Dahab is unlike Egypt’s other popular coastal destinations, so whether you’re looking to sunbathe, swim, or snorkel, keep reading to find out exactly what Dahab’s beaches are like, as well as my experience visiting them!
Let’s cut straight to the chase.
Most people don’t come to Dahab for a typical beach holiday, with kiting and underwater activities being the main draws here.
And this is because Dahab’s beaches aren’t as perfect and pristine as those in the likes of Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, El Gouna, and the North Coast.
Instead, the small Bedioun town’s coastline is dominated by two narrow strips of sandy beach, split by the rocky Lighthouse Bay, which are more rustic than luxurious.
Some of the beaches remain public and some have been privatised by beachfront cafes and restaurants, but they all have the same stunning turquoise water, coral reef, and rugged mountain backdrop!
So, after living in Dahab for more than two years, I’ve created this guide to help you get an idea of what to expect from Dahab’s beaches, as well as to share my favourite swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling spots!
Where To Find Dahab’s Best Beaches
All of the beaches that I’ve mentioned in this guide are accessible by walking from the town centre, but I prefer cycling to reach the beaches located further from the town centre.
What Are Dahab’s Beaches Like? My Experience
Life in Dahab revolves around the beaches with countless water activities, sandy-floored cafes and incredible coastal views along the Gulf of Aqaba. The colour of the water is an incredible shade of turquoise that changes to a deep sea blue after the coral wall finishes. I spent almost every single day enjoying the endless shoreline there and it’s definitely one of the main reasons that I keep returning!
I absolutely loved starting my day at one of the countless beach cafes like Coffee Wheel or Sarda and enjoying the sand between my toes with my morning cappuccino.
Dahab also has some of the most accessible coral reefs that I’ve ever experienced. I’ve spotted a variety of species from lionfish to stingrays and pufferfish at the two central reefs in Lighthouse and Eel Garden, located only a short 20-metre swim from shore!
However, the main thing to know about the beaches in Dahab is that they aren’t long, white, sandy and pristine like the beaches I’d experienced in Sharm el-Sheikh, but instead are narrow and made of coarse brown sand and broken coral. It also surprised me that at high tide, there’s no beach left in places, and at low tide, the sea often completely disappears over the coral reef wall, meaning you can’t even go for a swim!
The second issue to be aware of is that, despite being a coastal town, beach access in Dahab actually isn’t the most straightforward due to development, privatisation and difficult, rocky access. Some cafes are now even starting to enforce minimum charges to access the beach.
My Favourite Beaches In Dahab
Every beach offers something different, so whether you’re looking to go snorkelling, spend the day on a lounger with waiter service, or escape the lively Lighthouse atmosphere, I’ve shared all the details below!
Eel Garden Public Beach
Best Free Beach.
Only a ten minute walk north of the main promenade and located between Eel Garden View Restaurant and Eel Garden villas, is the closest public beach to the main town.
I’ll be honest, I don’t come here for the beach itself. It’s a bit messy, littered with cigarette butts and sleepy street dogs and there’s nothing to write home about, but if you’re into the underwater world, then this beach has access to some of the best snorkelling in Dahab. This is also the most convenient entrance point to the coral reef with direct access from the shore.
The beach itself has a sandy shoreline, with only a little bit of a rocky seabed, which isn’t too uncomfortable, and I’ve always been fine without water shoes. There’s not much shade, apart from the nearby restaurant, but you can hide behind some small bushes and broken pedalos to shelter from the wind.
I always hired fins from the nearby restaurants before swimming out to the edge of the reef, as the current can be very strong.
Once you reach the underwater canyon, turn left, and you will see the eels peeking out from the sand. There’s a reason it’s called eel garden!
Safety Tip: Always check the wind conditions and tide times before swimming here. If you see white waves, do not enter the water!
This spot can get really busy, and I really hate lying my towel right next to a stranger so I mostly came here in the mornings when I’d have the beach almost to myself. It became a bit of a habit to pick up a coffee from Ralph’s German Bakery en route too!
Assalah (Northern beaches)
Best For Chilling Out.
With a view straight from a screensaver, the vibrant shades of turquoise and jagged mountain backdrop of Assalah’s beaches always leave me speechless.
I’m not mentioning a specific beach here, but a whole area which stretches from Eel Garden along the northern shoreline. This is also my favourite area of Dahab because of the calm atmosphere, seafront villas, scattered palm trees and the occasional waterfront cafe.
