Guide to Dahab

"With its relaxed pace and spectacular underwater sites, Dahab is the Red Sea in more laid-back, simple style."

There's a rhythm to Dahab that marks it out from other Red Sea resorts. You'll feel it the moment you set foot on its hot, cushiony sands and spot the clusters of windsurfers skimming over the bay. This is Egypt with a laid-back, more carefree vibe, where everything tells you to let go … and then go with the flow. That's not to say Dahab's location isn't as soul-stirringly beautiful as other places on the Riviera. Backed by jagged mountains and desert sands, the beach lives up to its name – Dahab in Arabic means 'gold' – with its fine, yellow sands reaching down to greet azure seas. A hotspot for divers thanks to the many good sites close by, it'd be a shame to miss out on the underwater world here. If you're an experienced diver, the lure of the iconic Blue Hole, a breathtaking 200-foot circular drop in the ocean floor is sure to entice. And if snorkelling's more your thing, you'll find lots to keep you goggle-eyed in the nearby string of exquisite coral reefs. As afternoon melts into evening, head for Dahab's colourful little bazaar area, where cheerful vendors tout their wares of carpets, jewellery and souvenir trinkets. Then linger over dinner at a Bedouin-style restaurant beside the water's edge. Choose the plumpest freshly caught specimen from the fish counter, sink into a colourful cushion and let the kaleidoscope of stars, sea and sand slowly work its magic.

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