Dahab is a small beach resort one hour north of Sharm el-Sheikh, on the Sinai Peninsula. It's a growing town, but still small compared to the other resorts along the Red Sea. It's a good place to relax, ride camels with the Bedwin, and scuba dive. Note: using “bedwin" and not "bedouin" because translation between scripts is not standard and "bedwin" better conveys the correct pronunciation.
Description:- Dahab was once an isolated coastal village which first turned into a hippie hangout in the 1980's. During the 1990's the town became something of an "alternative resort", mixing cheap accommodation, laid back lifestyle and "informal" tourism with certain commercial structures, turning into the "Ko Samui" of the Middle East. Cheap accommodation positioned right by the beach, inexpensive food and drink and a relaxed atmosphere combine with the natural wonders of the Red Sea (swimming, snorkeling, scuba- and free diving) to make it a heady enticement for the young and young at heart.
Since about a decade Dahab suffers from attempts to turn it into a "real" resort place. Note the grotesque, forever unfinished concrete structures all over. Of course, resort tourists and families will be way better off in Sharm el Sheik. Dahab in South Sinai, Egypt is one of the most unique and inspiring places in the world. Boasting magnificent natural landscapes, this is the perfect place to escape from hectic cities and busy lives.
Dahab is one of the most exciting places in the World. Located in the south of Sinai at the red sea it offers perfect conditions for divers and windsurfers. "Dahab" means "Gold" in Arabic, coming from the fine yellow sand you found on the beaches. The Bedwin are still living in this area for the steadiest climate the whole year. Here in Dahab you will find accommodations for every pocket. From five star Hotels to cheap backpacker camps. You may stay only for relaxation or u like to come active with a tour to mountain mosses, diving or snorkeling at the amazing coral reefs and windsurfing with a constant wind. The Oases give u the change to stay away from the hectic and to get a quiet impression of the desert and the easy live. Dahab is located around 90km in the north of Sinai from sharm el sheikh.
Dahab is much more laid back compared to Sharm, and seems to have less infrastructure and of a less westernized standard. And Dahab is windy! Quite a few wind surfers were in the water, while here you see some divers entering the water. Dahab is a small Bedouin village on the Gulf of Aquaba that was created out of a small oasis. This location is ideal for trips into the desert or to the mountains, as well as for diving expeditions in the Red Sea. Over the last few years, this area has developed into a paradise for scuba diving. Dahab is also the starting point for camel trips into the desert. In the authentic restaurants and café bars and you can enjoy typical local dishes as well as international cuisine.
Named 'Gold' in Arabic due to the golden sand, by the Bedouin tribes who settled here. Dahab had begun life as an oasis and bedouin fishing village. Later nicknamed 'Goa of the Red Sea' and now ' the Koh Samui of Egypt' - there is much more to Dahab than meets the eye! For years Dahab has been an independent traveler’s haven. If you love nature, adventure, relaxation and sunshine then you will love Dahab.
The most "traditional" thing to do in Dahab is not to do anything. It's one of the best places in the world to indulge this most exquisite passion and a lot of Dahab's reputation among traveler’s roots in it. Anyway, if "doing" something to you means "activity" there's also a great variety of options which can be classified in two categories:
Things to Do :- Diving:- • Diving is extremely popular in Dahab and the reefs here are still in relatively good shape. Known dive sites includes Abu Helal, Blue Hole, The Bells, Canyon, Coral Garden, Eel Garden, Lighthouse, Moray Garden, Islands, Three Pools, Gabr El Bint, Ras Abu Gallum. • Dahab Divers: PADI 5 star Golden Palm Resort and Diving School in the heart of the bay (Lighthouse) in Masbat. Extremely friendly staff, nice atmosphere, good equipment, good prices.
• Big Blue Dahab: is a fully equipped 5 Star Gold Palm Padi resort only meters from the reef, a relaxed and welcoming environment ideal for both snorkeling and diving. Emphasis on safety and fun with an environmental awareness. Small dive groups with highly qualified instructors and dive masters can enjoy a full range of Padi courses and guided dives at affordable prices. • Desert Divers: Their story began 15 years ago when the owner, Said, became Dahab's first Bedouin to learn to dive. The place is right on the beach in the main bay (Masbat Bay, in between the bridge & Lighthouse Reef). Excellent for diving (PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Resort), plus unique specialties including Freediving & Freediving Safaris, Deep Desert Safaris, Rock Climbing and Yoga Safaris. Plus their famous Camel Diving Safaris, from 1-5 days with the Sinai's most experienced guides. Diving is fine but equipment rather run down - and other diving centers are cheaper.
• Dive Pro Dahab: is a company established by divers for divers to help them get the best out of their dive vacation. Located all over the red sea enables it to supply divers with services wherever they go. • Mirage Divers - Diving center: Owned and runs by a very professional Bedouins and they always do their best to offer a real social diving holidays which combine both safety and fun whilst experiencing a whole different culture in a truly unique atmosphere. Their groups always small and there is a very high personal attention to all the diver
• Nesima Diving Center: French-run diving center generally judged to be the best in town. They charge a premium pricewise though, as two dives will cost you €47 (plus €20/day for gear rental). Package discounts available. A 5-day PADI Open Water course here is €302. • Poseidon Divers: Get into technical diving or simply do fun dive or courses in a safe and professional way. It is the only PADI Career Development Centre in town as well as a PSA and TDI Instructor facility (the only one in Egypt); you will get no shortage of divers if you do your PADI Dive Master or Instructor course here which is a definite plus for the quality of your course.
