The Blue Hole in Dahab is a turquoise sinkhole on Egypt’s Sinai coast, and it’s one of the most photographed dive sites on the Red Sea.
This guide covers exactly how to get there from Dahab town, Sharm El Sheikh or Cairo, what it costs to get in, and how snorkelers and divers can each enjoy it safely.
- The Blue Hole sits about 10km north of Dahab town, roughly a 15-20 minute drive along the coastal road.
- Foreign visitors currently pay around $25 per person (a military checkpoint fee plus a site entrance fee), payable in cash.
- Snorkelers stick to the shallow lagoon known as the Saddle or Bells; only tech-certified divers should approach the Arch.
- Shoulder season (March-May and September-November) brings warm water, good visibility and thinner crowds.
- Taxis, dive-center shuttles and scooter rental all get you there from Dahab — each suits a different kind of visit.
Where the Blue Hole Is and Why Is It Popular
The Blue Hole is a natural sinkhole on the Gulf of Aqaba coast, about 10km north of Dahab in Egypt’s South Sinai. It drops to just over 100m deep, ringed by healthy coral reef that draws snorkelers as much as divers.
The site’s global reputation isn’t just about scenery. A submerged tunnel called the Arch connects the hole to open water at around 55m depth, and it has a long, well-documented history of diver fatalities among those who attempted it without the right training or gas plan.
The shallow reef and lagoon area are safe and beautiful for anyone with basic swimming ability, and the Arch is only relevant if you’re a technical diver actively planning to dive it.
How to Get to the Blue Hole from Dahab
Most visitors base themselves in Dahab town and travel out to the Blue Hole for the day.
There are three practical ways to make the trip, each with a different balance of cost, convenience and flexibility.
Taxis in Dahab are usually old pickup trucks or jeeps with orange number plates, and you’ll need to agree the fare before you set off.
A dive center’s shuttle is the simplest option if you’re already booked on a trip, since it handles the drive, the paperwork and the gear in one go.
Entrance Fees and What to Bring
Foreign visitors currently pay around $25 per person to enter the Blue Hole by road, split between a checkpoint fee and the main site entrance fee.
A few practical points make the visit smoother:
- Cash only: staff generally ask for clean, undamaged US dollar bills, and card payment isn’t reliable this far from town.
- Certification card: bring a printed or digital copy if you’re diving, since guides and site staff do check.
- Opening hours: the site opens around 8am and visitors are generally asked to be out of the water by 4pm.
- Pack for the desert: reef-safe sunscreen, water and small cash denominations, since there’s little shade.
Snorkeling at the Blue Hole in Dahab
Dahab snorkeling at the Blue Hole doesn’t require any certification or diving experience. Most snorkelers enter from a jetty or ladder into the Saddle, a shallow shelf around 6m deep, packed with coral and reef fish.
The area known as Bells, just north of the main hole, is another easy shallow entry point popular with snorkelers and beginner swimmers. Mask, fins and snorkel are usually available to rent on site if you don’t bring your own.
Stay inside the shallow lagoon and away from the drop-off edge, since the seabed falls away steeply just beyond the reef. Never snorkel alone, and keep young or inexperienced swimmers within easy reach of the shore.
Diving the Blue Hole: Recreational and Technical
Dahab Blue Hole diving spans everything from an easy reef drift to one of the world’s most demanding technical dives. Certification needs vary a lot depending on the route:
- Reef dive, Bells to Blue Hole: a drift dive that suits an Open Water certification or above, within recreational depth limits and with a local guide.
- The Arch: a submerged tunnel with a ceiling around 55m and a floor dropping to roughly 120m; local dive operators require a minimum Tech 60 technical certification before taking anyone near it.
- Freediving: popular because the depth is directly accessible from shore, though blackouts remain a real risk — freedive only within your training and always with a buddy or safety diver watching.
Don’t attempt the Arch outside your certification level, and never dive it solo or without proper gas planning.
The Egyptian Chamber for Diving and Watersports now stations a monitor at the site specifically to check that divers attempting deeper routes are certified and guided.
Best Time to Visit the Blue Hole
March to May and September to November are the best months to visit. Water temperatures sit around 24-27°C, visibility is strong, and the site is noticeably quieter than in peak summer.
June through August brings the biggest crowds, including day-trippers who come to swim rather than dive. Winter visits are doable but diving comfortably usually calls for a thicker wetsuit or a drysuit.
Whatever month you go, aim for the early morning. The water is calmer, the light is better for photos, and you’ll beat the coach parties that tend to arrive by mid-morning.
Getting to Dahab
Dahab has no airport of its own, so most travelers fly into Sharm El Sheikh first. From there it’s a coastal drive of about 90-115km, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by taxi, bus or private transfer.
If you’re coming from further afield, flights into Egypt commonly route through Cairo before a short domestic hop or transfer on to Sharm El Sheikh. Search flights via Cairo on Wego if that’s your entry point, then arrange onward transport to Dahab from there.
For where to stay, Sharm El Sheikh hotels suit travelers who want a resort base with an airport nearby, while Dahab hotels put you right by the dive shops and the Blue Hole’s coastal road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit the Blue Hole in Dahab?
Foreign visitors currently pay around $25 per person to enter by road, covering a checkpoint fee and the site entrance fee. Bring cash, since card payment isn’t reliable on site.
Do I need to be a certified diver to see the Blue Hole?
No. Snorkelers can visit the shallow Saddle and Bells areas with no certification at all. Diving the reef needs an Open Water certification, and the deeper Arch needs a Tech 60 technical qualification.
Is it safe to snorkel at the Blue Hole?
Yes, snorkeling in the shallow lagoon is safe for most swimmers with basic ability. Stay inside the reef shelf, avoid the drop-off edge, and never snorkel alone.
How do I get from Sharm El Sheikh to the Blue Hole?
Take a taxi or private transfer from Sharm El Sheikh to Dahab first, a drive of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. From Dahab town, it’s a further 15-20 minutes by taxi, dive shuttle or scooter to the Blue Hole itself.
What is the Arch and why is it dangerous?
The Arch is a submerged tunnel connecting the Blue Hole to open water, with its ceiling at around 55m depth. It has a long history of diver fatalities linked to narcosis, poor gas planning and dives beyond the diver’s certification, which is why local operators require a Tech 60 minimum qualification.
Plan Your Trip
The Blue Hole rewards a little planning: agree your transport, budget for the entrance fee in cash, and match the activity to your certification level. Browse Egypt hotels to compare places to stay for your Sinai trip.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Blue Hole (Red Sea)
- Wadi Tribe — How to Visit the Blue Hole, Dahab without a Tour
- We Seek Travel — How to Visit the Red Sea’s Blue Hole in Dahab
- Sunny Explores — Dive Sites in Dahab Egypt: El Bells and the Blue Hole
- Best Egypt Tour — The Blue Hole of Dahab: Routes, Safety and Best Season
- BikesBooking — Scooter Rental in Dahab
- PADI Adventures — Dahab: Bells-Blue Hole & Canyon Full-Day Dive Trip
- Travel Buddies — Canyon and Blue Hole Snorkeling Trip With Lunch From Dahab
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
