Dahab Travel Information
With a long history of settlement in the area, prior to the 1980s, Dahab was relatively
unknown to the world outside of the hippie/ new age traveller community.
The Egyptians began developing the
area when the Israelis withdrew from Sinai in 1982.
Despite enormous growth, the
resort has remained a centre for independent travellers within Egypt, and is one of
the few places where backpackers outnumber package tourists (read how to get to
Dahab).
Modern Dahab is made up of two
areas:
Assalah is the laid back bohemian
beach resort located to the north.
Stretching around Ghazala bay it
has a long promenade of cafes, campsites, restaurants and hotels. The northern end of Assalah is called Masbat and is the busier end. As
you follow the coast south you come to Mashraba, characterised by well cushioned, chill out cafes.
Ghazala market runs parallel to
the corniche.
All of the budget accommodation is to be found in Assalah, and it's a centre for scuba diving, snorkelling and other
aquatic activities.
To the West is Dahab city.
This is the administrative centre for the region and the location of the bus station to destinations across Egypt. There is a little reason to spend any time in Dahab City
itself.
Many visitors to Dahab opt to just
take it easy, smoking shisha and eating seafood all day at the Thai style cafes and guest houses. However, the
region has enough to offer to keep even the most insatiable adventure seeker entertained.
The reliable winds here have meant
that Dahab has become synonymous with wind surfing.
The area has lots of beautiful
coral reefs, warm currents and marine life.
Numerous dive centres exist along the cornice that offer diving certification and trips
to some of the outstanding diving and snorkelling spots in the region.
There are a number of
canyons near by which provide a great day driving and trekking through the desert. Many of the hotels and
travel agencies can also organise transport to and from Saint Catherine for the moonlight climb up Mount
Sinai .
Distances from
Dahab to other Egyptian towns and cities:
Cairo: 540km
(via Nakhl)
Nuweiba:
85km
Taba: 155km
Sharm El
Sheikh: 75km
Saint
Catherine: 130km
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