El Quseir

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, zodiac or sometimes day boat.

Some excellent fringing house reefs also make El Quseir a great 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 with a few shallow reef patches that makes it ideal for novices. 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 50 dive sites within easy reach of the centre, including Serib Kebir, the Rock and Abu Humra. 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 and leopard ray. Underwater photographers will delight in the macro life, with spectacular Spanish dancers, elusive sea moths 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.

technical diving

Pharaoh Dive Club are able to offer guided Tec dives as well as a range of Tec courses. For details, please enquire with the Regaldive team.

Pharaoh Dive Club

Pharaoh Dive Club is a RAID 5 Star Instructor Development Resort, located on the beach at Roots Red Sea in El Quseir.  The British owned and managed centre has direct access to a good house reef.  Zodiac and hard boat diving is available from El Quseir harbour, just 10 minutes away.  The house reef has a very shallow area for training, and a dedicated classroom. 

The centre is fully equipped with new, modern rental diving equipment. There is also a Bauer Compressor with pure air certification, first aid and Oxygen all on-site.  Down on the beach a permanent dive base has been set up with shaded areas for kitting up with hanging rails for wetsuits. A seating area for briefings and a house reef dive map, changing rooms, toilets and fresh water showers are also located here.  Pharaoh Dive Club is also a BSAC training centre and are able to offer guided Tec dives as well as a rnage of Tec courses.  Please enquire for details.

Typically, 6 days unlimited and unguided house reef dives with Pharos Dive Club starts from £220 per person excluding equipment rental.

Dive sites from Roots Red Sea 

DIVE PRICES

Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure, and benefit from lower prices than those in resort. Although individual dive packs can be booked, Regaldive offer a great-value package including flights, transfers, accommodation on soft all-inclusive basis and 6 days diving.

Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Getting Around

This is a remote resort, situated about one hour's drive from Marsa Alam airport, or one hour 45 minutes from Hurghada airport.

Climate

The hottest time of the year is July and August with air temperature of over 30 ºC. The coolest time is January with the temperature at around 20ºC. Rainfall is negligable and it is invariably sunny but breezes can be cool.

Time

Egypt is 1 or 2 hours ahead of GMT depending on the season as Egypt does not operate Daylight Saving Time.

Currency

Egyptian pounds or LE. Approximately £1 = 40LE

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 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. £20-30 per person for gratuities for local staff for the duration of your stay.

Rough Price Guide

• Local beer: 65LE
• Snack meal (pizza / sandwich):  130LE
• Bottle of mineral water:  25LE
• Soft drink:  35LE

Flight Information

Flights are available to Hurghada (HRG) from a number of UK airports. Please refer to the tables below for typical direct flight schedules, or speak to our friendly travel consultants for the latest information.

Typical Annual Schedule

HRG = Hurghada Airport, updated Aug 2024

Key: * = Winter only (November to April), ** = Summer only (May to October), *** = Irregular schedule, ask for more information

NB: Please note that flight schedules may be subject to change by the airlines at any time. Full and up to date flight details will be provided with any holiday quotation.

Flight duration: Approx 5 - 5½ hours

Transfer times: These vary according to the hotel choice. Minimum transfer time is approx. 20 minutes, certain more remote destinations require longer transfers. 

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 Hurghada airport, or in advance via the new e-visa portal - Visa2Egypt.

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.

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Roots Red Sea

Roots Red Sea

Roots Red Sea

El Quseir