A few sections have been taken over and become private areas, but there is still a lot of public space too thankfully.
It definitely feels more local at this end of town with families and kids playing in the shallow water.
The narrow strip of beach along the shore is ideal for sunbathing, morning yoga, escaping the crowds, and it’s also just as great for going swimming in the crystal-clear water. It is possible to swim out to the reef here and go snorkelling, but it’s actually a lot further than you realise!
Lucy’s Recommendation: Head north past Neom to find my favourite peaceful and shaded spot with a few palm trees hanging over the sandy shore.
Some of my favourite waterfront cafes in Dahab like Vallee, Sarda and Neom are located along the northern shores here. I’ve tried and tested these venues multiple times and nothing beats a flat white with that view!
If you don’t want to spend a whole day here, then I highly recommend walking north along the shore just before sunset to enjoy the view of the sea and the mountains.
However, on my most recent visit to Dahab, I noticed a few new restaurants blasting loud techno music and it really ruined the vibe. So hopefully this doesn’t become the new norm!
Local Tip: Always check the weather forecast and wind before coming here as this beach is completely exposed to the elements, which can definitely ruin the atmosphere.
Lighthouse Bay
Best Swimming Spot In Dahab.
Located in the heart of Dahab, Lighthouse is a lively bay full of restaurants, dive shops and cafes, with sunbeds lining the rocky waterfront and a holiday vibe that’s hard to resist. Normally, I would avoid busy tourist spots, but there’s always a great atmosphere here!
The bay is technically not a real beach as there is only a narrow strip of sand visible at low tide. But with gradually sloping soft sand and a coral reef wall in the north-eastern corner, this sheltered bay is perfect for swimming and snorkelling all year-round.
And if you like a sun bed without getting sandy feet, the Lighthouse Bay is perfect!
You can get here through any of the restaurants or from one of the free entrances next to By The Sea Cafe, Sababa or under the bridge.
There’s no shortage of places to grab a sunbed, umbrella and some fresh food and drinks for the day. Most of the restaurants have restrooms and showers too, which is definitely handy if you’re planning a full day at the beach.
I always chose By The Sea because the music was never loud, I was always welcomed like an old friend, and their ice cream frappes were incredible. I’ve spent hours here over the years sunbathing on the shorefront loungers, reading my book or watching the freedivers training in the shallows and scuba divers disappearing down into the depths.
This is definitely the most popular area in Dahab so just be aware that the water can often get crowded during holidays and there are plenty of kayaks or SUPs floating around too.
Also, don’t make the same mistake as me and arrive after midday expecting to find free sunbeds!
Lucy’s Recommendation: Rent a snorkel and some fins and swim around the northern corner to the underwater canyon and try to spot the lionfish.
Dive Urge Beach
My Favourite Private Beach Experience In Dahab.
As much as I love that Dahab is less privatised than other beach hotspots in Egypt, one private beach that I do love is part of the Dive Urge Resort.
With a small sandy beach on the Assalah coastline, as well as comfy padded loungers, pristine shoreline, and a sand-free seating area, Dive Urge adds a touch of elegance to this boho town and I’m so glad I discovered it on my first trip to Dahab!
As I mentioned above, most beachfront restaurants are loud and lively but there’s no WiFi or music allowed here, only the sounds of the waves and simply a relaxing time. In fact, I really wish more restaurants in Dahab would adopt this “no music” policy!
Another reason that this quickly became my favourite spot to unwind is that it’s so hard to find great coffee by the sea and Dive Urge serves a fantastic cappuccino. I’ll admit that the all-day menu is a little pricier than at other restaurants in Dahab but the fresh and generous options always hit the spot. It was never easy to decide, but I always used to get a freshly squeezed juice, the spicy veggie burger or a tuna wrap (a rare find in Egypt!).
Some loungers are reserved for resort guests, but there are always some for non-guests on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s no fee but there is a minimum spend of 300 EGP if you’re not a guest.
This might sound quite steep at first, but considering how clean the facilities are and the overall quality of this place, I think it’s a really fair price.
The Islands
Great For Snorkelling.
Located about a 10 minute taxi ride south of Lighthouse, or a sweaty 30 minute walk along the coastal walkway, the Islands is a wide and straight section of beach.
The gravel beach is about 1km long and I’d stick to the northern end, next to the kitesurfing building and sun shelter, as fishermen and boat owners use the southern point so the sand isn’t as clean.
