Dahab

Dahab Edit History Compare

previous Previous Version (10) next previous Latest Version (54) next (cur)
1{{isin|Sinai}}
2
3
4{{QuickFacts
5Latitude=28.501
6Longitude=34.5134
7}}
8
9
1==Introduction==10==Introduction==
2[photo|3481]11[photo|3481]
12[b]Dahab[/b] is a town in southeast [[Egypt]] in the [[Sinai|Sinai Peninsula]], situated alongside the [[Red Sea]]. It is popular amongst tourists for its excellent diving, snorkelling and wind and kite surfing surfing opportunities, but nearby Mount Sinai also makes for excellent climbing, as do the the local mountains and canyons. The town is a popular choice also for free divers which is becoming increasingly popular in recent years.
13
14Since January 2011 the nightlife has become almost non existant, with a few bars offering weekly parties. But Dahab has no real nightclubs, so people really wanting to party can head to [[Sharm el-Sheikh]] which is just one hour away. Dahab is more suited to the more relaxing traveller, or the lovers of water sports for which Dahab has become so popular in recent years.
15
16The scenery is truly exhilarating, with barren mountains overlooking the Red Sea. Dahab has views of Saudi Arabia across the Red Sea, as well as the stunning local mountains that are surrounding the area.
3Dahab 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.
417
518
6==Sights and Activities==19==Sights and Activities==
7===El Mashrabe Street===20===El Mashrabe Street===
8The 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.21The main part of Dahab which is the most happening one is the [b]El Mashrabe Street[/b] ([i]sharae[/i]). 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.
922
10===Snorkelling and Diving===23===Snorkelling and Diving===
11Dahab is a base for scuba diving where one can do introductory dives. Only guided dive is possible in Egypt, and the price for a single dive is around 25EUR. 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 favourite spot for snorkelers and divers. The sea life and corals are amazing here and unspoilt. 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.24Dahab is a base for [b]scuba diving[/b] 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 [b]Blue Hole[/b] is a favorite spot for [b]snorkelers[/b] 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 100 metres 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.
1225
1326
14==Events and Festivals==27==Events and Festivals==
28* [listing name=Dahab Festival of Culture, Water Sports and Desert Adventure type=event ]Since 2011 Dahab has held an annual festival to promote the town for tourism. The next festival is due at the end of April 2013. The event will include bedouin culture with a bedouin tent area, camel race, herbal medicine, bedouin food and music, all along side the world class water sports (diving, wind surfing, Kite surfing, free diving) and arts, culture and healing. It really is a big get together and a show case for Dahab, as well as a chance to try many activities for free.[/listing]
1529
1630
17==Getting There==31==Getting There==
18There 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. 32There are limited options for getting to Dahab, as there is no airport or train line. Driving around the [b]Sinai[/b] is also quite dangerous, so it is not recommended. However, there are nearby airports at [[Sharm el-Sheikh]] and [[Taba]]. It is also possible to come by land or sea from [[Jordan]] and [[Israel]], though there are no boats serving as public transport.
1933
20However, there are nearby airports at Sharm 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. 34Bus is the best option: East Delta Bus is the local bus service, which connects Dahab with Sharm el-Sheikh, [[Nuweiba]] and [[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. Check the [[http://www.ask-aladdin.com/bus_schedules.htm#Sha rm_to_other_cities_in_the_Sinai|schedule]] online.
2135
22Bus 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 20 and 30 Egyptian Pounds. There is a slightly inflated tourist price. 36Another possibility is to get a taxi. Ask about price before you getting into. The price supposed be fixed.
2337
24Another possibility - to get a taxi. Ask about price before you getting into. The price supposed be fixed.38From an international destination your best way to get to Dahab is to fly directly into [[Sharm el-Sheikh]] 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.
2539
2640
27==Getting Around==41==Getting Around==
28The various Sinai towns are connected by Delta Bus. You can also take a local taxi, but make sure you ask for the price before the trip. 42The 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.
