Dive sites in Dahab
Coral gardens, canyons and spectacular drop-offs: around Dahab, an exceptional variety of dive sites is waiting to be explored. Many of them are accessible directly from shore and offer ideal conditions for a wide range of experience levels. From our relaxed House Reef right in front of Sunsplash to Lighthouse, Canyon and the world-famous Blue Hole: discover the dive sites we regularly visit with our guests.
FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE RED SEA
Diving is our great passion. Every day we are grateful to be able to pursue it in the underwater worlds of the Red Sea. And so it is obvious: The beauty of our sea is close to our hearts. But in order to preserve it for future generations, it needs our protection. For this reason, Sunsplash stands up for the protection of the Red Sea. We dive according to the following four basic principles
DO NOT TOUCH
Keep your hands to yourself to avoid disturbing or harming marine life.
MAINTAIN GOOD BUOYANCY
Good buoyancy control helps you avoid stirring up sand or accidentally touching corals.
KEEP THE SEA CLEAN
The only thing you should leave in the ocean is bubbles and certainly no trash or plastic.
STAY INFORMED
Learn about the underwater world and help raise awareness for the protection of our oceans.
Caves
Caves is the southernmost dive site in Dahab that we can reach by pick-up. Here, the mountains come particularly close to the Red Sea. As the entry is made across the reef flat, we only dive this site at high tide and when the sea is calm.
Right at the entry, you encounter the first formation that gives the site its name. Strictly speaking, it is more of a large overhang than a closed cave. The light filtering in, the structure of the reef and the algae growing from the ceiling create a very special atmosphere. From there, the dive follows the reef. Sandy areas alternate with coral formations, providing a habitat for a wide variety of Red Sea marine life. With a little luck, you may spot pipefish, wrasse, eels and Napoleon wrasse, among others.
Towards the end of the dive, we reach another large overhang. This is also where we make our safety stop before exiting again over the reef flat, depending on the conditions.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 12-20 m
Best dived at high tide and in calm sea conditions; easy to navigate
Southernmost dive site of Dahab
Approach by car
Small restaurant
Um Sid
Um Sid is best planned as the first dive of the day because of its depth. After passing the beach cafés around Golden Blocks and Three Pools, the pick-up takes you to a spot that hardly looks like a dive site at first. A few simple wooden shelters and a sign are the only clues that there is an entry point here. Not many divers make their way to Um Sid, which means there is usually very little traffic underwater.
After entering the water, we head down fairly quickly, as the highlight of the dive lies at around 36 metres. A beautiful, huge fan coral awaits you there and, with a little luck, you may spot its resident longnose hawkfish. On the way back, you are also likely to encounter garden eels. Other possible sightings include blue-spotted stingrays, barracuda and larger reef fish.
There is often some current on the return leg, but there is no need to worry. Just follow your guide, who knows the best route to make the return to the exit as easy and safe as possible. As conditions can vary, we always plan the dive according to the experience of the group and the current on the day.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 18–40 m
Beautiful fan coral at 36 m
South of Dahab
Accessible by car
No facilities
Three Pools
With clear visibility, Three Pools is one of the most beautiful dive sites in the south of Dahab. It takes its name from the three natural sandy lagoons that you pass through shortly after entering the water. Even at just a few metres depth, you can find colourful schools of fish, made even more striking by the sunlight shining directly into the pools. After the third lagoon, the route follows a sandy slope towards a coral garden.
This site is ideal for underwater photographers. Lettuce, organ pipe and brain corals line the route, while lionfish and parrotfish are common residents. We usually dive Three Pools as the second dive of the day, so we often stay within a depth of around 20 to 25 metres, although deeper profiles are possible depending on certification and experience. Three Pools is also a great spot for snorkellers, who can easily follow much of the route from the surface.
