El Quseir was once one of Egypt’s most important trading hubs, but today it is a tranquil destination that is almost entirely undiscovered. Shore diving is the norm here, and a number of pristine dive sites are accessible by jeep, truck, or sometimes boat.
Some excellent fringing house reefs also make El Quseir a good choice for those, including snorkellers, who want to enjoy the plentiful marine life without the crowds.
Learning to Dive
El Quseir offers varied topography, abundant marine life and the advantage of less crowded sites, but it is not first choice for beginners. There are a few shallow reef patches, but generally the sites in this area cover multi depths that are not ideal for novices. However, if you want to study for your Advanced course, or develop your photography skills, then El Quseir is a great choice.
Qualified Divers
There are up to 30 dive sites within easy reach of the centre, including Sharm Fugani, Ras Mahaleg and Erg Malek. You’ll enjoy exploring coral covered pinnacles on the sandy slopes, as well as navigating and exploring the labyrinth of coral gardens. Glide through narrow passages and blind alleys into the territory of the crocodile fish, moray eels, sea snakes, lionfish, porcupine fish and blue spotted stingrays. You may even find the elusive white tip or guitar sharks taking cover. Although not renowned for the larger pelagics, the area boasts a large and diverse fish population.
El Quseir also offers a number of excellent house reefs, giving easy access to some wonderful dives with napoleon wrasse, turtles and even the occasional reef shark. Underwater photographers will delight in the macro life, with spectacular Spanish dancer and other nudibranchs on offer.
For those wanting to experience dive sites further into the Southern Red Sea, boat day trips can be arranged to celebrated sites such as Elphinstone Reef, famed for its sharks, and the sombre wreck of the Salem Express.
Diving at the Flamenco Beach is with Pharaoh Dive Club.
Diving at Akassia Swiss Resort is with Diving Akassia dive centre.
PHARAOH DIVE CLUB
Pharaoh Dive Club is a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm IDC centre, located on the beach at the Fanadir Resort in El Quseir. The British owned and managed centre offers diving from hard boat, zodiac or shore, with direct access to a good house reef. There is a pool available for training, and air conditioned classrooms. There are photographic editing facilities on-site, along with computer, camera and video rental available. Equipment rental is available and there are personal lockers and changing facilities on-site. Pharaoh Dive Club is also a BSAC training centre.
General Information
Learn to Dive Courses >
Advanced Dive Courses >
Technical Dive Courses >
Dive Packs
Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure. Our prices are lower than those in resort. You can also take advantage of our great value dive pack offers.
Any dive packs offers listed below are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings, there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Group Offer
Book 10 dive packs and get one FREE. Go to the Regaldive Groups page>
| Standard Prices | |
| Shore Diving | |
| 1 day | £37 |
| 2 days | £64 |
| 3 days | £91 |
| 4 days | £123 |
| 5 days | £150 |
| 6 days | £171 |
| Boat, Zodiak & Shore Diving | |
| 1 day | £53 |
| 2 days | £96 |
| 3 days | £123 |
| 4 days | £166 |
| 5 days | £203 |
| 6 days | £235 |
| Learn to Dive Courses | |
| Discover Scuba | £37 |
| Scuba Review | £64 |
| PADI Scuba Diver | £118 |
| PADI Open Water | £203 |
| PADI Scuba Diver upgrade to Open Water | £150 |
| Open Water Referral | £193 |
| Advanced Courses | |
| Advanced Open Water | £139 |
| Rescue Diver | £214 |
| Dive Master | £342 |
| Groups Policy: Book 10 get 1 FREE. Click here to visit the Regaldive Groups Page | |
Please note:
- Packages for qualified divers include guide, tanks, weights and air for 2 dives per day. Dives are on consecutive days. For 'Special Trips' and 'Extras payable locally in resort', please see below.
- Check Dive / Scuba Review: Most dive governing bodies recommend a scuba / skills review if no diving has taken place for 6 months. A Scuba Review can be prebooked at a cost of £64. A check dive will be carried out in resort for all divers and a charge of €10 will apply.