29
30Driving around yourself is not recommended.
3143
3244
33==Eat==45==Eat==
34Most restaurants in Dahab serve fish and sea food, and pizza is also a popular dish. "Alladin" and "Friend's Place" are two great restaurants in Dahab.46Most 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!
3547
48* [[http://www.alibaba-dahab.com|Ali Baba Restaurant]] The biggest and brightest of the typical Dahab beach side restaurants. Fresh local seafood, grill, steak and steaming hot pita bread and mezze with every meal. Bring your own alcohol. Holder of Cristial International's Certificate of Excellence for hygiene management. Tel: +2 010 19 29170 Email: info@alibaba-dahab.com;
49* [[http://www.thekitchendahab.com|The Kitchen Restaurant]] - The closest you get to fine dining in Dahab. Set over 3 floors in the centre of Dahab, next to Ghazala supermarket. Offers a wide range of modern and authentic Indian, Thai, Chinese and Sushi. Bring your own alcohol. Holder of Cristial International's Certificate of Excellence for hygiene management. Tel: +2 019 5959 764 Email: info@thekitchendahab.com;
50* [b]Kitchen Express[/b] - Located in the centre of lighthouse, offering light meals and quick bites from the Italian kitchen. Indoor and roof top dining on site. Take away and free home delivery available every day till 2:00am. Tel: +2 019 4222 141;
51* [b]Alladdin Restaurant[/b];
52* [b]Friend's Place[/b];
53* [b]Funny Mummy's[/b] provides great food in a clean environment. Cheap cold beers, a friendly staff, and the best sheesha in Dahab.
36Be sure to try some bedouin tea!
3754
3855
39==Drink==56==Drink==
40[b]TOTA[/b] [need phone number, address, web address]. Club/Bar - free entry. TOTA is designed like a submarine. It's a maze of a place, with dance floors, a pool room and an outside bar.57
4158
4259
43==Sleep==60==Sleep==
4461
45===Budget===62===Budget===
63
64{| Accommodation
65|-
66!TPID!!Property!!Address!!Type!!Latitude!!Longitud e
67|-
68|17889||Alaska Camp & Hotel||Masbat, Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt||HOTEL||28.4953978000000||34.5138931000000
69|-
70|33096||AliBaba Hotel||ElmasBat Beach Dahab South Sinai||Hotel||28.5021111770000||34.5134639740000
71|-
72|3582||Bedouin Lodge Hotel||El Mashraba P.O.Box 71||Hotel||28.4922910000000||34.5160980000000
73|-
74|33085||Big Blue Dahab Resort||El-Mashraba||Hostel||28.4894760000000||34. 5158240000000
75|-
76|3583||Bishbishi Garden Village||Mashraba St. Mashraba||Hotel||||
77|-
78|33072||Christina Beach Palace||Dahab beach, 2mn from El Mashraba Street||Hotel||28.4897779835000||34.5156311989000
79|-
80|33070||Christina Residence||El Mashraba Street||Hotel||28.4900278675000||34.5147246122000
81|-
82|3585||Coral Coast Hotel||Eel Garden||Hotel||28.5041099000000||34.5212316000000
83|-
84|3586||Dahab Dorms||Red Sea Relax Resort, PO Box 78 Lighthouse Street, Dahab, South Sinai||Hostel||28.4971328000000||34.5167255000000
85|-
86|3587||Dahab Plaza Hotel||Egypt, South of Sinai, Dahab||Hotel||28.4952090000000||34.5150300000000
87|-
88|3588||Daniela Diving Resort||Bluehole road Dahab||Hotel||28.5223993000000||34.5104598000000
89|-
90|33088||Divers House||Mashraba||Hostel||28.5011500000000||34.5197 100000000
91|-
92|3589||Golden Europe Hotel||Light House Dahab||Hotel||28.5083720000000||34.5157810000000
93|-
94|33073||Jasmine Pension||Al Mashraba Street, South Sina||Guesthouse||28.5091430000000||34.51559100000 00
