From Wikitravel
Dahab (دهب) is a town in Egypt, located some 85 km (53 miles) north of Sharm el-Sheikh
on the Gulf of Aqaba, near the southern tip of Sinai.
Understand
Dahab was once an isolated coastal village which first turned
into a hippie hangout in the 1980's. During the 1990's the town
became something of an "alternative resort", mixing cheap
accommodation, laid back lifestyle and "informal" tourism with
certain commercial structures, turning into the "Ko Samui" of the Middle East.
Cheap accommodation positioned right by the beach, inexpensive
food and drink and a relaxed atmosphere combine with the natural
wonders of the Red Sea
(swimming, snorkelling, scuba- and freediving) to make it a heady
enticement for the young and young at heart.
Since about a decade Dahab suffers from attempts to modernize it
and to turn it into a "real" resort place. This is ok, as long as
the distinction between Assalah (backpackers) and Laguna (resort)
is kept in mind. The problem is the mix up. Prices in Assalah are
artificially increased which makes it less and less interesting for
backpackers, though some egyptian-run camps still keep affordable.
In contrast to that, many resort tourists and families won't feel
comfortable with the lacking conveniences and the handmade look as
well as among the "hippies". So they will be way better off in
Laguna / Dahab City or Sharm el Sheik. Note the grotesque, forever
unfinished concrete structures all over Assalah as a sign of this
mismanagement.
Orientation
Dahab has two distinct parts. To the north is the former Bedouin
village of Assalah on a kilometer-long beach, full
of backpackers and cheap accommodation this area is similar to many
other diving resorts that cater for backpackers. The major parts
are Masbat and Mashraba, where you will find everything you need.
Here is also the Bay. To the south lies Laguna or
Dahab City/Medina, where the resort hotels reside.
Here is also the Bus Terminal.
Get in
If you arrive at Sharm el-Sheikh airport
heading to Dahab, the hardest part is to get from the airport to
the Sharm bus station. Taxis tend to charge a fancy 80 to 100 LE
for this 10 km ride. Try heading towards the airport site exit and
say you'll pick up a taxi (or microbus) outside. They'll tell you
it's impossible and that there is no bus to Dahab anymore - just go
on. Many taxis don't get an airport permission. If you can talk
them down to 30 LE for the ride to the bus station you're good!
Bus schedule Sharm to Dahab is 6:00, 7:00,
8:00, 9:00, 14:30, 17:00, 20:30 Bus schedule Dahab to
Sharm is 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:30, 12:30, 15:00, 16:00,
17:30, 19:30, 20:30, 21:30, 22:00, 22:20
Dahab Bus Office:+20-69-3641-808
To avoid the hassle you can take a taxi the whole way up to
Dahab (though that is WHY they hassle you), don't pay more than 150
- 180 LE for the whole cab (they'll start at 300 - 400 or higher)!
Exchange money before you pass the airport customs, having only
Euros or Dollars will weaken your position. Most accommodation will
also arrange a pick-up on request, but prices can vary.
Buses connect Dahab with Sharm el-Sheikh (20EGP - 1h), Cairo (65/75EGP - 9h) and Suez daily. Alternatively, Eilat and the Israeli border at Taba are only around 2 hours away by
taxi (300-400EGP) or 3 hours by bus (21EGP). You can book bus
tickets from most of the hotels and hostels, or simply turn up at
the last minute. Hotels will also arrange a taxi (5EGP) to the bus
station, a short drive out of the tourist strip, about 2km.
Often, on arrival at the Dahab bus station, you will be
basically pushed into the back of a jeep that will "volunteer" to
take you to your hotel. These are not free - they will demand a
ridiculous amount of money for the privilege. Don't give them more
than 5 to 10 EGP, depending on where you want to go. Higher rates
will destroy prices and enforce inflation.
Dissociate yourself from the strange situation and seek out a
real taxi instead - if you find one. The "real traveller" walks,
it's a bare 30 minutes: Standing in front of the bus station (buses
arrive in the back) facing the entrance, looking at the "East Delta
Travel" sign: turn right, go a few metres, turn left into "Dr.
Ahmed Zwel St.", walk about 200 metres. Turn right into "El Nasr
Road". After about 300 m turn left at the pharao statue into "El
Mashraba St.". Follow the road. After 400 metres you'll pass a two
dolphin statue, go straight on, you're almost done. Soon the road
makes a 90 degree left turn, you will see construction sites and
the beach. Turn left, following the road and walk into Assalah.