- All courses listed include equipment rental.
- Additional costs for courses: PADI Open Water manual: £28, PADI Advanced Open Water Manual: £26, Rescue Diver Course: £28, Enriched Air Diver Course: £35, PADI Certification fee €35 (paid locally).
- Extras payable locally in resort:-
- Guide for House Reef dive: €5 per dive
- Nitrox 32% (12 litre tanks): €3 per tank
- 15 Litre Tanks (reservations advisable): €3 per tank
- Equipment Hire (full basic kit): €25 per day
- Lunch & Drinks (on boat or full day shore): €7 per day
- Reef Tax: €3 per day
- Chamber Fees (optional donation): €7 per visit
- Sales Tax (prebooked services are exempt): 10%
- Special trips (prices shown are available with pre-booked diving.)
- Abu Dabbab: €20 per trip
- Elphinstone: €40 per trip
- Salem Express: €40 per trip
DIVING AKASSIA
Located at the Akassia Swiss Resort, the Diving Akassia Dive Centre (Formerly Waterworld) is managed by a team who offer an excellent service. Diving Akassia offer a range of PADI courses, shore and boat diving, and snorkelling.
General Information
Learn to Dive Courses >
Advanced Dive Courses >
Technical Dive Courses >
Dive Packs
Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure. Our prices are lower than those in resort. You can also take advantage of our great value dive pack offers.
Any dive packs offers listed below are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings, there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Group Discounts
Book 12 dive packs and get one FREE. Go to the Regaldive Groups page>
| Standard Prices to 27.10.10 |
Standard Prices from 28.10.10 |
|
| House Reef Dive Pack | ||
| 3 days | £125 | £125 |
| 4 days | £134 | £151 |
| 5 days | £146 | £167 |
| 6 days | £175 | £193 |
| Learn to Dive Courses | ||
| Referral Course | £192 | £192 |
| PADI Open Water | £324 | £336 |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| PADI Advanced | £191 | £210 |
| Groups Policy: Book 12 get 1 FREE. Click here to visit the Regaldive Groups Page | ||
Please note:
- Packages for qualified divers include two unguided house reef dives per day, including tanks and weights. Half day boat trips (1 dive) are €12 per person & jeep dives (2 dives) are €12 per person. For 'Special Trips' and 'Extras payable locally in resort', please see below.
- All divers with less then 30 logged dives must be guided. Guide costs an additional €5 per person per dive.
- All 'Learn to Dive Courses' listed include equipment rental. PADI Advanced course excludes equipment.
- Additional costs for courses: PADI Open Water manual: £28, PADI Advanced Open Water Manual: £26, PADI Certification fee €35 (paid locally).
- Scuba review is compulsory for anyone who has not dived for 3 years. The Scuba Review includes all the pool skills from the Open Water Course plus 2 dives with an instructor. Equipment rental is included. The Scuba Review lasts for 2 days. A Scuba Review can be prebooked at a cost of £162. A check dive will be carried out in resort for all divers.
- Extras payable locally in resort:-
- Nitrox per 12L tank: 32% FREE
- Night dive / early morning dive on house reef - FREE (offered 3 times per week)
- Equipment hire pppd (excludes computer, torch & SMB): €25
- Half day boat trip (1 dive): €12
- Full day jeep tour (2 dives): €12
- Coast guard fee pppw: €10
- Environmental tax pppd: €2
- Dolphin House government fee per visit: €15
- Sales tax in resort: 10%
- Special trips (prices shown are available with pre-booked diving.)
- Abu Dabab: €25
- Elphinstone Reef (50 logged dives & PADI Advanced required): €60
- Shab Marsa Alam: €50
- Salem Express: €50
Getting Around
This is a remote resort, situated one hour's drive from Marsa Alam airport, or 2½ hours from Hurghada airport.
Climate
The hottest time of the year is July and August with air temperature of over 30 degrees C. The coolest time is January with the temperature at around 20 degrees C. Rainfall is negligable and it is invariably sunny but breezes can be cool.
