The most dangerous and... attractive diving spots

Lying at the foot of Egypt's Sinai Mountains, Dahab is emerging as a major tourist attraction in the North African country.

Dahab là một trong những khu nghỉ dưỡng lặn biển hàng đầu ở vùng Biển Đỏ. (Nguồn: CNN)

Dahab is one of the top diving resorts in the Red Sea. (Source: CNN)

Originally a small Bedouin fishing town, Dahab is now one of the top diving resorts in the Red Sea, attracting nature lovers and thrill seekers.

Mysterious Blue Hole

Considered one of the most famous spots in Dahab, the Blue Hole is the most dangerous diving spot in the world .

The sinkhole's notoriously dangerous presence increases its appeal to brave divers who want to explore the mysteries of the seabed.

At about 100m deep, the Blue Hole is sheltered from ocean currents, so the waters are relatively calm.

While it is perfectly safe to dive in the Blue Hole, the adventure of the natural archway called the Arch (which opens from the hole to the ocean) creates an exciting challenge for free divers (without air tanks) who want to push their limits in a race against depth and lung capacity.

The danger is that divers searching for the Arch, which lies 56m below the surface, could become disoriented and eventually run out of oxygen. Trying to explore all of Dahab’s underwater sites in a week would be nearly impossible, given the sheer number of dive sites, from reefs to shipwrecks. Many of these are surprisingly well-preserved. For example, the wreck of a British naval shipwreck hit by a German torpedo boat during World War II offers a rare glimpse into history.

Not looking for adventure, visitors can visit the safe diving site called Three Pools in Akaba nearby to admire the colorful sea fish.

Tourists come here from all over the world because this is one of the best places to experience this fascinating sport , said Islam Ali Radwane, a diving instructor in Dahab. “When you dive under the sea, you can see caves and beautiful coral reefs that are rarely found anywhere else in the world. This is also one of the most peaceful and safe seas, because there are no sharks.”

In order to limit the waste being washed into the sea, the President of the Association for the Development of Diving in the Sud-Sinai region, Mr. Ihab Tomounm, said that his association is trying to contribute to collecting waste on the beach and streets in Dahab.

“Our association alone is not enough, we need everyone’s cooperation,” he said. “The state needs to pay more attention to Dahab as it did to Sharm el-Sheikh.”

Peace conquers people's hearts

Located an hour's drive from Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab is quite bustling, but also a place to relax by the sea, where visitors can enjoy clear blue waters and cool air.

This resort town features colorful boardwalks, handicraft shops, multicultural restaurants and cafes, each with its own unique character.

The multicultural community here includes native Bedouins, Egyptians and a few foreigners, who are captivated by Dahab's beauty.

“I felt like this was the place for me,” explains Julia Limonova, a Russian who moved to Dahab in 2020. “There are a lot of people who do sports like freediving, scuba diving, windsurfing, yoga… They are from different nationalities like Russian, Ukrainian, German and Italian.”

Dahab has internet access, making it convenient for remote workers looking for a quiet “office” by the beach.

According to tourist Rahma Zein, there are many exciting activities available in Dahab, such as diving, hiking and sunbathing, making this town ideal for many visitors.

“On a typical day, I wake up, have breakfast, go free diving, hang out on the beach, go hiking, eat, and rest,” she shares, “in between those activities, I work remotely.”

Beautifully simple place

With its calm turquoise waters and brisk winds, the Blue Lagoon is ideal for windsurfers and kiteboarders.

There are only a few bamboo huts here, and very few people, so it feels like you are entering an exclusive beach. With no internet and almost no electricity, it is an ideal place to get away from the modern world.

Tourists are attracted by its beautiful simplicity, and the local Bedouins are willing to catch and prepare the freshest seafood for visitors.

Many people choose to camp here overnight to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. Although visitors can rent or bring their own tents, it is not required, as a sleeping bag on the sandy beach is enough to watch the starry sky…

Tourism development in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula is mainly concentrated along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Aqaba. Both Dahab and Nuweiba are popular resorts, well-suited for diving, windsurfing and other water sports. At the northern tip of the Sinai Peninsula is the resort of Taba, with several large hotels near the Egyptian-Israeli border.

Wadi Qnai Mountain Climbing

Although Dahab has a reputation as a global tourist hotspot for its diving and surfing, rock climbing has also recently become popular.

The most popular spot here is Wadi Qnai, which caters to all climbing levels, with both single and multi-track routes.

During the day, the temperature is not suitable for climbing, so some people choose to camp overnight and climb from sunrise, before returning to town to cool off by the sea.

There are also several attractions just outside Dahab, such as the town of St. Catherine, home to the world's oldest Christian monastery, and nearby Mount Sinai, where the prophet Moses was given the Ten Commandments by God.

With plenty of affordable accommodation and interesting places to explore, the popularity of this ancient fishing town is expected to increase once the Covid-19 pandemic passes and tourism activities resume.

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