Dahab lies alongside the deepest section of the African rift, the giant crack in the earth's crust that formed the Red Sea. The jagged mountains above sea level continue at much the same angle underwater, forming a dramatic seascape of valleys and canyons. Not surprisingly, given the crystal clear water and ideal deep diving conditions, it has gained notoriety as a diving accident black spot. Many have lost their lives trying to test their limits. This is the curse of Dahab. Club Red, like most of the local dive centres, goes to great lengths to ensure their customers dive safely.

Apart from the bay of Dahab and the Lagoon which have sandy beaches, the whole coastline is actually a dive site. Wherever one dives, corals and fish can be found in abundance. See some of our favourite sites. Or find a new one and name it yourself.

THE BLUE HOLE / BELLS

One of the world's most famous dive sites, the Blue Hole is a break in the coral table which plunges to uncharted depths. Our guided dive starts at the Bells, which is just to the north of the hole. Following an open crack in the wall down to a small chute you pop out to the best wall dive north of Ras Mohamed with frequent sightings of large fish, turtles and rays. Our guide will then lead you into and around the Blue Hole. What a dive!

THE CANYON

This dive takes you into a huge cavern under the sea bed. Many entry and exit points allow the sun to penetrate deep into the cave which at one end ploughs downwards into the darkness and at the other leads into a small cave known as "the Fish Bowl" due to its abundance of first class fish. Plenty of light and life and a must.

THE EEL GARDEN

A group of palm trees identifies the entrance to this site, named after the colony of sand eels which populate its sandy slopes. A shallow dive, one often encounters schools of barracuda.

THE LIGHTHOUSE

This dive site is one of the most popular places for open water courses. Protected by a reef from hard currents its sandy bottom is ideal for students in their confined water sessions. Besides that, there is a reef full of colorful corals and plenty of fish. Huge Napoleon fish are frequently sighted. Definitely a dive you must not miss. For those who are into tech diving, there is a dinner table waiting for visitors at a depth of 60 metres.

CLUB RED REEF

Located just metres from our door on the south side of the bay, with a sandy entry point. It has some of the finest table corals the area has to offer and teems with life day and night. Also there is a tunnel leading through the reef with an exit at a depth of 35 metres.

ISLANDS

At the southern end of Dahab, before the lagoon, is a jewel of a dive site. It is so named because of three underwater islands of coral one beside the other. Like swimming through coral corridors of colour.

SOUTHERN OASIS

South of Dahab is a large group of palm trees, that give this site its name. A shallow dive, this site is popular for those who prefer the smaller reef inhabitants and colourful corals.