Dahab Dive Guide
Dahab
Dahab, the Arabic word for Gold! Ever since I’ve been coming to Dahab, for over a decade now, it’s certainly proven to be my place of Gold! A place of amazing culture, tranquility and happiness! The area is inhabited predominantly by the peaceful nomadic people of the Sinai. The Bedouins are a fantastic introduction to Middle Eastern culture for us Westerners. We can often find it intimidating and difficult, especially in the current world climate. The Bedouins always welcome us with open arms and a smile on their faces. Yeah, you may say it’s got something to do with the sums of money we bring with us, but I can assure you, it’s in their nature, and it’s not for self gain!
Map of Dahab, Dive sites indicated by markers, click for more information.
I remember my first visit to Dahab. We befriended a Bedouin taxi driver who drove us around for a fortnight, and before we left, he invited us back to his humble little house for dinner. We enjoyed a simple dinner of Bedouin bread, salads and goat cheese! He was thrilled to have us there with his family and what an experience for me and my friends!
Dahab has been through many changes in the years. It was a very small village with a small dirt road separating the beach and buildings. The restaurants were simpler and consisted of cushions on the beach. Things like Hilton Hotels, nightclubs, mobile phones and internet cafes were things we enjoyed getting away from. Boy has that changed! I guess with tourism and Western influence, things grow and change. I’m happy to say after all the changes Dahab remains a jewel, or should I say, all that glitters in our minds, hearts and souls. Once you’ve experienced it, there’s no turning back. Who would want to anyway?
Geographical Dahab
Just an hour’s drive, North of Sharm el Sheik, Dahab is typical of Bedouin villages, sandwiched between the majestic Sinai Mountains and the clear azure waters of the Northern Red Sea! The stretch of water expanding out from Dahab is just a few kilometres from the shores of Western Saudi Arabia. During the day, the Saudi mountains are in clear view and by night, shimmering lights from the towns across the water dance on the horizon.
Dahab Bay
Dahab itself consists mainly around a small palm tree lined bay, just about a kilometre across. The bay is lined by shops and restaurants, all selling their wares and competing, sometimes furiously for business. Walking along the paved beachfront road, you’ll often be confronted by restaurateurs vying for you to go in and have some of their food. However, don’t be intimidated by the foray of restaurateurs, they’re perfectly harmless and will answer to a simple, “No thank you”. If you’re a seafood lover, it must be said, there is a wonderful array of fresh fish, prawns of varying sizes, calamari and lobsters, and all very affordable compared to Western prices!
Dahab Bay is ideal for scuba divers doing it for the first time or taking part in their Open Water Courses. The water is clear, the bottom a shallow gentle slope and still plenty of marine life to keep the new diver intrigued and busy.
The Climate and Water Temperatures
The climate in Dahab is generally hot and dry all year round, varying from 22C daytime temperatures in the winter to over 40C in the summer months. Its worth mentioning that most people think Its hot all year round, but bare in mind that Dahab is situated in the desert and temperatures, particularly between November and March, drop enough for you to have to wear jumpers
and trousers. So pack a couple in your luggage! You should wear sunscreen, hats and sunglasses when ever outdoors. The sun is strong all year round and you can suffer from heat related illnesses quite easily, without even realizing it.
Water temperatures are season dependant. In the winter the water drops to around 18C, which is often made to feel colder by the wind. You’ll find getting out of the water a bit nippy at times, so using the appropriate exposure suit for months between November and March is essential for keeping warm. In the summer, very little exposure is required to keep warm. Shorty wetsuits are very common as the water temperature can rise up to 30C! The warmer waters in the summer, make diving in the Red Sea very popular and it’s a pretty busy time of year in Dahab.
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