Dahab in the Bedouin language means “Gold”. Very often you can hear that this name was given due to the towns golden sandy beaches that now are turned into the sidewalks and chill outs of the Masbat embankment. However the one who has at least once visited Dahab understands that everything in this unique corner of the world is precious: the abundance of the sun rays, soft climate, magnificent nature and the incredible underwater world, the kindness and hospitality of Dahab’s residents, relaxing and friendly atmosphere, range of sights, and from one hand oriental and from the other side African style local flavour and rhythm of life. Indeed, the one who discovered Dahab for himself has gained the supreme treasure – the real gold.

Approximately 10 years ago very few knew about Dahab – just the Israeli hippy and European rastas. Nevertheless this small resort town of Egypt situated in the eastern part of the Sinai on the shore of the Aqaba gulf of the Red Sea now is more and more getting popular mostly because of diving. And diving in Dahab is really amazing! There are numerous wonderful dive sites that you should see with your own eyes.

Dahab consists of several parts – Masbat, Assalah, Mashraba, Medina and the Laguna. Some of them are mostly situated along the shore line, glittering with decorated beauty, and in the others behind high fences traditional Arabic houses hide, surrounded by silence that is broken only by the bleat of sheep and goats. Masbat is the most “resort” part of the city that by itself represents a picturesque embankment that revels in all kinds of different shops, dive centers, cafes and restaurants for any taste.  The Laguna houses all the high-class hotels and palm groves. Medina is a pretty area, the administrative center of the city where the town council, police, the headquarters of all local banks, the Hyperbaric center and clinic are based.  The other areas are simpler. Quite cute white villas neighbor on with bleak and poor wrecks; in some behind the fences you find little gardens with palm trees, hibiscus and oleanders, here there are markets, small appliance shops, grocery shops and tiny fish restaurants “for the locals”.

Because of the nearness of the equator the night comes down immediately skipping the twilight. In the evenings the embankment of Dahab turns in to an extremely romantic place, everywhere you find lights, colorful lamps, candles, everywhere you feel the smell of the incense sticks. Numerous restaurants open their doors, inside which relaxing chill out or reggae is playing, and trading continues till late night. Bedouin children offer to buy threaded and beaded bracelets that they do by themselves, and the sea near the lighthouse area is time to time lit by the torches of the divers doing the night dive.

Dahab is a charming town, but you just need to feel it, to understand it. And we want to help you in this by giving you the information below. We are looking forward to see you!

Where to stay?

In Dahab you can find accommodation for any taste and budget.

First of all, of course, these are hotels – posh and not really. Everything depends on the price and distance from the city.

If you are buying a trip in a travel agency, most probably your tour operator will suggest you the following hotels

Le Meridian Dahab 5*

An excellent hotel for people demanding to comfort and luxury. Le Meridian was built in 2007 in the south of the Laguna and is a part of an English network of hotels. Itself the hotel looks like a complex of one story buildings.

There are 105 rooms, 30 of them are standard (sea view, maximum for 3 people), 4 Suite, 30 Superior, 55 non-smoking rooms, 30 family rooms. In the room you will find: fridge/mini bar, safe deposit box, phone with international line, television, air conditioner, balcony or terrace, bathroom (with toiletry), hairdryer, the rooms are cleaned every day with changing the bed linen, room service - 24 hours a day.

In the hotel you will be offered the following services: 4 open swimming pools (1 heated, 1 with sea water, 1 for kids),  medical services, parking, car rental, conference hall, children playground, junior-club, mini club, nanny, sauna, massage, whirlpool, disco bar, live music, table tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, billiard, horse riding, tennis equipment rental, tennis courts, windsurfing and kiting school, laundry, dry cleaner’s, currency exchange, shops. The beach of the hotel is coral; there is a pontoon, beach chairs, umbrellas, towels – all for free.  .

There are 3 restaurants (the main – open buffet, Italian and Fish restaurants) as well there are a couple of bars – near the swimming pool and on the beach

Hilton Dahab 4*

The hotel is one from the Hilton network that is famous in the whole world for its quality of services and friendly atmosphere.

