Dahab Paradise

Activities

• Diving is the Number One draw in Dahab and dive companies line the main promenade competing for your business. Boat trips can be arranged on request and can be expensive so do in a group; bear in mind most diving in Dahab is from the shore. The hotel works in conjunction with one of the schools, which has an office here, but if you book elsewhere they’ll come to pick you up, so feel free to shop around. If you want to take a PADI, it’ll take 3-4 days with five dives included.
  
  
• Snorkelling – nearly as popular as diving and it costs a lot less. If you want to take a dip, hire equipment at attractive prices from the hotel, then disappear into the sea for the afternoon - calm conditions are best if you're snorkelling locally, the hotel can recommend alternative places if it is windy.
  
  
• Windsurfing is good in the ‘Laguna’ (a sandy beach with shallow waters) which has several local operators for kite- and windsurfing tuition and equipment hire. Dahab Paradise can arrange a taxi for you.
  
  
• Mount Sinai and St Catherine’s Monastery are both popular excursions. According to Egyptian law, everyone should have a local guide when going into the desert or mountains (Mt. Sinai, Ras Abu Galom etc). If you want to see sunrise from Mount Sinai, buses leave at 10pm. It’s a two-hour drive up to the monastery, then a four-hour night climb to the summit by torch- or moonlight.
  
  
• The desert for trekking, camel safaris and 4WD trips. You can even camp overnight in tents on the beach at Ras Abu Galom, riding in on camels.
  
  
• Day trips to Petra in Jordan are possible, an ancient city cut from red stone. It’s a long day, involving buses and ferries, and is a little pricey; better to plan a night or two there.
  
  
• Chill in town. Collapse on cushions in one of the seaside cafés - you'll find plenty of people to socialise with, and swop or plan excursions together if you want.
  
  
• A massage can be arranged in your room; if you're bent on getting your yoga fix, there are drop in-classes at 2 different hotels in the Eelgarden area (5 minutes by car, 20 minutes walk), as well as private classes in the Bedouin tent on site on request.