Dahab
Travel Guide > Africa > Egypt > Dahab
In this Article
- Introduction
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Dahab is a town in southeast Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula, situated alongside the Red Sea. It is popular amongst tourists for its excellent diving and wind surfing opportunities, but nearby Mount Sinai also makes for excellent climbing. The town itself also has a lively party scene. The scenery is truly exhilarating, with barren mountains overlooking the Red Sea.
Sights and Activities
El Mashrabe Street
The main part of Dahab which is the most happening one is the El Mashrabe Street (sharae). This is the street where all the low cost budget hostels are located as well as the scuba diving centres etc. The Corniche connects the lighthouse to these hostels most of which are located on the Corniche or are approached by it.
Snorkelling and Diving
Dahab is a base for scuba diving where one can do introductory dives. Summer is incredibly hot in Sinai, so the best time to go is about April-May and October-November, also winter is possible. The diving around the Lighthouse is not as great, due to the pollution. The Blue Hole is a favorite spot for snorkelers and divers. The sea life and corals are amazing here and unspoiled. One should keep in mind not to go near the corals as it could damage them. While swimming, you should avoid getting close to the rocks because if the tide is strong then there have been instances where injuries have been reported due to people colliding with the rocks. There are about 20 dive sites in Dahab and endless places for swimming.
In Egypt the law requires you to have a local guide. This is not very well enforced and won't be a problem if you don't flaunt violating it. However it is always wise to take at least one dive with a guide whenever you dive a new area.
Dahab is also home to some of the greatest free-divers on the planet. Some of them can dive the 100m to the bottom of blue hole where they take a short cave swim out to the open water.
Dahab is also rife with wind and kite surfers.
Events and Festivals
Getting There
There are limited options for getting to Dahab, as there is no airport or train line. Driving around the Sinai is also quite dangerous, so it is not recommended.
However, there are nearby airports at Sharm El Sheik and Tab. It is also possible to come by land or sea from Jordan and Israel, though there are no boats serving as public transport.
Bus is the best option: East Delta Bus is the local bus service, which connects Dahab with Sharm, Nueiba ad Taba. The trips take around 3 hours and cost between LE 20 and LE 30. There is a slightly inflated tourist price. The bus from Cairo takes about 8 hours and costs about LE 80 for a foreigner.
Another possibility is to get a taxi. Ask about price before you getting into. The price supposed be fixed.
From an international destination your best way to get to Dahab is to fly directly into Sham El Sheik then take the bus for about LE30. It only takes about an hour, and by summer 2010 a new road will be opening that will cut that time down to 30 minutes.
Getting Around
The various Sinai towns are connected by Delta Bus. You can also take a local taxi, but make sure you settle on the price before the trip.
You can rent Scooters, mopeds and bikes to get around Dahab. You can also be taken on horses, camels and quads. But these are more for tours than transport.
Most of Dahab is within easy walking distance. Only the more expensive hotels with "private" beaches are a little farther away, as well as the bus stop. You can get a cab ride from anywhere in Dahab to this area for LE5 per person with minimal haggling.
Eat
Most restaurants in Dahab serve fish and sea food, and pizza is also a popular dish. "Alladdin" and "Friend's Place" are two great restaurants in Dahab.
Be sure to try some bedouin tea!
- Alladdin Restaurant
- Friend's Place
- Funny Mummy's provides great food in a clean environment. Cheap cold beers, a friendly staff, and the best shesha in Dahab
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Camp & Hotel | Masbat, Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt | Hotel | 82 |
| Bedouin Lodge Hotel | El Mashraba P.O.Box 71 | Hotel | - |
| Bishbishi Garden Village | Mashraba St. Mashraba | Hotel | 87 |
| Coral Coast Hotel | Eel Garden | Hotel | 60 |
| Dahab Dorms | Red Sea Relax Resort, PO Box 78 Lighthouse Street, Dahab, South Sinai | Hostel | 94 |
| Dahab Plaza Hotel | Egypt, South of Sinai, Dahab | Hotel | 93 |
| Daniela Diving Resort | Bluehole road Dahab | Hotel | - |
| Dyarna Hotel / Aqua Divers | Mashraba POBox 122 | Hotel | - |
| El'youm | Dahab | Guesthouse | - |
| Ganet Sinai Dahab | Dahab. Lagoona Beach | Hotel | - |
| Golden Europe | Lighthouse street Alphanar street | Hotel | 60 |
| Jasmine Pension | Al Mashraba Street South Sinai | Hostel | 63 |
| Neptune Dahab | Elmasbat Street Bridge area 78 | Hotel | 86 |
| New Sphinx Resort | Mashraba | Hotel | 77 |
| Octopus Garden Resort | Al Mashraba area main road Dahap Egypt | Hotel | 72 |
| Pearl of South Sinai | El-Mashraba, Dahab, South Sinai | Hotel | 58 |
| Penguin Village | Mashraba Street Dahab Sinai | Hostel | 88 |
| Red Sea Relax Resort | PO Box 78, Lighthouse Street Dahab, South Sinai | Hotel | 63 |
| Sea View Divers | SeaView Divers El Mashraba Street | Hotel | - |
| Sea View Hotel Dahab | Al Mashraba S.T Dahap Egypt Al Mashraba area Dahap South Sinai Egypt | Hotel | - |
| Seaview Resort | Mashraba Street Dahab - South Siani | Hotel | 82 |
| Seven Heaven Hotel and Divers Down Under | Mashraba South Sinai | Hostel | 59 |
| Sheikh Salem House | El Malil Street Assalah Dahab South Sinai | Guesthouse | 89 |
| Sphinx Hotel | Mashraba St. | Hotel | 79 |
Mid-Range
Upscale
This is version 21. Last edited at 15:23 on Nov 1, 09 by Utrecht (+18). 1 article links to this page.
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