Once we reach the sandy slope again, we make our safety stop and slowly ascend. Back at the surface, the scenery is just as impressive: this is one of those places where the Sinai mountains seem to meet the Red Sea directly.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 12–20 m
Easy dive site
Suitable for snorkelling
South of Dahab
Accessible by car
Beach cafés
Moray Garden
The entry point for Moray Garden is located right in front of several beach cafés. Make yourself comfortable on the cushions and enjoy a Bedouin tea. The chicken sandwiches are highly recommended and make an ideal lunch before the second dive of the day. Since the drive to the south takes around half an hour, we usually spend most of the day here. That gives you plenty of time to relax, sunbathe, read or chat with your dive buddies about your underwater adventures.
There are several possible routes at this dive site. One leads from Golden Blocks to Moray Garden, another from Moray Garden to Three Pools, and the third option is a dive within Moray Garden itself. Talk to your guide about which route you would like to dive. They can advise you based on the current visibility and conditions. Whenever possible, our aim is to tailor the dive to your wishes.
A dive within Moray Garden offers plenty to discover. You can encounter a wide variety of Red Sea marine life here. And of course, there is always a chance of spotting one or two moray eels – after all, they are what gave this dive site its name.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 12–20 m
Easy dive site
Suitable for snorkelling
South of Dahab
Accessible by car
Beach cafés
Golden Blocks
Spending a day in the south of Dahab is always worth it. Five different dive sites are waiting here, and most of them can still be dived even when it is windy or the sea is rough. One of them is Golden Blocks. There are two possible routes: either diving to the left or to the right.
If you choose Golden Blocks to the left, the dive first leads across a sandy area and past several coral blocks before reaching a beautiful sloping coral garden. At around 22 metres, you will find a large and particularly well-preserved fan coral growing in a sandy canyon that runs from the shore into deeper water. The dive then continues towards a second canyon. From here, we gradually ascend and make our way back in shallower water. With a little luck, you may spot a large eagle ray resting on the sand. The return route also passes a small seagrass area that is often used by turtles as a feeding ground.
The second option is a dive from Golden Blocks to Moray Garden. This route takes you through a vast coral garden with many different species of hard coral. Keep an eye out for moray eels along the way. Underwater photographers will find plenty of subjects here, from nudibranchs and tube worms to countless anemonefish bravely defending their homes and families. Take your time and enjoy the incredible diversity of the Red Sea.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 12–25 m
Easy dive site
Beautiful fan coral at around 25 m
South of Dahab
Accessible by car
Beach cafés
Island
A beautiful, almost surreal underwater landscape awaits you at Islands. The coral formations that give the site its name create a maze of small pools, passages and reef blocks beneath the surface. Even the entry is unusual. Depending on the water level, we enter across the reef flat or through a small natural passage. In the shallow water, clear visibility and direct sunlight bring out the colours beautifully. After passing through three pools, the circular route through the coral maze begins. At a maximum depth of around 10 metres, you dive through a fascinating world of coral and countless other marine creatures. Take your time and look closely: octopuses often hide in the rocky crevices, and a school of barracuda can frequently be seen here as well.
The second part of the dive leads behind the Islands. Sandy areas alternate with coral blocks of all shapes and sizes. Blue-spotted stingrays and large boxfish can often be found resting on the sand. Depending on the current and your remaining air, we either return between the Islands into the third pool or head directly back into the first. The safety stop is made in front of the entrance to the small passage used for the exit. Keep an eye out for lionfish, which sometimes rest in the semi-darkness here. By the way: Islands is also an excellent spot for snorkelling.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 8–20 m
Best entered at high tide
Entry and exit through a tunnel
Great for snorkelling
Just a few minutes from Sunsplash by car; within walking distance for snorkellers
House Reef
Our house reef... what can we say? We love it. Apart from the obvious advantage that, as the name suggests, it is right on our doorstep, it is also a beautiful dive site with plenty to discover underwater. Get into your suit at the dive centre, shoulder your tank and you are ready to go. Walk past your room, head straight to the beach and into the water. Just make sure the sea is calm and the tide is high enough, as these conditions are important for an easy and safe entry.
