Dahab

• 16 / 5 / 2023

Dahab 

A city in Egypt, it lies on the Gulf of Aqeeba around 100 km away from the southern town of Sharm El Sheikh and about 87 km from Nuweiba. It was named after the color of its golden sands.

The city is divided into two sections: the first is to the south, while the second is to the north.

It is called the village of Al Asla and is famous for its simple Bedouin life. The second section is located in the north. It is considered the soul and pulse of the city because it includes commercial markets and entertainment places, and the city is famous for its pure, pristine beaches and natural diving sites rich in coral reefs.

Dahab in the Past

Once a tiny Bedouin village, Dahab belonged to the realm of history as a resting stop for trade caravans crossing between Egypt and the Levant. 

The port city was famous on the Gulf of Aqaba, used by Nabataean Arabs from the second century BC to as late as 106 AD to stash their goods in anticipation of being carried by land to the port of Suez through the Sinai valleys, thus securing the trade route between the East and the West via the port of Dahab and the Sinai.

The city later developed into an international tourist destination while preserving its authentic Bedouin nature, so the city started as a small fishing village and then became famous in the 1990s after the Egyptian government paid special attention to it, constructing hotels and tourist villages in its centre, and some Bedouins still stay in it until now.

Climate and Location of Dahab 

Dahab, located along the Bay of Aqaba, is almost 100 kilometers to the north of Sharm El Sheikh, 87 kilometers from Nuweiba, and roughly 400 kilometers from Cairo, the capital. It has a mild climate year-round, relatively warm in winter and pleasant in summer, especially for the rest of the coastal cities in Egypt. 

Dahab on the east coast of Egypt, Sinai Peninsula is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations of the country owing to its clear turquoise waters, golden sandy beaches, and breathtaking coral reefs.

The Dahab is imbued with charm, and the serenity entwined with an enchanted landscape makes this a prime tourist destination, especially for thrill seekers in love with diving, relaxation, and desert escapades. 

The most important tourist and natural attractions in Dahab

The city includes many prominent tourist places, including Ras Abu Jaloum, which is a nature reserve and diving area; Al Baluhul, which is one of the world-famous diving areas; Al Kanyon, which is an excellent diving area; and Al Asla, an area in which approximately 75% of the city's population lives and is divided into three areas (Mubarak City, Zarnouk, and Al Asla); Coral Island towards the Palestinian border, where the remains of a historical castle built by the Crusaders are located, as well as the remains of a historical fortress.

Al-Malil area, which is a road parallel to the coastal road and includes some small hotels, cafeterias and houses; Al-Masbat area, which is the main tourist commercial area of the city and starts with Fanar Street and then Al-Masbat Bay and includes a large group of shops, diving clubs, cafes, camps and hotels, Al-Mashraba area, which includes a large number of cafeterias and diving centers and also includes the only monument found there, which is Tell Al-Mashraba, which are warehouses of an ancient port; Dahab City area, which includes government agencies and major hotels; Wadi Qani area, which represents the future urban extension of the city because of its large group of thousands of hotels.

Dahab has two bays, Laguna or Ghazala, which features the only sandy beach in the city, and Qoura, which is in the city in addition to the resorts along its beaches, which merge with the surrounding nature with stalls made of wood and palm trees to accommodate tourists.

Abu Jaloum Reserve

Situated along the Gulf of Aqaba within the Wadi Al-Rasasah, Abu Jalum Reserve was declared a reserve in 1992. The reserve possesses a unique nature and integrated ecosystems, which include desert and mountainous environments and an entire group of valleys passing through it, with the added richness of a marine environment with coral reefs and colorful fish, whereas the wildlife comprises animals, rodents, and reptiles in large quantities.

Nabq Reserve

The Nabq Reserve is located on the Gulf of Aqaba south of Dahab and is characterized by flat coral reefs, some sea caves, and a rare mangrove plant that grows in the salty waters of the Red Sea and lives in its roots with lobsters, crabs, and shrimps. There are three Bedouin tribes involved in protecting the environment and tourism, as well as forces from the Egyptian army on the borders of the reserve because of its environmental and tourism importance.

The reserve is specialized in several ecosystems, its valleys rich in rare plants, its extended dunes, marine beaches and coral reefs, and a large number of animals and birds.

Bluehole

The Blue Hole area is a very deep well inside the Red Sea, and it is one of the city's tourist destinations that tourists from adventure enthusiasts and diving professionals come to who practice their sport by breaking through a small arch at a depth of 100 meters, trying to break diving records, but deaths often occur in that spot due to divers suffering from depth drunkenness and running out of oxygen while trying to search for the arch again to get out of it at great and dark depths.

The name of the deceased adventurer, the date of their adventure, and their country are marked on a marble plaque on the mountain facing Bluehole, which is visited by tourists wishing to commemorate their relatives who died in this area because of their love of adventure.

Dahab City Hospital has a deep-sea medicine unit to treat emergencies that occur while diving.

Lagona Island

The Lagoon Island, or Lagoona Beach, is one of the prominent tourist destinations in the city of Dahab. Characterized by a tranquil sandy beach, the only powdery sand beach in Dahab, where tourists come to relax and engage in various nautical activities. Nestled in the south of Dahab, Lagoon Island is now the major attraction for snorkeling and several other marine activities. Popular for diving and snorkeling, this island has internationally recognized diving training centers and is renowned for the abundance of coral reefs and colored fish. Relax on the beach—the Sand Beach is the perfect haven for sunbathing and enjoying the surrounding picturesque views. Apart from diving, swimming and windsurfing are other pursuits that guests can do here. In Dahab, Lagoona Island is a rare tourist attraction where nature's beauty is intermingled with recreational activities, making it an ideal host for a memorable holiday.

Al-Asla area

Al Aslah region is a stunning getaway for everyone seeking a retreat that allows them to bask in the tranquility of nature, away from the centrifugal pull of the major tourist cities. It is at the periphery of Dahab. Al Aslah is one of the principal residential neighborhoods identified as among the most affluent areas forming the urbanization of Dahab. Al Asla still retains its primitive Bedouin being, where simple houses, local cafes, and small markets that sell typical products like artifacts, spices, and food are found. Unlike Dahab's more bustling tourist zones, such as Al Mashraba, Al Asla creates a mood perfect for relaxing without the bustle of the crowds. Al Aslah has a moderate selection of local cafes and restaurants specializing in traditional Egyptian and Bedouin cuisine, namely mandi, Bedouin tea, and fresh fish.

There are also many things to do: explore the mountains and the dunes of the desert on quad bikes or on the back of camels; spend nights camping in the desert under starry skies for the unforgettable adventure.