Dahab Site Dive

The sleepy town of Dahab (meaning gold in Arabic) sits at the foot of the rose hued Sinai mountains about 100km north of Sharm El Sheikh. Once a simple Bedouin encampment it now boasts modern facilities and some new hotels but still retains its ethnic charm. Dahab sits on the Gulf of Aqaba and some of the deepest waters in the Red Sea are in the area, dropping in places to over 1800mts. It is here you will get the opportunity to sight a busy reef life just a few meters beyond the fringing reef.

Blue Hole - El Bells
One of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea situated 12 km north of Dahab. The Blue Hole has an almost circular shape 150 meters wide and 110 meters deep and connects with the sea through a tunnel 26 meters long at a depth of 52 meters (for technical divers only). The best way to enjoy this dive site is by doing a drift dive starting at El Bells (situated 250 meters north) and finishing the dive in the Blue Hole. El Bells is a half open chimney that reaches a depth of 30 meters and have an arch at 26 meters. The wall is there magnificent. It is vertical and in part overhanging with a rich growth of black corals and elephant ear sponges and sea fans. In the deep blue, chance is to spot Yellow finish Tunas, Orange spotted Trevallies, school of Red Sea Fusiliers, and the resident Napoleon Wrasses.
By getting shallower and closer to the lip of the Blue Hole the attraction is also lying on the rich sloping reef. The saddle which allows the entrance to the inside of the Blue Hole is 7 meters deep only. Here is a beautiful coral garden teeming of life. The end of the dive will enable you to skirt around the inner walls of the Blue Hole where you could observe Octopus, many Starfishes and Scorpion fishes

Rick's Reef
Situated on the north of the Canyon dive site, this is a perfect place to make a drift dive from this location toward the lagoon of the Canyon when a mild current is present. This is a very relax dive, excellent for photography. Octopus, Scorpion fishes, Morays, school of Red Sea Goatfishes fish and Fusiliers are always around on the sandy plateau patches with coral heads. The sandy bottom often hosts Blue spotted Stingray and amazing Napoleon Wrasses can always surprised you from the blue. The sloping coral garden stretches form the entry of the dive site to the fishbowl of the Canyon of beyond. A perfect location for the snorkel as well who can follow the divers bubbles.

The Canyon
This site takes its name from a long, narrow and very beautiful canyon created by an ancient volcanic activity. The huge fissure now overgrown with hard and soft corals runs north to south from the shallow reef just off shore to a depth of around 54 meters on the reef slope further out (ideal for technical divers). Access to the site is through a shallow and sandy lagoon laying a few steps form the shore line. It is inhabited by a rich fauna comprising Butterfly fishes, Blue spine Unicorn fishes, Cornet fishes and even juvenile Barracudas. On the most western point there is a saddle serving as an entry (and exit) point to the open sea and a coral garden. Among the large range of reef fish here, some notable residents include the Puffer fish, Snappers, Lyre tail and Coral Grouper, Bass lets and Red Sea Anthias. The entry to the Canyon is done through it largest point at 22 meters. The progression through the Canyon is easy and the light effect caused by the sun rays is surreal. The exit of the Canyon is done through a huge hard coral block with a man-sized opening in this coral hummock. The numerous small cracks of this coral block allow the air bubbles emitted by scuba divers to escape giving a fantastic touch to the scenery.

Ras Abu Helal
Ras Abu Helal which means "Cape of the growing moon" is situated 3 km south of the Canyon. This extensive site features an inshore reef top dropping steeply to a sandy lagoon of 10 meters maximum depth with a semicircular shape. This dive site features also at a depth of more than 30 m a small narrow canyon (for which the site is named as well) which lies beyond the scope of recreational diving. The surrounding coral garden throughout the site is excellent and fish life is equally diverse. Among the hundreds of reef species, notable residents are Unicorns, big Groupers, Triggerfish's, starry Puffers and Wrasses. Hawksbill turtles are also common here.

Eel Garden
This dive site is named after the huge population of Garden Eels. These small creatures swaying in the gentle current stretch for food particles passing by and disappear gently when divers are coming close by. After swimming over the reef platform the entry of the dive site is through a small channel that leads to the main reef. The sandy bottom is home for the garden eels that come out and wave with the water and friendly Batfishes. The reef slope has got an excellent selection of coral growth with both stony and soft species and this colorful and shallow reef boasts large numbers of Lion fishes, Damsels, Parrots, Groupers, Scorpion fishes and plenty of Sand Gobies. The whole area is great for photography.