Buy:- Great buys are the usual Egyptian suspects: water pipes, rugs, oriental lamps, shirts in different lengths with embroidery, backgammon games, silver jewelry, etc. Prices are geared for tourists, so haggling is a must, pay max. 50%-60% of the first price offered, anything else is a rip-off. If you are not sure about the price, going to the next shop, they all offer more or less the same things, and start bargaining again there.
Look out for Bedouin Handicrafts, some beautiful pieces are available. Hand embroidered and made in Dahab, St Catherine’s and El Arish by Bedouin women. Sheikh Salem House has a good selection of items as do some of the other Bedouin establishments in Dahab. If your stay extends with or without intention your shopping behavior will focus on the Ghazala Market where you can find anything you need to upstate your on-the-road-equipment from functional to convenient.
Books about Dahab
LET'S GO EGYPT By LETS GO, Let's Go, Inc. Staff, Joey Shabot, Dave Newman, Elizabeth Ogburn, Charlotte Houghteling
Let's Go The Resource For The Independent Traveler For over forty years Let's Go Travel Guides have brought budget savvy travelers closer to the world and its diverse cultures by providing the most up-to-date information.
- Entries at all price levels for lodging, food, attractions, and more - Must-have tips for planning your trip, getting around, and staying safe - Advice on outdoor activities, including sample itineraries - In-depth cultural information that offers an insider's look at life in Egypt - Opportunities to make a difference through study, work, and volunteering - Detailed maps to help navigate cities and the outdoors
Cultural Connections: Crack hieroglyphic code in the Valley of Kings. Hidden Scoops & Hidden Deals: Bargain for a burden at the Daraw market. Off The Beaten Path: Become a scuba instructor in Dahab.
"The grand-daddy of budget guides" The New York Times "Guides that penetrate the veneer of holiday brochures and mine the grit of real life" The Economist Visit Let's Go online at www.letsgo.com Let's Go The Resource For The Independent Traveler For over forty years Let's Go Travel Guides have brought budget savvy travelers closer to the world and its diverse cultures by providing the most up-to-date information. - Entries at all price levels for lodging, food, attractions, and more - Must-have tips for planning your trip, getting around, and staying safe - Advice on outdoor activities, including sample itineraries - In-depth cultural information that offers an insider's look at life in Egypt - Opportunities to make a difference through study, work, and volunteering - Detailed maps to help navigate cities and the outdoors Cultural Connections: Crack hieroglyphic code in the Valley of Kings. Hidden Scoops & Hidden Deals: Bargain for a burden at the Daraw market. Off The Beaten Path: Become a scuba instructor in Dahab. "The grand-daddy of budget guides" The New York Times "Guides that penetrate the veneer of holiday brochures and mine the grit of real life" The Economist Visit Let's Go online at www.letsgo.com More Details: LET'S GO EGYPT By LETS GO, Let's Go, Inc. Staff, Joey Shabot, Dave Newman, Elizabeth Ogburn, Charlotte Houghteling Edition: 2, illustrated Published by St. Martin's Press, 2002 ISBN 0312305729, 9780312305727 368 pages You Can buy this book from:
Key words and phrases Anne-Marie Alonzo, Ruba Nadda, Maya, Islamic, hijab, Canada, Lebanon, Arletty, Kleenex, Samira, Arabic, Syria, wearing the veil, Cairo, Egypt, Concordia University, Universite de Montreal, Druze, Byblos, Iranian women More Details: Voices in the desert: an anthology of Arabic-Canadian women writers By Elizabeth Dahab Contributor Elizabeth Dahab Published by Guernica Editions, 2002 ISBN 1550711695, 9781550711691 200 pages You Can buy this book from:
Hieroglyphics, pyramids, pharaohs--all icons for which Egypt is rightly famous. But with the help of this fully updated guide from Cadogan, travelers will discover that Egypt's living present is just as exciting as its fascinating past. Cairo may be one of the world's finest medieval cities, but it is also a vibrant metropolis, where they can shop at smart designer boutiques as well as bargain for goods in the traditional bazaar. Author Michael Haag's in-depth commentary brings Egypt's history to life as they pass through the Valley of the Kings; examine the Ptolemiac temples at Esna, Edfu, and Kon Ombo; and take in the world's oldest monasteries in the Wadi Naturn. From reef diving and off-road adventures to a trip down the Nile and riding through desert landscapes, this guide contains all the information to make the trip to Egypt an unforgettable experience. More Details Egypt, 3rd By Michael Haag Edition: 3, illustrated Published by New Holland Publishers, 2004 ISBN 1860111637, 9781860111631 528 pages You Can buy this book from: Amazon.com
Egypt By Andrew Humphreys, Siona Jenkins, Gadi Farfour, Joann
Containing extensive Nile Valley information, including the best ways to visit the temples and tombs, this edition has useful travel tips for journeying to the oases of the Western Desert. More Details Egypt By Andrew Humphreys, Siona Jenkins, Gadi Farfour, Joann Fletcher, Anthony Sattin Edition: 7, illustrated Published by Lonely Planet, 2004 ISBN 1740594630, 9781740594639 532 pages
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