Red Sea briefing: El Quseir

El Quseir

A Red Sea diving resort dripping in history, Quseir's story dates back to around 4,000 years ago. Its port was an essential trading route through the Ptolemaic and Roman period, the Middle Ages and many other civilisations over thousands of years right up until the Suez Canal opened in 1869.

Today, Quseir is more commonly identified as a laidback holiday beach resort offering access to some of the south coast's best dive sites. As well as offering excellent shore diving on little explored reefs; it is a popular port for liveaboards heading to the Red Sea's most celebrated southern offshore sites.

The central part of Quseir is situated 85km south of the town of Safaga, with the nearest international airport being Marsa Alam. Transfers to the southern Egyptian Red Sea airport take around 40 minutes by road.
As is the case in many of the neighbouring resorts, the area is protected under strict environmentally friendly rules. Since 1995, the area has been operating under these rules, supported and created by local authorities, NGOs and international organisations such as USAID. Regular monitoring and upkeep of mooring buoys has helped to preserve this celebrated underwater environment that also provides a haven for nesting turtles.

Purpose built jetties have created easy access for underwater visitors. The more isolated diving areas can by reached by jeep trips organised by local dive centres. The relatively untouched coral reefs are teeming with life thanks to the nourishing currents travelling through these waters.

Some of Quseir's best dive sites include the beautiful drop off of El Qadim, the coral wall of Beit Goha and the networks of walls, caves, canyons and tunnels of El Kaf.