Dahab is a relaxed coastal town about an hour and a half north of Sharm el-Sheikh, famous for the Blue Hole, a deep reef drop just off the shore that draws free divers and snorkelers from all over the world. The day trip is a jeep adventure of around nine hours with an eight o'clock start, hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, and it has an excellent rating from more than eight hundred reviews. The route includes a jeep safari and Salama Canyon, snorkeling with guide and gear, a camel ride, lunch at a beach Bedouin tent in Dahab and some time in the town. Pricing options on show a cheaper version without entrance fees and higher ones that include entry fees or a quad bike, so choose the version that fits.
A typical day
The morning begins with a long drive north along the Gulf of Aqaba, with views of mountains on one side and sea on the other. You change to jeeps for the desert section and the canyon, then visit the Blue Hole area, where the reef is a short swim from the shore. Lunch is served at a Bedouin-style tent on the beach, and there is time to wander the town before the drive back.
What to know about the Blue Hole: the dive site itself is famous and serious, with a deep drop, and it is a place where careless freediving has led to accidents. Snorkelers stay on the shallow reef edge, and you should follow your guide's instructions and keep to the marked areas. Entry fees to the protected area can be separate, and prices are often quoted both with and without them, so ask what is covered.
Advisory and ID
Dahab is in South Sinai, outside the northern and middle Sinai areas that the US State Department's advisory lists as Do Not Travel, but the same advisory says emergency help can be limited anywhere in the peninsula and that access is regulated, so expect checkpoints and carry your passport. Check the current US State Department advisory, or your own government's, before booking. The trip is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for pregnant travellers, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip is commonly offered, so check the terms when you book.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day guided trip by air-conditioned vehicle and jeep to Dahab, with Salama Canyon, a Blue Hole snorkeling stop, a camel ride and a beach lunch.
Best time
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; winter is cooler and summer can be very hot.
How long
About nine hours, with an early morning start.
Tips
Carry your passport, choose the price option that includes entry fees if you want a simple day and follow your guide closely at the Blue Hole.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Active travellers who want the Blue Hole, a canyon and a taste of Dahab in a single day.
- Families
- Possible with older children who handle a long day and a jeep ride; not suitable for infants on laps in the jeep section.
- Couples
- A scenic, adventurous day with a relaxed beach lunch.
- Pair with
- A quiet pool day afterwards, or the Bedouin dinner on a different evening.
- Time needed
- One full day.
Good questions
Is Dahab safe to visit from Sharm?+
Dahab is in South Sinai and a very popular day trip. Check the current US State Department advisory, which lists Northern and Middle Sinai as Do Not Travel and notes limited emergency help anywhere in Sinai.
Is snorkeling gear included?+
Yes, snorkeling gear and a guide are included. Entry fees and the quad bike are priced as options.
How long is the drive?+
Dahab is roughly an hour and a half from Sharm each way, depending on traffic and checkpoints. The day totals around nine hours.
Can I dive at the Blue Hole on this trip?+
The trip is built around snorkeling and sightseeing. Technical or deep diving at the Blue Hole needs a qualified dive operator.
Do I need my passport?+
Carry it, as there are checkpoints on the road. Hotel pickup times are confirmed by the operator after you give your hotel name.
