Where is Dahab located in Egypt? It is located on the far southeastern coast of Sinai, in the Gulf of Aqaba, about 80 km from Sharm El Sheikh. It’s a small city famous for diving and doing nothing else. Below you see its location on the map, the distance to Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh, and actual ways to reach this place.
Where Is Dahab Located in Egypt on the Map?
South Sinai. That's the governorate. The town sits right on the Gulf of Aqaba with dry, bare mountains at its back, at roughly 28.49°N, 34.50°E.
Here's the bit that catches people out: Sinai is in Asia, not Africa. It's the only part of Egypt that is. On a clear day you can see Saudi Arabia from the beach.
Dahab is situated around 80 km northeast of Sharm el-Sheikh on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula.
Which Dahab Do You Mean?
The word just means "gold" in Arabic, so Egypt has a few of them. Search the name and you may end up somewhere with no sea at all.
One is Dahab Island, a farming island in the Nile near Cairo and Giza. Another is Kom el-Dahab, a Roman town in ruins near Lake Manzala. Nice places, maybe, but you can't swim there.
We're talking about the Sinai one.
Dahab's Neighbors on the Sinai Map
Sharm El Sheikh is the closest big name, down the coast to the south, and it has the airport. Go north and you hit Nuweiba, then Taba, all on the same coast road. St. Catherine is inland, up in the mountains.
Across the water you've got Aqaba in Jordan and the Saudi coast.
Dahab sits roughly in the middle of all that, a long way from the Nile and the usual temple circuit. Which is exactly why some travelers love it.
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How Far Is Dahab From Major Cities?
Sharm El Sheikh: about 80 km, though some guides say closer to 90
St. Catherine: about 130 km by road
Cairo: about 550 km
That Cairo figure matches the distance table the Cairo governorate publishes, which lists 552 km. Real routes vary a bit, so don't treat any of these as exact.
How to Get to Dahab
Most people fly into Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. It's around 90 km from Dahab, and you finish the trip by taxi, private transfer, or local bus.
Cairo is a different story. It's a long, long day on the road, by bus or with a private driver. From Taba or Nuweiba it's the coast road south, which is a pretty drive if you're not in a hurry. Coming from Jordan? The Aqaba ferry docks at Nuweiba, and you drive down from there.
Landing late? Sort your transfer before you fly. And keep your passport in your bag, because Sinai has checkpoints.
Dahab's Three Areas
It's a small town, but the neighborhoods don't feel alike.
Masbat, up north, is where the cafes and dive shops cluster, along with the Bedouin village of Asalah. Mashraba is just south and quieter. Medina, in the southwest, is more of a local area.
Plenty of travelers stay in Lagona instead, a village near the center. Either way you're never far from the water.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Hot desert, hardly any rain. According to Wikipedia's climate data, January afternoons average around 21°C and August afternoons around 36°C. The sea runs from about 21°C in February up to 28°C in summer.
For comfort, March–April and October–November are hard to beat: warm, not brutal. Winter days are mild but the nights get cool, so bring a jacket. Summer is scorching on land, though the sea feels great.
Diving in winter? You'll want a thin wetsuit.
What to Do in Dahab
Water first. The Blue Hole, a few kilometers north of town, is the dive site everybody's heard of. The Canyon is another favorite. Wind is steady and the lagoon stays flat, which is why windsurfers and kitesurfers turn up.
Out of the water, there are camel and jeep trips to Colored Canyon, and hikes around Ras Abu Galum. Or do nothing at a beachside cafe. That's a legitimate plan here.
If diving's the reason you're going, the Red Sea Diving Adventure is worth a look.
Visa and Entry for Sinai
Some nationalities can get a free Sinai-only entry stamp, often good for 15 days. It covers Dahab and the other Sinai resorts. It won't get you to Cairo or Luxor.
Want the pyramids as well? Get a standard Egypt visa instead. Rules shift and depend on your passport, so check with an official source close to your dates.
Is Dahab Safe?
It has a calm reputation, and it often turns up on lists of safer Red Sea towns. Sinai advice does change, though. Read your government's travel guidance before you book, then again a week before you fly.
Once you're there, stick with licensed dive centers and guides for desert trips. For long drives, book a transfer ahead of time.
Dahab vs Sharm El Sheikh
Close on the map, completely different in feel. Sharm is big resorts, boat dives, nightlife, and the airport. Dahab is slower and cheaper, with shore diving and a backpacker, freediver crowd.
Lots of people do both. Fly into Sharm, enjoy the resort for a few days, then take the road north when you want some quiet.
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Conclusion
Here’s how to locate Dahab in Egypt: on the southeast coast of Sinai Peninsula, some 80 kilometers away from Sharm el Sheikh, while Saudi Arabia lies opposite the gulf. It can be conveniently reached from the airport in Sharm, and that too is worth it if you wish to travel slowly via the sea route. Aim for spring or autumn, and tack on a few days along the Nile if you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of Egypt is Dahab in?
South Sinai, on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula, facing the Gulf of Aqaba.
How far is Dahab from Sharm El Sheikh?
About 80 km by road, roughly an hour's drive. Sharm's airport is the nearest one.
Is Dahab on the Red Sea?
Yes. It's on the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea, and the water is very clear.
Do I need a visa to visit Dahab?
Depends on your passport. Some nationalities get a free Sinai-only stamp, so check the current rules.
What is Dahab famous for?
Diving, mainly the Blue Hole, plus windsurfing and a relaxed beach-town feel.