In the hotel  there are 147 rooms, out of which 131 are standard (28 m², for 2 persons), 2 suite rooms ( 2+2 persons), 12 family rooms (35m², 3 persons), 2 rooms specially equipped for handicapped people, 76 rooms  are sea view, 71 view the garden and swimming pool, 10 non-smoking rooms. The safe deposit box at the reception is for free. In the rooms you will find: air conditioner, bathroom, hairdryer, balcony/terrace, TV, phone with the international line, mini bar, room service. The rooms are made every day.

For your pleasure there are: an open swimming pool, a pool for children, children playground, play room, animation programs, volleyball, darts, a trade center. For an extra charge: massage, water skies, banana sailing, boats, windsurfing, billiard, horse riding, medical services, nanny, and laundry. The beach is sandy; beach chairs, umbrellas, towels – for free.

There are 2 restaurants in the hotel: Italian Portofino and Neptune, as well there are cafes and bars on the territory and beach of the hotel.

Coralia Club Dahab 4*

The greenest hotel in Dahab. Has the biggest and most beautiful territory and the most friendly staff among the hotels in the Laguna

In the hotel there are 139 rooms including standard rooms (max. 3 persons), bungalow (max. 4 persons), suite rooms (max. 4 persons), 45 rooms are sea view, 94 face the garden and swimming pool. There are specially equipped rooms for handicapped people. The safe deposit box at the reception is free of charge. In the rooms you will find: air conditioner, bathroom, hairdryer (upon request), balcony/ terrace, television, phone with an international line, mini bar/fridge. Room service available, room clean up is every day.

For your pleasure you will find: an open swimming pool, disco, volleyball, basketball, conference hall, trade center. For an extra charge: massage, canoe, windsurfing, billiard, horse riding, mini golf, tennis courts, internet and medical services. The beach is sandy; umbrellas, beach chairs and towels are for free.

There are 3 restaurants: the main (open buffet), Italian and fish, 2 cafes and 2 bars (near the swimming pool and on the beach)

Swiss Inn Golden Beach 4*

A very cozy hotel with a green territory overwhelmed with flowers, with beautiful rooms with unusual pictures on the walls.

There are 147 rooms in the hotel out of which 131 are standard rooms (28m2, 2 persons), 2 suit rooms (2+2 persons), 12 family rooms (35 squared meters, 3 persons), 2 specially equipped rooms for handicapped people. 76 rooms are sea view, 71 face the garden and swimming pool. There are 10 non-smoking rooms. The safe deposit box at the reception is free of charge. In the room you will find: air conditioner, bathroom, balcony/terrace, television, phone with an international line, mini bar. Room service available, room clean up once a day.

For your pleasure you will find: an open swimming pool, a swimming pool for kids, children playground, play room, animation programs, volleyball, darts, trading center, massage, water skies, banana, canoe, boats, windsurfing, billiard, horse riding, medical services, nanny and laundry. There is a sandy beach; umbrellas, beach chairs, towels are for free.

There meals are held in the main restaurant (open buffet/menu) and in 2 cafes and bars: bar with disco and live music, bar near the swimming pool.

Iberotel Dahabeya 4*

The hotel was opened in March, 2004 and belongs to the international IBEROTEL net famous for its high quality service standards.

There are 95 rooms in the hotel most of which are sea view or face the garden and swimming pool. In the room: air conditioner, bathroom, phone with an international line, mini bar, satellite television.

For your pleasure you will be offered: table tennis, billiard, kids room, children playground, volleyball, fitness, aerobics, fitness equipment, laundry, doctor, warmed up swimming pool with still water, windsurfing. There is a sandy beach, the umbrellas, beach chairs, towels are for free.

There is a restaurant with an open buffet and two bars (near the pool and on the beach)

Sea Sun Hotel 4*

A cute hotel, one of the newest in Dahab, built in 2008.

