Dahab Travelers Recommend

A laid-back fishing village with a thriving scuba scene, Dahab is one of the Sinai’s gems. The key attractions here fall within two areas: the Sinai Desert, which backs the town, and the Red Sea, which fronts it. One day in Dahab is enough time to sample the joys of both. Here’s how.

Morning: Counting Coral

Spend the morning in the Red Sea, known for its crystal waters and excellent visibility. Take a ride in a glass-bottom boat or a submersible. Or, get up close to the wealth of coral and marine life on a snorkeling or scuba diving tour. (Beginners can try out the sport on a discovery dive.) Signature locations include the Blue Hole, a submarine sinkhole that’s 328 feet (100 meters) deep; the Canyon, a sculptural underwater gorge; and Three Pools, a shallow site that’s perfect for snorkeling. Expect to see clown fish, lionfish, parrotfish, and more.

Afternoon: Sandy Safari

In the afternoon, explore the Sinai Desert. Make like a Bedouin aboard a camel, ride a horse to an oasis, or kick up the dust on an all-terrain vehicle adventure. Or, join a veteran Bedouin driver for a 4WD safari farther afield. Don’t expect many dunes near Dahab. The magic here is in the “wadi,” rugged slot canyons carved out of the rock over long stretches of geological time. Colored Canyon—with walls molded into painterly swirls of red, gold, blue, and purple—is a classic choice. Visit shortly before sunset, when the colors take on a warm glow.

Night: Bedouin Bliss

Get to know the long-term inhabitants of this ancient wilderness: the Bedouin. Join a tour that takes you to a traditional encampment in the desert. Climb a hill to watch the sunset, or sip sugary Bedouin tea while sitting on carpets around a fire. (You might choose to try a shisha water pipe, filled with fruit tobacco.) Then feast on Bedouin barbecue and flatbreads. Appreciate the absence of light pollution, as a million stars appear before your eyes and, if you’re lucky, a full moon rises over the desert.

Three days in Dahab mean you can sample the Red Sea’s wonders, feast on seafood, and tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. Catherine’s Monastery. But you can also enjoy an authentically close encounter with the desert on an overnight safari—or head farther afield, to Petra, Israel, or Cairo and/or Luxor. Here’s how.

Day 1: In the Footsteps of Moses

Start your Dahab adventure with a visit to the UNESCO-listed St. Catherine’s Monastery. This fortresslike structure stands proud against the stark landscapes of Mt. Sinai, where many believe Moses received the Ten Commandments. Return to Dahab in time for an afternoon exploring the Red Sea. Crystal waters coupled with bright corals and aquarium fish make this perfect snorkeling territory, while Dahab is a mecca for scuba divers and free divers alike. Blue Hole, Canyon, and Three Pools are popular snorkeling spots, a couple of which can be reached on camelback. Wrap up your day with a seafood feast lounging on low cushions at a waterside restaurant.

Day 2: Desert Adventures

Besides the Red Sea, Dahab’s other star attraction is the Sinai Desert, and three days gives you long enough to discover it on an overnight adventure. There are few things as magical as sitting around a campfire in the desert as the moon rises, illuminating dunes and rocky outcrops, as you savor a Bedouin feast. Whether you’re traveling by camel, 4WD, or the ever-popular Toyota Hilux, you’ll not regret spending two whole days exploring wadi (slot canyons), hunting for fossils, and racing down dunes. One popular safari destination is Serabit el-Khadim, the Sinai’s only significant ancient Egyptian site; other tours take in the dazzling Colored Canyon. Alternatively, if you only have limited time in the region, consider Israel, under two hours’ drive from Dahab: Some tours pack the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Galilee into just two days. 

