Dive Site: Blue Hole Dahab

About Blue Hole Dahab

The Blue Hole in Dahab is one of Egypt's most iconic dive sites, drawing underwater enthusiasts globally. This natural submarine sinkhole plunges over 100 meters deep, presenting an enthralling mix of stunning underwater topography, vivid coral formations, and diverse marine life. It is located approximately 10 kilometers north of Dahab town center, nestled on the Sinai Peninsula coastline. The site is characterized by its vertical limestone walls, a diameter of about 100 meters, and its famous arch passage connecting to the open sea at 52-55 meters. Recreational divers often begin their journey at The Bells, a chimney-like entry point that descends to a sandy slope. The coral gardens and reef systems surrounding the Blue Hole are flourishing, teeming with a rich biodiversity of fish and protected as a conservation zone. While renowned for its technical diving opportunities, including the challenging Arch, the Blue Hole also provides beginner-friendly areas and world-class conditions for freediving and snorkeling. The diving experience here is unique, with opportunities for guided dives, combo tours with nearby sites like The Canyon, and even night diving to witness bioluminescence. Expert dive professionals ensure safety and memorable underwater encounters for all visitors. Historically, the Blue Hole has earned a dual reputation for its magnificent beauty and its demanding nature, particularly for those attempting the Arch without proper training. However, within recreational limits, it remains a current-free, clear, and easy dive, offering unparalleled beauty without the associated risks.

Dive site facts: Blue Hole Dahab

Depth

0-100+ m

Typical dive

10-30 m, 50-60 min

Current

Mild to none

Visibility

30-40 m

Water temperature

20-29 °C

Entry

Shore entry / Vertical descent (The Bells)

Level

Open Water to Technical

Dive type

Wall, drift, technical, reef

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Dahab, Red Sea

Coordinates

28.5728, 34.5369

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the Blue Hole are generally mild to non-existent, especially within the main sinkhole and along the typical recreational dive routes. This calm environment contributes to the site's excellent visibility, often exceeding 30-40 meters. Entry into the water is typically from shore, and sites like The Bells offer a dramatic yet calm descent. Surface conditions can be affected by stronger winds during winter months, which might create challenging entry conditions for some, though this is less common at the Blue Hole itself compared to more exposed offshore sites. Divers should still be mindful of their air consumption, particularly on longer drift dives like the Bells to Blue Hole route, as turning back may not be an option once committed to the drift. The lack of strong currents makes it highly suitable for training and photographers.

Marine life & sighting chances

Red Sea reef fish species

common

Moray eels

common

Lionfish

common

Butterflyfish

common

Clownfish

common

Barracuda

occasional

Tuna

occasional

Napoleon wrasse

occasional

Reef sharks

rare

Glass sweepers

common

Blue spotted rays

occasional

Green turtles

occasional

Hawksbill turtles

occasional

Whale sharks

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

The most celebrated recreational dive profile at the Blue Hole begins at The Bells, a unique chimney-like crack in the reef plate. Divers descend vertically through this narrow opening to about 25-30 meters, where it opens onto a stunning wall. Keeping the wall on your right shoulder, you then drift along a sheer vertical drop-off adorned with elephant ear corals and massive gorgonian sea fans. This section offers remarkable views into the deep blue. The dive progresses along the wall until reaching the 7-meter saddle, a coral-laden pathway, which divers cross to enter the main Blue Hole. The dive concludes within the calm, blue waters of the Blue Hole, where the safety stop is performed, often with freedivers visible ascending from the depths.

Underwater photography

The Blue Hole offers incredible underwater photography opportunities, thanks to its crystal-clear waters and dramatic topography. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing the grandeur of the vertical walls, the arch (for technical divers), and the expansive blue. The light penetration is excellent, especially in spring and autumn, allowing for vibrant shots of coral gardens without excessive artificial light. For macro photography, explore the crevices and coral formations along the reef, where you can find lionfish, moray eels, and various reef fish. Consider bringing external strobes to enhance colors at depth and reduce backscatter. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid disturbing the delicate coral ecosystems and to maintain stable shots in this deep environment. Be mindful of freedivers and other divers, ensuring they are not unintentionally captured or disturbed in your frames, especially during safety stops within the Blue Hole.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• The Canyon

  Often combined with Blue Hole dives, featuring a unique inverted waterfall of bubbles.

• The Bells

  The primary entry point for the classic Blue Hole drift dive, a dramatic vertical descent.

• Eel Garden

  Famous for thousands of garden eels, excellent for photography and reachable by shore.

• Lighthouse

  Dahab's house reef, suitable for all levels and night diving, often part of a drift with Eel Garden.

• Gabr El Bint

  Accessible by boat, pristine reefs with large gorgonian fans and potential for pelagic sightings.

Getting there & logistics

Dahab is easily accessed by flying into Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH). From there, a taxi transfer to Dahab takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes; it is advisable to pre-arrange transfers through your hotel or dive center to avoid inflated airport prices. The Blue Hole is a shore-diving site, located about 10 kilometers north of Dahab town. Day trips from Dahab typically include transport to the site, guided dives, and access to beachside facilities. Most dive packages combine a dive at the Blue Hole with other nearby sites like The Canyon or The Bells. No specific park fees are usually mentioned for the Blue Hole itself beyond the standard dive operator costs, as it's part of the general Dahab diving experience. Liveaboards typically focus on more distant Red Sea sites, making Dahab primarily a shore-diving destination.

Safety & environment

Diving the Blue Hole safely requires adherence to strict guidelines, particularly due to its infamous reputation. While recreational dives within the Blue Hole are generally safe and current-free, the major risk is associated with attempting The Arch, an underwater tunnel at 52-55 meters. This passage is strictly for certified technical divers using specialized gas mixes and redundant equipment due to the severe risks of nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity at that depth. For all divers, it is crucial to stay within recreational depth limits (maximum 30-40 meters depending on certification) and dive with experienced local guides. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Sharm El Sheikh. Divers should always have comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency evacuation and recompression. Always follow detailed site briefings, engage in conservative dive planning, and ensure equipment is well-maintained. Never push beyond your training and comfort level, especially in such a deep and challenging environment.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Blue Hole Dahab FAQ

Liveaboards diving Blue Hole Dahab

These liveaboards may visit Blue Hole Dahab on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

$150/day

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

$109/day

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

$150/day

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

$154/day

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

$155/day

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

$172/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$172/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$104/day

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

$145/day

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

$159/day

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m

$115/day