In the hotel there are 68 rooms: 58 standard ones, 8 superior and 2 special rooms for handicapped people. In the rooms: bathroom, hairdryer, air conditioner, television, safe deposit box, balcony/terrace, phone, extra bed. The rooms are made once a day, linen change 3 times a week, room service

For your pleasure you will be offered: an opened swimming pool, medical services, currency exchange, internet café, salsa, show programs, music of the 80’s, jazz, national

show, a buss to Dahab’s center and a laundry. The beach is sandy and coral. Beach chairs, umbrellas, mattress, towels, security on the beach – all for free.

There are 2 restaurants: the main open buffet and a Chinese (menu), also there are 2 bars: near the pool and on the beach.

Happy Life Village 4*

The hotel is situated in the Wadi Qonay beach 8 km south Dahab near the popular dive site Moray Garden. The hotel was opened in 2001, its advantages are appreciated by the lovers of untouched nature landscapes, quiet private holidays away from the civilization.

In the hotel there are 125 standard and 24 suite rooms situated in a couple of two story buildings facing the sea and the mountains. In the room: air conditioner, bathroom, balcony/ terrace, satellite television, phone with an international line, mini bar/fridge, safe deposit box.

For your pleasure you will be offered: open swimming pool (600 m2), a swimming pool for kids, table tennis, billiard, fitness equipment, sauna, whirlpool, massage. The beach is sandy and coral. Umbrellas, beach chairs, towels are for free.

There are 2 restaurants: the main open buffet and an open air restaurant (menu), there are 2 bars: near the pool and on the beach.

Tropitel Dahab Oasis (ex. Dahab Park Plaza) 4*

The hotel was open in 2001, appreciated by lovers to rest away from civilization. 500 away the hotel one of the best dive sites the Canyon is situated, and 3 km away from one of the most famous sites the Вlue Hole.

In the hotel there are 141 standard rooms and 4 suite rooms, situated in a couple of two story buildings facing the mountains and the sea. In the rooms: air conditioner, bathroom, balcony, satellite television, phone, mini bar/fridge.

For your pleasure you will be offered: open swimming pool, swimming pool for kids, diving school. The beach is sandy-coral. Umbrellas, beach chairs, towels are for free.

There are two restaurants: indoor main restaurant with open buffet and a restaurant in the open air, also there is a bar near the reception and near the swimming pool.

Dyarna 3*

The hotel is located in the southern part of Dahab in the very beginning of the embankment approximately in the same distance between the Laguna and the Lighthouse. The hotel is situated in a quite place and is very suitable for calm vacations.

In the hotel there are 42 rooms out of which 14 are standard, 28 superior. In the rooms: bathroom, television, phone, fan/air conditioner (superior), mini bar (superior), sea view (superior).

In the hotel for your pleasure you will be offered: billiard in the sea view bar, swimming pool with sea water, dance floor in the restaurant. The beach is sandy-coral with umbrellas and beach chairs.

There is a restaurant that serves national and European cuisine and has an open buffet, there are also 2 bars: near the pool and in the billiards room.

Ganet Sinai 3*

One of the first resort hotels in the Dahab’s Laguna. The sandy beach is right next to the two storied buildings having sea view rooms. The territory is full of greenery.

In the hotel there are 66 double bedrooms, 5 suite rooms, 4 villas with a living room (on the 1-st floor) and two bedrooms (on the second floor). Most of the rooms are sea view, have satellite television, telephone, air conditioner, bathroom and have room service 24 hours a day.

For your pleasure in the hotel you will be offered: windsurfing, private beach, 3 swimming pools including one for kids, boats, table tennis, health club, whirlpool, sauna, children playground and billiard.

There are: main restaurant (international cuisine, national Egyptian cuisine, open buffet), bar beach (refreshing and alcohol drinks, pizza, sandwiches, ice cream, fresh juices, fish and meat dishes), and the bergola (Bedouin tea and water pipe)

New Sphinx 3*

The hotel is located in the southern part of Dahab not far away from the central square. The hotel consists of several two storied buildings; most of the rooms are sea view.

In the hotel there are 40 rooms having a bathroom, satellite televisions, telephone and an air conditioner.

