A barefoot beach town tucked between the vast granite mountains of the Sinai Desert and the tranquil shores of the Red Sea, Dahab is an unexpected paradise in Egypt.
Worlds away from the mega-resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh (Sinai’s most popular beach destination), life in Dahab unfolds at its own pace— slow, sun-soaked, and slightly nostalgic. It’s the kind of place where you eat dinner in a bikini, slip into the ocean between drinks, and lose track of time on long salty afternoons.
We spent 2 weeks diving, climbing, and generally loafing about in Dahab last autumn, and it quickly became one of our favourite places in Egypt. This guide covers the best things to do in Dahab, as well as practical information on getting there, where to stay, where to find reliable wifi, and more!
1 | Scuba diving in Dahab
The Red Sea is home to some of the best diving in the world, and Dahab offers an incredible variety of colourful and unique sites— nearly all accessible directly from shore!
We’d done very little shore diving before arriving in Dahab, but we absolutely loved how easy it was to gear up, walk into the water, and descend straight onto vibrant reefs teeming with marine life. The owner of our dive shop described it as “aquarium diving”, and it’s honestly the perfect characterisation: crystal-clear visibility, vibrant colours, abundant marine life, and calm conditions perfect for divers of all experience levels.
We spent two weeks diving in Dahab with Desert Divers, a local shop owned by Tanis, a friendly Canadian woman, and her Bedouin husband, Said, who pioneered diving and climbing on the Sinai a few decades back.
Tanis, Said, and the entire Desert Divers team are AMAZING, and they can organise everything from local shore dives to overnight camel dive safaris, as well as trips to the Blue Lagoon, Mt Sinai, and even rock climbing in the surrounding granite canyons!
Some of the best dive sites in Dahab include:
- The Canyon — a dramatic underwater fissure with narrow swim-throughs and beautiful light filtering through the rock; this is absolutely jaw-dropping!
- The Blue Hole — one of the most famous dive sites in the world, this deep, perfectly circular sinkhole sits just off the reef; most divers explore the rim and surrounding reef, while its notoriety comes from the much deeper “Arch”
- Gabr El Bint — a more remote southern site known for its pristine coral, excellent visibility, and far fewer divers, offering a quieter, more untouched feel than the reefs closer to town
- The Islands — a shallow, colourful coral garden filled with reef fish and scattered coral bommies, perfect for long, relaxed dives and especially enjoyable for newer divers
2 | Camel dive safari to Ras Abu Galum
Dahab’s rugged charm and abundant marine life make it a diver’s paradise, but one experience certainly stands out above the rest: an overnight camel diving safari to Ras Abu Galum.
Accompanied by a Bedouin guide and a dive master from Desert Divers, this adventure begins with a scenic 2hr camel ride along the untouched Sinai coastline, where you’ll haul dive gear to a remote beachside campsite. From this base camp, spend 2 days exploring pristine coral reefs absolutely teeming with vibrant marine life, including rays, eels, pufferfish, and a surprising number of octopuses!
You’ll spend the night in a simple wooden bungalow right on the beach, eating basic meals and falling asleep to the sound of the waves. It’s remote, raw, and completely unforgettable— easily one of our favourite experiences anywhere in Egypt!
3 | SS Thistlegorm
While Dahab is best known for its shore diving, it’s also within reach of one of the most famous wreck dives in the world: the SS Thistlegorm.
Located off the coast near Sharm El-Sheikh, this WWII British cargo ship sank in 1941 and now rests remarkably intact on the seabed. Inside, you can still see trucks, motorbikes, and wartime supplies, as well as vibrant marine life growing and living inside the ship.
Trips from Dahab involve a long day and an early start, but for those who’d rather avoid staying in charmless Sharm, you can opt to day-trip down to some of Egypt’s best dive sites. Chat to the wonderful team at Desert Divers to help coordinate diving at SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed National Park (the crown jewel of the Sinai!), and other interesting wrecks in the area.
