Dahab is the Arabic word for gold- and the city derives its name from the golden colored beaches. A combination of soft sand, gorgeous blue water, and a luxuriant strip of palm trees is what beckons tourist to this picturesque village in droves. Dahab, a desert oasis and retreat is a place where tourists can pamper themselves under the warm sun, lie on the sultry soft sands of Dahab's beaches or swim to their heart's content. A well-known superior diving destination, Dahab provides excellent snorkeling opportunities to discover the colorful marine world of the Red Sea. Dahab, while retaining its original ethnic charm, has all the modern facilities required for a comfortable stay. Dahab consists of two sections: Assalah, a Bedouin village and Dahab City. It is a backpacker's paradise too
LOCATION
Dahab, formerly a bedouin fishing village, is a small village situated on the south-eastern coast of the Sinai peninsula.
HOW TO REACH
Dahab is situated at a distance of 90 kms from the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport can be reached within one and a half hours by taxi or bus.
THINGS TO DO
Water sports
Dahab is famous allover the worls for its windsurfing. Reliable winds provide superb flat water conditions inside Dahab's sand spit. Beyond the sand spit, wavy conditions coupled with strong winds provide excellent conditions for keen windsurfers. Also there are opportunities galore for scuba diving and snorkeling, with many coral reefs immediately adjacent to water front hotels.
Camel Diving Safaris
Contrary to what the name suggests, it doesn't mean that one dives along with the camels,but rather that camels are used as transport to access remote untouched diving sites that cannot be reached otherwise. Camel diving safaris are a specialty unique to Dahab and are an experience not to be missed. These safaris, mostly arranged by the local Bedouins, are very comfortable and Everything is loaded onto the backs of these hardy beasts, including tanks, weight belts, kit, and on overnight trips, even a portable compressor. Most of these diving sites are in a protected area.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The Blue Hole
An internationally renowned diving spot, the Blue Hole is a submarine Pothole (a kind of cave) with ~50 meter wide and 100 meter deep opening just offshore and underwater. The hole itself and the surrounding area has an abundance of corals and reef fish. A haven for thrill seekers, the spot is often teeming with bull and reef sharks.
Assalah
Assalah, a charming Bedouin village, with its thatched beachside cafes, colorful markets, and constant parade of tasseled camels and white-robed Bedouins, is a perfect tourist spot to explore. Nestled against the rugged mountain skyline and azure sparkling waters, it has a distinct bohemian feel to it. A sprawling conglomeration of palm trees, shops, campgrounds, hotels, bars, and restaurants that lie along the shore of Ghazala Bay, Assalah is an excellent alternative to the mainstream tourist resorts.
SS Thistlegorm
SS Thistlegorm is considered to be one of the worlds premiere wreck dives. Sunk by a German torpedo in 1941,in the area of Sha'ab Ali in the Gulf of Suez, the wreck is loaded with a train, trucks, jeeps, BSA motorbikes, aircraft wings, tools and rifles. Bustling with marine life and virtually covered with hard and soft corals, SS Thistlegorm attracts large schools of fish of all shapes, sizes and colors.
Ras Abu Galoum
A Managed Resource Protected area, it is a small fishing village whose landscape is dotted with extensive sand dunes, high mountains and broad coastal plains. It is ideal for snorkeling and shallow reef dives. The place derives its name from the Galoum trees that grow at the base of the mountains.
