Dahab is a small village situated on the south eastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Formerly a Bedouin fishing village, most visitors have been backpackers traveling independently and staying in hostels in the Masbet area. In recent years, new international chain-hotels in the Medina area and the construction of other facilities have made it a popular tourist destination. The nearest international airport is located at Sharm el-Sheikh.
The word Dahab is Arabic for gold and is possibly a reference to the geographic locality. Gold washed down from the desert mountains may have accumulated on the alluvial flood plain where the town was built. The name may also be a reference to the color of the sands to the south of the town itself.
TOUR ATTRACTIONS:
Dahab itself has practically nothing in the way of sights, but you can easily arrange tours to some nearby points of interest.
• Ein Khudra - a Bedouin oasis.
• Coloured Canyon
• Three pools - a bedouin oasis and lovely area for snorkeling, diving or just relaxing.
• The Lagoona - a long sandy stretch close to Dahab City is the place for wind surfing, kite surfing or to admire the view.
GETTING AROUND: Dahab itself is quite simple on foot, the promenade runs right along the seafront, with all the amenities appearing along it. Shared taxis, in essence mini-buses, are a cheap way to travel locally. These do not tend to conform to a timetable. If you don't have a car to get to Dahab from Eilat, take a taxi to the border, walk across, and grab a shared taxi on the other side.
TO DO: Dahab's activities can be divided in two: there's diving, and then there's everything else. Diving is extremely popular in Dahab and the reefs here are still in relatively good shape. Known dive sites includes Abu Helal, Blue Hole, The Bells, Canyon, Coral Garden, Eel Garden, Lighthouse, Moray Garden, Islands, Three Pools, Gabr El Bint, Ras Abu Gallum.
• Bedouin Divers - Very familiar dive center directly at the coast of the Red Sea in the Mashraba area of Dahab. Bedouin Divers is located in the Bedouin Lodge Hotel, which acts very individual and can arrange for you everything: Daily Diving, PADI Courses, Camel Dive Safaris and Boat Dives, but further desert safaris and anything else giving you a good insight into the Bedouin's life.
• Big Blue Dahab - (Tel. +20 (0)69 3640 045) is a fully equipped 5 Star Gold Palm Padi resort only meters from the reef, a relaxed and welcoming environment ideal for both snorkeling and diving. Emphasis on safety and fun with an environmental awareness. Small dive groups with our highly qualified instructors and divemasters can enjoy a full range of Padi courses and guided dives at affordable prices. Their team will make every effort to ensure your holiday exceeds expectation and is truly unforgettable.
• Blue Realm - (Tel. +20 69 364 1413; mobile +20 12 744 4873; e-mail info@bluerealmdiving.com; web site http://www.bluerealmdiving.com) Great native-run diving center (English, Dutch, German, French and Arabic available: the owner's wife is actually Dutch and has been living there for 6 years now). They charge for two dives ¤45 (plus extra for gear rental, see the web site). Package discounts are available. A 5-day PADI Open Water course here is ¤260, incl. equipment (see also Special Offers page on web site). In addition to Dahab, Blue Realm arranges custom diving holidays throughout the Egyptian Red Sea.
• Desert Divers - For anyone up for a taste of the Bedouin life, this is the home of the Camel Diving Safari and has become Dahab's center for diving & desert adventure in the Sinai. Their story began 15 years ago when the owner, Said, became Dahab's first Bedouin to learn to dive. The place is right on the beach in the main bay (Masbat Bay, inbetween the bridge & Lighthouse Reef). Excellent for diving (PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Resort), plus unique specialities including Freediving & Freediving Safaris, Deep Desert Safaris, Rock Climbing and Yoga Safaris. Plus their famous Camel Diving Safaris, from 1-5 days with the Sinai's most experienced guides.
• Nesima Diving Center - (Tel. 069 3640320) French-run diving center generally judged to be the best in town. They charge a premium pricewise though, as two dives will cost you ¤47 (plus ¤20/day for gear rental). Package discounts available. A 5-day PADI Open Water course here is ¤302.
• Poseidon Divers - Certainly the best and most professional dive center in Dahab if you plan to embrace a professional career, get into technical diving or simply do fun dive or courses in a safe and professional way. It is the only PADI Career Development Centre in town as well as a PSA and TDI Instructor facility (the only one in Egypt), you will get no shortage of divers if you do your PADI DiveMaster or Instructor course here which is a definite plus for the quality of your course. Poseidon Divers is also home to the top of the crop of technical diving with World Record Depth diver Mark Andrews as a manager and instructor.
• Red Sea Relax Diving Resort - (Tel. +20 (0)69 3641 309 http://www.red-sea-relax.com) New British run diving operation enjoying a prime beach side location in central Dahab, meters from the teeming reefs but also convenient for Dahab's famous bizaars, lively nightlife and modern amenities. As a PADI Diving Resort on site accommodation is available with a choice of either discounted standard en-suite rooms or a bed in the dormitory complex- offered totally free for divers! A beachside restaurant (with internet terminals free to guests)and a safari office complete the all-in-one facilities. Red Sea Relax Diving Resort and its team of professional instructors offer a host of diving activities. PADI diving courses range from beginner through to Assistant Instructor, or for those already qualified daily diving takes place to any of the 20 specatacular local reefs. For those more adventurous Boat excursions and Camel Dive Safaris are easily arranged.
• Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery - 2 hours away by car, is a popular overnight trip from Dahab. Any guesthouse can arrange return transportation for around LE 30. Alternatively, gather a group of people, charter a taxi and beat the crowds by climbing during the day and seeing the sunset instead. It gets cold, so bring a jacket! If going to the summit during nighttime, make sure to bring flashlight, preferably worn on your head. There are some shops and teahouses along the way, so don't worry about the provisions.
Camel, horse, jeep and quad-bike safaris - These are either parallel to the shoreline, up one of the several valleys or around the township.
Desert Safaris are organized by loads of small safari shops all along Dahab's Masbat Bay. In addition to day tours, you can arrange to get deep into the desert with the Bedouin, who'll take you for up to 2 weeks!• Bedouin Safari Dahab - Here, Bedouins from the South Sinai can arrange for you the individual desert trip you are looking for.
Yoga - Wether ashtanga, hatha or kundalini, yoga classes are becoming increasingly popular. Also Full-moon retreats in the nearby wadis (desert), nice!
Wind surfing - Dahab has about 270 days a year of wind, so wind surfing here is becoming as popular as diving. There are a few wind surfing schools around Lagoona area offering all levels of courses.
Kite surfing - also becoming popular in Dahab but can only be done around the lagoona area.
SCUBA diving and snorkeling - very good, with many reefs immediately adjacent to waterfront hotels. The nearby Blue Hole and Canyon are internationally famous dive spots.