95|-
96|33080||Khattab Hotel||Dahab el Masbat||Hotel||28.5085390000000||34.5157620000000
97|-
98|26177||Miami Beach Resort||44 Blue Hole Road North of Down Town||Hotel||28.5000746022000||34.4984436035000
99|-
100|33092||Mirage Village and Dive Center||Inc., PO Box 46 Dahab||apartment||28.5069761688000||34.51629638670 00
101|-
102|33084||Neptune Hotel||Al masbat, next to dahab bridge||Hotel||28.4984910000000||34.5149230000000
103|-
104|3594||Pearl Of South Sinai||Egypt - South Sinai Dahab - El Mashraba infront of ( DYARNA HOTEL )||Hotel||28.5157627000000||34.5066833000000
105|-
106|3595||Penguin Village||Mashraba Street Dahab Sinai||Hostel||28.4852139000000||34.5132064000000
107|-
108|18338||Seaview Resort||South Sinai Mashraba Street Next to Dyarna Hotel||Hotel||28.4807629000000||34.5114898000000
109|-
110|3598||Seven heaven hotel||Masbat.dahab||Hotel||26.6963600000000||30.2 464690000000
111|-
112|33077||Sheikh Salem House||el malil street Assalah||Guesthouse||29.9898060000000||31.24391600 00000
113|-
114|3600||Sphinx Hotel||Mashraba St.||Hotel||28.5082210000000||34.5159530000000
115|-
116|37391||Star of Dahab||Mashraba St||Hotel||28.4893819000000||34.5155668000000
117|-
118|47340||Sea and C Resort||Blue Hole Road||Hotel||28.5012531803000||34.5133888721000
119|-
120|47567||Jowhara Hotel||Mashraba Street Po BOX 90||HOTEL||28.5018848000000||34.5192575000000
121|-
122|47954||Yasmina Hotel||Elmasbat street||HOTEL||28.5002254000000||34.5189571000000
123|-
124|50171||Ghazala Hotel||El Mashraba Dahab, South Sinai||Hotel||28.4913621440000||34.5153629780000
125|-
126|53468||Octopus World hostel||Light House St.||Hostel||28.5010016729000||34.5133991539000
127|-
128|53469||ORICANA HOTEL||Mashraba St. Dahab South Sinai||Hotel||31.2209310000000||29.9746730000000
129|-
130|54350||Rocketa Hotel||El Mashraba||Hotel||28.5175727774000||34.506855011000 0
131|-
132|59368||Acacia Hotel||5 Mashraba Street||Hotel||28.5046002706000||34.5132064819000
133|-
134|60836||Deep Blue Divers||Masbat St. behind Gazala Market||GUESTHOUSE||28.4952470000000||34.516446500 0000
135|-
136|62738||La Reine Hotel||El salam St||HOTEL||28.4926822000000||34.5143437000000
137|-
138|63402||Hostel Canyon||Blue Hole road at canyon divesite Dahab South Sinai||HOTEL||28.5682407597000||34.5156097412000
139|-
140|63864||Dahab Divers Hotel & Dive Centre||El Fanar Street PO Box 4 Lighthouse Dahab||HOTEL||28.5055053000000||34.5135498000000
141|-
142|64532||Christina Beach Pool||Mashraba Street||Hotel||28.4899618605000||34.5151430368000
143|-
144|66103||Sheikh Ali Resort||Mashraba||HOTEL||28.4919279000000||34.5145 797000000
145|-
146|70674||Golden Star Hotel||Al Masbat||Hotel||28.4966800000000||34.5151810000000
147|-
148|71591||Bedouin Lodge Hotel Dahab||El Mashraba Street El Mashraba P.O.Box 71||Hotel||28.5230030000000||34.5169830000000
149|-
150|71911||Auski Camp||Mashrabaa St||GUESTHOUSE||28.4918713000000||34.5159530000000
151|-
152|74464||Marine Garden Camp||Lighthouse||Campsite||28.5119920000000||34.5 156100000000
153|-
154|75816||Seven Heaven Hotel & Divers Down Under||Mohammed Farid St||Hotel||28.5133490000000||34.5140650000000
155|-
156|77395||Octopus Hotel||Mashraba st.||HOTEL||28.4904427000000||34.5147471000000
157|-
158|77396||Sea View Hotel||Mashraba St.||HOTEL||28.4890283000000||34.5146827000000