Whether you dive to the right or to the left is entirely up to you. Sandy areas alternate with coral blocks, while table corals, countless fish and other marine life populate the reef. And quite often, our resident turtle makes an appearance as well. Enjoy this relaxed dive to the fullest – after all, the way back home is never far.
Our house reef is also excellent for snorkelling, just like many other sites in Dahab. Make sure there is enough water over the reef flat so that neither you nor the coral get hurt or damaged.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 15–20 m
Entry and exit at high tide
Also great at dusk
Directly in front of Sunsplash
Assalah Reef
Between Lighthouse and our house reef, there are several individual dive sites along the fringing reef. Many hotels and dive centres use their own section of this coastline. One of the more interesting spots is Assalah Reef, also known as Mashraba Reef. Located close to the bridge, it is rarely dived, which makes it a particularly peaceful site. Despite the lack of traffic, the reef offers a rich variety of marine life and underwater structures.
The entry is from the beach. After descending over a sandy slope, you soon reach a large rock known as Roman’s Block. From there, the dive continues to the right past a variety of impressive underwater formations. At around 20 metres, you reach an area with hard corals, including a large fan coral. On the seabed, you may also notice old car tyres that have become shelter for small fish and octopuses. There is also a small wreck in the area, now partly covered in coral and gradually becoming part of the reef environment.
Larger rays are regularly seen here and, with a little luck, dolphins may occasionally pass by as well. Thanks to its close proximity to Sunsplash Divers Hotel, Assalah Reef can be reached within just a few minutes by jeep.
Good to know
Typical depth range: 15–20 m
Easy entry and exit
Rich biodiversity
Between Sunsplash and Lighthouse
Lighthouse
From complete beginners taking their first Open Water dives to experienced Tec Divers, from Early Morning dives to Night Dives: Lighthouse is where Dahab’s diving community comes together. And despite being one of the busier sites in town, it remains one of the most beautiful and versatile dive sites in the bay.
Entry is easy via a natural stone staircase leading directly into shallow water. Most dives start to the left, where the reef begins just a few metres from shore. Along the way, you pass a memorial plaque dedicated to the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 before continuing past several large coral blocks. Depending on the route, the dive usually takes you through depths of around 12 to 40 metres, with colourful corals and a wide variety of marine life along the way. Tec Divers can of course continue much deeper. Behind a prominent section of the reef, the current can become stronger, but this is also a good place to keep an eye on the blue – with a bit of luck, larger marine life may pass by.
Lighthouse is particularly atmospheric at night. Electric rays, Spanish dancers, slipper lobsters and octopuses turn the reef into a completely different world after dark.
Diving to the right is just as rewarding. Seahorses and sea snakes can be found hiding in the seagrass, and turtles are frequent visitors. An underwater obstacle course offers a great opportunity to work on buoyancy skills. And at around 25 metres, an unusual resident has been waiting since 2014: a wire-frame elephant serves as a coral structure and nursery for countless fish.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 5–30 m
Easy entry and exit
Beautiful reef, underwater obstacle course and elephant
Right in the centre of Dahab
Eel Garden
Eel Garden is a dive site for calm days. A large wooden sign at the entry already gives a clear warning: in rough seas, the current can become strong and make the return considerably more difficult. When the sea is calm, however, Eel Garden is one of Dahab’s most beautiful dive sites.
At some dive sites, the entry is simply a means to an end – here, it is already one of the highlights. The small lagoon is full of life, with countless glassfish, lionfish, stonefish and scorpionfish to discover. After entering the water, you head left towards a sandy slope. What may look rather unspectacular at first quickly reveals itself as the main attraction of the site: hundreds of garden eels rise from their burrows and sway in the current while filtering food from the water. Depending on the conditions, they can extend surprisingly far out of the sand – which is exactly how Eel Garden got its name. Boxfish are also regular visitors here. If the sand is disturbed, they often swim over curiously in search of small crustaceans and other food.