Also if you take the bus to Taba, the bus conductor has been known to demand
an extra 5 EGP to take you to the border, from the bus station.
Again avoid the rip-off and walk the all of 600m on foot.
Minibus rental from Nuweiba or Sharm-el-Sheikh costs 200 pounds.
Get around
Shared taxis, in essence mini-buses, are a cheap way to travel
locally. Shared taxis tend to conform to a timetable, so they
become useful if you have missed the day's bus to the nearby spots
like Sharm
el-Sheikh, or if you need to get into Dahab when arriving from
the Aqaba ferry. To get to Dahab
from Eilat, if you don't have a car, take a taxi to the border,
walk across, and grab a shared taxi on the other side.
Getting around Dahab itself on foot is quite simple, the
promenade runs right along the seafront and all the usual amenities
are located along it. Bicycles would be an excellent way of getting
around, but most rental bicycles are poorly maintained and as such
are in terrible shape. Many businesses are distinctly
unenthusiastic about the bicycle-rental aspect of their commercial
operation, quoting inflated prices and creative time definitions
("1 day" = 6 hours). Even large and supposedly reputable operators
are not immune from deficiencies in this area.
See
Dahab itself has practically nothing in the way of sights, but
you can easily arrange tours to some nearby points of interest.
- Ein Khudra, a Bedouin oasis.
- Coloured Canyon
- Three pools, a bedouin oasis known as Wadi
Gnay and lovely area for snorkeling, diving or just relaxing
- The lagoona, a long sandy stretch close to
Dahab City is the place for wind surfing, kite surfing or to admire
the view. Take drinks and snacks with you as there are no cafes on
the lagoona point. This is a great spot to spend a day away from
the town centre.
- Petra (Jordan) is easily organised from
Dahab
- Jerusalem (Israel) day-trips are also
organised from Dahab
- St Catherines and Mount Sinai Day trips or
night trips are very popular and organised by most hotels, but
prices vary.
- The Old Port Dahab has some interesting
history. There are ruins of an old Nabatean Port along the coast in
Mashraba. It shows there was a community here dating back about
1600 years.
Do
The most "traditional" thing to do in Dahab is not to do
anything. It's one of the best places in the world to indulge this
most exquisite passion and a lot of Dahab's reputation among
travellers roots in it. Anyway, if "doing" something to you means
"activity" there's also a great variety of options which can be
classified in two categories:
Diving and Anything Else
Diving
Diving is extremely popular in Dahab and the
reefs here are still in relatively good shape. Known dive sites
includes Abu Helal, Blue Hole, The Bells, Canyon, Coral Garden, Eel
Garden, Lighthouse, Moray Garden, Islands, Three Pools, Gabr El
Bint, Ras Abu Gallum.
|
WARNING: Dahab's most infamous dive site is the
Blue Hole, 107 meters deep with an arch opening
onto the reef face at 58 meters. This site is considered to be the
most dangerous scuba diving site on earth, regularly killing
inexperienced and experienced divers foolish enough to risk it. A
high number of instructors and divemasters have met their fate in
the Blue Hole, as well, including many who had successfully passed
the arch dozens of times. Should you be interested in attempting
this dive you MUST go through technical dive training and visit the
Blue Hole on the correct gases. Diving this site on air alone is
near suicidal, so even if a very experienced person offers to take
you through, do not at any price do this unless you have technical
training and are using it.
|
You can dive the Blue Hole normally - it is one
of the top ten diving spots in the world. Bells / Blue
Hole is extremely popular and beautiful. But be aware that
it's crowded because lots of buses from Sharm come here. A normal
dive in the Bells, some kind of chimney which goes
down to 30 metres perpendicular (very exciting experience!), needs
you to possess an advanced open water certificate. Otherwise you
are not allowed to go to 30 metres! Free-diving is
the new kid on the block in Dahab thanks to the very convenient
Blue Hole site and an ever increasing range of world top freedivers
coming for training such as Lotta Ericson, Natalia Molchanova,
Sebastien Murat, Sam Still, Andreas Guldner...
- Reef 2000 Diving Center,
[1], by Bedouin Moon Hotel, is a PADI 5* Gold Palm Resort and
an IANTD technical facility. It offers a wide range of courses,
from beginner- to technical diving courses.
