Diving & Freediving
Diving & freediving are extremely popular in Dahab and need a bit more explanation. The reefs here are still in relatively good shape in town, and excellent shape in the Protected Areas like Ras Abu Galoum. Known dive sites include Abu Helal, Blue Hole, The Bells, Canyon, Coral Garden, Eel Garden, Lighthouse, Moray Garden, Islands, Three Pools, Gabr El Bint, Ras Abu Gallum.
You can dive the Blue Hole within safe recreational depths (that is without descending to the arch) - 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, a chimney which goes down to 30 metres perpendicular (very exciting experience!), needs you to possess advanced open water skills. Otherwise you are not allowed to go to 30 metres! Freediving 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 training here.
There are more than 60 diving & freediving centres in Dahab, but some are not properly licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (subject to annual inspections & fees). This is an open list - simple alphabetical order, described in their own words. Before you book, check the CDWS web site to make sure you avoid blacklisted centres: [url=://diveindahab.weebly.com was founded by Andreas (Andy) Tischer in 1999. In 2006 Hans Lange joined Dive In as a partner to Andy. Hans left the Dive In 2011 to built iDive Dahab.
*Dive The Gap, [url=http://www.divethegap.com]http://cdws.travel/diving/black-list-dive-centers.aspx]
Note also, all dive shops can Dahab offer a trip to the Thistlegorm organised through a central agency in Dahab organised on a fairly regular basis provided they have adequate numbers. 3 dives, breakfast lunch and transportation for 110 euro, US$150 is actually cheaper than doing it from Sharm el Shiekh and also saves you on the trip down there / expensive accomadation in Sharm.
*Bedouin Divers, [url=http://www.bedouin-lodge-dahab.com].]Familiar dive center on the coast of the Red Sea in the Mashraba area of Dahab. Bedouin Divers is in the Bedouin Lodge Hotel, which can arrange Daily Diving, PADI Courses, Camel Dive Safaris and Boat Dives.
*Big Blue Dahab, +20 (0)69 3640 045, [url=http://www.bigbluedahab.com[/url]]is a fully equipped 5 Star Gold Palm Padi resort 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. obile +20 122 744 4873; e-mail info@bluerealmdiving.com; [url=http://www.bluerealmdiving.com[/url].] 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
* BlueSkunk Freedivers, [url=http://www.blueskunk.net[/url].]Offers a complete and progressive range of courses: 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.
*Dahab Divers,[url=http://www.dahabdivers.com[/url].] PADI 5 star Golden Palm Resort and Diving School at the Lighthouse in Masbat, +20 69 3640381, +20 10 1113481 (mobile), email dive@dahabdivers.com. Friendly staff, nice atmosphere, good equipment. The Technical Diving facilities in Dahab Divers is operated by Team Blue Immersion who offer both TDI, TecRec and GUE Programs up to Instructor Level. (www.blue-immersion.org and www.dahabdiverstechnical.com)
*Deep BlueDivers, +2 0121134668, [url=http://www.deepbluedahab.com[/url][url=http://www.dahab-backpackers.com]]is]a fully equipped 5 Star Gold Palm Padi resort meters from the reef, The Red sea is where we do our business; which, obviously, is diving. We pride ourselves on being passionate, professional, and personalized in all our Red Sea scuba diving trips.. 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.
*[url=http://www.desert-divers.com/]Desert Divers[/url[/url[/url]. Dive, climb, trek and freedive. The owner, Said, was Dahab's first Bedouin to learn to dive more than 20 years ago. They moved March 2013, to Marine Garden Bedouin Camp, just around the corner from Lighthouse. Excellent for diving & freediving (PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, Home of the Camel Diving Safari and AIDA Freediving Centre). Given their Bedouin roots, they have also led the way in developing professional trekking and rock climbing. Their efforts to integrate adventure sports and tourism with the Bedouin community are very popular - they were even awarded an EU grant for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in the Sinai.
*“Dive In Dahab"[/url]]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. Dive The Gap is a UK Company that mainly operates in Dahab, and has a range of scuba diving programmes. 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 4481 (+44 20 8133 4481) and you will be put through to the team in Egypt at no extra charge.
*Dive Pro Dahab, [url=http://www.diveprodahab.com[/url]]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 Urge, [url=http://www.dive-urge.com[/url]]+44(0)2071935020, is a family-run 5 Star PADI Gold Palm resort meters from the reef in Eel Garden. Friendly and relaxed hospitality just 5 minutes from the main bay, ideal for families and single travellers alike. The only purpose-built accessible accommodations in Dahab for those with restricted mobility. Big on environmental awareness, a maximum of 4 divers per group ensures a quality dive every time. They offer a full range of Padi courses and guided dives as well as dive safaris and other excursions.