Depending on your air consumption and the current, you can continue through the coral garden or make your way back along the reef wall. At around 6 to 10 metres, colourful corals, anthias, trumpetfish, butterflyfish, small moray eels and countless other details in the reef are waiting to be discovered.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 10–20 m
Dive only in calm conditions
Large numbers of garden eels
Current possible
Northern part of Dahab
Small café
Abu Helal
Abu Helal is one of those dive sites you sometimes have to wait for. When the wind picks up in Dahab and the sea becomes rough, the site is often not diveable. But when the wind drops and the sea is flat, it is definitely worth taking the opportunity. The best conditions are usually around high tide or on an incoming tide.
Ras Abu Helal means «Head of the New Moon» in Arabic and refers to the crescent-shaped reef. Entry is directly across the reef flat: inflate your BCD, swim over the reef edge – and descend. Underwater, one of Dahab’s most beautiful coral gardens awaits. Soft and hard corals alternate along the reef, surrounded by groupers, pufferfish, triggerfish, wrasse and lionfish. With a little luck, turtles or eagle rays may pass by, and even manta rays are occasionally spotted.
For Tec Divers, Abu Helal offers another special highlight. From around 30 metres, the almost enclosed “Little Canyon” begins. Entering the canyon is reserved for appropriately trained technical divers, but recreational divers can still admire the impressive formation from above. The return route follows the opening of the canyon before gradually leading back into shallower water – a perfect ending to a very special dive.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 10–40 m
Dive only in calm conditions
Rich biodiversity
On the way to Canyon
No facilities
Canyon Garden
A trip to Canyon is well worth it for two dives. After a deeper first dive in the Canyon at around 30 metres, you can enjoy lunch at one of the beach cafés before heading back into the water for a second dive at Canyon Garden.
The dive begins in the lagoon, which we leave by crossing a small saddle. Instead of turning left towards the Canyon, this time we head right across the sandy bottom until we reach a beautiful, densely covered coral slope. Colourful coral formations alternate with open sandy areas. Napoleon wrasse are frequently seen here, and with a little luck, turtles may also pass by.
Discuss the maximum depth with your guide. As the first dive of the day is usually the deeper one, we normally stay between 18 and 25 metres at Canyon Garden. Once the first diver in the group reaches around 120 to 100 bar, we begin the return. At approximately 12 metres, the route follows the sandy bottom back towards the lagoon. Numerous coral blocks provide shelter for both small and larger marine life. Tube worms and pyjama nudibranchs are particularly common here. In short: an excellent spot for underwater photographers.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 12–25 m
Great for underwater photography
Large coral garden
Next to Canyon
Beach cafés
Canyon
Not quite as famous as the Blue Hole, but every bit as spectacular: Canyon. During the high season, an Early Morning Dive is particularly worthwhile – in the quiet of the morning, this dive site feels even more impressive.
Entry is through a shallow lagoon, which means Canyon is still easy to access even when there is a little more wind. A small opening in the reef leads out to the outer edge. Depending on the weather, there may be some current pushing outwards, so make sure you are not carrying too much air in your BCD and being lifted towards the surface.From here, the dive continues to the left across a gently sloping sandy area. Long before you reach it, rising bubbles reveal where the Canyon begins. They escape through cracks in the rock and rise towards the surface – a fascinating sight.
Through the large opening, you descend into the canyon itself. Once inside, it is worth pausing for a moment and looking up as your bubbles rise towards the sunlight above. The Canyon continues down to around 54 metres, but this deeper section is reserved for appropriately trained Tec Divers. After a short time, the ascent begins again – but not before saying hello to the hundreds of glassfish gathered near the upper part of the canyon. Exiting through the so-called «Fish Bowl» is no longer permitted, so we leave the Canyon the same way we entered.
Garden eels, crocodilefish, stonefish, moray eels and numerous individual coral blocks keep the return journey interesting. We make our safety stop at a particularly beautiful coral block before heading back through the reef opening into the lagoon.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 12–40 m
Diveable canyon
Visible from above for snorkellers
North of Dahab
Beach cafés
Ricks Reef
After the first dive at Canyon, we prepare the equipment there for the second dive. Then it is just a short jeep ride to the entry point at Ricks Reef. This allows us to start the dive there and later make our way back towards Canyon at a relaxed pace. BCD on, buddy check – and off we go. As with most dive sites in Dahab, entry is from the shore. Take care though, as the rocks in the water can be quite slippery.