- Dahab Divers,[2]. PADI 5 star Golden Palm
Resort and Diving School in the heart of the bay (Lighthouse) in
Masbat, +20 69 3640381, +20 10 1113481 (mobile), email
dive@dahabdivers.com. Friendly staff, nice atmosphere, good
equipment, good prices.
- Bedouin Divers, [3]. Familiar dive
center directly at the coast of the Red Sea in the Mashraba area of
Dahab. Bedouin Divers is in the Bedouin Lodge Hotel, which acts
individual and can arrange for you everything: Daily Diving, PADI
Courses, Camel Dive Safaris and Boat Dives
- Big Blue Dahab, +20 (0)69 3640 045, [4] is a fully equipped 5
Star Gold Palm Padi resort only meters from the reef, a relaxed and
welcoming environment ideal for both snorkeling and diving.
Emphasis on safety and fun with an environmental awareness. Small
dive groups with highly qualified instructors and divemasters to
enjoy a full range of Padi courses and guided dives at affordable
prices.
- Blue Realm. Tel. +20 69 364 1413; mobile +20
12 744 4873; e-mail info@bluerealmdiving.com; [5]. Great native-run
diving center (English, Dutch, German, French and Arabic available:
the owner's wife is actually Dutch). They charge for two dives €45
(plus extra for gear rental). Package discounts are available. A
5-day PADI Open Water course here is €260, incl. equipment
- Desert Divers, [6]. The owner, Said,
became Dahab's first Bedouin to learn to dive some 15 years ago.
The place is right on the beach in the main bay (Masbat Bay,
between the bridge & Lighthouse Reef). Excellent for diving
(PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Resort)Also camel Diving Safaris, from 1-5
days with the Sinai's most experienced guides. Diving is fine but
equipment rather run down
- Dive Pro Dahab, [7] is a company
established by divers for divers to help them get the best out of
their dive vacation. Located all over the red sea enables it to
supply divers with services wherever they go.
- Dive The Gap, [8] is a gap year and career
development scuba diving company that operates out of a PADI 5-Star
Instructor Development Resort and National Geographic Centre in
Dahab. Dive The Gap is a UK Company that mainly operates in Dahab,
and has a range of scuba diving programmes to suit everyones tastes
and budgets. Almost every PADI course is available from Open Water
to Instructor and PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer with a full range
of PADI specialities, diving safaris and recreational diving. Also
packages are offered and a team located on site. Call 020 8133 4401
(+44 20 8133 4481) and you will be put through to the team in Egypt
at no extra charge!
- Marine Garden Divers, [9]. Friendly and clean
Divecenter and Bedouin Camp under Dutch management. Just 75 meters
north from the Light House Reef and Masbath Bay. All rooms with
fans and some with own shower and toilet, few have seaview. Prices
from 3 to €10 a night for the room. Offers all diving activities
and organize desert- and shoresafari's off-the-beaten-track. Offers
airport transfers.
- Mirage Divers - Diving center, [10]. Owned and run by a
very professional Bedouins and they always do their best to offer a
real social diving holidays which combine both safety and fun
whilst experiencing a whole different culture in a truly unique
atmosphere. Their groups are always small and there is a very high
personal attention to all the divers, info@miragedivers.com ,
Tel&Fax +20693641476
- Nesima Diving Center, Tel. 069 3640320, [11]. French-run diving
center generally judged to be the best in town. They charge a
premium pricewise though, as two dives will cost you €47 (plus
€20/day for gear rental). Package discounts available. A 5-day PADI
Open Water course here is €302.
- Poseidon Divers, [12]. Get into technical
diving or simply do fun dive or courses in a safe and professional
way. It is the only PADI Career Development Centre [13] in
town as well as a PSA and TDI Instructor facility (the only one in
Egypt), you will get no shortage of divers if you do your PADI
DiveMaster or Instructor course here which is a definite plus for
the quality of your course.
- Red Sea Relax PADI 5 Star National Geographic
Instructor Development Resort, +20 (0)69 3641 308, [14]. New British run
diving operation enjoying a prime beach side location in central
Dahab, meters from the teeming reefs but also convenient for
Dahab's center and modern amenities. As a PADI 5 Star Instructor
Development Diving Resort, on site accommodation is available with
a choice of either discounted en-suite rooms, or a bed in the
dormitory complex- offered totally free for divers! Professional
instructors offer a host of diving activities. PADI diving courses
range from beginner through to professional Open Water Instructor,
or for those already qualified daily diving takes place to any of
the 20 spectacular local reefs. For those more adventurous Boat
excursions and Camel Dive Safaris are easily arranged.
