Diving In Dahab
Sitting on the Gulf of Aqaba, Dahab is home to some of the deepest waters in the Red Sea – not to mention a clutch of top-notch hotels and golden beaches. This is also where you’ll find the world renowned dive site – the Blue Hole, the Canyon and plenty of Napoleon Fish.
The Blue Hole
The Blue Hole is a shore entry dive that is ideally located for people staying in Dahab. On a good day the 102m deep hole houses jacks, barracude and reef sharks with the out slope of the reef enclosing the lagoon offering corals and numerous shoals of different fish species.
The Blue Hole is a submarine pothole (basically and underwater cave) with an opening around 6m deep, leading to a 26m tunnel, known as the arch.
The Blue Hole is notorious for the number of diving fatalities and is known as one of the World’s Most Dangerous Dive Sites. Its nickname, for good reason, is “Diver’s Cemetery”.
Divers who resist the temptation of the Arch and remain within their training and limitations are in no more danger than on any other Red Sea dive site. However, the Arch has proved irresistible for many and thus the site is considered unsuitable for beginners and a potential trap even for experienced divers.
The Canyon
The Canyon is one of the most popular dive sites in Dahab and an essential dive for all fanatics of caves and cavern diving.
The Canyon scuba diving site in the Red Sea is a fantastic dive for all levels. From a shore entry you should level off at 30m along the gradual drop-off which continues for hundreds of metres. The Canyon is a natural tunnel in the seabed which can be penetrated at several points along the rift.
The Canyon is home to shoals of glassfish and sweepers, as well as lionfish which are definately worth looking out for. Heading north before turning for the shallows, scuba divers will see some beautiful coral formations and the waters of the Red Sea are teeming with life.
When you finish the Canyon Dive, whilst admiring the colours on show in the coral garden, keep your eyes open for the resident octopus!