Time
Egypt is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Currency
Egyptian pounds or LE. Approximately £1 = 8LE
We recommend that you take some money in Cash to Egypt. There is a currency exchange desk available at the hotel. Please note that Scottish notes and Australian Travellers Cheques are not accepted in Egypt.
Tipping
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to travellers for personal recognition of the services offered. We would advise that you allow approx. £10 for gratuities for local staff for the duration of your stay.
Rough Price Guide
- Local beer 20LE
- Foreign imported beer c.20LE
- Snack meal (pizza/sandwich) 20LE
- Bottle of mineral water 5LE
- Soft drink 8LE
Egypt Factbox
| Area: | 1, 001, 450 sq. km |
| Population: | 67 million |
| Language: | Arabic, English |
| Time: | GMT + 2 |
| Electricity: | 220v. Round pin adaptors |
Flight Information
From London Gatwick direct to Marsa Alam every Monday & Wednesday. Alternatively, there are flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Hurghada every Friday. Regional departures are also available.Please call Regaldive for details.
Flight duration: 5 hours
Transfer: Approx 1 hour from Marsa Alam airport and 2.5 hours from Hurghada airport.
Departure tax: n/a
Passports
Passengers travelling to Egypt must have six months valid on their passport from the date of departure from Egypt.
Visas
A single entry tourist visa for Egypt is required for all nationalities. For British passport holders with British citizenship, Egyptian visas can be obtained conveniently and inexpensively on arrival at Marsa Alam and Hurghada airports.
Other nationalities should check with consular office.
Vaccinations
There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Egypt, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Though malaria does exist in Egypt, it is generally not present in the coastal resorts.
Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic.
Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.
Red Sea Offers
Red Sea Dive Pack Offers
Various dates available
Regaldive are committed to saving you money on your dive holiday!
Book your dive pack or course before you go to save money. Our prices are lower than those you will pay in resort. You can also save £££'s with our great value special offers and discounts.
All special offers have limited availability, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Emperor Divers, Red Sea
€20 OFF SPECIAL DIVE TRIPS, DIVE COURSES & EQUIPMENT RENTAL - 2010 Voucher Offer
This voucher entitles the holder to €20 off special dive trips, dive courses and equipment rental. Valid until 31st December 2010.
Available at Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.
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Learn to Dive HALF PRICE Diving Offer!
Book a PADI Open Water course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! Saving based on standard diving prices. Valid for new bookings from 26 August 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
1 September - 24 December 2010
Available at Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.
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HALF PRICE Diving Offer 2010 & 2011
Book a 4, 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE! *
Book a PADI Open Water, Fastrack* Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! * Saving based on standard diving prices. Valid for new bookings from 18 May 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
18 November - 14 December 2010
31 December 2010 - 15 March 2011
1 June - 12 July 2011
*Fastrack materials £45 extra for concessionary place.
Available at Sharm, Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.
All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Divers' Lodge, Hurghada - FREE Diving
Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack or a PADI Open Water, Open Water Fastrack* or Advanced Course and your buddy can book the same FREE! Valid for departure dates:
19 November -17 December 2010
7 January - 1 April 2011
6 May - 8 July 2011
*Fastrack materials £45 extra for concessionary place.
All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Orca Dive Club - HALF PRICE Diving
Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE (boat, or boat & house reef, or house reef only).
Book a PADI Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! Saving based on standard diving prices. Valid for new bookings from 25 May 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
17 November - 16 December 2010
5 January - 8 April 2011
1 June - 8 July 2011
Available at Soma Bay, Abu Dabab & Hamata.
All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Sinai Divers, Dahab - HALF PRICE Diving
Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack (shore dives only or shore + boat dives) and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE!
Book a PADI Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE!
Valid for departure dates:
20 November - 17 December 2010
8 January - 13 March 2011
7 May - 19 June 2011
19 November - 17 December 2011
Valid for new bookings from 28 May 2010.
All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