- Sea Pioneer Dive Club, [15]. Our Dive Centre is directly
opposite the central Lighthouse diving area in Dahab. We are less
than a minute's walk to the beach for confined and open water
dives. In addition to intro dives, the PADI courses we conduct
include Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Dive Master and many
specialities. We can also arrange accommodation and airport
transfers on request.
- Freedive Dahab, [16]. Founded by Lotta
Ericson, Swedish Champion and former World Record. In 2006 Linda
Paganelli, Italian Champion and National Record holder, joined and
together they built up Dahabs only Freediving Shop. You can order
Monofins or Elios Suits and buy a wide range of Freediving Articles
like Masks, Noseclips, Weightbelts and Neoprene Glue. Linda, Lotta
and her team can provide AIDA Freediving Courses from Beginner to
Instructor Courses. They offer equipment for rent and organize your
Personal Training experience. Freedive Dahab also organizes
National and World Record attempts and Competitions like the Triple
Depth [17] competition.
- BlueSkunk Freedivers, [18]. Offers a very complete
and progressive range of course: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced,
Deep, ... It is not the goal of the course to push towards a new
personal best as they emphasize technique development and depth
adaptation before increasing depth! Safety first
- Zen
Sea, [19]. Offers fun dives, PADI courses and yoga
diving. edit
- Climbing is also an option in the Sinai,
although the brutal climate takes its toll and this isn't
particularly suitable for beginners. Deep in the desert, Mt. Sinai (St. Catherine)
has incredible tradclimbing and world-class bouldering (absolutely
no bolting in St Catherine please). The main area near to Dahab,
including sportsclimbing (bolted routes), is Wadi
Gnai:
- Vast amounts of perfect bouldering on granite boulders in
shaded, sand-floored valleys
- Single and multi-pitch equipped sport routes for all levels of
climbers in Waterfalls and Fake Connection
- Almost endless possibilities for trad climbing lines on bomber
granite
- Plus new routing possibilities for sport climbs in many easily
accessible areas.
- Desert Safaris[20] are
organized by loads of small safari shops all along Dahab's Masbat
Bay. In addition to day tours (see Get
out), you can arrange to get deep into the desert with the
Bedouin, who'll take you for up to 2 weeks!
- Bedouin Safari Dahab. [21]. Here,
Bedouins from the South Sinai can arrange for you the individual
desert trip you are looking for.
- Yoga:
[22] Whether ashtanga, hatha or kundalini, yoga is increasingly
popular in Dahab. Yoga on nearby Mount Sinai is a regular draw, as
are full-moon retreats into the nearby wadis (desert), taking
advantage of the silence and space of the Sinai desert. More and
more people are coming to Dahab on holiday and yoga for Christmas
has become a top travel destination.
- Wind surfing Dahab has about 270 days a year
of wind, so wind surfing here is becoming as popular as diving.
There are a few wind surfing schools around Laguna area offering
all levels of courses. There are one or two options at the beach,
and although the conditions are not so favourable, it is cheaper
than at the Laguna. In Mashraba, prices are approximately €10 per
hour rental, add an additional €10 for lesson inclusion. For more
information about windsurfing in Masharaba: [23] .
- Kite surfing also becoming popular in Dahab
but can only be done around the lagoona area.
- Shisha try Egypts favorite pastime, smoking a
shisha water pipe with flavored tobacco whilst watching the world
go by.
- Kayaking a great way to explore the reef. Sea
Kayaks are avalible for hire from Sheikh Salem House [24]
From 50 egp per hour, or try a guided night kayak - great for hot
summer nights.
- Quad-bikes trips into the desert.
- Enjoying sun, sea and juices in the restaurants with plank
beds, which you can use free of charge.
Buy
Great buys are the usual Egyptian suspects: water pipes, rugs,
oriental lamps, shirts in different lengths with embroidery,
backgammon games, silver jewelery, etc. Prices are geared for
tourists, so haggling is a
must, pay max. 50%-60% of the first price offered, anything else is
a rip-off. If you are not sure about the price, go to the next
shop, they all offer more or less the same things, and start
bargaining again there.
