El Quseir

El Quseir is a 5,000-year-old village that was once one of Egypt's most important ports due to its proximity to the Nile. El Quseir, located almost midway between Hurghada and Marsa Alam to the north and south, has remained relatively unscathed by the massive rise in tourism that has shaped Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Much of the diving is done from the shore, with lots of shallow spots for beginners and training, but divers with more advanced certification will find more to enjoy. The unspoilt and vibrant reefs are home to all of the popular Red Sea denizens, from the ubiquitous lionfish and blue-spotted ribbontail rays to sea snakes and guitarfish.

Large pelagics are only occasional visitors, but the unspoilt and vibrant reefs are home to all of the popular Red Sea denizens, from the ubiquitous lionfish and blue-spotted ribbontail rays to sea snakes and guitarfish. Day boats can transport divers to the fabled Elphinstone reef, which is known for regular encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks in the second part of the year, or the haunting wreck of the Salem Express. A trip to the historical location is completed with stops at the 4,000-year-old rock inscriptions at Wadi Hammamat and the ruins of the ancient harbor of Myos Hormos.

How to get there: Direct flights to either Hurghada or Marsa Alam. There are fewer flights to Marsa Alam, but as the airport is around 20km north of the city, transfer times to El Quseir are reduced to approximately one hour. Flights to Hurghada are far more frequent, with a transfer time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Location: Red Sea coast