El Quseir: Ottoman fort, diving and turtles at Marsa Mubarak from Hurghada
El Quseir is a quiet little Red Sea port town about 75 km north of Marsa Alam airport (so nearly 2.5 hours' drive south of Hurghada, approximate distance). It offers an Ottoman fort that takes an hour to visit, an uncrowded old town and good reefs. The best-selling trip in the area is the snorkelling trip to Marsa Mubarak to see green turtles and, with luck, a dugong (47 to 115 dollars depending on length, seen in October 2026). It is not a day trip from Hurghada: spend a night here on the way to Marsa Alam.
Highlights
The Ottoman fort
It served as a fortified post on the Red Sea road and as a French base in the late 18th century; it takes about an hour to visit, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm according to a local guide (ticket not confirmed).
The seafront
The old town stretches along a calm bay with cafés and fishermen's dhows, far from the resorts. The reefs in front of town are explored with mask and snorkel.
Practical info
Tips
- To sort the options: the 4.5-hour half day to Marsa Mubarak is the cheapest, the full 7 to 8 hour day with lunch adds a second site (Marsa Shona or Small Shenwa); departures are often from Quseir or Port Ghalib. Turtles are frequent, the dugong is a bonus that is not guaranteed, and wind can shorten the trip. The Sataya (Dolphin House) dolphins are a trip from Marsa Alam. Where to sleep: see where to stay in Marsa Alam; you can also compare Hurghada or Marsa Alam.
How to get there
From Hurghada, allow about 180 km south on the coastal road (2.5 to 3 hours, approximate); from Marsa Alam airport, about 75 km north. By plane, there are direct flights to Marsa Alam then a transfer, see Marsa Alam from Hurghada.
Opening hours
Nearby
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