However, the main attraction here is less about the beach itself and rather the three underwater island coral reefs. This is is my go-to snorkelling spot when I want to swim amongst large shoals of fish, try to spot different species like eels and clown fish, and see a thriving maze of colourful coral.
These large islands sit more than two metres below the water and are absolutely unbelievable. Luckily, they have been really well preserved, unlike the other reefs nearby, thanks to being a little offshore and challenging to reach, meaning only serious underwater lovers come here to try and spot the elusive turtle!
The access point to the Islands isn’t very obvious, but the easiest entrance is in line with the large sun shelter and small kitesurfing building.
I unfortunately missed out on swimming here on my first two trips to Dahab because I always timed the weather or the tides wrong. It’s essential that you go on a calm day with very little wind and also at high tide to be able to pass safely over the coral wall to reach the islands.
Safety tip: Hiring fins is essential, and you should only venture into the deep blue if you’re a strong swimmer. The currents can be very strong and unpredictable here.
Since it’s quite far from town, I wouldn’t recommend the Islands specifically for a beach day, as let’s be honest, the beach isn’t spectacular, and there aren’t any facilities either. However, this vast stretch was always quiet when I visited, and it now has new wooden parasols for shade, and you can even drive your car onto the sand for a picnic.
Laguna Beach
Best Beach For Sunset And Watching Kite Surfers
At the southern end of the Islands Beach, Laguna Beach begins (not to be confused with the Blue Lagoon to the north of Dahan and the Blue hole). And it’s easily one of my favourite sunset spots in Dahab as well as being a great place to watch the kitesurfers in action.
The beach itself is a simple sand bar and completely exposed to the wind and sun, with a shallow lagoon on one side and the open sea on the other. It’s possible to follow the sand spit all the way out to the end, but my favourite part of the beach is the small south-facing bay in the corner.
There aren’t any facilities here at all, so whenever I visited, I would always buy snacks and drinks before heading there. Recently, though, a few local entrepreneurs have started selling fresh juice, cheesecake and rice pudding from the back of their bicycles! If you’re there on a hot day, try the iced watermelon juice. Trust me, it hits the spot!
To be honest, this isn’t the best swimming spot as it could be a little dangerous due to the number of kitesurfers, but if you do go in for a dip, it’s fairly shallow with a stony seabed and sheltered from waves.
Make sure you tie your visit in with sunset, as it’s a great place to end the day. Friend groups gather, small fires are lit, music is played, and it’s all around good vibes.
Lucy’s Recommendation: Don’t make the same mistake as me. Make sure to arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset, and before the sun disappears behind the tall mountains.
Laguna Hotel Area
Best For A Resort Day Pass.
On the opposite side of the lagoon from Laguna Beach, I was actually really surprised to find a handful of all-inclusive high-end resorts. This completely contrasts with what I know of Dahab, which is dusty streets, goats wandering around and the wooden beachfront structures.
This is the best place to come to experience a luxury hotel. All of the resorts also offer day passes starting from 600 EGP per person, which include different facilities.
Lucy’s Recommendation: I absolutely loved spending a day at Dahab Lagoon Club & Resort. You can enjoy the private swimming pool and waterfront beach loungers without staying overnight.
I actually found Laguna Beach quite hard to access, but after cycling there, I walked down the side of the Swiss Inn Resort to access the shore. I’m still not sure if there’s an official entrance point!
This beach surprisingly has powder white sand, compared to the other beaches in Dahab, and there’s a calm blue lagoon sheltered from the wind and waves, making it perfect for swimming all year round. It’s a fantastic choice for families but unfortunately there’s no coral reef to explore there.
To be completely honest, I struggled to find somewhere to lay my towel down. Since private resorts line the whole narrow shoreline, I felt awkward stopping in front of them and I’m guessing they would tell you to use the public beach to the south.
However, I did stop at Ganet Sina Beach Restaurant for a cold drink and enjoyed the open views to the south over the calm turquoise bay.
The Beach I’d Avoid: Dahab Public Beach In Laguna
I ventured all the way over here after reading the glowing reviews online, and let’s say that I was left more than a little confused!
Located just after Jaz Dahabeya and the other Laguna Resorts, this dusty open area filled with broken shelters and cigarette butts didn’t exactly excite me for a beach day. I’m guessing the 5 star Google reviews were left for somewhere else?