For your pleasure you will be offered: billiard in the bar, swimming pool. The beach is coral with beach chairs and umbrellas.

The meals are held in the restaurant serving national and European cuisine, open buffet and bar.

Panda Resort 3*

One of the first hotels in the Laguna is between Ganet Sinai и Dahabeya Iberotel hotels. From the hotel a majestic view on the Red sea, mountains and gardens opens.

There are 60 standard rooms out of which 14 are sea view, 6 triple bedrooms, 2 double room, 2 suite rooms, 4 family rooms. In the rooms: balcony/terrace, air conditioner, satellite television, mini bar, telephone, bathroom, 24 hour room service.

For your pleasure in the hotel you will be offered: two warmed up swimming pools (one of which is for kids), whirlpool, children playground, health club, sauna, fitness equipment, table tennis, billiard, windsurfing, banana, canoe, yacht, glass bottom boat, massage. The beach is sandy; umbrellas, beach chairs, towels are for free.

There is a restaurant that serves international and national Egyptian cuisine and a bar on the beach.

Coral Coast 3*

Coral Coast hotel is based in a quiet Bedouin part of the city right on the coast line close to a popular diving site called Eel Garden. The hotel is clean and cozy, is good for a peaceful rest.

There are 30 rooms, all of them sea view. In the room there is a bathroom and air conditioner.

In the hotel for your pleasure you will be offered: a little conference room, massage, yoga classes, internet, private beach (sand and corals) with beach chairs and umbrellas.

There is a restaurant on the roof of the hotel (national and European cuisine, open buffet/menu), a bar and café on the beach.

And if you do not want to buy a tour and arrive to Dahab on your own, Ok Club diving center will be glad to help you to get accommodation in little, cozy, democratic hotels in the city:

Nesima Resort 3*

Nesima is an unusually stylish hotel representing a complex of two storied villas; all the rooms are designed in the traditional Arabic style with domed ceilings. The hotel was built in 1998. In the middle of the hotel there is an open sea view swimming pool

In the hotel there are 40 standard rooms, 11 deluxe. In the room: air conditioner, bathroom, television, telephone, terrace (only in deluxe), mini bar. Linen is changed twice a week; the rooms are cleaned once a day.

At your service in the hotel you will find: a swimming pool with a kids section, volleyball, water sports, safe deposit box (extra charge), nanny (upon request, extra charge), laundry. The beach is sandy; umbrellas, beach chairs, towels are for free.

The meals are held in the main restaurant with an open terrace and in the café on the roof of the hotel, also there are two bars.

Jasmina 3*

Hotel Jasmina is in the tourist center of Dahab 3 minutes of walk from the sea. A cozy and beautiful hotel will become a good choice for your vacations.

There are 27 rooms out of which 18 are double, 7 triple, 1 room for 5 persons, 1 room for six. In the rooms: bathroom, television, air conditioner, mini bar, telephone.

Also at your service: a swimming pool, billiards, laundry

The meals take place in the hotels restaurant.

Golden Europe 2*

The hotel is situated in the Lighthouse area near the embankment. It’s a clean, cozy place with a good restaurant and European staff. The nearest beach - the Lighthouse reef.

There are 20 rooms in the hotel with possibilities to accommodate from 1 person up to a whole family; most of the rooms have a terrace. In the rooms: bathroom, air conditioner, mini bar, telephone, television, IKEA furniture.

At your services in the hotel there are: excursions, windsurfing and room clean up.

The meals are held in the restaurant based on the roof of the hotel (national and European cuisine and drinks, open buffet/menu), also there is a nice café in the hotel lobby (bakery and drinks) Khattab Hotel 2*

The hotel is based in the Masbat area, close to the road. Just a 2 minute walk and you are on the embankment. The hotel was open in 2004 and is a little private hotel. There is a nice chill out area in the inner yard.

There are 18 rooms on the first and second floors. In the rooms you will find an air conditioner, bathroom, mini bar, satellite television, room clean up.

The hotel is not big and doesn’t have its infrastructure, not having its own beach it is best of all to swim in the Lighthouse reef area.

