Below the surface: Dahab is still a diver’s haven

Over the years, tourism to the tiny town of Dahab had been growing, but the industry came to a near halt after the April 2006 bombings.

More than two years later, with checkpoints and police stations cluttering the Sinai peninsula, visitors are returning to Dahab to enjoy the beauty of the Red Sea and relax in the tranquil town.

Situated on the northeast coast of the Sinai, about six hours from Cairo and a far cry from the commercialization of nearby Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab lies on blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba. Accommodations to fit every budget abound, from camps for the most frugal traveler to the flashy self-contained Hilton Resort. Snorkelers, sun worshippers, and desert enthusiasts can find plenty to do around Dahab, but the town’s true appeal lies in diving.

With over 20 unique dive sites in and around the town, warm water and clear visibility, diving conditions in Dahab are superb. Deciding who to dive with, one is spoiled for choice as an assortment of dive shops line Dahab’s boardwalk, catering to a wide selection of nationalities. English, French, Russian, and German-language shops tout trips to the dive-sites and offer courses from a one day Introduction Dive to the month-long Dive Master.

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