How Many Dive Sites in Dahab?

This week, a guest emailed asking about diving in Dahab; he'd done the Blue Hole, Canyon, our house reef, and the Islands site, so where else could we take him?

While all divers know about the Blue Hole and Canyon when talking about Dahab, what about the other sites, the lesser-known ones, and how many dive sites are there in Dahab?

23 Dive Sites in Dahab

PADI currently lists 23 dive sites around Dahab, of which 20 are Reef dives, 13 are Beach dives, and 9 are Wall dives. Although many would argue there are now 25+ dive sites in Dahab in 2026, only 18 of those are regularly dived.

When it comes to scuba diving, Dahab’s claim to fame is that you can drive just 30 minutes north along the coast, diving a different site every day for two weeks.

What makes Dahab particularly special is that many of its dive sites are shore dives, meaning you can often walk directly from the beach or road into the Red Sea and begin your dive. This makes diving in Dahab convenient, varied, and suitable for everyone from complete beginners to experienced technical divers.

Why Is Diving in Dahab So Popular?

Dahab is a relaxed seaside town on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and has become one of the world's best-known destinations for scuba diving in Dahab.

The coastline is bordered by the Gulf of Aqaba, with steep mountains rising behind the town and spectacular coral reefs just offshore. The underwater landscape includes coral gardens, vertical walls, canyons, pinnacles, drop-offs and sandy bays.

Another major advantage is the variety of diving available within a relatively small area.

You can enjoy a shallow reef dive in the morning, explore a dramatic underwater canyon later in the day and finish with a relaxed sunset dive — without needing to spend hours travelling by boat.

For visitors who want to dive in the Red Sea, Dahab provides an excellent combination of accessibility, marine life and spectacular underwater scenery.

The Most Famous Dive Sites in Dahab

Dahab's dive sites offer something different for almost every diver. Here are some of the best dive locations.

1. The Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is undoubtedly Dahab's most famous underwater landmark.

Located north of Dahab, the Blue Hole is a spectacular circular marine sinkhole surrounded by steep cliffs. The site is famous for its exceptionally deep blue water and dramatic underwater topography.

The Blue Hole dive can offer different experiences depending on the dive route and diver qualification. The area around the Blue Hole is also popular with snorkellers and visitors who simply want to experience one of Dahab's most iconic natural attractions.

Because some routes involve significant depth and technical diving considerations, divers should always follow the advice of their instructor or guide.

2. The Bells

The Bells is located close to the Blue Hole and is known for its dramatic descent along a narrow underwater formation.

Divers can descend through the Bells before heading out onto the reef wall and continuing to enter the Blue Hole area.

It is an impressive dive for appropriately qualified divers and demonstrates the dramatic underwater geography that makes Dahab so distinctive.

3. The Canyon

The Canyon is another of Dahab's iconic dive sites.

As its name suggests, the site features a spectacular natural canyon formed in the coral reef. Divers can explore the narrow passages and formations before continuing along the surrounding reef.

The combination of unusual rock formations, coral and marine life makes The Canyon dive site one of the most memorable places to dive in Dahab.

4. Lighthouse

Located close to the centre of Dahab, Lighthouse is one of the most accessible dive sites in the area.

It is particularly useful for training dives, refresher dives and relaxed recreational diving. This shallow dive site features sandy areas and coral reef and can offer encounters with a variety of Red Sea marine life.

For people looking to learn to dive in Dahab and take their open water diver course, Lighthouse is an excellent example of why the town is so popular with beginners.

5. Eel Garden

Eel Garden is named after the large colonies of garden eels that can sometimes be found on its sandy slopes.

The site offers a relaxed dive and is home to many interesting reef formations and marine life. Depending on conditions, divers may encounter colourful reef fish, rays and other Red Sea species.

It is another popular location for recreational diving and photography.

6. Ras Abu Galum

30 minutes by jeep or 90 minutes by boat north of Dahab. A protected wilderness area with some of the cleanest reef in Sinai — fewer divers, no permanent infrastructure, just a Bedouin camp at the entry. The walls are steeper and the fish life more abundant than the in-town sites. AOW recommended for the deeper outer wall.

 

7. Gabr el Bint

For many experienced divers, Gabr el Bint is one of the highlights of diving in Dahab.

Located further south from the main town, the site offers beautiful coral formations, walls and a feeling of being further away from the more accessible dive sites.

Depending on conditions and the chosen route, Gabr el Bint can provide a very different experience from the easy shore dives around central Dahab.

 

Other Dives Sites in Dahab

The real beauty of Dahab is there is a dive site for everybody from beginner to advanced, deep water diver to tec divers there is site that everyone can enjoy.

Three Pools

If you are learning to dive, it is likely much of your training will be done at  tjhe popular dive site Lighthouse , Mashraba , or the Three Pools site.