Look out for Bedouin Handicrafts, some beautiful pieces are
avalible. Hand embroidered and made in Dahab, St Catherines and El
Arish by Bedouin women. Sheikh Salem House has a good selection of
items as does some of the other Bedouin establishments in
Dahab.
If your stay extends with or without intention your shopping
behaviour will focus on the Ghazala Market where
you can find anything you need to uptate your on-the-road-equipment
from functional to convenient.
Eat
The trick to eating cheaply in Dahab is to avoid seafront
establishments and use restaurants inland, along and beyond the
pedestrian zone, where identical meals are regularly on offer for
half the seafront price.
- Budget places. In the side streets, you can
eat at very low prices (4-24LE) such as falafel, koshari, chicken
at the "King Chicken".
- Ali Baba Restaurant, [25]. Ali Baba Restaurant is a very high-standard
restaurant. It has certificates for cleanliness and is constantly
re-inventing itself. edit
- Blue Beach Restaurant. Located at the Blue
Beach Hotel on the beach front, provides comfortable eating with an
extensive and interesting menu. The food is well cooked and the
steaks in particular are renowned in Dahab. The restaurant is
inside and provides warm shelter in the winter and a cool
environment in the hot summer months. Can also cater for large
groups.
- Dai Pescatori, Tel (002) 0127972361,
[26][27].
Owned and managed by Egyptians. At Sheikh Salem House at the very
northern end of the promenade, good italian food, especially the
mixed appetizers, and the semi-fredo desert.
- Eel Garden. At the northern end of the
promenade, sitting on nice bedouin coussins, friendly staff, good
food European and Egyptian you won't find everywhere, e.g. mashi,
couscous, sahlab. Weekly BBQ. Sunbeds and private beach.
- El Dorado.
[28] Also at the northern end of the promenade, with its own
beach. Owned by Italians, who serve excellent Italian fare, with
pizzas to die for! Especially popular with the locals. Be careful
when receiving the check, as the owner of the place has his own
ideas about what to charge, should you have any special
request.
- Friends Restaurant. [29] One of many
effectively identical beachfront restaurants offering the same
Arabic fare at the same prices.
- Jumas Wadi Bidar Bedouin Dinner Traditional
Bedouin dinner cooked in the desert on an open fire. Juma a Bedouin
from the Muziena tribe makes excellent food in his wadi close to
Dahab with views of Dahab town and Saudi Arabia. Prices start from
80 EGP per person for a tasty feast including transport. Booking
via Desert Divers, Sheikh Salem House or Blue Beach. There is also
the option to go to dinner on a camel, by jeep, by horse, hike (30
mins from Dahab town centre or even by quad bike!).
- The Kitchen Restaurant. Brand new
restaurant,on the boulevard, next to the big supermarket. Indian,
Thai and Chinese restaurant. Also for take-out and delivery.".
- The Lazy Camel Cafe Assalah Beach at the end
of the beach footpath just north of the Eel Garden Dive Site.
Serves a great mix of Bedouin/Middle Eastern/European food
including home made beef burgers, Bedouin wrap sandwiches and daily
chefs specials. Free wireless internet for customers and one of the
nicest views in Dahab.
- Leila's Bakery. German bakery, tasty breads,
sandwiches, salads and cakes.
- Lobster Seafood Restaurant. A few minutes
beyond "King Chicken," offers free soup, bread and salad with a
main course, and may offer a complimentary cup of tea, too.
- Nemo Restaurant. [30] Restaurant on the
boulevard. Offers nice food and even has some German 'speciaties'
on the menu. Complimentary appetizers, desserts and shesha's!!
- Nirvana. Real Indian food with real flavor.
Excellent curries, snacks, vegetarian dishes and excellent Indian
Tea (Chai).
- Quickly Restaurant. On Mashraba Street. Local
& International food. Cheap food, but huge portions and much
more tastier than the tourists places along the beachfront.
Upstairs chilled out lounge with good tunes. Free wireless.
Favourite amongst local divers, backpackers.
- Rush. Located up a small alley between the
bridge and Tota. In a palmtree garden with a small swimmingpool
this restaurant serves excellent food, the style is creative
"fusion". There's also a bar with local and imported alcohol. In
& outdoor seating. Every Friday night there's a party with
Dj's.
