If you’re heading to Egypt or the Middle East and looking for a coastal destination or a diving destination in a naturally beautiful and peaceful little town, I have the perfect recommendation for you on the Sinai Peninsula. The little town of Dahab, located on the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula facing Saudi Arabia, is a truly perfect and beautiful spot for so many different types of travelers. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a scuba diver, a free diver, a family, or a digital nomad looking for a nice spot for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months, this is honestly the place for you.
Dahab is located just north of Sharm El Sheikh airport and can be reached easily via land or air. Personally, I traveled from Cairo by land in a shared bus, which was a long journey but not too bad. There are quite a few military checkpoints along the way as you cross the Suez Canal and enter the Sinai Peninsula, but everything felt very organized and safe. You can also fly directly into Sharm El Sheikh from Cairo or other cities, or even enter Egypt through neighboring countries like Israel or Saudi Arabia and make your way down. Once you’re in Sinai, it’s actually very simple to get around since there aren’t many main roads. If you’re traveling by land, I definitely recommend booking transport with a tour company or local driver, as the military checkpoints are much smoother when you’re not navigating everything alone and you have an Arabic speaker or local guide with you.
The town itself is quite small and incredibly easy to navigate. Most people rent bikes to get around, and if not, there are taxis available for longer distances, but honestly, biking or walking is more than enough. There are so many walking paths and bike paths along the coastline, and it feels like the town was designed for slow, peaceful living. Nothing feels rushed here, and that’s a huge part of the charm.
One of the most insane things about Dahab is the setting. In front of you, looking out over the Red Sea, you can clearly see the mountains of Saudi Arabia every single day. You’re not far from the Arabian Peninsula at all, and seeing those mountains across the water is absolutely surreal. Behind you, you have the dramatic mountains of the Sinai Peninsula, which are equally stunning and hold so much cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. The Sinai Peninsula is worth visiting for so many reasons, but just being on this land feels special, whether you’re religious or not. It’s incredible to think about how important this region has been throughout history. If you’re up for an adventure, you can even hike Mount Sinai (also known as Jebel Musa), where it’s believed Moses received the Ten Commandments. Many people do this as a sunrise hike, and it’s supposed to be an unforgettable experience.
It’s also important to know that South Sinai, where Dahab is located, is much safer and more controlled than the north of the peninsula. I highly recommend staying in this region, as it’s more touristic, well-regulated, and comfortable for travelers. I personally felt extremely safe my entire time in Dahab, even driving all the way from Cairo across the peninsula. The people are incredibly kind, welcoming, and helpful, and the culture here feels slightly different from the rest of Egypt. Many locals are Bedouin from Sinai, and some have never even been to Cairo. It really feels like its own little world.
The town itself is so relaxing. You have long walkways along the coastline lined with dozens of restaurants, cafés, and little shops right on the water. The food is amazing, with lots of fresh fish, seafood, vegetables, traditional Egyptian dishes, and also international options. Almost every place looks out over the sea, so you can sit for hours watching the sunset while eating a delicious meal or drinking coffee. Many cafés have cushions, floor seating, and tanning beds, and it’s completely normal to spend an entire afternoon just relaxing, working, reading, or people-watching.
For families, there are plenty of shallow swimming areas right in town, and it’s super easy to rent kayaks, paddle boards, or snorkeling gear. The water is calm, warm, and crystal clear, which makes it perfect for beginners or kids. But where Dahab really shines is in the world of diving.
Dahab is one of the most famous diving destinations in the world, especially for freediving and scuba diving. There are dozens of dive schools offering certifications, fun dives, and training for all levels. Some of the most well-known freediving schools include Freedive Dahab, Blue Immersion, and Dahab Freedivers, which attract people from all over the world. Legendary freedivers like Alexey Molchanov and Alessia Zecchini have trained and dived here, and the area is considered sacred ground in the freediving community.
The most iconic dive site is of course the Blue Hole, which is just a short drive from town. You can snorkel there, scuba dive, or freedive, and the visibility and colors are absolutely unreal. If you’re into freediving, I highly recommend watching the documentary The Deepest Breath before or during your visit. Much of it takes place in Dahab and at the Blue Hole, and one of the schools featured in the film still operates there today. Watching it while being in the same place adds a whole new layer of meaning to the experience.
In general, the Red Sea is known as one of the best places in the world for diving. The reefs are vibrant, the visibility is insane, and the water temperature is perfect most of the year. Diving here is also surprisingly affordable compared to many other famous dive destinations. Even if you don’t want to dive, there are endless snorkeling spots, lagoons, and beaches you can explore on day trips.
On the opposite side of town, you’ll find Laguna Beach, which is famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing. This is the second big sport in Dahab, and you’ll see hundreds of people flying across the water every day, especially around sunset. Even if you don’t participate, it’s so fun to watch them glide over the lagoon with the golden Sinai mountains in the background.
The overall vibe of Dahab is just incredibly laid-back. Everyone seems to be on the same slow, relaxed schedule. I met such a beautiful mix of people here: families, regional travelers, digital nomads, backpackers, divers, yogis, and artists. It’s one of those places where people come for a few days and end up staying for months. It’s also very affordable, with tons of great Airbnbs, hostels, and beachfront hotels for all budgets.
There are also so many day trips you can do from Dahab. You can visit canyons and waterfalls like the Colored Canyon or White Canyon, go on desert jeep tours, or explore remote beaches and Bedouin villages. Some people even take trips into Israel to visit Jerusalem, or deeper into Sinai for multi-day hikes and camping experiences.
Dahab is one of those places that really surprised me in the best way. I didn’t expect to fall in love with it as much as I did, but it honestly ended up being one of my favorite spots in Egypt. It offers the perfect balance between adventure and total relaxation, and it feels so different from anywhere else I visited in the country. Whether you’re diving every day, working remotely by the sea, or just slowing down and enjoying the simple life, Dahab has this really special energy to it. I’m so grateful I made the trip over to Sinai because it gave me a completely different perspective on Egypt, and I already know it’s a place I’ll want to come back to again and again.
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