Mandrove Bay - Ducks Diving Quesier

Located in El Quseir, Ducks Diving Quesier has been operating for over 28 years, establishing itself as a reliable fixture in the Red Sea. The centre operates with a family-oriented approach, catering to everyone from children starting their first Bubblemaker course to seasoned Divemasters.

Whether you prefer the convenience of the house reef or the excitement of a Zodiac excursion, the centre provides a structured yet flexible environment. Their location allows for a variety of profiles, ranging from shallow explorations to more demanding offshore sites.

The team is multilingual, providing instruction and guidance in English, German, French, and Arabic. This ensures that communication remains clear and precise, which is vital for both safety and the quality of training.

Safety is a core component of their operation. The centre maintains on-site oxygen supplies, has staff trained in first aid, and is located within 60 minutes of a hyperbaric chamber in Marsa Shagara. They also offer dive accident insurance on-site.

Environmental stewardship is integrated into their daily work. The centre participates in coral restoration initiatives, conducts regular beach cleanups, and collaborates with HEPCA to maintain and install buoy systems throughout the southern Quseir region.

The centre provides a comprehensive range of training through SSI and PADI. Beginners can start with the Bubblemaker programme for children aged 8 and up, progressing through to Junior-Rescue and eventually to Divemaster level.

Specialised training is also available, including Nitrox courses for those looking to extend their bottom time. The use of SSI e-learning allows you to complete much of your theoretical work before arriving on site.

For offshore excursions, the centre utilises a Zodiac, which is ideal for reaching more remote sites with precision. These trips allow you to move beyond the house reef to explore the deeper, more varied topography of the Red Sea.

The shore-based facilities include a dedicated drying room to store your kit safely and a freshwater rinsing station to maintain your equipment.

For those using enriched air, Nitrox is available on-site. The centre is also well-equipped to handle various training needs, offering a pool for confined water sessions, though they often utilise the bay for open water training due to its calm, pool-like conditions.

The house reef and surrounding waters are home to a diverse array of reef fish, including various species of Wrasse (Labridae), Snapper (Lutjanus), and Fusilier (Caesio). You will often see schools of batfish and Glassfish (Atherinidae) moving through the water column.

For those looking for larger species, the area is frequented by turtles and various pelagic species. You may encounter dolphins (Delphinidae), Eagle ray (Aetobatus), and various types of sharks, including Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and Blacktip reef shark.

The reef structure itself is built upon a vibrant foundation of corals, including various soft corals (Alcyonacea) and gorgonians. These provide the essential habitat for much of the local marine life, including Moray eel (Muraenidae) and Grouper (Epinephelus) that frequent the ledges and crevices.

The house reef is a sheltered site, making it accessible in various weather conditions and suitable for all experience levels. The bay provides calm, stable environments that are often used for training purposes.

Offshore sites like Elphinstone are subject to more varied conditions and are reserved for those with the appropriate advanced experience to manage the environment safely.