*Divers Down Under (DDU),[url=http://www.7heavenhotel.com[/url],]Attached to a 70-room hotel and hostel lodge, it offers a wide range of entry-level PADI courses in different languages, divemaster internships, speciality courses, as well as technical diving experiences (INTD and PADI-Dsat). Cheapest diving in Dahab US$25 per dive (Feb 2013) - equipment is not as new as the others (also because it actuallly gets used!) but all perfectly fine, along with the dive masters/instructors
* Freedive Dahab,[url=http://www.freedivedahab.com[/url].]Founded by Lotta Ericson (former World Record holder)and Linda Paganelli (Italian Champion). Freedive Dahab is an Instructor Training Center and SSI and AIDA school, providing all level courses and individual training. Freedive Dahab is also a freediving shop where you can buy or rent any piece of freediving equipment you can possibly need. Freedive Dahab also organizes National and World Record attempts and Competitions like the Triple Depth competition. Contacts: info@freedivedahab.com; phone 002 0165093752.
*H2O Divers Dahab, [url=http://www.h2odiversadahab.com[/url].]Professional, experienced and knowledgeable instructors that have been diving in Dahab for over 15 years. A friendly, fun bunch of native English, French, German and Dutch speakers that offer a full range of PADI, SDI & TDI courses. Right in the heart of Dahab's main bay, three dive sites right on their door step: Lighthouse Reef, Mashraba and Bannerfish Bay. You will leave this dive centre feeling part of the team.
*iDive Dahab, [url=http://www.i-dive-dahab.com[/url]]Ph 01118444097 Beautiful designed dive center at the Jowhara Hotel. iDive offers all range of courses of PADI, SSI and CMAS next to daily dive trips. Safaries and overnight trips are done as well. A Marine Research center is part of the iDive center which offers a great opportunity to get an inner look into marine sciences. iDive and its Open Ocean Center are initiating several activities to protect the sea. They are hosting frequently international universities who conduct field trips or having research projects here.
* Mirage Divers - Diving center, [url=http://www.miragedivers.com[/url].]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, [url=http://www.nesima-resort.com[/url].] 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.
* Octopus World Dahab, [url=http://www.octopusworlddahab.com[/url].]A PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, with a sea front location in the heart of Dahab. It offers full PADI courses from Open Water through to Divemaster. With new and well maintained equipment and recently renovated facilities, they are known for their family atmosphere and friendly team. With highly experienced and qualified instructors, and a professional yet chilled out atmosphere, Octopus World Dahab strives to provide quality education and a unique diving experience.
* Poseidon Divers, [url=http://www.poseidondivers.com[/url].]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 [url=http://www.padi.com/english/common/irra/cdc.asp[/url]]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 309, [url=http://www.red-sea-relax.com[/url].]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. On site accommodation is available with a choice of suite rooms, or a bed in the dormitory complex offered totally free for divers. 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 local reefs. Boat excursions and Camel Dive Safaris are also arranged.
*Reef 2000 Diving Center,[url=http://www.dahab-info.com/diving/divingcenters/reef2000.php[/url],]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.
*Sea Dancer Dive Center, [url=http://www.seadancerdivecenter.com[/url].]Small professionally run outfit located on the sea front. Offers the full range of courses as well as guided dives. Staff are knowledgeable, experienced, enthusiastic and friendly, the equipment is a good standard and well maintained. Sea Dancer is the current dive shop at Le Meridien hotel.
*Sea Pioneer Dive Club, [url=http://seapioneer.org[/url].] 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.
*World of freediving - International AIDA freediving School, [url=http://worldoffreediving.net[/url],]World of Freediving is a freediving school located in Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt. They offer a wide range of freediving courses and training options for every level of ability,including AIDA Instructor Courses. All the courses are AIDA courses and the staff are all experienced AIDA trained instructors.
* Offers fun dives, PADI courses and yoga diving.
*SeaQuest - International free diving education, [http://www.freedivingcourses.net[/url], Seauquest is Sailing cheap crossing the Red Sea.The owner is Akim ADHARI Founder of blue immersion the world biggest free diving school.
Desert Excursions & Trekking
These need to be divided into 2 categories:
* Daily excursions to popular sites: These are organized by loads of small safari shops all along Dahab's Masbat Bay & inside hotels.
