Dahab

Dahab, meaning “gold” in Arabic, is a small town on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Formerly, it was a remote Bedouin fishing village and now is one of Sinai’s most popular diving destinations.

Dahab’s known for its laid back vibe and chilled atmosphere. Many people who came to stay for a week or two end up returning every year, some even choose to stay forever. Its not easy to describe until you are here, but it’s a unique place, where goats and camels roam free, where the Bedouin kids run barefoot and where everyone lives and laughs together.

There are three main areas of Dahab; Lighthouse, Mashraba, Asalah.

Lighthouse

Lighthouse is the very center of Dahab, it is more touristic and has considerably more hotels and still a few Bedouin camps. Freediving training can be done right in Lighthouse in Masbat bay, which offers depths up to approximately -40 meters.

Mashraba

Just south of Lighthouse is the area known as Mashraba which is also very touristic with many shops, cafes and restaurants. There are also hotels in Mashraba, however, they tend to be slightly more lower-end and a 10-15 minute walk from the center of Dahab and are therefore less popular accommodation options.

Asalah

Just north of Lighthouse is Asalah which is a less touristic, more residential area yet still very developed. It’s a 10-20 minute walk (or five minute bike ride) to Lighthouse / the center of town. This is where Freediving.Life is located. Although, there is a beautiful shoreline in Asalah, freediving training is not viable there due to heavy winds and shallower depths. It’s still great for recreational freediving and swimming (just not great for line-diving) with lovely turquoise water and quiet beaches. Affordable apartment rentals and Airbnb’s can be easily found in Asalah, especially in the off-season (January-May) along with a few boutique hotel options.