There are definitely better beach areas in the main town however, if you want nearby and easy car parking, picnic tables, and umbrellas to rent, then this one’s for you. I imagine the shallow wave-free shoreline would also be perfect for families.
Despite the drawbacks, I have to say it does have an epic view of the mountains to the south and it’s the only free way to enjoy this magnificent bay.
Overall, I wouldn’t say it’s worth the 10 minute taxi ride from the main town, and would definitely recommend the free Laguna Beach on the other side of the lagoon instead!
More beaches, snorkelling and adventure in Dahab
If you are looking for more excitement, then I highly recommend a day trip to the Blue Hole, which is a 30 minute taxi ride to the north of Dahab. This natural phenomenon is one of the most impressive snorkelling spots in the world and over 100 metres deep! I highly recommend snorkelling around the circumference of the sinkhole and watching the divers below.
Further to the north is the remote Abu Galoum and Blue Lagoon which are only accessible by boat or by hiking. These two lagoons with crystal clear blue water are peaceful and fantastic for swimming. You can even stay here overnight!
Three Pools to the south of Dahab was once a wonderful tourist attraction of natural coral formations but is now a perfect example of overtourism and lack of care. It’s still a popular day trip to visit the waterfront restaurants, ride a camel and ATV, but I was shocked to see the dead, bleached and damaged coral and I wouldn’t say this day trip is my cup of tea.
Best Time To Visit Dahab’s Beaches
Almost every day is a beach day in Dahab but the best times of year are definitely in the spring (March and April) and the autumn (October and November). This is because the temperature mostly sits in the 25-30°C range during these months.
I find it a bit on the cold side in the winter (December to February), especially if it’s windy, which it so often is in Dahab! However, I still sunbathe on calmer days as the temperature is usually between 18 and 25°C.
The summer (May to September is just, well, a furnace! I’ve never spent the summer in Dahab for this reason, as temperatures can surpass 40°C, but I’ve had a couple of summer family holidays to Sharm El Sheikh in the past and the heat was almost unbearable in June, let alone July and August! Unless there’s some wind and shade or you take a lot of dips in the sea, then sunbathing on the beaches is not for the faint-hearted!
What To Wear To The Beach In Dahab?
As a woman, I was really concerned about how to dress for the beach on my first trip to Dahab. I’d already been on beach holidays to Sharm El Sheikh but never left the bubble of the resort, and, after spending time in Cairo and Luxor, I had seen how conservative the culture in Egypt is.
It is a Muslim country after all.
However, after living in Dahab for more than two years, I can safely say that there is definitely a relaxed dress code or not even one at all.
Everyone wears what they feel comfortable in when visiting the beaches, whether that’s a bikini, tshirt and shorts, a diving wetsuit or a ‘birkini’.
However, I noticed that very few wear their swimwear or walk shirtless on the streets, no matter how hot it gets.
Extra Tips For Visiting The Beaches In Dahab
- Snorkel early in the morning for the best visibility and before the wind and waves get too strong.
- Check wind conditions before choosing your beach, as some are more sheltered than others.
- Respect the coral – don’t stand or touch it!
- Pack plenty of water and sun protection as the sun is strong all year round.
- Use reef-safe suncream if you’re swimming.
- Be mindful of currents in Assala, Eel Garden and at the Islands.
- Combine beaches with lounging in cafes for a more relaxed day.
- Don’t expect big resort-style pristine beaches.
- Apart from a few on Assalah’s coastline, there aren’t any public rubbish bins, so take everything home with you.
FAQs
Where Is The Best Beach For Snorkelling In Dahab?
My favourite beach for snorkelling is located in Eel Garden because of the variety of coral formations, sealife and the proximity to the shore.
Are There Public Beaches In Dahab?
There are public beaches located in Eel Garden, Assala and Laguna.
Can You Swim In Dahab?
Dahab has perfect sea conditions for swimming, thanks to sheltered bays and reef-protected beaches.
Ready To Hit The Beaches Of Dahab?
Whether you fancy the lively holiday atmosphere in the Lighthouse Bay, the quiet shores at The Islands and Laguna, a local atmosphere in Assalah, or sunbeds and waiter service at Dive Urge or one of the other beachfront cafes, Dahab has a beach for every type of traveller!
With access to incredible coral reefs, all that’s left is to pack your beach towel and snorkel and go find your favourite spot!