Egypt recommendations please

[wildjetskier]

Morning all am looking to book Egypt next summer as I have never dived there and it sent on my list. My wife is a "non-diver" she is OW but would rather laze by the pool and drink Pina Coladas ! Can anyone recommend somewhere. Not really into mass hotel complex's. Was looking at Marsa Shagram, but think she might get bored, somewhere like that maybe? Thanks in anticipation guys and gals

 

[Diving Dubai]

The last time I visited a hotel to dive (rather than a Live-aboard) I went to El Gouna. It's a small resort about 30mins coach ride from Hurghada - I went to the Sheraton which because the rooms were small villa complexes spread around, didn't feel huge ( lots of opportunity to laze around by different pools, and the beach too)

The small harbour is very nice in the evening too

I used TGI diving (which was based at the hotel) You can book online in advance for cheaper rates. as I recall even though they were based in Europe, they gave a UK tel number so you could call and chat

 

[scubadada]

I enjoyed diving with Emperor Divers out of Port Ghalib before my 2 weeks on the Red Sea Aggressor. See my review from Oct 5. I stayed at the Marina Lodge, fine for me, maybe not what you are looking for though it was uncrowded. There are many hotels and resorts in the area, maybe one would work for you and your wife.

 

[Heruhur]

If you're wife is not a diver Indeed I wouldn't reccomend Marsa Shagra.
If it's Marsa Alam area you're looking for, a safe bet would be one of the hotels around Abu Dabbab.

 

[diverLux]

I have been going for years to El Quseir, Flamenco Beach Resort and diving with Pharaoh Dive Club. The dive base is located just 5 minutes up the road at Roots Luxury Camp, British run, your Mrs can relax at the beach while you dive the house reef at Abu Sauatir. Welcome to Roots

Another option is the Rohanou Beach Resort south of town, nice beach and great diving at the house reef, fabulous Serib Kebir. House reef dives

 

[wildjetskier]

Thank you for all the replies thus

 

[dbulmer]

This is a really difficult thread to answer because if you are staying on the Red sea coast then you've gone there for sun and beach rather than for anything else. You said she who must be obeyed is happy to relax by the pool and you want to go diving.

Well, try Sahl Hasheesh 30 mins south of Hurghada.
Hotel: Old Palace.
The dive op: Pro Divers about 10 minutes walk from the hotel.

The hotel is pleasant with great staff, trips for your wife can be arranged from the hotel and the dive staff at Pro Divers are excellent with some easy dive sites to dive on and you could be diving in the morning and be back with the Mrs mid afternoon.

Marsa Alam is probably a better location in all honesty but if you are going for a week I think what I have suggested would work for you.

 

[CamC]

I have been going for years to El Quseir,...

I've driven through El Quseir a few times and "garden spot" is perhaps the last description that came to my mind. Guess I'm missing something.

There's enough variety of dive sites around Marsa Alam to make a fortnight fly by, and there are a number of decent hotels at or near Port Ghalib, all half-empty and offering great deals. As mentioned above, you can't go far wrong with Emperor Divers, but there plenty of other ops.

Travel from the UK can be problematic. There's a direct flight with Thomson once a week, on a Wednesday, which is perfect if your dates can be made to match. Failing that, it's a ride down from Hurghada - you might get to see the aforementioned El Quseir en route.

 

[diverLux]

The Mövenpick Resort, also just a few km north of Quseir, has a great beach and great house reef , when I visited last time in July ( not diving, just walking over from the Flamenco ) there were only a few dozens of guests and 2 divers at the dive base !

Next door to the Mövenpick you’ll find the Radisson and even better, 40 km south of Safaga or 30 km north of Quseir is the TUI Magic Life Kalawy,

Distances. Hurghada - Quseir 130 km, Hurghada - Kalawy 90 km , Marsa Alam Airport - Quseir 70 km.

As of April next there will be more flights from continental Europe into Hurghada again and hopefully also to Marsa Alam airport, I will certainly appreciate direct flights from Luxembourg to Hurghada.

 

[Sunn]

If accompanied, try any good hotel of Safaga (very quiet), Hurghada or Sharm el Cheik.
Diving facilities everywhere.