- Same Same but different, ☎ +20106466863. good food, good service, fresh seafood Catch of
the day, good steak & B.B.Q lamb kebab special Vegetarian menu
free starter with a main course .. you can bring your own Alcohol
Drinks.. free wifi adelbluehole@yahoo.com edit
- Star Of Dahab. In the sea side of mashraba. A
good place to eat some fresh fish. tel +2 069 3640130, mobile +2
010 111 3481.
- Three Fishes. At the southern end of the
promenade. Good italian restaurant, run by Paola, an Italian.
- El
Fanar, El
Masbat, South Sinai, Egypt, ☎ 0122525853. Delicious food in a bedouin environment. Great
service from friendly staff. Order the chicken kebab or kofte off
the menu and starter (pita and dips) and watermelon and tea are
included. Cheap drinks too. edit
Drink
There is little alcohol in these parts, although overpriced beer
can be arranged in many restaurants. You can buy beer, wine and
liquor in special shops called Drinkies. One is
located at Azzahla market square.
Some egyptian alcohol brands mimics the names and labelling of
better known liquors elsewhere. Restaurants will often advertise
Stella beer, which isn't Stella Artois, as well as Sakkara, Luxor
and Heineken. Sakkara, the domestic brand, is very tasty.
- Dahab Partys, every week different venues hold
different party nights. Current nights include Wednesdays at the
Sphinx Pool Bar - House and Dance Music, Fridays at RUSH Village
Bar for House and Dancey grooves.
- (kind of) Discotheques – Rush
and The Tree.
- Churchill's Sports Bar and Grill, Tel (002)
069 3641 309, [31].
British Sports bar and Grill specializing in quality British fare,
and value for money beverages. Drinks include Sakara, Stella and
the cheapest draught Hieneken in town. Quality wines and "Premium"
Spirits made under licence from Hieneken also available.
Traditional "Pub Grub" and Steaks a favourite with residents and
tourists alike. Two "big screens" show all Premiership, Rugby,
Grand Prix fixtures and other faclities include free use of the the
big screen Wii Sports, Pool table and WiFI Internet throughout.
Located directly on the promenade close to the Lighthouse area of
Dahab.
- Elzar Bar, next to the ruins of the old
harbour on the beachfront. The best place in town for anyone
wanting to get pissed late at night. Chris the Aussie barman is
always on hand until the sun comes up serving a variety of
alcoholics including the drunken Welshman and unconfrontational
Dave the Canadian nice man.
- The Furry cup, at the Blue Beach Hotel, where
local Westerners hang out at the sound of U2, Coldplay, etc. The
only place in Dahab where you can get Western hard liquor brands
instead of the fakes.
- Funny
Mummy. Giant colourful curtains
and carpet seats offer a great atmosphere if you just want to relax
and enjoy some of Egypt's good fruit juices (albeit not the
cheapest option in town). Avoid the menu though as it tends to
over-sell and under-deliver. edit
- Same
Same, ☎ 0020106466863. but different good place for drink
&shisha edit
- Churchill's Sports Bar and Grill, Red Sea Relax
Resort (on the
promenade 50m down from Lighthouse), ☎ +20
(0)69 3641 309, [32].
0800-0200. Lively establishment, with a good mix of
tourist and resident trade. Serves draught Heineken on tap and
British orientated cuisine at very reasonable prices. Premiership
football and other major sports shown on the big screen terrace and
downstairs in the air con bar. edit
Sleep
Dahab has a plethora of cheap accommodation. All are rather the
same, generally offering bungalow/chalet type accommodation at very
reasonable prices. For the those on an extreme budget, most have
areas where you can sleep on mattresses in the open air, usually
for under a dollar a night, including a blanket and pillow.
Budget
Room prices for a simple camp room (no AC, no bath) should be no
more than 20LE., less if you book ahead for a week or longer. If
anyone asks more don't hestitate to go to the next camp, there are
plenty.
- Auski Camp, Yasser is the most aimable and
helpful camp host in Dahab. Room prices start at 20 LE. Like anyone
else in Dahab the staff can arrange all trips and tours. It's next
to the Sphinx hotel with direct beach access. [33]
- Bish Bishi, (in Mashraba opposite The
Sphinx Hotel), +20 69 640727, [34]. Jimmy is the owner and
is well-known throughout Dahab. Rooms are reasonable, LE30-80
depending on what you want. A double on-suite is currently LE60.