4 | Kite surfing in Dahab
With consistent wind, shallow water, and wide sandy beaches, Dahab is considered one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world.
Conditions are especially good for beginners in the shallow lagoons around Dahab, while more experienced riders can take advantage of stronger winds farther out. Gear rental and lessons are widely available if you’re new to the sport!
5 | Blue Lagoon
To the north of Dahab near Ras Abu Galum, the Blue Lagoon is one of the world’s premier kitesurfing destinations— but it’s just as magical if you’re not kiting!
This glowing stretch of shallow turquoise water is lined with simple wooden bungalows and small cafés serving fresh juice, the kind of place where morning effortlessly slips into afternoon. It feels remote, peaceful, and completely removed from the modern world.
Accessible only by camel, boat, or rugged 4×4 journey, the Blue Lagoon is worth the effort, whether you’re kiting, swimming, or simply doing nothing at all. We visited on a day-trip, but I’d highly recommend staying a night or two if you really want to disconnect!
6 | Mt Sinai hike
Believed to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments, Mt Sinai holds deep religious significance in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and is considered one of the most sacred places in Egypt.
But even if the biblical history isn’t your main draw, this is still an incredible hike— one of the best places in the region to experience the vast, layered beauty of the Sinai Desert. From the summit, you’re surrounded by endless ridges of granite mountains fading into soft desert light, a landscape that feels both ancient and completely untouched.
Most Mt Sinai tours from Sharm or Dahab depart in the middle of the night to reach the summit for sunrise, but this usually means large crowds and harsh lighting.
Instead, we’d recommend leaving Dahab around midday, visiting St Catherine’s Monastery on the way (see below), and starting the hike up Mt Sinai by 3pm. We had the summit ENTIRELY to ourselves in late afternoon, and watching the light soften over the mountains as we descended was absolutely incredible. This is best accomplished by hiring a private driver in Dahab!
7 | St Catherine’s Monastery
Located at the base of Mt Sinai, St Catherine’s Monastery is one of the oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries in the world, dating back to the 6th century. It houses ancient manuscripts, religious icons, and the legendary “Burning Bush”, believed to mark the spot where Moses first encountered God.
Whether you’re there for the biblical significance or just to admire the artwork, it’s a fascinating stop that pairs perfectly with the Mt Sinai hike.
8 | Rocking climbing in Dahab
And now for something completely different: Dahab is surrounded by dramatic granite wadis that offer some of the best sport climbing in the Sinai! The main climbing area is Wadi Qnai, about 20min from town, where a collection of shaded, sand-floored canyons host a growing number of bolted routes.
There are currently about 40 single- or multi-pitch routes, ranging from beginner-friendly to more technical lines up to 5.12. Since they aren’t neatly mapped in a guidebook and navigating the desert can be incredibly challenging, even experienced climbers will benefit from hiring a local Bedouin climbing guide!
We spent several days climbing with Desert Divers, who can organise everything from beginner courses with full gear rental to simple transport into the wadi for experienced climbers travelling with their own equipment (and belayer).
It’s a surprisingly accessible climbing scene, but it still feels wild— quiet desert, towering granite, and very little infrastructure beyond what local operators provide!
>>> Read about climbing in the deserts of Wadi Rum, Jordan!
9 | Hang out on the beach in Dahab
Finally, one of the best things to do Dahab is simply nothing! This is one of those rare places where simply existing feels like an activity, and with gorgeous mountains set right against the beaches, it’s impossibly scenic for sipping fresh juice and smoking shisha between dips in the Red Sea.
Practical info for visiting Dahab
Getting to Dahab
There are a few different ways to reach Dahab, depending on your route through Egypt (or the Middle East):
- Fly to Sharm El-Sheikh + transfer (simplest option): The easiest and most reliable route is a short domestic flight from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh, followed by a 1hr taxi or minibus to Dahab. Taxis are widely available at the airport or they can be arranged in advance through your accommodation.
