“So what are your plans for while you’re here?”
“I don’t know. I really want to do some diving, that’s for sure.”
“Oh man, go to Dahab.”
“Dahab is my favorite place in Egypt.”
And so went the conversation that set me off on a two-week stay in Dahab on the Sinai peninsula, where there was little more than sun, surf, sand and relaxation.
Dahab, a SCUBA Paradise
Dahab is situated on the eastern side of Sinai, right about the middle of the shoreline. Looking out across the Red Sea, you can easily see the mountains of Saudi Arabia most days and I heard of a ferry to Jordan that leaves from there as well. You can get there from Cairo by bus or fly to Sharm El Sheik and get a cab (about one hour) from there.
I was not steered in the wrong direction as far as SCUBA diving goes. Or beach relaxation for that matter. I did two dives near town, at a site called Lighthouse, which included an artificial reef sculpture made as an elephant.
Diving at Ras Abu Galum
The next day, I rode a camel along the surf to a place called Ras Abu Galum, where there is a Bedouin camp set up. For three days, I woke up, ate, went diving, came back, napped, ate, went for another dive, camp back and enjoyed the beach sunset, only to do it all over again the next day. Visibility on the dives was excellent, and while we didn’t see anything major per se, we did see a few octopi, lots of triggerfish, several lionfish, glass fish, pipe fish, banner fish, puffer fish and lots of pristine coral. Being in a secluded area with electricity for only a couple hours a day, the views of the night sky were also exceptional.
Gabr El Bint
There’s also a dive site just to the south, reachable by boat for a nice day trip, called Gabr El Bint with some spectacular reefs as well. Even if you aren’t a diver, this site is a great trip to take for even just a snorkel trip, which is what I did personally.
The Waterfront Walk in Dahab
Dahab itself comes mostly in the form of restaurants, hotels and dive shops along a waterfront path that makes for excellent strolling. However, with there having been some incidences in the Sinai in recent years, tourism had declined precipitously and as a result the souvenir hawkers and restauranteurs are extremely persistent in their sales pitches and trying to get you in their establishments.
But walk the path all the way to the south, past some of the deserted establishments and past the new construction that is mostly paused and you will end up at the beach called Laguna, where it’s just you, the beach in front of you and the mountains behind you. It’s even possibly to fall asleep beneath the stars here.
I would definitely recommend taking a trip to Dahab if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cairo, or are looking for a little more wild side of Egypt.
