Dive Site: The Bells

About The Bells

The Bells dive site in Dahab, Egypt, offers a unique entry into one of the Red Sea's most famous dive regions. Located just north of Dahab's town center, it's often the starting point for a drift dive leading to the Blue Hole. Divers enter through a narrow, open chimney, aptly named "The Bells" due to the sound of tanks brushing against its walls. This descent, which accommodates only one diver at a time, opens up at approximately 26 meters, revealing majestic overhangs adorned with vibrant corals along the outer wall of the Blue Hole. Topographically, The Bells is characterized by this distinctive chimney leading to a wall dive. The site is part of a larger coral-fringed circular formation, a geological sinkhole carved from eroding limestone, reaching depths of around 120 meters. While the interior of the Blue Hole itself can be explored, the most common and rewarding dives focus on the rich reef walls outside, showcasing a variety of hard and soft corals. Visibility here is excellent, making it an ideal spot to appreciate the diverse marine life. Marine life encounters include typical Red Sea reef inhabitants such as colorful parrotfish and schools of orange and purple anthias. Lucky divers might spot boxer shrimp, nudibranchs, turtles, and octopuses. There's always a chance for larger pelagics in the blue, with sightings of whale sharks, dolphins, eagle rays, and tuna possible. The site is accessible year-round, with shoulder seasons (March-May and September-November) offering comfortable water and air temperatures, along with fewer crowds. This shore-entry dive typically experiences mild to non-existent currents within the sheltered Blue Hole, though drift conditions can vary on the outer reef.

Dive site facts: The Bells

Depth

6–30 m

Typical dive

12–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

25–35 m

Water temperature

21–30°C

Entry

Shore entry / chimney descent

Level

Advanced Open Water

Dive type

Drift, wall, coral gardens

Night dive

Not specified

Region / port

Dahab, Sinai Peninsula

Coordinates

28.505, 34.525

Conditions & Currents

Currents at The Bells are generally mild, however, conditions can shift, particularly with wind and tide, influencing surface entry and underwater drift. The dive typically involves a gentle drift along the outer reef wall, guided by the natural flow. Divers should be mindful of potential surface currents near the entry point, especially during choppier conditions. Proper buoyancy control is crucial during the chimney descent and while navigating the wall, as well as managing air consumption, particularly on longer drift dives that extend into the Blue Hole. Stronger currents can make surface finning tiring at the end of the dive if not managed correctly, emphasizing the importance of staying close to the reef for shelter.

Marine life & sighting chances

Anthias

common

Napoleon Wrasse

occasional

Reef Sharks

occasional

Clownfish

common

Barracuda

occasional

Glass Sweepers

common

Turtles

occasional

Moray Eels

common

Octopuses

occasional

Lionfish

common

Groupers

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

The classic dive begins with a shore entry at The Bells, a narrow vertical chimney in the reef plate. You descend through this crack, which is wide enough for one diver at a time, to a depth of approximately 28-30 meters. Upon exiting the chimney, you are met with the vast open blue and a spectacular coral wall. From here, you turn right and drift along the outside wall, keeping it on your right side. This section of the dive allows for observation of dense coral formations and various reef inhabitants. The wall dive gradually becomes shallower, leading to a coral-laden saddle at around 6-7 meters. Crossing this saddle brings you into the Blue Hole, where you complete your safety stop, often observing freedivers below.

Underwater photography

The Bells and Blue Hole offer exceptional opportunities for wide-angle photography due to the dramatic topography and typically excellent visibility exceeding 30 meters. A wide-angle lens is ideal to capture the grandeur of the vertical chimney descent, the expansive blue water, and the vibrant coral wall. For macro shots, focus on the concentrated marine life along the coral walls, where glass sweepers, clownfish, and various reef fish reside. Strong strobes are beneficial for illuminating the colorful corals and reducing backscatter, especially when shooting into the deeper blue. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid disturbing the delicate corals and to maintain stable shots during the drift.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Blue Hole Dahab

  Connected by a saddle, forming part of the same dive experience.

• The Canyon

  Another renowned Dahab site with unique geological formations.

• Eel Garden

  A shallow sandy slope known for garden eels, often combined with Lighthouse.

• Lighthouse

  A popular and accessible reef in Dahab, frequently used for training and easy dives.

Getting there & logistics

To dive The Bells, you typically fly into Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH), then transfer by road to Dahab, which is about an hour and a half drive. Dahab itself is a hub for shore-based diving, and The Bells is easily accessible by a short jeep ride north of the town. Dive trips are usually day excursions from local dive centers in Dahab. There are no specific park fees mentioned for The Bells, but local dive operators will manage any necessary permits. The dive is usually part of a one or two-tank day trip that may include other Dahab sites.

Safety & environment

Diving The Bells and Blue Hole requires careful adherence to safety protocols due to the site's unique characteristics and the proximity to the extreme depths of the Blue Hole. An Advanced Open Water certification is typically recommended. Divers must maintain strict depth limits, especially noting that the infamous Arch within the Blue Hole, at 55 meters, is strictly for technical divers with appropriate certification and gas planning. Nitrogen narcosis can become a significant factor below 30 meters, so divers should be aware of their limits. The nearest recompression chamber is in Dahab. Dive insurance covering emergency evacuation and hyperbaric treatment is strongly advised. Always dive with a reputable local guide and within your training and experience limits.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

The Bells FAQ

Liveaboards diving The Bells

These liveaboards may visit The Bells 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