Chris and I have been pretty much all over the Sinai Peninsula, so we thought we would put together a list of the top things to do and the best way to go about doing them for anyone planning on traveling to this desert paradise.
Scuba Diving!
The Red Sea is famous and one of the top dive areas in the world. Dahab is also one of the cheapest places to get your PADI certification and where Chris and I both certified. The coral and colors are incredible with great visibility. We’ve since been back for diving the famous Thistlegorm wreck in Ras Muhammad and for some of the more advanced dives to be had in Dahab.
Water Ski in Sharm el-Sheikh
It’s easy and fun to spend 15-20 minutes water skiing as many of the waterside operators offer this on the main beach strip of Sharm. Try to barter, as you’ll usually be able to get a better deal that way.
Parasailing
Parasailing is also available in Sharm. A little pricier than waterskiing, it offers a good view of the town, the desert, and the sea.
Check out the Beach
Of course there are decent beaches in Sharm too if you’re hoping to lay out and get some tanning done. If this is your goal, it’s better done in Sharm than Dahab which doesn’t have much of a beach.
Party in Sharm
Sharm is known for its nightlife, although I can’t speak much on it. Chris and I are more into crazy adventuring than partying (although we occasionally make an exception for really awesome), but Sharm is definitely known for parties. They’re fairly easy to find if that’s what you’re into.
St. Catherine Monastery & Mt. Sinai
Many tours include an overnight at the St. Catherine Monastery and a sunrise summit of one of the many possible Mt. Sinai locations. I participated in this tour in 2008. The monastery and its history were fairly interesting and I did enjoy the trek up to the top of the mountain in the pre-dawn hours, but the mountain itself is not very impressive. Unless you’re a history buff or it’s included in your package, I wouldn’t go out of my way for this one.
Hike the Colored Canyon
The Colored Canyon is a slot canyon located outside Dahab and tours can be booked through any of the tourist agencies in Dahab. It’s about a 2 mile hike from the drop-off point to the oasis where the van picks you up and then takes you to a second canyon hike after lunch. Definitely worth a day trip if you enjoy hiking.
Ride Horses on the Beach
Ride horses on the beach in Dahab. We hired horses for the afternoon to make a lifetime dream of mine come true, cantering the horses through the blue surf and sand on the small strip of beach south of Dahab. It was truly one of the best days and experiences of my life, so I have to recommend it. Just make sure you insist on healthy, well-fed horses or it might be more sad than exhilarating.
A Desert BBQ
A “traditional Bedouin BBQ” is another offering in Dahab. Chris and I have done it twice, the first time was pretty fun, the second was awful, so I guess it depends on the company you do with. Either way, it’s a chance to get out and see the desert stars and get into the mountains that overlook Dahab and the sea. In my opinion, it’s definitely worth paying a little extra for a more exclusive dinner and camp. Also, make sure that the camp is equipped with blankets since the desert nights get pretty frigid. This was a major factor in enjoyment from time 1 to time 2 for us.
Check out the coastline in Dahab
Walk the shore in Dahab. Known as Egypt’s hippy town, the laid-back atmosphere is wonderfully refreshing. The shops sell whimsical harem pants and dream catchers and the restaurants along the seaside have pretty great food for the most part. Nirvana, the Indian restaurant, was one of our favorites, but there are tons worth trying. Just be sure to grab some koshari, either from a restaurant or from the koshari cart at some point while you’re there!
Try Kiteboarding or Windsurfing
Kite boarding and windsurfing are also on offer in the lagoon south of town. Unfortunately Chris and I didn’t have time to try either of these in Dahab, but the wind in the afternoons is pretty great for both activities if you want to give them a try.
Get our latest adventures ands exclusive travel tips delivered straight to your inbox.
The Traveling Acrobats 