Three Pools is located south of Dahab and is known for a series of natural pools connected by reef areas.

The site combines shallow water, coral formations and sandy areas, making it an attractive location for divers and snorkellers.

Mashraba Dive Site

Unlike the Blue Hole, which carries a national park entry charge, Mashraba is freely accessible as a shore dive. Often nicknamed The Bridge due to it’s proximity to the large wooden bridge at the south end of the Dahab promenade

 Mashraba seems to throw up more surprises than other dive sites. A sandy slope leads to a magnificent “bommie” called Roman’s Rock, where the activity includes swarms of anthias, glassfish, grouper, and snapper, creating a dynamic visual spectacle for an amazing dive.

Heading further south reveals impressive table corals at approximately 20 m, leading to a prominent gorgonian fan.

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Less Famous Dive Sites

A quick mention for a few of the lesser known but stll beautiful dive sites in Dahab such as  Ricks Reef, Moray Garden and TJ Canyon.

Rick Reef - located just 300 m north of the Canyon, Ricks reef is simply named after one of the guys who discovered it – no more interesting story than that sorry! A shallow drift dive follows the shore south to the canyon with some beautiful coral gardens and reefs for a spectacular dive.

Moray Garden: As you would expect from the name, numerous moray eels inhabit this area. Night diving here is both fascinating and thrilling. Divers can see moray eels hunting and it is also home to other nocturnal creatures like lobsters and crabs.

TJ Canyon -  a lesser-known technical dive site located in Dahab, offering divers a unique and challenging experience. Situated at depths of around 50 to 65 meters, this site features a narrow canyon with stunning underwater formations.

How Long Do You Need to Explore Dahab's Dive Sites?

You could visit Dahab for a few days and experience several of its most famous dive sites, but a longer stay allows you to explore a much wider variety of reefs.

A week of diving can provide the opportunity to experience some of the classic sites while also leaving time for repeat dives, training or simply enjoying the town.

One of the advantages of Dahab is that you do not necessarily need to spend every day on a dive boat. Many dives are accessed directly from the shore, allowing you to spend less time travelling and more time underwater.

More Than Just Diving

Although diving is one of Dahab's biggest attractions, there are plenty of other things to do in Dahab.

Visitors can explore the Blue Lagoon, go snorkelling, take desert excursions, hike in the mountains, enjoy Bedouin-style experiences or simply relax at one of the many cafes and restaurants along the waterfront.

Dahab's relaxed atmosphere also makes it easy to combine a diving holiday with a traditional Red Sea beach holiday.

Explore the Dive Sites of Dahab with Circle Divers

From the famous Blue Hole and Canyon to Lighthouse, Eel Garden, Three Pools and Gabr el Bint, Dahab offers an incredible variety of ways to dive in the Red Sea.

So, how many dive sites are there in Dahab? Around 20 main sites are regularly visited, but the real answer is that there are many different ways to experience Dahab's coastline, reefs and underwater landscapes.

Whether you want to learn to dive in Dahab, complete a PADI course, enjoy relaxed recreational dives or explore some of the Red Sea's most famous sites, Dahab is a destination that can keep divers coming back for more.

Ready to explore Dahab underwater?

Join Circle Divers Dahab and discover the incredible reefs, walls, canyons and marine life of the Red Sea.

Dive Sites In Dahab FAQs

How many dive sites are in Dahab?

Roughly 25 named sites along the Dahab coast, of which 15–18 are regularly visited. The cluster extends from south of the Lighthouse area to Ras Abu Galum 30km north. All but 2–3 are shore-accessible — a defining feature of Dahab diving versus boat-driven destinations like Sharm or Hurghada.

Which is the best Dahab dive site?

Depends what you are after. The Canyon for drama and swim-throughs. The Blue Hole for the iconic visit. Eel Garden for easy beauty and macro. Bells for the chimney drop. Lighthouse for shore-training comfort. Ras Abu Galum for remoteness and pristine reef. We list them all below with the right pick for each scenario.

Are Dahab dive sites busy?

Most are not. The Blue Hole and the Canyon are the busy sites — peak season can have 6–10 dive groups in the water at once. Lighthouse is moderately busy. The other 15+ sites usually have 1–3 groups at most. Walk down the coast 200m from a busy entry and you will find quiet water.

Which are the best Dahab dive sites If you are travelling with a non-diver partner?

Pick sites with strong snorkelling overlap: the Blue Hole rim, Three Pools, Eel Garden. The Bedouin cafés at the Blue Hole and Ras Abu Galum make full-day non-diver experiences in their own right.

What is the most famous dive site in Dahab?

The Blue Hole is probably Dahab's most famous dive site and one of the best-known diving locations in the Red Sea. The nearby Bells and Canyon are also internationally recognised and attract divers from around the world. Some routes at these sites require appropriate certification and experience