* Embah Safari Tours & Travel (http:/www.embah.com or http://www.embahadventuretravel.com) operating Safaris & Tours throughout Sinai since 1992, Embah is one of first official Safari Operators in Sinai. They have experience and knowledge of the area and the training and professionalism of their Tour Leaders and Desert Guides, is second to none. All their safaris & tours have been designed following the ethics of sustainable tourism and they host Eco Guide Training courses for locals to be trained on environmental issues as well as codes of practice for working with International clients. Embah offers scheduled small group tours for the longer specialist tours although are renowned for their tailor made holidays they design for independent travel. Embah provide a full travel service and host daily excursions in and around Dahab, as well as tailored safaris and tours throughout Egypt and Jordan.
* King Safari Dahab [url=http://www.kingsafaridahab.com]]on the beach front is an official licensed tour agency. They arrange a large variety of tours and personalised trips, such as camel safaris.
*A friendly independent tour operator is 'Dahab Safari Day Tours'[url=http://www.dahabsafari.info[/url]]able to arrange custom safaris to all the top safari destination...s throughout Dahab, Sinai, Egypt, Israel and Jordan. These include Camel Safaris, Jeep Safaris, Boat and Plane..
* Longer Desert Safaris & Treks: Although many of the small safari shops will offer these, if you really want to enjoy a deep desert experience you need to go directly to the Bedouin. A Bedouin guide will take into account season & weather, your fitness & your ideas and recommend a nice route. Most importantly, he will take you on a route he loves & knows well (not just a tourist trail). Please note that all safari businesses will have Bedouin guides and/or drivers on their desert trips. It is simply not possible to go into the desert without the knowledge and permission of these people of the desert. So, whichever company you chose, you will always have the opportunity to experience Bedouin culture in the desert.
*[url=http://www.desert-divers.com/trekking-sinai/]Desert Divers[/url] have one of the Sinai's most extensive deep desert trekking programmes, including Serabit El Khadem and Jebel El Tih. These areas are accessible from Cairo as well Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh, so it gives some flexiblity on your start and end point. Stunning landscape, and a beautiful way of life, especially in Spring when many families move Bedouin tents onto the dunes for 2-3 months to graze their herds.
* [url=http://www.sinai-safari.com]Sinai Safari[/url]. A Bedouin owned and managed safari group offering authentic and ecological desert excursions from 1 to 14 days to anywhere in south Sinai. The guides are all from the deep desert and have been guiding travelers their whole life. They can arrange a tailor made trip to either the famous locations or off the beaten track to visit areas that are not known to the common safari operators. They are so confident of their service that they only charge a 25% deposit before departure. Sinai Safari are desert specialists and only offer desert trips in Sinai, nothing else and nowhere else making them the most highly recommended and ecological safari organisers in South Sinai.
Popular sites:
*The Old Port: Walk by the ruins of an old Nabatean Port. It shows there was a community here dating back about 1600 years. Along the corniche at the beginning of Mashraba.
* The laguna: at the south end of the Corniche, rent a bike to get here. Long sandy stretch for wind surfing, kite surfing or to admire the view. On the inside of the laguna, sandy shallow swimming great for small children. On the outside, deeper water (take care for strong current, don't head to far off shore). Take drinks and snacks with you as there are no cafes on the laguna point. This is a great spot to spend a day away from the town centre.
* Three pools, the beach area of Wadi Gnai with lazy Bedouin cares. 20 min drive, lovely area for snorkeling, diving or just relaxing.
* Wadi Gnai, inland: This is a beautiful granite wadi (valley) with an oasis & several Bedouin gardens, 20 min drive. Great for day hike, dinner in the mountains and rock climbing.
*St Catherine monastery and Mount Sinai: Very popular trip by day or overnight, organised by almost everyone (80-200LE). Alternatively, gather a group of people, charter a taxi. In winter, beat the crowds by climbing during the day and seeing the sunset instead. It gets cold at the summit, so bring a jacket! Bring flashlight, preferably worn on your head. There are some shops and teahouses along the way, so don't worry about the provisions.
* Ein Khudra: Bedouin palm-tree oasis. Can be busy in the day. To see it at it's best, include in a longer desert safari and stay for dinner & overnight.
* Coloured Canyon: mainly a day trip. If you would like to combine as part of a longer desert safari, be sure to have a full Egyptian Visa as it's often needed for the best route.
Some of the safari shops also do day / overday trips to Jordan & Israel. for these, try Bedouina at Mirage Village, Embah Safari Tours & Travel or Dahab Safari day tours along the beach-front. They also organise one-day trips to Cairo and Luxor.:
*Petra (Jordan) is easily organised from Dahab [http://www.world-nomad.com/egypt-to-jordan/]
*Jerusalem (Israel) day-trips are also organised from Dahab.http.dahabsafari.info.&dahab _to_Israel
