# Why Egypt's Dahab Is the Perfect Red Sea Resort Town > Discover why Dahab draws travelers in: a laid-back resort in the shadow of the Sinai Mountains, with Red Sea waters and an atmosphere no one wants to leave. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/dakhab-idealne-kurortne-misto/ - Language: en - Published: 2023-08-23 - Categories: Beaches, Egypt, Swimming, Relaxation, Seas & Oceans --- Set in the shadow of Egypt's Sinai Mountains, Dahab is so alluring that some people decide to make it home soon after their first visit. Once a small Bedouin fishing village, it is now one of the Red Sea's finest diving resorts, drawing thrill seekers, nature lovers and, more recently, domestic tourists waiting out Covid-19. Just an hour's drive from Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab buzzes with activity yet still offers the mood of a relaxed getaway, where guests can simply unwind and soak up the countless shades of blue in its waters. This year-round slice of paradise is built around a colorful promenade full of affordable places to stay, tour operators, craft shops, and multicultural restaurants and cafes, each with its own distinctive vibe. Its vibrant, multicultural community is made up of local Bedouins, Egyptians from the mainland, and foreign expats won over by Dahab's beauty and its easy access to every landmark in the Sinai. "Here you feel like yourself," explains Yulia Limonova, a Russian expat who moved to Dahab three years ago. "You can find your own circle, because there are so many different people here, freedivers, divers, kitesurfers, windsurfers and yogis." "And there are all kinds of nationalities, like Russians, Ukrainians, Germans and Italians." Dahab is also one of the few places in the area with internet access, which makes it appealing to remote workers looking for a quiet office by the sea. After Egypt recorded its first case of Covid-19 in March of this year, the government closed all cafes and airports, imposed a curfew and urged residents to stay home. But in bustling cities like Cairo it can be hard to shut yourself off from the crowds, so some people chose to relocate to Dahab for the duration of the pandemic. At the time of writing, Dahab had no confirmed cases of Covid-19, though it is worth noting that this may be down to the fact that it is a small town where hardly any testing is done. "No one here talks about the coronavirus. In Cairo you are constantly bombarded with the news," explains Rahma Zein, who decided to spend her quarantine in Dahab on the advice of friends. "It really has a psychological effect, and I believe that when your mindset is weakened, your immunity is weakened too." Being here and not getting swept up in coronavirus talk really helps you just be, and it brings a certain sense of normality. According to Zein, the many adventures on offer in Dahab, from freediving to hiking and sunbathing, make it a perfect place to ride out the quarantine in these uncertain times. "On an ordinary day I wake up, make breakfast, go freediving, walk along the beach, take a hike, eat, then sleep," she adds. "In between sessions I make phone calls and get on with my work." ## The Blue Hole ![](/storage/image/prev/Egypt-1-Dhab-1024x576.jpg) One of Dahab's most famous landmarks, the Blue Hole is considered the deadliest dive site in the world. Yet the notorious reputation of this stunning sinkhole has only added to its allure for daring divers in search of an underwater Everest. The Blue Hole is sheltered from currents, so its waters are relatively calm. Conditions here are ideal both for freedivers eager to learn and for advanced divers looking to test themselves in a race against depth and lung capacity. While it is perfectly possible to scuba dive safely in the Blue Hole, its fame comes from the infamous arch that connects the site to the open sea. Scuba divers chasing the arch, which sits at a depth of 184 feet, can succumb to nitrogen narcosis, become disoriented and eventually run out of air. The site's popularity for diving has meant that, over the years, its delicate marine ecosystem has begun to break down. To ease the flow of tourists, a local group of divers created an underwater museum filled with statues of mammoths made from recycled materials, building an artificial reef. The most striking statue is a life-size, 700-kilogram elephant that has caught the eye of countless tourists in search of a surreal underwater adventure. Trying to dive all of Dahab's underwater sites in a single week would be almost impossible, because there are so many standout spots here, from reefs to the remarkably well-preserved wreck of the Thistlegorm. Sunk by a German bomber during World War II, this British merchant navy ship offers a rare underwater glimpse into history. For diving enthusiasts who want to avoid the crowded sites, there are also endless options in the shallows. Travelers can set off on foot or by camel to the Ras Abu Galum Protectorate, which covers 400 square kilometers of coastline and offers a closer look at pristine corals and marine life. The Three Pools dive site in nearby Aqaba is also a solid choice for anyone who wants to get lost in a kaleidoscope of colorful fish. ## The Blue Lagoon and Wadi Qnai ![](/storage/image/prev/Egypt-2-Dhab-1024x680.jpg) With its calm turquoise waters and steady wind, the Blue Lagoon is a peaceful retreat with enough speed for windsurfers and plenty of air for kitesurfers. There are only a handful of bamboo huts here, and often just a few people, so it feels like you are stepping onto an exclusive beach. But the lagoon has no interest in catering to tourists in resort hotels or providing luxury amenities. There is no internet, no phone signal and almost no electricity, which makes this the perfect place to disconnect from the modern world. Travelers are drawn to its beautiful simplicity, and if hunger strikes, the local Bedouins are ready to catch and cook up the freshest, tastiest seafood you can imagine. Many prefer to camp here overnight to catch the stunning sunrise and sunset. Visitors can rent a hut or bring their own tent, but neither is necessary, since a sleeping bag on the sandy beach is all you need to watch the universe reveal itself one star at a time. Although Dahab's transformation into a global hotspot is often credited to its diving and surfing, rock climbing is also taking off in a big way here, with new crags appearing every year. The most popular spot is Wadi Qnai, which suits climbers of all levels and offers routes for both single and multi-pitch climbing. The sandy valley landscape, made up of countless granite boulders, is uniquely suited to bouldering in the shade. By day in the summer months it gets far too hot, but some prefer to camp overnight to catch the sunrise, then head back into town and cool off in the sea. Near Dahab there are also a number of landmarks, such as the town of Saint Catherine, home to the world's oldest Christian monastery, and the nearby Mount Sinai, the place where Moses was given the Ten Commandments in the Book of Exodus. Meanwhile, the rock formation of Jebel Maharum, or "the Mountain with a Hole," which lies between Dahab and Saint Catherine, is another top spot for hiking in the Sinai region.