Dahab

Dahab, on the Gulf of Aqaba in Egypt's Sinai, is a diving and windsurfing town known for the Blue Hole.

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Dahab is a small town on the southeast coast of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, on the Gulf of Aqaba, about 100 km from Sharm el-Sheikh. It is known as the diving capital of South Sinai, with sites for every level, from beginners to experts. The Blue Hole, a very deep sinkhole in the Red Sea, is its most famous dive, where divers try to reach an arch at about 100 m. It has caused many deaths from deep-water problems and lack of oxygen, so it suits only experienced divers.

The mountains create wind patterns that make Dahab famous for windsurfing, with sailing and kitesurfing also on offer. Masbat, in the north, is the main commercial and tourist district, with shops, dive centers, cafes and hotels. Asalah, in the south, is the traditional Bedouin village where most residents live. Desert safaris are also on offer. Winter days are warm, nights are mild, and rain is rare, though it peaks in February.

Dahab in five

Read the UK advice for Sinai before you bookDahab is on the east coast of South Sinai. The UK advises against all but essential travel to the northern part beyond the St Catherine to Nuweiba road, except the coastal areas, so book desert trips through approved operators.UK travel advice
Use the resort stamp only if you stay in SinaiUK passport holders flying into Sharm and staying under 15 days in Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba need no visa. Plan any Cairo or Luxor leg first, because leaving Sinai or overstaying needs a full visa.Egypt visa and entry
Pick a dive center on briefings, not on the cheapest rateSafety standards among Red Sea dive operators vary. Ask about the briefing and equipment checks, stay above your policy's depth limit and check that freediving is named on the policy, not assumed.
Check the wind before you book a boat or a lessonDahab's steady winds are the draw for kite and windsurfing and can chop the sea for boat days. Ask schools which months suit your level and check the forecast before committing to a day on the water.
Arrange the transfer from Sharm airport in advanceMost visitors land at Sharm and continue along the coast road. Ask your hotel to arrange the transfer, so you are not negotiating a fare at the airport after a long flight.Sharm El Sheikh guide

Things to do in Dahab

See all attractions in Dahab

Sight · DahabGabr El Bint

Sight · DahabBlue Hole

Sight · DahabBells

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to DahabPut the places you like in Dahab on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) is the usual arrival airport, then a road transfer
Getting there: By road up the coast from Sharm; ask your hotel to arrange it
Getting around: Walkable beach promenade; taxis for the Blue Hole and the north
Best base: The beach promenade near the dive centers and cafes
Time needed: 4–7 days; longer for a dive or freedive course

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh21°Low14°Cool, windy
FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh22°Low15°Cool, windy
MarchClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low17°Mild, spring dives
AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Warm, Easter
MayClear0 rainy daysHigh33°Low25°Hot
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low28°Very hot
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low29°Hottest
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh37°Low29°Hottest
SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh35°Low28°Hot, warm sea
OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Warm sea
NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low20°Mild, calm
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh23°Low16°Cool, busy

Average daily high and low in Dahab, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Dahab

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 24°
Humidity: 32%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Dahab

01:23 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+2

Today30°19°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed29°17°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu28°16°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri25°17°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat23°15°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun22°14°0%Sunday: Clear. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 11:13 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 55.96 EGP

Amount

Converted to

EGP · Egyptian Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Blue Holea short drive north of townA famous dive and snorkel site; go with a guide or a registered center.
Nuweiba and the Colored Canyona half-day trip by roadSandstone canyon walks and the quiet beach strip of Nuweiba.Read the guide
Sharm El Sheikha morning's drive southResort town and boat days to Ras Mohammed, easy to pair with a night here.Read the guide

Before you go to Dahab

Dahab stays by the beachfrontCheck reef or lagoon accessCheck availability

Blue Hole and desert day tripsGuided outings with transportCompare day trips

eSIM for DahabSignal for the coast road from SharmRead the guide

Insurance for diving and wind sportsDepth limits and kite coverRead the guide

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Rules for Dahab, checked

The free Sinai entry stamp covers Dahab for stays under 15 days after arrival at Sharm El-Sheikh airport; going beyond the Sinai resorts needs a visa.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Do not dive below your insurance policy's depth limit: doing so invalidates your cover, according to the UK government.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Never photograph military property. Get written permission before photographing any Egyptian citizen; taking pictures of children is prohibited.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source

Plan around Dahab

Sharm El Sheikh travel guide

The resort town and the usual arrival point for Dahab

Read the guide Nuweiba travel guide

Beach camps and the Aqaba ferry port up the coast

Read the guide Is Sinai safe? The UK advice

What the advice says for Sharm and the coast

Read the guide Where to stay in Sharm

Useful if you split a week between Sharm and Dahab

Read the guide Egypt visa and entry

The free Sinai stamp and where it stops applying

Read the guide Best time to visit Egypt

Months, heat and seasons across the country

Read the guide All of Egypt

Cairo, the Nile and the Red Sea in one plan

Read the guide

Dahab FAQ

Is Dahab worth visiting?

Yes for divers, freedivers, kite and windsurfers and travelers who like a small seaside town. It is less suited to families who want a large resort with pools and entertainment, and Sharm fits that better.

How do you get from Sharm El Sheikh airport to Dahab?

By road along the coast. Most visitors book a hotel transfer or a licensed taxi at an agreed fare. Confirm the travel time and the price in advance, and avoid driving yourself outside resort areas at night.

Do you need a visa for Dahab?

For UK passport holders, not if you fly into Sharm and stay under 15 days in the Sinai resorts such as Dahab. The airport stamp is free according to the UK government. Any trip beyond Sinai or a longer stay needs a visa.

When is the best time to dive in Dahab?

Diving runs all year. March to May and October to November pair warm water with comfortable air, while December to February is cooler and wetsuits matter. Summer is hot on land, and winds vary through the year.

Dahab or Sharm El Sheikh: which should you choose?

Dahab for shore diving, wind sports and a small-town pace. Sharm for resorts, nightlife and boat days to Ras Mohammed. Many visitors combine them by landing at Sharm and spending the first or last nights in Dahab.