| Three words:The. Blue. Hole. Nuff said. These three | | | | the opposite end of town, if you're up for a little |
| little words either evoke images of danger and death, | | | | scouting. And if you're feeling super luxurious, you can |
| or of some of the best coral reefs on the planet. | | | | even rent a yacht for a day and have them escort |
| While many have lost their lives attempting to | | | | you to all the sites while you lounge in shi-shi comfort. |
| navigate the blue hole's arches, staying surface-side | | | | Swimming takes a lot out of you and what's a good |
| will ensure your safety and still give you plenty of | | | | vacation without delicious food? Try Al Capone for |
| little Nemos to explore. | | | | good seafood and signature Dahab shakes, the Carm |
| Imagine this: you crawl out of bed after a nice sleep | | | | Inn for more interesting fusion options, and the |
| in your poolside room, have breakfast on a chaise | | | | Funny Mummy for quality food and some cliched |
| lounge and make your way down the boardwalk, | | | | Arabian-style lounging. For reportedly the best thick |
| where you grab your snorkel gear, reserve yet | | | | milkshakes in town (a Dahab specialty) drop into |
| another lounge chair, and dive right in. The sun is | | | | Same Same But Different - you'll forgive them the |
| calling, and after a refreshing half hour exploring the | | | | atrocious name after you come off your sugar high. |
| lighthouse and saying hello to all the little fishies, your | | | | All restaurants are located on Dahab's main strip, just |
| chair beckons and you collapse into it. Dripping wet | | | | ask for directions. |
| and utterly relaxed, you sip on your complimentary | | | | Now, finally- the Blue Hole. For snorkelers, it's really |
| karkadeh and let the gorgeous sun do the drying. | | | | not as intimidating as it's meant to be, for divers, |
| Too perfect? We know! And we haven't even | | | | however, it's quite another story. About twenty |
| gotten to the Blue Hole yet. | | | | minutes away from the town centre, the Blue Hole |
| To experience the Dahab fantasy, stay at La Reine | | | | can either be accessed by Dahab's 'truck-taxis', |
| Hotel, just a few streets from Dahab's centre, with | | | | where scores of snorkel providers and restaurants |
| poolside balconied rooms at reasonable rates that | | | | are waiting to greet you, or you can prearrange the |
| include a decent breakfast, free internet and private | | | | trip with one of the centres in town for a morning or |
| beach access by free shuttle. Like many Dahab | | | | an afternoon. |
| hotels, they also offer safaris courtesy of Dahab | | | | Either way, you get your gear, walk to El Bells a few |
| Dive Paradise, though we'll be honest; we can't vouch | | | | meters to the left of the Blue Hole, and enter the |
| for them. | | | | water. The fish you see as you swim towards the |
| Another more budget-friendly option is the highly | | | | hole are spectacular, and give the hole itself a run for |
| popular Penguin Hotel, which offers various room | | | | its money. Once you've reached the hole, you're free |
| styles to suit you, as well as desert and dive safaris | | | | to explore; though most of it has now been |
| that have garnered a following. We hear their | | | | damaged, there's still quite a bit of sea life left. |
| discovery dive for absolute beginners is a newbie's | | | | Diving the Blue Hole is perfectly safe; provided you |
| dream. | | | | know your limits and don't attempt anything suicidal. |
| While we're on the subject of diving, do take | | | | Problems arise when divers push past their limits, |
| heed.There are dive outfits on every corner | | | | goaded by the lure of the fantastical undersea world |
| promising you a wonderful time. Ask around for | | | | in store, but at depths and obstacles only reserved |
| some recommendations (but make sure the dive | | | | for the pros. However, even pros have met their |
| master isn't their sister's 3rd cousin) and check out | | | | fate in its depths, and so again we urge caution. Go |
| the business and shape of the equipment- especially | | | | with a reputable dive company, and stay safely |
| if you're diving near the Blue Hole. | | | | within your limits. |
| The lighthouse reef is easily accessible to snorkelers; | | | | Now, we're perfectly content to snorkel, eat and |
| just head past the bridge, at the end of the | | | | lounge all day, but for your benefit, we'll give you a |
| boardwalk and off the pier. There are tons of reef, | | | | few more options. Popular activities include |
| mostly dead and dull, but surrounded by lots of fish. | | | | quad-biking, wind- and kite-surfing, desert safaris by |
| This is where you should rent a chair literally on the | | | | jeep or camel, exploring nearby canyons and hanging |
| waterfront for 20LE a day, including karkadeh at the | | | | with the Bedouins for tea or a full dinner. |
| Palmyra Café. Stick around after you're done | | | | Dahab is the perfect getaway, as cliched as it |
| baking to enjoy lunch and sweet crepes under the | | | | sounds; our time spent there is always filled with |
| shade of their umbrellas. | | | | great memories and is pretty idyllic. Tailor it to your |
| The Eel Garden, which is exactly how it sounds, is | | | | liking, and you'll soon be making return visits. We dare |
| just round the corner if you'd like to observe the | | | | you not to. |
| slithering creatures. There are also some reef sites at | | | | |