The Lighthouse
Located just off shore at the lighthouse of Dahab bay it features an extending sloping reef with a good range of depths which can suit all level of divers. Look out for Sea moth (Pegasus) and Shrimpfish's on the sandy slope as you step in the water. Large pinnacles, huge cabbage coral and coral heads extend out of the point reaching depth of more than 25 meters with a diverse fish life with Surgeon and Unicorn fishes, Wrasses, Triggerfish's, Breams and Morays. The sloping coral wall and the coral garden at the northern part of the reef is very healthy and boast both hard and soft species of coral and host a varied fish life like Cornet fish, Angelfish, Goatfish and school of Common Big eyes feeding from the mild current. It is home as well to Spanish dancers very popular among the photographers. The shallow wall of the fringing reef plate, the gentle sloping reef and the abundance of marine life make the Lighthouse an excellent site for night diving.

Masbat
This dive site located in the heart of Dahab city is the ideal place to spot numerous Thorny Seahorses and Pipefish's on the very shallow ridge covered of sea grass and funnel weed. Among the inhabitants of this ridge are the Peppered, Snow-flake and Undulated Morays, juvenile Scorpion fishes and sea urchins. The field of sea grass which covered a wide part of the dive site serves as nursery grounds for many species of crustaceans and fishes and colorful Ascidians. At the southern tip of this pasture of the marine plants the reef margin is starting. Large coral pinnacles and rich soft coral growth with beautiful Acropora will be found along the wall. Among the huge coral formation, there is a small swim-through at around 30 meters. You could find Potatoes Groupers, Giant Morays and Unicorn fishes and school of Red Sea fusiliers during your dive.

The Islands
The Islands dive site is a remarkable site for the richness and development of its hard coral reef which creates a real labyrinth to dive through. The landscape offers the opportunity to observe a large variety of Porites and Brain corals within the Island and Acropora table corals over the sandy plateau. Box fish and Crododile fish are part of the common representatives of reef fauna that can be seen through the three pools and the sand road that lead to the small immerged hard coral island that gave the site its name. A resident school of juvenile Barracudas and blue fin Trevallies are frequently spotted.

Golden Blocks
Golden Blocks is a pleasant dive site with a nice variety of landscape. It has a mix of sandy areas and coral gardens with plenty of different species of soft coral like Leather corals, smooth Alcyonarians, Brocoli soft coral and Feather coral. The name of this dive site is due to the two impressive coral towers covered of Anthias where the dive begins. After a patch of sea grass, among the coral garden, there are three sandy alleys. The first one starts at 10 meter and drops down to 40 meter. The second slope is like a small canyon with an interesting coral head. At the third one, you will se an imposing Gorgonian Sea Fan at 20 meters. Red sea Banner fishes, splendid Nudibranchs, delicate Anemones and white spotted Puffers animate this interesting reef. This site is perfect for photography with a surprising wealth of life that could be captured on pictures.

Moray Gardens
This dive site is situated in a protected bay 30 min south of Dahab just between Golden Blocks and 3 Pools. The bay is always sheltered from the wind. This gentle dive condition makes it an easy and relax dive that can suit both beginners and experienced divers. The dive starts with a sandy slope followed first by a coral formation which is a good place to look for Scorpion fishes and Anemone fishes and then by an extensive patch of sea grass where Hawksbill Turtles have been seen. There are beautiful table coral and coral garden at a depth of 25m where it is common to see the Red Sea Nembrotha (Nudibranchs). Heading north takes you to an interesting reef with sandy alleys streaming down and a coral slope with a black coral at 30 meters. It is very common to dive with a shoal of Fusiliers around, to meet some Blue fin Trevallies, and see many Groupers and thousands of Basslet and Anthias. On the shallower part of the reef, there is an amazing coral garden with numerous table corals and colorful pinnacles. Look out for the Blue spotted Shield Slug and Network Pipefish. Heading south from the entry point, swim over a huge hard coral garden and find a surprising glassfish pinnacle at about 22 m. This section of the reef is perfect to spot octopus. Coming on shallower depth a sandy road will take you back to the entry/exit point enjoying this living aquarium with Sergeant fishes, Cornet fishes and juvenile yellow fish Barracudas. By the end of the dive the sandy slope is perfect for the safety stop and allows you to often see Sea moths in buddy pair and on the last shallow coral block an amazing Ornate Ghost Pipefish.

