Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | E£150–400 | E£500–1,200 |
| Food | E£80–150 | E£200–400 |
| Transport | E£20–50 | E£100–200 |
| Activities | E£200–500 | E£800–1,500 |
| Daily Total | E£450–1,100 | E£1,600–3,300 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Getting There
- Fly to Sharm el-Sheikh airport (SSH) — 1 hour south of Dahab. International flights from Europe and domestic from Cairo. Transfer to Dahab E£200–400 by taxi or E£50–80 by shared minibus
- Bus from Cairo (East Delta Bus Co., 8–9 hours, E£200–350) via the Suez Canal tunnel. Buses arrive at Dahab bus station — a 5-minute taxi from the waterfront
- Free Sinai-only visa stamp at Sharm airport — valid for 15 days and covers Dahab, Mount Sinai, and Ras Abu Galum. For onward travel beyond Sinai, get the full $25 visa on arrival
Diving & Snorkelling
- Dahab has 15+ dive sites, all shore entry. The Blue Hole, Canyon, Lighthouse, and Moray Garden are the highlights. Two guided dives with equipment E£1,000–1,500. Night dives available E£800–1,200
- PADI Open Water certification E£7,000–10,000 (3–4 days). Advanced Open Water E£5,000–8,000 (2 days). Dahab is one of the cheapest certification locations worldwide with world-class reefs
- Snorkelling requires no booking — walk to the Lighthouse or any entry point with a mask. Equipment rental E£50–100/day. The Red Sea has 1,200+ fish species and 250+ coral species
Getting Around
- Dahab is walkable — the main waterfront strip is 1km. Everything from dive shops to restaurants to hotels is within walking distance along the coast
- Taxis in town E£20–50. To the Blue Hole E£100–150. Shared minibuses run along the coast for E£10–20. Bicycle rental E£50–100/day for exploring further
- Jeep excursions to Coloured Canyon, Mount Sinai, and desert wadis are booked through hotels or tour agencies on the waterfront. Group trips are cheaper
Connectivity
- Vodafone and Orange have coverage in Dahab town. Signal drops at the Blue Hole and disappears at Ras Abu Galum and in the Sinai interior. Download offline maps
- WiFi at most hotels and waterfront restaurants — speeds vary from decent to frustrating. Don't expect to stream video reliably
- WhatsApp works fine in town. International dive booking and tour booking often happens via WhatsApp with local operators
Money
- ATMs in Dahab town centre — Banque Misr and CIB. Cash is essential for most restaurants, dive shops, and activities. Some larger hotels accept cards
- Dahab is extremely affordable — daily budget of E£450–1,100 ($9–23) is achievable. The main expense is diving and excursions, not food or accommodation
- Tipping is expected but amounts are smaller than Cairo. E£10–20 for boat captains and dive guides. E£5–10 for restaurant service. Bedouin guides appreciate E£50–100
Packing Tips
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+), rashguard or UV shirt for snorkelling, and reef shoes are essential. Regular sunscreen chemicals damage the coral you came to see
- Lightweight, casual clothing — Dahab is the most relaxed dress code in Egypt. Swimwear is fine at the beach but cover up in town. Warm layer for Mount Sinai and desert nights
- Bring a waterproof phone case for underwater photos. A GoPro or underwater camera makes Dahab's reefs shine. Quick-dry towel for beach hopping
Cultural tips
Bedouin Respect
The Sinai Bedouins are the indigenous people of this landscape. Treat guides and hosts with respect. Accept tea when offered — it's a cultural greeting, not a sales tactic. Learn a few Arabic or Bedouin phrases — it goes a long way.
Blue Hole Safety
The Blue Hole has killed over 200 divers attempting the arch at 56 metres. Memorials line the shore. Never attempt depth records, freedive the arch, or exceed your certification. Stick to recreational limits and enjoy the spectacular rim safely.
Reef Conservation
Don't touch, stand on, or take anything from the reef. Coral takes decades to grow inches. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Report any boats anchoring on coral. Dahab's reefs are healthy because divers respect them — be part of that tradition.
Dress Code Balance
Dahab is relaxed by Egyptian standards but still conservative compared to Western beach towns. Swimwear is fine at dive sites and the beach. Cover shoulders and knees when walking in town, visiting shops, or at restaurants away from the waterfront.
Alcohol Awareness
Alcohol is widely available in Dahab despite being in the Sinai — beer, wine, and cocktails at most waterfront restaurants. Drink responsibly and respect that many locals don't drink for religious reasons. Never drink and dive.