Day 3: Farther Afield

If you opted for an overnight desert safari adventure, sip your morning coffee amid the silence of the desert, ride a camel across the dunes, or try your hand at delights from ATV riding to sand boarding. If your last day in Dahab is also your final day in Egypt, consider checking off some of the most important ancient Egyptian ruins. Choose between Cairo, home of the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx, and Egypt’s most important museums, and Luxor, with the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and a wealth of temples. Alternatively, check off one more UNESCO World Heritage Site with a trip across the Red Sea to Jordan and Petra, the rose-red city that looks as though it was built by giants. Spend your final night in a rooftop bar, looking out over the sparkling lights and perhaps indulging in the local favorite, shisha.

With two days in Dahab, you can sample the Red Sea’s wonders, go on a desert adventure, and spend time with the Bedouin. You can also venture farther afield, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. Catherine’s Monastery—and Mt. Sinai, a mountain many believe is the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Here are your options.

Day 1: Dahabian Delights

**Morning:**Discover the Red Sea’s pristine visibility, vibrant coral, and many aquarium fish. Ride in a submersible or glass-bottom boat, or join a snorkeling or scuba diving tour. Signature sites include the Blue Hole, the Canyon, and Three Pools, some of which can be reached by camel safari along the coast.

**Afternoon:**Embark on a miniature desert adventure, by horse, camel, or all-terrain vehicle—or in a 4WD with a scarf-clad Bedouin at the wheel. Roaring through on a 4-wheeler or lolloping along on a camel, don’t miss the area’s rugged slot canyons, or “wadi,” including the popular Colored Canyon.

**Night:**With a small-hours departure planned for tomorrow’s sunrise climb, enjoy an early dinner, perhaps a seafood feast at a waterfront restaurant with views across the Red Sea. Watch the sunset tint the tranquil waters pink and purple, then catch a few hours of sleep before your trip to St. Catherine’s begins.

Day 2: Biblical Bliss

**Morning:**Reach Mt. Sinai in the wee hours, and hike to the 7,497-foot (2,285-meter) peak in the cool of the night. Savor epic sunrise views across rolling mountains as you sip hot, sweet tea or coffee. A tiny chapel marks the spot where Abrahamic religions believe Moses communed with God.

**Afternoon:**Descend Mt. Sinai and explore St. Catherine’s Monastery, a fortified edifice with a history dating back to the fourth century and a library of precious manuscripts. View a wealth of relics, including a plant that’s allegedly descended from Moses’ Burning Bush, before returning to Dahab for a lazy afternoon by the pool (or on the beach).

**Night:**Spend your last evening in Dahab in a traditional Bedouin encampment in the desert. Feast on flatbreads, Bedouin barbecue, soft drinks, and sweet tea around the fire, then savor the absence of light pollution as a million stars bloom before your eyes.

The star attractions of Dahab lie under the Red Sea, known for its outstanding visibility and vibrant coral. Once a sleepy Egyptian fishing village, today Dahab supports a wealth of scuba and snorkeling operators that lead tours to sites from underwater canyons to the notorious Blue Hole. Here are a few key options.

Blue Hole

Just steps from the shore north of Dahab, the coral reef drops away into a submarine sinkhole, reaching depths below 328 feet (100 meters). The Blue Hole is known for its arch, a tunnel so deep underwater that it’s only safely accessible by technical divers. But it also offers charming snorkeling and advanced wall dives with a spectacular entrance via a narrow crack called the Bells. 

The Canyon

The stark, sculptural underwater canyon that gives this site its name is best suited to advanced divers, with an entrance at over 60 feet (20 meters) below the surface—and a very deep exit suitable only for experienced technical divers. But the coral gardens around the top of the canyon offer color for snorkelers and open-water divers alike.

Ras Abu Galum

One of Dahab’s less-visited—yet magical—diving and snorkeling areas, Ras Abu Galum Protected Area is most often reached by camel safari. A variety of different sites offer something for all abilities, from snorkelers to advanced divers, as well as marine life including stingrays, turtles, and Spanish dancers.

Three Pools

Often combined with the shallow Golden Blocks or Moray Gardens dive sites, Three Pools is a top Dahab snorkeling pick. Three shallow pools combine with vibrant coral gardens and seagrass to yield a rewarding few hours—especially if you see one of the resident turtles.