Three Pools
The name of this dive site comes from the three real natural pools formed in the reef. These pools have a sea grass and sandy bottom no deeper than 4 meters. Look out for hidden Moses Sole on the sandy bottom. After passing the third pool here is the open sea with hard coral slope and sandy alley on your left. Cabbage corals, Porites and Brain Corals are part of the incredible coral garden. Good chance to encounter Triggerfish's, numerous Butterfly fishes and Puffers. It is a place where the snorkel could also enjoy the beautiful underwater world.

Umm Sid
This dive site is situated between The Three Pools and Caves dive sites. The entry follows a narrow sandy slope and the reef plates start on both side of it. On the right side a huge coral block starts from 15 meters and reach 5 meters depth and is covered of a good variety of soft and hard corals, Sponges and Damselfishes and Anthias. The dive is done toward the north section. Following the sandy slope there is a small garden of Eels and a patch of sea grass with double-ended Pipefish. Along the reef plate, look out for Scorpion fishes and coral Groupers. The Red Sea fusiliers and Unicorns are very common here as well. Swimming over the sandy plateau, you will be surprised by the quantity and quality and sizes of the Acropora (table coral). Soft corals like Alcyonarians and yellow Broccoli covered numerous colorful pinnacles. Giant morays can be spotted among the different coral blocks. The short wall is full of life with Goatfishes, Big eye Emperors, Snappers, Butterfly fishes, Chromis, Anemone fishes, Cornet fishes, Red tooth Trigger. A very colorful dive.

The Caves
This site is the last of the series of sites on the southern coast of Dahab before the Gabr El Bent National Park. It centers on two shallow and large open front caverns, deeply undercutting the reef table close to shore. They are well worth a visit: there are covered with soft corals, sponges and black corals and inhabited by a resident huge Puffer fish and the shy Peppered Morays. The dive along of the reef sections on both sides of the caverns is as interesting as the caves. Inlets and surf tubes lead onto the sloping body of the main reef where a large cover of hard and soft coral and lively population of reef and schooling fishes are present.

One day Camel dive safari
Ras Abu Galum
Different and important ecosystems are present in the protected area of Ras Abu Galum such as well developed coral, beautiful coastline bordered by high mountains. Ras Abu Galum can be reached by camels. The one day camel dive safari is the most popular and the best way to enjoy this famous dive location where two or even three dives can be done in summer. After reaching the Blue Hole by jeep, and loading the camels with the diving equipment, the camel ride will take you on a path along the fascinating rocky coast for an hour and a half. The dives will give you the opportunity to see a fantastic underwater landscape. On the North part of the coast after entering in a pool with sandy bottom, swim over the small ridge of coral and at about 6 meters a huge Madre pore tower with plenty of glassfish will be in front of you. Then a hard coral plateau with massive pore coral, beautiful table coral, Broccoli coral start will where Breams and Parrots and Angelfishes make their home. On the south part of the dive site, the plateau gives place to a fantastic drop off with beautiful tower of coral on the top. Huge puffer fishes, school of Trevallies, Emperor fishes and Snappers are living here.
 

One day Camel dive safari
Gabr El Bint
Gabr El Bent means the "Tomb of the girl" and it is the southern dive site of Dahab. Part of the attraction of this site is the novelty of the commute- by camel loaded down with high-tech diving gear along the inaccessible coastline between Dahab and Nabeq. The first dive is done to the north of a hard coral buttress that you can see from the shore. The underwater landscape is fantastic with a wall running around the north point of a curving bay and descending to more than 50 meters depth decorated with table corals, black coral. Within the bay, the wall begins at around depth of 8 to 20 meters and give life to shelters and small caves, it is of outstanding beauty. The second dive is done south of the hard coral buttress. In shore, a large sandy lagoon dotted with coral heads lies just next to a hard coral buttress. It is an excellent place to spot Rays and numerous Crocodile fishes. The upper reef slope widens with a true forest of soft corals. It is exceptional and teeming of life. Beautiful Gorgonians and impressive Cabbage corals lie down between 12 and 30 meters. This is one of the most unusual sites along the Sinai coast and well worth the journey