Ali Baba Hotel

A little, but however a very cozy hotel Ali Baba is situated in the very center of Masbat. All the rooms are located on the second floor and are sea view. The hotel is designed in oriental style all decorated with mosaic.

There are just 8 rooms in the hotel – 6 standard and 2 luxury rooms. All the rooms are designed for 2 people. In the rooms: bathroom, fridge, air conditioner, sea view balcony.

Mirage Village 2*

A great economical possibility of staying in Dahab. A cozy hotel with a nice green territory in the Bedouin part of the city close to the Lighthouse reef.

There are 20 rooms in which you will find: telephone, air conditioner, bathroom, fridge (at extra cost), room clean up, a private sandy beach with umbrellas and beach chairs.

There is a restaurant and a café with a Bedouin brazier on the territory of the hotel.

If you plan to visit Dahab in the middle of the high season and are worried that you will not get a room in the hotels your tour operator works with pay your attention on the numerous not less comfy hotels like: Laguna Dahab 4*, La Reine 3*, Old Sphinx 3*, Oricana 3*, Sea View 2*.

You do not want to stay in a hotel? Then you can choose democratic and cheap camp. Some camps offer nice, clean and comfy accommodation, but in some only real ascetic can stay.

And if you are planning your visit for a period more than the standard 1-2 weeks we recommend you to rent a nice apartment or house from private owners. It is possible to find nice options with green gardens, several cozy and furnished rooms, satellite television, internet, bathroom with hot water, air conditioner etc. Whatever you want, but better secure yourself with the support of an Arabic speaking person.

Where to eat?

We recommend you to have meals in restaurants and bars of your hotel or in places you already know and that have gained a good reputation. There are a lot of temptations but you better avoid unfamiliar restaurants, as no one guarantees that their staff follows hygienic standards while preparing food and that the food is of good quality done in the right way.

We would like to recommend you a couple of restaurants in which you for sure will like the menu and that will leave only good memories behind, making you want to come back again and again.

As an example, the favorite restaurant of Ok Club’s staff – Friends. The restaurant is situated close to the dive center; its cooks will make you happy with the spicy dishes of the Bedouin cuisine prepared on open fire with all kinds of sauces, vegetables and rice. Here you will be offered to have some fresh juice, beer, to smoke the water pipe (or Shisha as it is called here). The motto of this cozy and comfy place with an incredible atmosphere speaks for itself– «Come as a guest, live as a friend».

We also recommend you Yalla bar. Here you may taste a delicious stake, try the specialty cocktail and get the second one for free, all enjoying the view on the Aqaba gulf and Saudi Arabia mountains from the beach or the second floor of the bar.

For sure you will like the menu of the Napoleon fish restaurant where you will be offered fresh fish and sea products cooked on grill according to the chief’s special recipes. In the restaurant situated on the Masbat embankment you will be met by the kind and always smiling owner Magdi and surrounded by maximum comfort and attention.

The tastiest fried fish will try those who will turn from the Masbat embankment to the Mashraba street to a restaurant called Sea Bride. The fresh river and sea fish is fried in a foil right in front of you. Lots of restaurants in Dahab buy fish from here, from the See Bride. By the way, you can notice that all the fish and sea products used for cooking in the restaurants of Dahab are grown in Suez and Thailand. Exactly in Dahab fishing next to the coast line is forbidden as all the shore zone 50 into to the sea is a national park. Only Bedouins have the right to fish here for their own needs.

If you are not against a relaxing walk along the embankment in the direction of the Laguna, you should visit the Funny Mummy restaurant: a quiet relaxing place with calm music and friendly atmosphere. Here there is a very cozy chill out, tons of pillows on which you can both: sit and lie. As well they serve great draft bear.

Close to Funny Mummy is a restaurant Lakhbatita serving wonderful Italian cuisine. The owners here keep an eye on menu’s authenticity. Here you can try real Italian pizza, paella and canola.

