Sinai is about contrasts. A desert interior full of history, where Moses received the Ten Commandments en route to the Promised Land,
the Pharaohs found gold and searched for their gods, and where the Bedouin's camp beside ruins of Crusader Forts. Christianity, Judaism and Islam know Sinai as a holy land and over the years prophets, saints, pilgrims and warriors have crossed this vast nothingness. Mount Sinai and St Catherine Monastery at its foot are frequently visited.The desert comes to an abrupt end at the Red Sea, where exquisite coral reefs provide a fine underwater playground for divers and snorkellers from around the world. The coral reefs along the Sinai coastline are among the best in the world and diving tourism is the most recent catchphrase on the peninsula. The Red Sea has one of the highest amounts of marine life variety in all the tropical seas. Visitors come to experience the simplicity of sun, sea and sand, surrounded by rugged mountains, history and modern Bedouin culture
The village of Dahab
Compared to other spots, Dahab is still one of the few authentic villages along the Egyptian coast, which is luckily not destroyed yet by mass tourism. Founded as a Bedouin Village, and later a favorite destination for hippies from all over the world, it shows its visitor some different faces:
In Assala, north of Dahab you can see the authentic Bedouin Village till now.
The Masbat area starts from the dive spot Lighthouse, offering lots of restaurants, coffee shops, shops, small hotels and camps.
coffee shops, shops, small hotels and camps.
After passing the bridge across the Wadi you enter the Mashraba area. Here, the atmosphere is calmer, and you will find the Bedouin Lodge Hotel among some other familiar camps & hotels. Following the beach promenade, you can choose between lots of convenient restaurants, cafes and even very few bars to relax & watch Dahab’s very romantic sunset. The main road with internet cafes, further shops, offices, etc. is located behind the hotels & restaurants.
The road is leading you further south, passing approx. 1 kilometer of desert and a small salt lake, before reaching the area of Dahab City, showing a quite modern style of architecture. The inside beach of the sandy lagoon you are passing here, is home to 4* and 5* hotels like Hilton or Swiss Inn, where you could learn windsurfing perfectly. The outside beaches of the lagoon are beautiful spots for sun bathing, swimming & snorkeling.
Since some years the Dahab authorities are planning and building a comfortable promenade along the seaside, which is ready now for a walk from Assala (dive spot Eel Garden) till the beginning of the lagoon (dive spot Islands).This offers as well about 4 kilometers of a jogging path, if you still wish to be active after diving.
