|
Webdesign
by
 |
|
|
|
Holidays in Dahab
Dahab - a place where
so much, yet very little goes on. Where the most important tasks, like
laundry, post, and shopping can be postponed for days (if not weeks) on
end, without fear of consequence. Situated 100 km north of Sharm el Sheikh
at the Gulf of Aqaba, Dahab can be reached within one hour and a half
by taxi or bus from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. For further
details on how to get there click here.
|
 |
|
|
 Dahab's
beauty is, to many, not immediately apparent, but even those spending
only a week in the place seem to be affected by the spirit of Sinai -
such a magical, historical and holy land. And, of course there is the
excellent diving…
Diving is now the prime
reason that people visit Dahab. Originally infamous as a hippy hangout,
diving had not been explored as an industry and it wasn't until 1991 that
the first diving centre was opened. Now there is an ever-growing colonisation
of centres - almost 60 at present, and to some it may appear that Dahab
will develop into a mirror image of Sharm El Sheikh.
|
|
|
|
For the most part, diving
in Dahab is limited to a handful of sites and this number is reduced even
further when strong winds make conditions tougher. The Canyon and the Blue
Hole are the two sites that have made Dahab infamous for deaths of divers
exceeding their limits. These sites are by no means death traps when dived
properly and when staying within recreational limits, but unfortunately
not everyone is satisfied with dives within 30 metres. The recent introduction
of Technical Diving facilities will hopefully improve the survival rate
of those drawn to the Arch at the Blue Hole. Due to its location at 55m,
a number of divers have suffered decompression illness or death, from attempting
this with little experience, single tanks and no back-up devices or planning.
Similar stories occurred at the Canyon, where the potential for dives below
50 metres, through the Canyon, attracted many daredevil divers, some of
who did not return. |
|
Back to recreational
diving: Islands, Eel Garden, Abu Hilal, and the Coral Gardens are all
other sites that are worth a visit. The Lighthouse, a major Open Water
training site, although not so stunning at 12m, is a fabulous dive still
at 25 - 30 metres. Other sites, further south, can also be reached by
jeep, and a one day jeep safari
can be organised for those not so keen on the idea of a day on a camel
|
|
|
 To
really experience the beauty of Sinai by camel, there are a couple of options:
local Bedouins can organise a camel safari to nearby Ras Abu Galum or beyond,
and will take full care of you, including providing food, mattresses and
some form of tents, if necessary. Club Red has got a safari section and
organise camel-dive safaris to
Gabr El Bint, Ras Abu Galum, Ras Mammla and Bir Largda. This does not mean
that the camel dives with you, but rather that the transport to the remotest
dives sites (inaccessible by truck), is by camel. Everything is loaded onto
the backs of these hardy beasts, including tanks, weight belts, kit, and
on overnight trips, even a portable compressor. |
|
|
| These
trips are spectacular with opportunities to dive at sites barely touched
by other divers. The fish population is far more prolific away from the
hubbub of the sites close to Dahab and most divers can boast sitings of
large rays, sharks, Napoleons and giant morays on these trips. |
|
Other than diving, there
are countless other activities to pursue in Sinai, but activities should
be carefully chosen during the summer months of June to September, when
the sun scorches and the heat punishes those not adapted to the desert
conditions. Trips to climb Mount Sinai are always popular, and for those
who do not wish to expend such effort on their holidays, nearby St. Catherine's
Monastery is a more sedentary alternative. Fabulous canyons are hidden
in the depths of Sinai and these can be visited as a day trip or as part
of a desert safari for the more adventurous to really absorb the breathtaking
beauty of the mountains and deserts.
|
| |
 |
 In
a nutshell, Dahab is a captivating place with spectacular diving opportunities,
but also the option to explore some of the rest of the Sinai peninsula on
the same trip. Unlike Sharm el Sheikh, one gets the feeling that you can
really absorb some of the magic of the place. Those on a two-week holiday
in Sharm would probably be ready to go back to their lives at home at the
end of the break, but Dahab tends to start people thinking about a different
life in paradise! |
How
to get to Dahab?
| from
Sharm El Sheikh |
from
Cairo Airports |
| by
bus: From the airport
take a service taxi to Sharm el Sheikh bus station for 5 LE. From Sharm
el Sheikh bus station take an East Delta bus to Dahab for 11 LE. |
by
bus: direct to Dahab
70 LE. |
| by
taxi: Sharm el Sheikh
to Dahab from 150 LE - 200 LE (up to seven people per taxi). |
by
taxi: aprox.
500 LE (up to seven people per taxi). |
|
