Diving

Three popular dive sites are about 30 minutes north of Dahab, so you might want to dive with one of the hotel dive centers, which can arrange transportation. Bring water with you, and plan to pass some time relaxing under the awning of a Bedouin cafeteria that provides basic refreshments. No toilet facilities are available, so follow the cardinal rule of the desert: women to the left, men to the right.

The Blue Hole is among the best dives in the Red Sea . The Canyon, right around the corner from the Blue Hole, is another great dive. You feel as if you're sky diving as you descend through 100 feet of coral cliffs on either side of you. The Lighthouse close to Masbat is the perfect dive for beginners, offering masses of sea life along the sloping reef at 25 meters that include wrasse, triggerfish, and moray eels, but it also offers good experiences at deeper levels and is a particularly popular night dive.

Dive Operators

Poseidon Divers. One of Dahab's major dive outfitters offers the PADI/National Geographic Open Water Course and diving Career Development Courses along with other programs, dive safaris, and live-aboards. They also have an office at the Le Méridien Hotel. Crazy Camel Camp, Mashraba, Dahab, South Sinai. 069/364–0091; www.poseidondivers.com.

Reef 2000. A PADI Gold Palm center close to the famed Blue Hole dive site, the company offers dive training and technical courses, plus guided dives for those already qualified. Their yoga/dive programs are certainly unique. You can also book camel/diving safaris (where the camels carry your equipment and you trek to the dive site, overnighting in a camp) and boat trips. Blue Hole Rd., Assala, Dahab, South Sinai. 069/364–0087; www.reef2000.com.