"Saison sèche idéale, 22°C journée."
Expert on Dahab · 1 contributions
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Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Dahab is October to May. The most recommended months are Janvier, Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Août, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
Oct, Nov, Déc, Jan, Fév, Mar, Avr, Mai
Saison idéale — soleil et vent
- ✅Températures agréables entre 18 et 30 °C, climat sec et lumineux
- ✅Vents thermiques constants et fiables pour le kite et le windsurf à Masbat Bay
- ✅Conditions de plongée optimales (Blue Hole, Canyon, Lighthouse)
- ❌Nuits fraîches en décembre-janvier (10-15 °C), prévoir un pull
- ❌Mer un peu fraîche en janvier-février (21-22 °C), combinaison fine recommandée
Juin, Jui, Aoû, Sep
Été — chaleur sèche et vents forts
- ✅Mer chaude (27-29 °C), plongée sans combinaison
- ✅Vent maximal pour les kitesurfers et windsurfers
- ✅Tarifs en baisse, atmosphère détendue
- ❌Chaleur élevée (35-42 °C) mais sèche, supportable à l'ombre
- ❌UV très intense, hydratation constante nécessaire
- ❌Vent parfois trop fort pour les débutants en plongée
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Dahab across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 15° | 15° | 17° | 23° | 26° | 29° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 26° | 21° | 17° |
| Max | 22° | 22° | 25° | 30° | 34° | 37° | 38° | 38° | 37° | 33° | 28° | 24° |
| Mer | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pluie | 5mm | 11mm | 14mm | 1mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 3mm | 2mm |
| Soleil/j | 9.9h | 10h | 11h | 11.9h | 12.7h | 13h | 13.1h | 12.4h | 11.5h | 10.9h | 10.2h | 9.6h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
60
Fév
65
Mar
75
Avr
75
Mai
55
Jui
40
Jui
30
Aoû
35
Sep
55
Oct
75
Nov
75
Déc
70
Frequently asked questions
Dahab or Sharm el-Sheikh?+
Two very different destinations on the same coast. __Sharm el-Sheikh__ (90 km south): premium beach resort with 4-5 star all-inclusive resorts, nightlife, animation, groomed beaches, medium to high prices. __Dahab__: former Bedouin village with modest accommodation (3-star max), relaxed atmosphere, shore diving and windsurfing, very affordable prices. For honeymooners seeking luxury comfort: Sharm. For divers, sports enthusiasts, backpackers and solo travellers seeking authenticity: Dahab without hesitation. To combine both: 4-5 nights in Dahab then 2-3 nights in Sharm.
How many days for Dahab?+
Minimum 5-7 nights to fully enjoy. Dahab has a rhythm best savoured slowly: morning diving or snorkeling, lunch on the promenade, afternoon windsurfing at Masbat or relaxation, dinner barefoot facing the sea, evening chicha under the stars. For a complete diving course (PADI Open Water) or windsurfing: 7 nights minimum. To combine with Mount Sinai excursion: 6-8 nights. To combine Dahab + Sharm el-Sheikh: 8-10 nights total.
How do I get to Dahab?+
__The nearest airport is Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH)__, 90 km south. Count 1h-1h30 transfer by taxi (€60-80 negotiated) or by East Delta bus (3 departures/day, €5-10). Several hotels and diving schools organise airport transfers (€45-70 for 1-3 people). Sharm airport is served direct from London (5h), Paris (4h30), Brussels, Geneva, Amsterdam and many other European capitals. The free Sinai visa (15 days) is granted on arrival for those staying in south Sinai — Dahab qualifies.
Is the Blue Hole dangerous?+
For recreational divers respecting their depth limits (max 40 m PADI Advanced), the Blue Hole is a magnificent and safe site, accessible directly from shore. The 130 m depth is well beyond recreational level. The danger comes from the 'Arch', an underwater arch at 56 m depth that some poorly prepared technical or recreational divers attempt to cross — nitrogen narcosis, loss of bearings, panic: more than 200 divers have lost their lives there since the 1990s (a memorial is visible at the site entrance). Never dive beyond your certification level, strictly follow your instructor's instructions, and the experience will be one of the most beautiful of your life.
Which dive sites are essential at Dahab?+
Three major shore-accessible sites (no boat): (1) the __Blue Hole__ (natural circular shaft 130 m deep, recreational diving 30-40 m, magnificent between 0 and 30 m); (2) the __Canyon__ (spectacular underwater fault 20-30 m deep, cathedral atmosphere); (3) the __Lighthouse__ (coastal reef directly facing the village centre, ideal for beginners and night dives). By boat, add __Ras Abu Galum__ (Bedouin nature reserve 30 min north, also accessible on foot/camel) and __Gabr el-Bint__ (south). Non-divers can snorkel at the Blue Hole, Canyon, Lighthouse and most beaches.
Is Dahab good for learning to dive?+
Excellent. Dahab is one of the world's most renowned destinations for PADI/SSI/CMAS training, with very experienced centres (Dahab Divers Lodge, Penguin Divers, Reef 2000), shore-accessible sites (no boat for first dives), clear warm water, and very competitive prices. A complete PADI Open Water course (4 days, theory + 4 dives + certification) costs €280-380 in Dahab, against €400-500 in Europe or €350-500 in Sharm el-Sheikh. Advanced, Rescue, Divemaster levels are also offered.
What is Dahab's evening atmosphere?+
Very relaxed, unrelated to Naama Bay nightlife in Sharm. The Mashraba-Masbat coastal promenade comes alive from 6-7 pm: open-air restaurants with cushions, fresh juices, chichas (water pipes), small bars without loud music, sometimes beach bonfires. The atmosphere is that of a contemporary Bedouin village, mixed with an international community of divers and windsurfers who often stay for several weeks. Some bars offer live music or DJs, but the spirit remains very far from nightclubs. For partying, head to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Our verdict
Dahab is one of the Red Sea's worst-kept secrets. For those seeking the antithesis of the giant resorts of Sharm or Hurghada, it is a magical destination combining world-class diving, water sports, Bedouin atmosphere and very affordable rates. The Blue Hole and Canyon are among the world's most mythical dive sites, accessible directly from shore. The Masbat Lagoon is one of the most recommended kite and windsurf spots in the world for learning. And the bohemian atmosphere of the coastal promenade, where you dine barefoot facing the sea while watching the stars, is one of the great memories of any Egyptian trip. Come ideally between October and May, choose a small hotel or guesthouse facing the sea rather than an isolated resort, and give yourself at least 5-7 nights to really slow down.
