ABOUT DAHAB

• The Red Sea
• Geography and History
• About Bedouin culture

Dahab is one of the most exciting places in the World.

Dahab is located in the south of Sinai around 90 km to the north from Sharm-el-Sheikh at the Red Sea. Dahab offers perfect conditions for divers and windsurfers.

"Dahab" means "Gold" in Arabic, coming from the fine yellow sand you found on the beaches.

The Bedouins are still living in this area for the steadiest climate the whole year.

Here in Dahab you will find accommodations for every pocket. From five-stars hotels to cheap backpacker camps.

You may stay here only for relaxation or go with a tour to mountain Moses, find yourself in diving or snorkeling at the amazing coral reefs and windsurfing or kitesurfing. The oasises give you the chance to stay away from the troubles and to get a quiet and calm impression of the desert and the easy natural life.

The Red Sea

The Red Sea is known the world over as a firstclass diving area. Here you can watch some of the most exciting and beautiful underwater landscapes.

The corals are one of the world’s natural phenomena with their colors and species, also it is home to thousands of species of fish including manta rays, turtles, moray, eel, tropical coral fish, clown fish, loads of skate, dolphins and whales.

The Red Sea itself is very narrow (350 km its widest point) but about 2350 km long. In the south of the Red Sea there is a narrow Strait called Bab el Mandeb (which literally means the ‘Gate of Tears’), only 29 km across which connects it to the Gulf of Aden.

Dahab lies on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula, directly on the Gulf of Aqaba, which reaches a depth of almost 2000 m. Most reefs in Dahab are shore dives, making diving simple – you just walk into the sea from the beach, keeping Dahab’s waters free from exhaust and noise pollution from dive boats.

The Red Sea was created over 40 million years ago and is one of the most fascinating off-shoots of our oceans. Its name comes originally from a type of algae (trichodesmium erythrism), which creates a red sheen across the surface when it blooms. However, you could be mistaken for thinking the name comes from the surrounding mountains, which also turn a stunning rosy, rusty red at dawn and sunset, reflecting their colors on the water.

The Red Sea doesn’t have any fresh water inlets and the limited flow of water to and from the Indian Ocean is compensated for by the high levels of evaporation. This gives the Red Sea a relatively high salt content compared to other waters; in fact it is one of the highest on the planet.

Volcanic activity below the surface of the sea remains high due to the high water temperatures in the Red Sea. For example, the Indian Ocean typically measures just 6–7 degrees at 1000 m, while the Red Sea remains an amazing 21 degrees at the same depth. Therefore it is the warmest and saltiest sea, therefore it is the only place where you will see many species of fish, crustaceans, invertebrate and other such underwater wildlife.

Geography and History

Dahab is a small town situated on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, approximately 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Sharm-el-Sheikh. Formerly a Bedouin fishing village, Dahab is still considered to be one of the Sinai's most treasured diving destinations.

Following the Six Day War, the town was occupied by Israel. Dahab known in Hebrew as Di-Zahav, a place mentioned in the Exodus from Egypt. The Sinai Peninsula was restored to Egyptian rule in 1982. The arrival of international hotel chains and the establishment of other ancillary facilities have now made this a popular destination point for tourists. The nearest international airport is located at Sharm-el-Sheikh.

Dahab was once an isolated coastal village which first turned into a hippie hangout in the 1980's. During the 1990's the town became an "alternative resort", mixing cheap accommodation, laid back lifestyle and "informal" tourism.

Cheap accommodation positioned right by the beach, inexpensive food and drinks and a relaxed atmosphere combine with the natural wonders of the Red Sea (swimming, snorkeling, scuba- and free diving) to make it a heady enticement for the young by age and young at heart.

About Bedouin culture

The Bedouin way of life is very different from the dominant Arabic-Islamic cultures in Egypt. For example the Bedouins here take their culture from the generations of Ismael in the Bible.

The Bedouins are a proud people with a strong sense of identity, having preserved their sense of community and their excellent hospitality, which many of Dahab’s visitors enjoy. As a minority, the various ‘tribes’ manage their land and culture relatively independent of Egyptian society.

It is extremely important to the Bedouins to maintain their original traditions and ways of life; for e they usually still wear their traditional dress the ‘galabeya’.

If you’re in Dahab you should definitely take the opportunity to go for a Bedouin dinner and music in the wadis (small valleys) in the Sinai mountains. The Bedouin dinner under a clear, star-studded sky deep in the desert is a truly special unforgettable experience.

We want to ensure that you will receive the best from nature, diving, safaris, traditions and specifics of local life. You will experience the remarkable variety of the Red Sea, and the real culture of one of the oldest and most interesting countries. You will truly relax in Dahab as you discover the peace of the desert and enjoy the hospitality of the Bedouins.

You are guaranteed to have an amazing, memorable holiday in Dahab with lots of interesting people and experiences!

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