After nine months of traveling through Africa, I was craving a change of pace and scenery. Leaving behind my community in Nairobi, Kenya, was bittersweet. I was terribly sad to say goodbye to friends I had grown close to, but I knew it was time to continue my journey and reconnect with myself. And for me, that meant going underwater.
I landed in Cairo and spent a week soaking in the city’s energy. If I’m being honest, I hated it. The honking, the traffic, the sheer number of people. It was all a bit too much for me. I ticked off one of my childhood dreams by visiting the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum, but after that, I was more than ready to leave.
Finding Stillness in Dahab
I knew the Red Sea was a world-class destination for reef diving. So I boarded a night bus from Cairo to Dahab, a quiet beach town I’d only heard good things about. Everyone said it was chill, with good vibes. I needed chill.
I booked a month-long stay in advance, hoping it would live up to its reputation. It did and then some. I ended up staying even longer. My days were filled with scuba diving, practicing yoga, sunbathing by the sea, and hiking in the desert mountains. The ultimate holistic nature escape.
From a diving perspective, Dahab delivered. I went scuba diving two to three times a week (it’s incredibly affordable!) and completed both my Nitrox and Deep Diver certifications. If you’re dreaming of scuba diving in Dahab, know that it’s everything people say: relaxed, breathtaking, and deeply restorative.
After exploring nearly every local site, a few stood out above the rest for their beauty, energy, and the sense of presence they inspired. Here are my top three dive sites in Dahab, plus one iconic bonus you won’t want to miss.
Three Dive Sites That Brought Me Back to Center
1. Gabr El Bint
Dive centers don’t go here often, which makes it feel like a secret spot. Gabr El Bint is located south of Dahab, accessible by boat only. The day I went, we had perfect conditions with high visibility and low to almost no current. Huge sea fans, soft coral gardens, and hard corals all thrumming with life. It was no doubt one of the prettiest dive sites I’ve ever been to.
- What Makes It Special? Rarely visited and incredibly pristine, this reef is bursting with color and life.
- Best For: Underwater photographers and coral reef lovers
2. The Canyon
This was the dive site that made me fall in love with depth. I hovered at 30 meters and looked up to see the light and water moving above me. It was still, surreal, and peaceful. I ended up getting my Deep Diver certification just so I could swim through the Canyon. Read the full story here.
- What Makes It Special? A crack in the seafloor that drops to 54 meters, offering dramatic views and a meditative experience.
- Best For: Deep and adventure divers
3. Islands
The reef thrives here, so close to Dahab. The Islands are located near Laguna Beach, a popular spot for kitesurfing. Weave through colorful coral formations and spot clusters of fish darting through the bommies.
- What Makes It Special? Coral bommies rise like islands at low tide, creating a visually stunning reefscape
- Best For: Coral lovers, macro enthusiasts, underwater photographers
Honorable Mention: The Blue Hole
This site is more famous with freedivers, but scuba divers can still enjoy its peaceful drop into the deep blue. It’s not the most colorful dive; it’s quite literally a blue hole, but it has a calming energy that’s hard to describe. You can only experience it.
- What Makes It Special? Iconic, serene, and almost spiritual in its stillness
- Best For: Underwater photographers, freedivers, and divers who want to check off a bucket list site
Best Dive Shops in Dahab
- SlyDive Dahab – One of my favorite dive centers! I completed most of my dives and both certifications here. The guides are friendly, fun, and safety-focused, and their gear is top-notch. They also offer flexible packages if you’re planning to dive multiple times.
- Bedouin Divers Dahab – This is the shop I dove Gabr El Bint with. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and the boat trip included lunch, drinks, and snacks. It was a fun and well-organized day on the water.
Coming Up for Air
Dahab holds a special place in my heart. Surrounded by desert mountains and steps away from the sea, it’s a haven for anyone seeking stillness, nature, and a slower rhythm of life.
It’s where I remembered how good it feels to wake up with the sun, spend the day underwater, and end it journaling on a rooftop watching the sunset. Scuba diving in Dahab wasn’t just about the reef; it was about reconnecting with myself, finding presence again, and breathing a little deeper.
If you’re thinking about scuba diving in Dahab, do it. Let the Red Sea work its magic on you, too. Have you been diving in Dahab? I’d love to hear your favorite sites. Drop a comment below and let’s swap stories.