Dahab’s attractions fall into three groups: reefs you can snorkel from the shore (the Blue Hole, the Lighthouse, the Eel Garden), bays and beaches north of town (Ras Abu Galum, the Blue Lagoon), and mountains and canyons inland (Mount Sinai, St Catherine’s Monastery, the Colored Canyon, Wadi Gnai, Al-Tawilat). Below is what each place is, how far it is from town, and who it suits. For activities rather than places, read things to do in Dahab.
A sinkhole more than 100 metres deep, right at the shore about 10 km north of town. Snorkellers swim along the coral rim; certified divers do the classic Bells-to-Blue-Hole route with a guide. Read our Blue Hole guide.
A protected stretch of coast north of the Blue Hole with no road access – you arrive by camel, boat or on foot. Bedouin camps, quiet bays and good snorkelling. Ras Abu Galum guide.
About two hours’ drive inland. Most people climb at night to see the sunrise from the summit (2,285 m). It is a moderate hike but not a technical climb. Mount Sinai guide.
The easiest snorkel and dive site in Dahab, right off the promenade in the centre of town – a reef slope where many divers do their first open-water dive. Lighthouse guide.
At the foot of Mount Sinai, one of the oldest continuously working Christian monasteries in the world, with limited opening hours – check before you go. Monastery guide.
A hill and hiking area close to town with wide views over Dahab and the gulf – best early in the morning or before sunset. Al-Tawilat guide.
At the northern end of Assala, a sandy slope where hundreds of garden eels poke out of the seabed. Calm, shallow and good for snorkellers and new divers. Eel Garden guide.
A shallow turquoise lagoon beyond Ras Abu Galum, reached by boat or a long camel ride; some camps offer simple overnight stays. Blue Lagoon guide.
A narrow canyon with striped red, yellow and purple rock walls, usually visited on a jeep safari from Dahab. Colored Canyon guide.
A small valley a short drive south of Dahab, popular for walks and climbing, with a reef just offshore. Wadi Gnai guide.
–Discover the Best Things to Do in Dahab: A Complete Guide to Dahab
–10 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Visit Dahab
–When to Visit Dahab City in Egypt: A Comprehensive Guide
–How to spend a day in Dahab?
–Discover Dahab: Top Attractions in Egypt’s Hidden Gem
–Advice for first-time travelers in Egypt
–Top 10 beaches in Egypt
–Safe Traveling in Egypt: Expert Advice from Locals and Tourists
–When is the best time to visit Egypt?
With only a day, snorkel the Blue Hole and the Lighthouse. With three days, add Ras Abu Galum and the Colored Canyon. With four, climb Mount Sinai for sunrise. All of them can be booked with hotel pickup.
Book this experience: Ras Abu Galum and Blue Hole snorkel safari – two snorkel sites in one day, from $45.
The Blue Hole, Ras Abu Galum, the Lighthouse reef, the Colored Canyon and Mount Sinai with St Catherine’s Monastery.
The Lighthouse and Eel Garden for easy snorkelling, the Laguna beach for calm water, and short camel rides.
The Lighthouse is in town, the Blue Hole about 10 km north, the Colored Canyon and Mount Sinai one to two hours’ drive inland.
Not for snorkelling the Lighthouse or Blue Hole, but you do for diving, desert safaris and Mount Sinai.
Snorkelling trips, desert safaris and Mount Sinai climbs from Dahab, with hotel pickup and local guides.
Egypt travel blog dedicated to providing the best possible information for traveling to Egypt. Our articles include information on best holiday Destinations in Egypt, Things to do in Egypt, How to get Around in Egypt, and of course planning Your Perfect Itinerary for your holidays in Egypt.
