuba diving, subject to the dive centre's age rules and a health declaration. Ask about the minimum age before you book.

Heat, sea and sleep

Children overheat sooner than adults. Offer water often, seek shade at midday and apply sun cream again after every swim. Early boat days mean an early bedtime the night before, and an easy afternoon after. Expect the first evening after a long trip to be quiet.

Trips to leave for later

The 13-hour Sataya day, and the private 16-hour trips to Luxor or Aswan, are long for small children, with a pre-dawn start and hours in a vehicle. They can work with teenagers who love history, but most families wait.