They do food, laundry, trips etc and so you be well looked after.
If you are flying into Sharm they can collect you from the airport
for €25 (1 hour away). Last visited in November 2008 and had gone
downhill.
- Dahab Dorms, (part of the Red Sea Relax
Resort near the Lighthouse), +20 69 3641 308, [35]. New dorm complex
part of a larger Resort near the Lighthouse Reef at the north end
of Dahab Bay. Excellent panoramic views of the Bay or Resort pool
directly from the dorm rooms. Very reasonably priced, the
accommodation and breakfast is free for the those choosing to dive
with the complex. On site facilities include an award winning dive
centre, a safari and transfer office, restaurant / bar, private
beach and if the sea is too salty- a 100m pool!
- Dolphin Camp, www.dolphincamp.net (tel +20 69
3640081). Offers very good, clean and great value rooms right on
the beach in Dahab. The rooms range from 6 to 25 euro including
breakfast - some with bathroom, AC and fridge. If sleeping is
within the range of your intentions avoid the rooms next to the
disco. The camp is well run and the staff are really helpful and
laidback. They can arrange excellent desert trips and excursions to
St Katherines monestery and Mt Sinai almongst others.
- Sindbad Camp, [36] Sindbad is one of the last
traditional Bedouin camps in Dahab. It has a very relaxed
atmosphere and a full Bedouin Staff. All rooms have a fan and some
of them also have own shower and toilet (LE45+ for a room). Most
rooms have seaview. There is also a very good restaurant on the
beach. It is located 50 meters north of Light House Reef and the
bay of Dahab. But just around the corner so it is very quiet. You
can book it trough their neighbors: [37].
- Star of Dahab, tel.+20 69 3640130, +20 10 111
3481, (starofdahab@hotmail.com),
[38]. A pleasant family-run guesthouse at the southern end of
Assalah, offers basic lodgings at basic prices, and new, more
expensive rooms with sea view. Excellent beachside location,with a
sea side shade, restaurant (good food), and a dive centre as well.
but it's a bit of a hike to the center of Assalah.
Mid-range
Star of Dahab, tel.+20 69 3640130, +20 10 111 3481,
(starofdahab@hotmail.com), [37]. A pleasant family-run guesthouse
at the southern end of Assalah, offers basic lodgings at basic
prices, and new, more expensive rooms with sea view. Excellent
beachside location,with a sea side shade, restaurant (good food),
and a dive centre as well. but it's a bit of a hike to the center
of Assalah.
- Bedouin Moon Hotel,
[39],Perfect accomodation for divers, located north, by the
beach, in oriental style.
- Ali Baba Hotel, tel. 069 3640876, [40]. Egyptian-run hotel
in a mixed European/Oriental style. Minibar, sea view, balcony, and
air-con for around 25€/room/night, there is also a "suite" (double
size with bathtub) for 33€.
- Bedouin Lodge Hotel, tel. 069 3641 125, [41]. Bedouin owned
hotel directly at the coast of the Red Sea in the heart of Dahab
(El Mashraba). Simple rooms equipped with bathroom, AC or fan.
Small beach, sun roof, restaurant, dive shop. The dive centre here
is excellent and offers PADI at good rates.
- Blue Beach Club is located between Eel Garden
and Lighthouse. Clean ensuite, air conditoned rooms at reasonable
prices and a fresh water swimming pool are available. [42]
- Dahab Divers is a clean and obviously newer
hotel and dive centre. Rooms are air conditioned, and there are
excellent showers - a rarity in Egypt. Official price is €37 per
night, but is negotiable. Extremely helpful staff. Also an
excellent place for diving.[43]
- Jewel of Dahab جوهرة دهب tel 002 010
2733883/7913816, info@jewelofdahab.com,[44]. Located in the
middle of El mashraba st. apartments with sea views, 1 minute from
the beach. A nice place to relax and absorb the local culture. They
also arrange safari and diving for affordable price. Double and
triple rooms available with AC and private bathroom from 100-150 LE
per apartment per night.
- Stay Young, [45]
002 010 2702770, stayyoung@fiksdal.be Is a part of Jowhara hotel
that offer cheap accomodation and has hand painted murals on the
walls. This is an impressive art project that just opened in August
2009. The rooms start at 60Le, 80Le, 100Le for single, double and
tripple room with private bath and AC.
