Dahab is not a typical Red Sea resort town. It has no major hotel chains, no all-inclusive package infrastructure, and no cruise ship itineraries. What it has is a concentration of serious divers and freedivers, a windsurfing lagoon, a relaxed cafe strip, and day trip access to some of the most dramatic landscapes in Sinai. It is a town that people arrive in for three days and leave from three weeks later.
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The Blue Hole
About 1km north of the lagoon strip, the Blue Hole is a vertical underwater cave system opening into the sea. It is accessible from the shore at no charge for snorkeling. The surface snorkeling is excellent - the water above the hole is clear enough to see the column dropping away below. Shore diving is well-established here, with the upper section of the cave accessible to recreational divers.
The arch at 56m connects the cave to the open sea. This section has been the site of an extraordinary number of fatalities - estimates of 130 to 200+ deaths have been published, making it one of the statistically most dangerous dive sites in the world. The risk is specific: deep air narcosis, misjudging depth on the approach, and inadequate preparation for the depth. Recreational divers who stay above 30m are not at the same site, practically speaking. We cover the diving detail on the Dahab diving page.
The Lighthouse
Just north of the main lagoon, the Lighthouse (El-Fanar) is the most reliable shore dive and snorkel site in Dahab. A coral wall starts at the surface and drops gradually. Good fish life, easy entry, and consistently calm conditions make it the standard site for beginner dives and Open Water courses. Evening dives here are popular.
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
The Dahab Lagoon has consistent wind and flat water - conditions suited to learning. Several schools operate in the lagoon including Club Mistral, which is the most established operator. A beginner windsurfing course of 2–3 days costs approximately $150–220 as of 2026, including equipment and instruction. Equipment hire alone runs $20–35 per day. The lagoon is shallow and sheltered enough that beginners have room to recover from falls without boat traffic complications. Wind picks up reliably in the early afternoon. Experienced riders move to the outer sea where there is more swell and wind variation. The combination of reliable conditions and competitive pricing makes Dahab one of the better places in Egypt to take a first windsurfing course.
Desert Excursions
The Sinai interior is accessible on organised day trips from Dahab:
Coloured Canyon - a narrow slot canyon about 60km from Dahab with rainbow-coloured sandstone walls; accessible by 4WD and a short walk; one of the more striking natural features in the region.
Ras Abu Gallum Protectorate - north of Dahab along the coast; accessible by camel ride or extended walk; dramatic desert-meets-sea landscape with camping possible. Blue Lagoon is within this protected area.
Half-day and full-day ATV and camel excursions into the Sinai mountains also run from the lagoon strip.
St. Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai
St. Catherine’s is 135km inland via desert road - about 2 hours from Dahab. One of the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries, with an important collection of early Christian manuscripts and icons. Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), at 2,285m, is traditionally identified as the site of the giving of the Ten Commandments. The most common approach is an overnight trip from Dahab - arriving at the monastery in the evening, hiking to the summit for sunrise (2.5–3 hours), then visiting the monastery as it opens in the morning. The monastery is closed Fridays and Sundays.
Check the Egypt visa page for Sinai-only stamp restrictions on mainland travel if relevant to your trip. For organised Mount Sinai overnight trips and Dahab excursions with guides, browse Dahab tours.
Day Trip Costs
Coloured Canyon: most operators charge approximately $30–50 per person including 4WD transport and a guide as of 2026. The canyon walk is 30–45 minutes. Ras Abu Gallum: reachable by camel for approximately $20–35. St. Catherine’s overnight trip: $50–90 per person typically covering transport and a mountain guide. The monastery charges no entry fee but has restricted opening hours - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, 9am–12pm only. It is closed Fridays and Sundays. The Mount Sinai summit hike follows the Steps of Repentance (approximately 750 stone steps) or a camel track for the lower section before the final ascent.
The Lagoon Café Scene
Dahab’s lagoon strip has a distinct café culture: cushioned seating on open waterfront terraces, juice bars, shisha, and live music in the evenings. Restaurants like Funny Mummy and Al-Capone have been running for decades and draw regular returning visitors. The pace of the strip is deliberately slow, and evening walks between restaurants are the default Dahab evening activity.
Best Season
October to May. Summer heat in the Sinai (June–August) is extreme and can make hiking and overland excursions uncomfortable. Winter (December–February) is mild and uncrowded - water temperature drops to around 20°C, which is still diveable but cooler for snorkeling without a wetsuit. Spring (March–May) combines pleasant temperatures with good visibility and the desert excursions are at their most enjoyable.