The town of Dahab has a long history for luring travelers, and trapping them for days and weeks on end with its cheap ocean-side camps, golden beaches and rugged mountain backdrop, and above all a special "easy-pace" of life. Some, Egyptians and foreigners alike, have gone for short visits then somehow stayed for life.
In the recent decade Dahab has expanded beyond its humble origins, and now boasts a smooth fusion of hippie mellowness and resort chic. The banana pancakes, moonlight spiffs and hardcore backpackers still remain, though they now coexist with upscale restaurants and boutique hotels. However, while the vast majority of Sinai is being packaged and sold for mainstream consumption, Dahab is a place where individual travelers are still the rule rather than the exception.

Meaning 'gold' in Arabic - a reference to the area's sandy coastline - Dahab also boasts some of Egypt's most spectacular diving and trekking. A short walk, jeep ride or even camel trek will bring you to some of the Red Sea's most memorable dive sites – including its own world famous "Blue Hole", about 5 miles from town - and a boat can bring you within easy distance of the world-class reefs in Sharm El Sheikh and the nearby Ras-Mohammad National Park at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula.

It is also is also the preferred base for organizing guided excursions into the interior deserts as well as to the lofty heights of nearby Mt. Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine.

Dahab remains one of the more authentic tourist towns in Egypt. True, a paved boardwalk now lines the beachfront area of Assalah (the most developed part of Dahab) including shops and restaurants of all types; however Dahab remains a tranquil ocean-side refuge from the unrelenting heat of the desert.

Historically, most visitors to Dahab have been backpackers traveling independently and staying in hostels in this area. It is a sprawling conglomeration of palm trees, shops, campgrounds, hotels, bars and restaurants that lie along the shore of Ghazala Bay.

While Assalah has a distinctly bohemian feel, the area just south of it called El-Qura Bay is less laid back - though still relaxed. Here, upscale luxury holiday villages and dive centers attract a very different clientele.

Dahab was originally a Bedouin fishing village that today is world-renowned for its windsurfing, because of the reliable winds that provide outstanding flat water conditions. However, there are many reefs immediately adjacent to the waterfront hotels, so scuba diving and snorkeling are also very popular sports, especially considering the nearby Blue Hole.

Main attractions of Dahab are the unique on-the-sand restaurants which developed over the years, a mixture of Hippie and Bedouin styles; large cushions and low tables are placed next to the sea, and decorated with colorful cloths. Most of these restaurants have fish stalls in front, where one can pick the fish of one's choice and have it prepared immediately. The menus are delicious and quite affordable.

For Skilled Diver

Dahab lies alongside the deepest section of the African rift, the giant crack in the earth's crust that formed the Red Sea. The jagged mountains above continue at much the same angle underwater, forming a dramatic seascape of valleys, canyons and caves. Most of Dahab's dive-spots are geologically unique.     

Two dive-sites, The Canyon and The Blue Hole, are worldwide known amongst divers. Sport divers are allowed to explore the two sites to a maximum depth of 30m. To dive the deeper section of these fascinating formations one has to be a TEC-diver, using special gas-mixtures. The most northern dive-site is "The Bell" and in the south "The Caves". As for "Ras Abu Galum" and "Gabr El Bint", these can only be reached by camel.

 

Diving in Dahab is shore-diving. With a few exceptions you simply drive along the shore by jeep or pick-up truck, gear up at the beach and start your dive. When entering the water one has to be careful, especially with high waves and during low tide.

Only occasionally you will come across Soft-corals. Fish life is represented by the typical Red Sea Reef-dwellers, Trigger and Surgeonfish, all kind of Groupers, Emperor and Parrotfish. With some luck you can observe Pelagius, such as Jackfish, Barracudas or even a Reef-Shark.

Dahab is considered as one of the top destinations for divers and windsurfers alike. Many divers like to surf as well; and on days without wind diving is their ideal alternative.