- Neptune Beach Hotel, tel. +20 (0)69 3640 568,
[46]. Neptune Beach offers
comfortable accommodation directly on the beach in central Dahab.
Choose from a Twin or Triple ensuite, air con or fan from around
160 LE per night. All rooms equipped with minibar. A Terrace
Restaurant and Post Shop compliment the facilities.
- Penguin Village and Diving [47] is a well-run
30-room hotel right on the water, which has a good restaurant and a
dive shop. It's popular with travellers in their 20s and 30s who
are looking for a reasonably priced place, but who aren't on a
really tight budget and not too picky on cleanliness. Rooms are
around E25 for a double. Single with Fan and Ensuite is 70EP, with
air-con 80EP. Also at off-season double rooms with shared bathroom
are available for only 20EGP.
- Red Sea Relax Resort tel. +20 (0)69 3641 308,
[48] A brand new Resort
at the north end of the Dahab Bay, beachside and close to the
teeming Lighthouse Reef, colourful beachside cafes and traditional
bazaars. Specializing in diving, safari and therapeutic activities,
the resort offers a choice of sea view rooms, a restaurant, dive
school, and transfer office
- Marna House, Located in Mashraba, european
style, intersting rates.
- Sheikh Salem House, tel (002)0127304871, [49]. Budget Boutique
Hotel set in a beautiful house owned by a Bedouin Sheikh of Dahab
and his family. Managed by a Bedouin team and an English lady. Set
in a quiet spot at the northern end of the promenade, right on the
beach with a sandy beach. Budget rooms with amazing views and
shared bathrooms from 45egp, deluxe suites with air conditioning,
tv and satellite, kitchen from 150egp or €23 per suite per night.
Wireless internet for guests. This is a great place for those
wanting to stay in unique accommodation with a home like feel, and
get to know Dahabs Bedouin Community and Culture.
- Villa Barbara - a big house on the beach with
a big yard, a patio, a kitchen, 2 bathroms (with water accumulativ
heaters), four bedrooms for 9 persons, from the terrace upstairs
you can see the sea. There is only one house between the Villa and
the sea, there is a reef nearby.
furnished to European standards. from €25-€45/ night
Stay safe
Drugs, particularly marijuana, are widely
available in Dahab and famously cheap. This does not make them
legal, so consider very carefully if you want to risk at best large
fines and at worst lengthy prison terms in Egypt's notoriously
squalid prisons before indulging.
Women travellers are pretty safe in Dahab. As a matter of
courtesy to the local customs, even though you will see quite a few
girls with short skirts and tight t-shirts, please respect the fact
that Egypt is a conservative country, and dress appropriately in
the city. However, at the beach a bikini is no problem.
Snorkeling along/past the reef can be very dangerous when very
windy: strong underwater currents develop, and it is very difficult
to come back onto the shallow reef. If you are in doubt, please
always ask a dive-center nearby if it is safe to snorkel.
Get out
This is the tough part. First timers usually arrive in Dahab to
chill for a few days, some of them stay for weeks or months, and
there are people who stay for years, become a dive instructor, run
a restaurant etc. Dahab is a place you quite stick to despite the
permanent attempts of "resortification", growing pollution and
increasing prices.
- If you can't understand the hype and look for a place more
shanti head North to Nuweiba
and Tarabin or even further. This is more like Dahab was like ten
years ago. Bus schedule Dahab to Nuweiba and Taba: 10:30, 15:00,
16:00, 18:30 Dahab Bus office: +20-69-3641-808
- Mount Sinai, 2
hours away by car, is a popular overnight trip from Dahab. Any
guesthouse can arrange return transportation for around LE 60.
Alternatively, gather a group of people, charter a taxi and beat
the crowds by climbing during the day and seeing the sunset
instead. It gets cold, so bring a jacket! If going to the summit
during nighttime, make sure to bring flashlight, preferably worn on
your head. There are some shops and teahouses along the way, so
don't worry about the provisions.
- The 10:30AM bus to Nuweiba arrives there early enough to be able
to get onto the 3PM fast boat to Aqaba, Jordan. It is not possibible to do a day
trip to Jordan so an overnight trip should be planned. The bus
continues on to Taba, to cross to Eilat in Israel.
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