Inspiration from Abroad: Dive into Dahab

When traveling to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula most opt to go to Sharm el Sheikh for their diving adventures and exotic beach getaways,. However, if you are in search of a less crowded, equally beautiful location with better priced hotels and local goods, I suggest you wander a little further down the coast to Dahab!

Dahab is a paradise for divers, whether you are just learning how to dive, or have been diving for years there is something for everyone here. Our first two dives were shore dives, walking in until we could slowly submerge and begin out adventure. We were greeted by lion fish, wrasse fish, trumpet fish, puffer fish and even a few moray eels and an octopus. The coral is beautiful adding to the overall splendor of the underwater scenery. Our second day of diving we took a 15 minute truck ride to the Blue Hole which is a famous dive spot for free divers as well as scuba divers. (The Blue Hole is my favorite dive thus far!)

Entering through "the bells," which is a vertical half pipe, we descended to our max depth. Having reached our max depth we exited the tunnel and swam along the reef wall towards the blue hole. It was the most astonishing view I have ever beheld. The reef wall follows the deep blue ocean disappearing into a blue abyss. Here I saw thousands of fish and coral. I enjoyed watching the anemone fish swimming in and out of their anemone and seeing the vibrant colors on the various wrasse and parrot fish that were swimming along the coral reef. At one point a cleaner wrasse with electric blue stripes came up to me and was swimming an inch away from my mask giving me the most amazing view of it. The most astonishing sight however was the free divers. Being 20 meters underwater with a tank and a full set of gear to enable breathing under water, it was mind-boggling watching the free divers swimming past us, straight down into the blue with naught but a big fin to propel them and a swimsuit. The dives of Dahab were out of this world and are a must for any one even remotely interested in diving.

Dahab is a Bedouin fishing village which has boomed into a welcoming tourist attraction. Beautiful oceans with stunning dive sights entice divers from around the world. However, it is not just the diving that draws people in. The beaches are beautiful whether you are deep under their ocean or tanning on the land. Ready to shake off the sand? Go to one of Dahab's fabulous restaurants along the bay or pop into one of the shops for some Egyptian keepsakes. (The restaurants are beautiful. Shark was our favorite as it was filled with colorful lights and cushion with the distinct aroma of shisha from the hookahs all around, you could not help but feel that you were in the Middle East.)

An added bonus to visiting Dahab is its proximity to Mount Sinai which boasts the most spectacular sunrise and mountain adventure. The ultimate contrast to the beach, Mount Sinai shows you a different aspect of Egypt's stunning geography.

Dahab is just as beautiful at night as in the day. Sitting on the beach looking at the lights of the boardwalk reflecting off the ocean while enjoying the sound of the waves you only need peer above you to feast your eyes on the ocean of stars above, from Orion's belt to the big dipper the sky is filled with sparkling balls of burning gas and it is simply stunning.

Despite the stunning scenery, refreshing ocean, and quiet roads, the real gem of Dahab is the locals. The local shop keepers and restaurant employees were incredibly friendly and welcoming. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with them and learning about their lives in Egypt. One particular shop keeper, Hagag invited us into his shop to try some Bedouin tea. We sat and talked for an hour meeting his friend Saed. They talked of the revolution and the effect it has had on the country. It was fascinating talking to them, they were not tired of tourists but excited to meet new people to share their stories with.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dahab and hope to one day return. If you ever get a chance to go to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, by-pass Sharm el Sheikh and make your way to Dahab for a touristy experience without the millions of tourists.

I hope you enjoy this Photographic Journal of my experience in Dahab!

(If you want to read about the dives we did and get the full details of our trip you can read about my full adventure here!)