How deep is the Dahab Blue Hole?

The Blue Hole is approximately 130 metres deep — a circular sinkhole in the reef dropping through a vertical shaft. Recreational divers typically explore the rim and the upper 20-30 metres of the shaft, where dramatic coral formations and large pelagic fish are visible. The notorious 'Arch' connecting the Blue Hole to open water sits at 52 metres depth and is a technical dive only, requiring advanced gas management training.

Is the Dahab Blue Hole suitable for beginners?

The Blue Hole entry point and upper reef are suitable for PADI Open Water-certified divers with their instructor's guidance. Snorkellers can also explore the rim area, as the mouth of the hole is visible from the surface in clear conditions. The dangerous sections — specifically the Arch at 52 metres — are for technical divers only and should not be attempted on recreational equipment or with inadequate training.

How much does it cost to dive the Blue Hole in Dahab?

A guided diving day trip covering the Blue Hole and the Canyon (a second nearby site) costs approximately $60-90 USD per person as of 2026, including two guided dives, equipment hire, and transport. Single dives start at approximately $35-40. Entry to the Blue Hole site itself requires a fee of approximately 50-70 EGP as of 2026, paid to the local committee at the site entrance.

What is the difference between the Blue Hole and the Canyon in Dahab?

The Blue Hole is a circular sinkhole accessible from shore with a vertical shaft dropping to 130 metres. The Canyon is a separate site 300 metres south, a narrow underwater canyon running through the reef at 15-30 metres depth. Most guided day trips combine both sites into a single trip, as they are adjacent. The Canyon is generally considered the more interesting dive for fish life; the Blue Hole is the more dramatic visual experience.

Diving the Dahab Blue Hole | The Egypt Guides

The Dahab Blue Hole is one of the most recognised diving sites in the world and the defining attraction of Dahab’s dive scene. It sits on the coast 8 km north of town, a circular opening in the reef fringing a bay backed by the bare granite peaks of the Sinai mountains. From the surface, the Blue Hole’s deeper sections appear as a dark disc through clear turquoise water. Underwater, the walls are covered in soft and hard coral from the rim down to the darkening depths below the recreational limit.

This page covers the Blue Hole as a diving and day-trip destination: the sites, the operators, what dives involve, how to book, and the practical details for visiting from Dahab or Sharm el-Sheikh.

The Sites

The Blue Hole

A near-circular sinkhole approximately 70 metres in diameter, dropping from the reef surface to approximately 130 metres. Entry is from a natural sandy ramp on the north side. Recreational divers explore the upper 18-30 metres of the hole’s interior walls, which support dense coral and a large population of anthias, grouper, and parrotfish. The sensation of diving inside a vertical tube with open blue visible below is one of those experiences difficult to replicate elsewhere.

The ‘Arch’ — a natural tunnel at 52 metres connecting the interior of the hole to the open sea — is technically possible but has been responsible for numerous fatalities among divers who underestimated the depth, the current through the tunnel, and the nitrogen narcosis risk at that depth on air. Responsible dive operators will not guide clients through the Arch without appropriate technical dive training and equipment.

Entry fee: approximately 50-70 EGP per person at the site entrance as of 2026, payable to the local management committee. This applies whether diving or snorkelling.

The Canyon

300 metres south of the Blue Hole along the reef edge. A narrow underwater canyon cuts through the reef at 15-30 metres, creating a corridor with walls covered in hard coral, sea fans, and sponges. The canyon is dark in places, requiring a torch for the best fish spotting. Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, and lionfish are regular residents. The swim-through is accessible to Open Water-certified divers.

Most guided day trips include both the Blue Hole and the Canyon as a two-dive package.

Bells

A third site 500 metres north of the Blue Hole, featuring a chimney descent through a coral column and a drift along the outer reef edge. Best done in the morning when currents are more predictable. Included in some extended day-trip packages.

Operators and Packages

You can also browse Blue Hole diving day trips on GetYourGuide — useful for comparing operator safety ratings, group sizes, and whether equipment hire is included before arriving in Dahab.

Diving Day Trip: Canyon and Blue Hole (Klook Activity 105063)

The most-booked guided dive package covering both sites as a single day out from Dahab. What is included:

Two guided dives (Blue Hole + Canyon)
Full equipment: BCD, regulator, tank, wetsuit (3mm or 5mm)
Dive guide and boat/vehicle transfer to the site
Light lunch and water

Requirements: PADI Open Water certification or equivalent, minimum 5 logged dives. Price approximately $65-80 USD per person as of 2026.

Snorkelling at the Blue Hole (from Sharm el-Sheikh)

For visitors based in Sharm el-Sheikh, Klook offers a day trip covering the Colored Canyon and Blue Hole by land (Activity 98096). At the Blue Hole, snorkellers can enter the water at the rim and observe the top section of the Blue Hole from the surface. The site entry fee applies equally to snorkellers. This trip is suitable for non-divers who want to experience the site.

Price approximately $45-60 USD per person from Sharm, including transport and guide.

Dahab Dive Centres

The main operator district is on Dahab’s main seafront strip. Named centres operating Blue Hole dive trips include:

Nesima Dive Centre: Long-established PADI 5 Star resort with professional instruction, good equipment, and English-speaking guides. Blue Hole day trip from approximately $70 USD.

Big Blue Dahab: PADI and SSI certified, known for small groups (maximum 4-5 divers per guide). Blue Hole + Canyon from approximately $75 USD.

Emperor Divers Dahab: Part of a network of Red Sea dive centres with consistent safety standards. Offers guided technical dives for appropriately certified divers in addition to recreational trips.

All prices as of 2026 and subject to change.

Diving Requirements

Recreational dive (0-30 metres): PADI Open Water or equivalent required. Minimum 5 logged dives recommended before diving the Blue Hole interior.
Deep dive or Arch dive: PADI Deep Diver or equivalent speciality, plus Advanced Open Water. Technical diving (below 40 metres using trimix or rebreathers) requires specific technical certifications.

If you are not yet certified, Dahab is one of the cheapest places in the world to complete a PADI Open Water course (approximately €250-300 as of 2026). Complete the course in town, then return for the Blue Hole as a certified diver.

Getting to the Blue Hole

From Dahab town: The Blue Hole is 8 km north along the coast road. Minibuses and shared taxis leave from the Dahab town centre for approximately 20-30 EGP per person. Private taxis cost approximately 50-80 EGP for the trip. Most dive centres include transport in the day trip price.

From Sharm el-Sheikh: Approximately 1.5 hours by road (90 km). Day trips from Sharm typically depart at 8:00 AM. GetYourGuide lists Dahab and Blue Hole day trips from Sharm el-Sheikh with confirmed pickup times and operator reviews.

Best Season

November through April offers the best diving conditions: water temperatures 20-24°C (5mm wetsuit comfortable), visibility 25-35 metres, and minimal wind. Summer (June-September) sees water temperatures reaching 28-30°C and visibility remaining excellent, but surface chop on afternoon trips from onshore winds can be an issue.

The Blue Hole and Canyon are accessible year-round. The site entry fee and dive operator prices do not change significantly by season, though demand peaks in October-April.

Diving the Dahab Blue Hole: What to Expect, Operators and Costs

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