Diving vacations at the Mövenpick Resort El Quseir, Egypt
- Manuela
- Jan 25
- 4 min read
As soon as we arrive at the Hotel Mövenpick Resort El Quseir in Egypt, we feel the special atmosphere of this place, which draws us here time and time again. As repeaters, this is the fourth time we have spent our diving vacation in Egypt at this resort and each time it feels like coming home. The crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea stretch out before us, framed by the endless desert and mountains in the background. The colors of the resort blend harmoniously into the natural surroundings and we immediately feel like we are in another world. Our hearts beat faster at the prospect of the coming days full of diving adventures.
Journey: Zurich - El Quseir
Our trip begins on October 4, 2024. Due to the early departure, we decide to drive to Zurich Airport and park comfortably in the P6 parking garage. We fly with Chair Airlines directly from Zurich to Hurghada, Egypt, although we have to book an additional piece of luggage because of our diving equipment. The flight goes smoothly and after landing in Hurghada we are picked up directly by our booked private transfer and taken to the Mövenpick Resort El Quseir hotel. Even during the speedy 1.5-hour drive, we get an impression of the fascinating desert landscape.
Arrival and first dive on the house reef
After a warm welcome and a quick check-in to our comfortable room with a sea view, we head straight to the Extra Divers dive center. The staff there are incredibly friendly and professional. After a short briefing and a check of our diving certificates, we stow our diving gear in the box provided, which we can then keep for the entire vacation. The dive centre is excellently organized and despite the autumn vacations, there is enough space for everything.
The next morning we set off on our first dive. A check dive is obligatory and takes place directly on the house reef, which is located directly in front of the resort and is easily accessible via a jetty. After just a few meters, we are surrounded by the breathtaking underwater world. The corals glow in every imaginable color and countless fish frolic in the water.
Organization of the dives: house reef, Zodiac or minibus
The dives at the Extradivers dive centre are very well organized and divers can register for the dives by minibus or zodiac about four days in advance. There are morning and afternoon trips every day. For house reef dives, you must register 24 hours in advance, as the number of divers on the house reef is limited. There are also various day trips for which you can register at any time.
Diversified dives and relaxation
We spend the following days with a mixture of dives by Zodiac or minibus to new spots. We also went on a day trip to Marsa Mubarak, where we saw beautiful reefs and large schools of fish.
The dives are a real feast for the senses. Beautiful, colorful corals in all shapes and sizes await us on the house reef. The dive sites in the surrounding area offer fascinating canyons and caves that we can dive through - a real adventure in the midst of this spectacular underwater landscape.
The absolute highlight of our trip, however, is the encounter with the dugong, a sea cow. After over 800 dives, we are finally lucky enough to see this rare animal in the wild. It is a magical moment that takes our breath away and that we will never forget. Another unforgettable experience are the dolphins in the hotel's bay, with which we can snorkel - a dream come true for every diver and snorkeler here. During the week we were there, even a whale shark swam into the bay, but unfortunately we missed it.
We also discover an impressive variety of marine life:
Countless clownfish cavorting among the anemones.
Crocodile fish that camouflage themselves perfectly on the sandy bottom.
Elegant lionfish with their majestic fins.
Turtles gliding elegantly through the water.
Giant moray eels peering curiously out of their hiding places.
Blue-spotted stingrays that bury themselves in the sandy bottom.
Stonefish, whose perfect camouflage is a real challenge.
Colorful nudibranchs that look like small works of art.
An imposing Napoleon wrasse that particularly fascinates us.
Eagle rays gliding gracefully in the depths.
Between dives, we relax on the beach and read or enjoy the delicious food in the resort's various restaurants, accompanied by the sound of the sea.
Conclusion of our diving vacation in Egypt
Our diving vacation at the Mövenpick El Quseir was once again an unforgettable experience. The combination of the breathtaking underwater world, the professionalism of the dive center and the hospitality of the resort made this trip a real highlight. We will remember the impressive reefs, the colorful corals and the variety of marine life for a long time to come. It's no wonder we keep coming back to this place - it offers everything we could wish for in a perfect diving vacation. If you are looking for peace, relaxation and unique dives, this is the place for you.
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