- Overnight bus from Cairo (budget option): Several companies run direct overnight buses (~10–12hrs) from Cairo to Dahab. It’s the cheapest option, but also the longest and least comfortable.
- Ferry from Aqaba, Jordan (adventurous option): Take the AB Maritime ferry from Aqaba to Nuweiba (ostensibly 3hrs), followed by a 1hr taxi to Dahab. This is a very local and adventurous method of travel— it took us a full 8hrs (thanks to constant delays) and we were literally the only foreigners on the boat, but made for a good story!
Getting around Dahab
Dahab is compact and extremely walkable, with most restaurants, cafés, and dive shops clustered along the waterfront.
For Blue Lagoon, Wadi Qnai, Mt Sinai, or anything farther afield, taxis and shared pickups are cheap and easy to arrange. Your hotel or dive shop can organise everything, and prices are generally very reasonable (just confirm the fare before setting off)!
Where to eat in Dahab
One of the things we loved most about Dahab was the food. After months travelling through the Middle East, the variety here felt like a breath of fresh air— everything from Egyptian staples to excellent international cuisine, all served in laid-back, sand-floor settings right by the water. Some of our favourites restaurants in Dahab:
- Nirvana Indian Restaurant — fantastic, affordable Indian food right on the water; the curry is served with generous portions with rice, naan, yoghurt, and cucumber salad
- Dai Pescatori — great pizza and pasta in a beachfront setting; the seafood lasagne is incredible!
- Athanor — woodfired pizza in a charming garden courtyard
- Zanooba Slow Cooking — a varied menu of delicious “pots”, essentially Egyptian stews with slow-cooked meat and veggies
- Tricycle Burger — casual burgers from a street-front stall, excellent for take-away back to your hotel!
- The Vegan Lab — smoothie bowls, açai, and a surprisingly extensive plant-based menu
- Schoenemann’s Café — one of the best Western-style brunch spots in town, with a variety of sweet and savoury options
- Mahalawy Juice Bar — delicious and inexpensive fresh juices and smoothies, with some limited outdoor seating
Where to stay in Dahab
We spent our entire 2 weeks in Dahab Sindbad Camp, a relaxed and atmospheric beachfront hostel with private rooms (mix of shared or ensuite bathrooms). This is a long-running diver base, owned by a Dutch expat who’s been living in Dahab since the 90s and supported by a small team of awesome local Bedouins— contact directly on their website to book.
Sindbad is within easy walking distance of the best restaurants, cafés, and dive shops, yet just outside of the touristy promenade area. If you’re looking for something more upscale, there are also boutique hotels and beachfront apartments scattered along the coast, but Dahab’s charm is very much in its simplicity!
Where to find WiFi in Dahab
We absolutely fell in love with Dahab during our 2 weeks here, but the one reason we couldn’t stay longer was the poor internet. If you’re working remotely (or in my case, running a travel blog), it’s definitely something to anticipate in Dahab. Thankfully, we found a few solid spots for co-working around town:
- Eel Garden View — best overall; fast WiFi, good seating, and a relaxed atmosphere (150 EGP minimum spend)
- Feel Lifted Café — next door, slightly more casual but still reliable
- Schoenemanns Café — good brunch + decent WiFi and comfortable tables
- El Coworking Space — proper workspace with desks and private rooms ($5 for 4hrs / $10 full day, open late)
My other recommendation is to download a Vodafone eSIM, as this offers vastly superior coverage relative to other Orange or carriers!
Read more of my Egypt travel guides
- Luxor travel guide: best temples & tombs of the East & West Bank
- 10 best temples in Egypt (from a 5-time visitor!)
- Choosing the best Nile Cruise in Egypt: absolutely everything you need to know
- 2-day Cairo & Giza itinerary for first-time visitors
- What to do in Dahab: a guide to Egypt’s coolest beach town
- Perfect 1 & 2-week Egypt itinerary: Giza, Luxor, Aswan & the Red Sea