With the reef on your right shoulder, you dive through a varied landscape of hard corals and sandy areas. Lionfish, moray eels, stonefish and blue-spotted stingrays are common here, and with a little luck you may also encounter turtles. The dive normally stays at a maximum depth of around 18 metres.
After about 30 minutes, you reach the «Fish Bowl» and with it the beginning of Canyon. What you saw from below during the first dive can now be viewed from a completely different perspective. It is worth taking a closer look into the cracks in the rock, where small shrimps often hide.
We make our safety stop once again around the beautiful coral block in front of the lagoon. Depending on the conditions, there may be some current when crossing the reef edge. Good buoyancy control is therefore important, and care should be taken not to touch any living coral. Corals are extremely sensitive – and sometimes a well-camouflaged stonefish is hiding in exactly this area.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 12–18 m
Entry at Ricks Reef, exit at Canyon
Also good for snorkelling
North of Dahab
No facilities
Blue Hole
Blue Hole – hardly any other dive site in Dahab is surrounded by so many stories and myths. The huge opening in the reef drops almost vertically into great depths and is connected to the open sea by the famous «Arch». This passage lies at around 55 metres and is accessible only to appropriately trained Tec Divers. The fascination of Blue Hole is undeniable. At the same time, the site also has a serious side: divers have repeatedly lost their lives here through overconfidence or by exceeding the limits of their training.
Above all, however, Blue Hole is a spectacularly beautiful dive site. We dive here with both recreational and technical divers – always according to your certification, experience and personal limits.
As a recreational diver, you can explore Blue Hole not only from Bells, but also along the outer reef wall. Entry is directly in front of the beach cafés. Passing the freedivers training inside Blue Hole, we cross the saddle and head out to the outer reef. Here, an impressive wall awaits, covered with soft corals, schools of fish and countless details to discover. At times, it almost feels as if you are drifting through a giant aquarium. With the reef on your right shoulder, the dive usually takes you to around 20 metres. About halfway along the route, we turn around and make our way back at a slightly shallower depth before crossing the saddle into Blue Hole again.
After the safety stop, we surface through a natural opening in the reef. As this is often the second dive of the day, we then head back to Sunsplash – perfect for ending the day on the beach or with a stroll through Dahab.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 12–25 m
Watch freedivers during their training
Beautiful reef wall
Northernmost dive site accessible by car
Beach cafés
Bells
One of the most spectacular ways to dive Blue Hole starts at Bells and follows the outer reef wall towards the famous saddle. Even the walk to the entry point is impressive. Carrying your equipment, you cross a rocky outcrop lined with numerous memorial plaques dedicated to divers who lost their lives at Blue Hole. They are a powerful reminder that this fascinating place also demands respect and an awareness of your own limits.
From there, a narrow path leads to an opening in the reef around two metres wide – the Bells. Once in the water, the dive begins directly inside a chimney that is open towards the sea. It drops steeply down and opens onto the outer reef wall at around 27 metres. Suddenly, the enormous drop-off lies in front of you – with nothing but deep blue beyond.
With the reef on your right shoulder, you continue towards Blue Hole. Overhangs, small caves and coral formations provide shelter for groupers and other reef inhabitants, while your eyes are repeatedly drawn towards the deep blue of the drop-off. The closer you get to Blue Hole, the shallower the dive becomes. Soft corals and countless fish line the route before you glide across the famous saddle into Blue Hole itself.
Here, you will often encounter freedivers silently descending along their lines into the depths.
After the safety stop, we surface through a natural opening in the reef. At one of the beach cafés, Bedouin tea, a cold Coke and a well-earned break await before the next dive.
GOOD TO KNOW
Typical depth range: 30–40 m
Entry through a chimney
Spectacular drop-off
Within walking distance of Blue Hole
No facilities at the entry point