If you get tired from half European and half oriental cuisine that are so common here in the restaurants, you can try out some borsch and pancakes with sour cream in the Russian restaurant that offers a great range of traditional Russian dishes. Visit the Chinese restaurant to taste the appetizing Beijing roasted duck and spring rolls. Go for the exotic dishes in the Thai and Indian restaurants.

To have a cup of aromatic coffee we recommend you to visit the Italian co coffee house Lavazza, here there is also a newly opened sushi bar.

Try out the fresh bakery, cakes and bread in the German Bakery.

Medicine & Insurance

Since 2007 the Hyperbaric and Emergency Medical Center works in Dahab, the branch of the famous Dr. Adel Taher center, which is managed by Dr. Heikel. The center is situated in the Laguna near the Iberotel hotel and is equipped with up-to-date medical equipment including a new decompression chamber. The staff of Ok club uses the medical services of the Center coming to Dr. Heikel not only with matters related with diving and each time the high standard of services in the center is proved again and again.

Going to travel you most probably think about insurance.

If you have not yet decided where to go with this delicate matter, you do not have enough time to get the insurance or want to do it upon your arrival, Ok Club will be glad to help you with this.

We offer you the services of Indepths insurance company. To get the insurance with Indepths is easy and fast; you just need a couple of minutes. We offer you different kinds of insurance policies: tourist, diver and combined diving and tourist policy for any period of time. The present insurance policy is accepted in all Egypt’s medical centers including the Hyperbaric Medical center in Dahab. Take care about yourself and your nearest and dearest, feel yourself confident and protected.

Entertainments

You can hardly call Dahab a city with a well developed entertainment industry. Perhaps more people come here for relaxation and pacification that Dahab generously gives to its guests. Entertainment here is determined by the unbelievable beauty of the underwater world of Aqaba gulf and the fortunate prevailing winds giving the possibility for active holidays - diving for experienced divers and courses for beginners, windsurfing and kite surfing.

However you can devote your hours to explore the history and secrets of Egypt and Sinai joining an interesting excursion to. Moses mountain, St. Catherine’s monastery; see the astonishing Pyramids of Giza and Luxor, the mysterious Alexandria, or just go on a captivating camel safari, or may be travel to Petra, Jordan – just choose the destination point! In Dahab lots of tourist offices will offer you all kinds of different trips and excursions.

Never the less, your stay in Dahab just enjoying its quietness and comfort with all the restaurants, chill outs and shops will be more than great. Have a stroll through the Old city; go for a Bedouin dinner in the mountains, dance in the Tota disco-bar and leave with a good mood for long and great memories.

Shops

We recommend you to buy products, food and personal hygiene items in the Ghazala supermarket network. The shops of this net you will find in most of the towns districts, the products there are fresh and of good quality.

In the town you will find numerous pharmacies, fruit and vegetable, fish and meat shops, all kinds of souvenir shops, small wares shops, spice shops, book shops and the press fresh and not very, lots of mobile operators shops, diving equipment shops, perfume shops, shoes and clothes shops and furniture shops.

Alcohol could be bought in Abanob, Drinkies and some other small shops around the city: you can try out Egyptian beer, whisky, rum, wines.

There are a couple of hairdressers, laundries, car and bikes rentals and a photo center in the city.

Transfers to Dahab

Оk Club will help you organize a transfer from Sharm El Sheikh airport to Dahab and back. Our club chooses only disciplined drivers due to what your trip will be comfortable and safe.

Upon request for divers coming from Israel we can organize the transfer from Taba and back.

To do diving you do not have to bother yourself with thoughts of how to get to Dahab, Ok Club will do this for you at a professional level.

When ordering a transfer you should mention your flight number and time of your arrival to the airport. All can be done by e-mail.

Climate

Going to Dahab remember that here there are two distinguished year seasons – winter and summer.

Summer for sure is hot, very hot, very - very hot. The temperature during the day is up to 35-40 degrees (Celsius) but in Dahab the heat is softened by the constant wind

In winter the temperature during day is sometimes even up to 28 degrees, but most often about 25. The coldest months are January and February. Going to Dahab in winter do not forget about warm things – during the evenings it can be really cold.