159|-
160|77519||4S Hotel||El Mashraba, Behind CiB Bank||Hotel||28.4992495896000||34.5152395964000
161Mirage Village Light House Dahab
162
163|-
164|88933||Club Red Camp||Dahab’s walk, beside Al-masbat South Senai||Campsite||28.4948679308000||34.517167917600 0
165|-
166|91366||Lagona Village||Dahab - South Sinai - Lagona area||HOTEL||28.4944926000000||34.5149230000000
167|-
168|91457||Red Sea Relax Resort||Lighthouse Promenade Masbat Bay||Hotel||28.4997350000000||34.5185280000000
169|}
46[b]Bishi Bishi[/b] [need phone number, address, web address].
47Dahab is overfull with cheap accomodation places. Usually it's very basic rooms, sometimes with AC (at summer could be critical to have AC). Reservation is absolutelly not nesessary.
48 170
49===Mid-Range===171===Mid-Range===
50172
……
54==Keep Connected==176==Keep Connected==
55177
56===Internet===178===Internet===
179Internet access is easy to find and cheap. Most cities, such as Greater Cairo and Luxor, and even smaller tourist sites, such as Edfu, boast a plethora of small internet cafés. The price per hour is usually EGP 2-10 depending on the location/speed. In addition, an increasing number of coffee shops, restaurants, hotel lobbies and other locations now provide free wireless internet access. Free wi-fi (Mobilnil) is also available at modern coffee shops such as Cilantro and Costa Coffee, where you obtain access by getting a 2-hour "promotional" card from the waiter, and if you go into almost any McDonald's, you will have access to a free WiFi connection.
57180
58===Phone===181===Phone===
182See also [[International Telephone Calls]]
59183
60===Post===184The international telephone code for Egypt is 20.
61185
186Egypt has a reasonably modern telephone service including three GSM mobile service providers. The three mobile phone providers are Mobinil, Vodafone and Etisalat. Principal centers are located at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta. Roaming services are provided, although you should check with your service provider. Be aware that using your home SIM card can be very expensive, especially when using internet services but also calling is much more expensive. Try to get a local SIM card for your cell phone instead. Also, it is possible to purchase tourist mobile phone lines for the duration of your stay, which usually costs around EGP 30.
62187
188===Post===
189[[http://www.egyptpost.org/|Egypt Post]] is the national postal service in Egypt. Services are generally reliable, affordable though pretty slow, even if you send post domestically. International letters and postcards take days, if not weeks if send to the US or Australia. They do have express mail services though, but these are relatively expensive. Opening hours of post officies are mostly from 8:30am to 2:00pm or 3:00pm daily except Friday, when all of them are closed. The central ones might keep longer hours, generally until 8:00pm. You can buy stamps here, or at certain newspaper kiosks. In touristic areas, these are available at many shops as well. For parcels, it's much better to use international courier services such as [[http://www.dhl.com|DHL]], [[http://www.tnt.com|TNT]], [[http://www.fedex.com|FedEx]] or [[http://www.ups.com|UPS]].
63190
64191
192==External Links==
193* [[http://www.dahabtravel.eu|Dahab Tourist Information]]
65
66{{isin|Egypt}}
67
68
69
70