Well it's not a spearfishing destination as spearfishing is illegal but we're all divers aren't we and we all need time off with our families so here's somewhere that is ideal.
Normally I would never recommend a hotel but in view of the efforts made by this particular one to preserve the coral reef deserve it's mention. The Moevenpick el Quesier is situated on the west coast of the Red Sea about 160 Km south of Hurghada. Those familiar with Hurghada will be very aware of the environmental impact tourism has had. Travelling south past Safaga leaving behind the hotels and ravages to the reef the coast becomes barren of man's intervention with mile after mile of unspoilt reef top just yards from the beach.
Arriving at the hotel is an unremarkable experience as these things usually are, it is only after an hour or so that you become aware of the aparent restrictions to where the visitor may actually enter the water. The hotels beach is situated in a small bay protected from the ever present waves of the Red Sea. At one end is the jetty used by both hotel guests and the Subex dive centre, a 400 meter beach then runs back towards the hotel. In the middle of this beach is a small lane about 50 meters wide marked by red buoys which apart from the jetty is the only access to the sea. Initially this seems a bit much but after a while it sinks in that it doesn't affect you very much, the sea is never crowded in the lane but more importantly the natural ecology of the reef top is preserved and can be seen from the terraces of the hotel, in comparison with similar reef tops in Sharm el Sheikh or Dahab this is very much alive.
The no go area is enforced by the some of the hotels team of life guards who sit up in a tower opposite the swim lane. An attempt to enter the water anywhere but there will result in a whistle being blown and the life guard running up the beach to explain to you why (fair enough I thought) but the worst is you feel a right nob as the whole beach will be looking at you!
OK so that's how the hotel is helping to protect it's assets but in the water this ethos seems to continue as the whole reef is in remarkable condition for a hotel that has been there for 12 years. The beach starts off shallow and steadily deepens off to around 7-8 metres where there is a row of buoys across the bay that stop power boats from the dive centre getting t close to the swimmers. Along both sides of the swim lane the reef is a spectacular sight for all those new to snorkelling. A safe area for your children to explore the wonders of the coral reef in safety. Crystal clear waters sheltered from the open sea allow even the uninitiated to enjoy views of just about every type of fish in the Red Sea.
Moving beyond the buoyed off inner bay the sea bed drops off to about 20 meters allowing the more experienced free or scuba diver access to more adventurous waters. Then out at the bay mouth the sea bed drops off in excess of 40 meters providing excellent deep diving for anyone who wants it. These lettuce corals are at about 30 meters
Access from the jetty is simple enough, either walk down the well maintained steps of just jump in off the side. Water depth is about 7 meters at this point but for such a busy area the reef is in pristine condition, I was very impressed by this. Talking with the staff of the Subex dive centre I was told how they are red hot keen on their "HANDS OFF" policy on the reef and it showed. So there you have it, a resort on the Red ea that provides just about everything for the family as well as superb water action for them all. But there is more! The bay is visited about every 3 days by a small pod of dolphins. These seem to attract a lot of attention to the snorkellers in the water who dash off to see them. I must admit to having mixed feelings about this at first but the dolphins seemed to love it, playing amongst the swimmers for 2 hours at a time, as luck would have it I didn't have my camera with me when I was with them but my wife took this and I'm assured my arse is sticking up somewhere here