Dahab

Dahab is a 90-minute drive north of Egypt’s leading holiday resort, Sharm El Sheikh Transfer times from Taba airport approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and from Sharm El Sheikh approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

Dahab holidays – relaxed resort oasis
Dahab holidays is a much-loved resort on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. It was once a remote Bedouin settlement, positioned on the edge of the Sinai Desert, where the warm, turquoise waters of the Red Sea lap Egypt’s coast. In recent years Dahab resort has evolved to accommodate European visitors, drawn to its peaceful setting and proximity to the gorgeous coral reefs of the Sinai region. A few years ago the resort of Dahab was dubbed Egypts Goa – a trendy backpacker stop-over point. However today it has become a sophisticated, yet friendly international resort. With this part of Egypt offering warmth and sunshine all year round, Dahab is the perfect spot for a holiday with a difference.

Location
Dahab is a 90-minute drive north of Egypt’s leading holiday resort, Sharm El Sheikh.

Holidays to Dahab – golden sands, azure water and Blue Hole dive site
Dahab town has an old Bedouin quarter in the south, while the modern administrative centre of Dahab is in the north. Today there is a pleasant mix of large, big name hotels and smaller establishments alongside local homes and shops. The word Dahab means gold in Arabic, which sums up the beautiful golden sands found on the beach here. There are also palm trees, lagoons, and five minutes out of town, an arid desert wilderness. Dahab’s old town is well worth exploring, and home to many traditional-style cafes. Along the seafront you will find modern restaurants and bars, and therefore plenty of opportunities to eat and drink under the stars. Diving in the area is excellent, offering some of the quieter and more pristine sites of the Sinai coast. About 8 km from Dahab is the renowned underwater site ‘Blue Hole’, a big draw for divers staying in the area. The Blue Hole poses quite a dive challenge, requiring divers to drop 100 metres through the hole and squeeze through a tiny passage to the waters beyond. From Dahab towards the Israeli border to the north is the Island of Coral, home to remains of a Crusader fort.

Beaches.
Golden sands, Azure water and Blue Hole dive site
Dahab town has an old Bedouin quarter in the south. The word Dahab means gold in Arabic, which sums up the beautiful golden sands found on Dahab’s fantastic beach. There are also palm trees, lagoons, and five minutes out of town, an arid desert wilderness. Dahab’s old town is well worth exploring, and home to many traditional-style cafes. Along the seafront you will find modern restaurants and bars, and therefore plenty of opportunities to eat and drink under the stars. Diving in the area is excellent, offering some of the quieter and more pristine sites of the Sinai coast. About 8 km from Dahab is the renowned underwater site ‘Blue Hole’, a big draw for divers staying in the area.

Out & About in Dahab
Here are a few things you can do in Dahab:

Dahab – the ultmate chill out zone: Few places in the world can rival Dahab as a total chill out zone. Take a seat in one of the beach-side cafes for breakfast, and you’ll find yourself still sitting there when lunch rolls around. People here are very laid back – the cafe owners happy to have you spend the day on their sunbeds just sipping on a juice or 2. You’re less than 2m from the sea.

Dahab – the world class adventure destination: For most people, it’s the combination of the laid-back way of life with world-class adventure activities that keeps them coming back to Dahab time and time again. Scuba diving, freediving, yoga, deep desert safaris, rock climbing – plus the famous Camel Diving Safaris. Here’s a bit about each:

Scuba diving:  Dahab is one of the most versatile diving locations in the world. World-class dives, from beginner to technical depths, plus gentle conditions and excellent visibility.  The diving here is mainly from shore. This makes for some tricky entry & exits, but any good local guide will know where to go in which conditions. Our most famous sites are the Canyon and Blue Hole, plus little gems like the Islands and Eel Garden . The local favourites are Abu Helal and the Hutts – beautiful and dived much less often than the other sites. Almost all of our dive sites can be dived at Open Water or Advanced Open Water level. The most famous dives, however, are beyond 18m. If you’re an Open Water diver, and planning to do 3+ days diving anyway, this is a great place to do your Advanced qualification.

Camel Diving Safaris: These are incredible adventures, and the highlight of many trips to the Sinai. Tanks, equipment (& you!) all piled onto the camels to access remote sites north and south of Dahab. Don’t settle for less than 2 days – you have to sleep under the stars and wake with the sun for an early morning dive to truly experience this amazing combination of diving, desert & Bedouin life!

Freediving: What is this, you ask? Basically, diving without a scuba unit, on a single breath of air! You can also think of it as ‘Deep Snorkeling’. Four years ago in Dahab, there were 2-3 freedivers. Today, we see about 500 per year! And it’s not just the extreme deep divers. Many people are taking up freediving as a recreational sport. You can do a Try Freediving day, or a full Beginner course for 3 days. If you’re an experienced freediver, you’ll always find a buddy/spotter in Dahab. There are instructors here doing personal bests of 60+ m, but also happy to train and have fun at 30-40m.

Yoga & Yoga Safaris: Dahab & the Sinai are made for yoga! There is a fresh energy here which makes you glad to be alive. Rooftop classes, or you can combine with a snorkeling or deep desert safari. Stick to the beach in summer (May-Sept). If you’re coming Oct-April, try to combine yoga with a deep desert safari. An incredibly uplifting experience!

Deep Desert Safaris: everyone has heard of Mt Sinai & St Catherine – very beautiful and definitely worth a visit but don’t expect a quiet place. Bus loads of tourists arrive regularly, so if it’s a real piece of the Bedouin life you want – you’ll need to get off the beaten track. If you have time (5+ days), here are my top 4 places for amazing desert safaris:
* El Guna Plateau & Canyons of El Hashem
* El Rummlah (Serabit El Khadem) – my home
* Jebel El Tih – the only place for deep desert safaris in the summer months because you trek from oasis to oasis
* Jebel Sirbel – especially for the climbers. Even just driving through Wadi Ferran is a nice experience.

Rock Climbing: This is the big new adventure in the Sinai. Sportsclimbing in Wadi Gnai near Dahab, virgin territory tradclimbing in St Catherine and world-class bouldering everywhere you go.

So, just a small taste of the things you can do in Dahab. These are the big things. It’s probably some combination of these plus all the small things that will make it a special place for you – catching the breeze at Eel Garden, the rise of the full moon over the Saudi mountains on the other side, sunset swims in the Laguna, copious amounts of the sweet Bedouin tea. The longer you stay, the harder it is to leave.

Transfer Time
Dahab resort lies eighty kilometres north of Sharm El Sheikh, on the Sinai Peninsula. It has a transfer time of one hour from Sharm El Sheikh Airport,

Resorts in Egypt
Alexandria, Aswan, Dahab, El Gouna, Hurghada, Luxor, Nuweiba, River Nile – Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Taba, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay,

Accommodation in Dahab
Hilton Dahab Resort Hotel 5*, Iberotel Dahabeya Hotel 4*