The Blue Hole sits on the coast just north of Dahab, about 90 minutes from Sharm El Sheikh by car. It's a submarine sinkhole roughly 100 metres across and over 100 metres deep, formed where a section of the reef collapsed into a void below. The hole gives the water a uniform deep-navy colour that contrasts sharply with the turquoise reef shallows around it. You can see the boundary clearly from the shore.
What snorkeling here is actually like
Don't be intimidated by the Blue Hole's deep-diving reputation. The famous diving fatalities here were technical divers attempting the Arch at 56 metres. For snorkelers staying on the surface, the Blue Hole is one of the calmest, easiest reef experiences in Egypt: shore entry from a sandy beach, no boat needed, and a healthy fringing reef around the rim that you swim above. The contrast of swimming over the rim and suddenly being above pure blackness is unforgettable but completely safe.
Blue Hole & Dahab Day Trip
The legendary Blue Hole, Bedouin lunch in Assalah and free time in Dahab village.
From $45The trip: more than just the Blue Hole
A Blue Hole day from Sharm is really a Dahab day. The trip leaves Sharm around 7 AM, drives north through the desert to the Blue Hole, gives you two to three snorkel sessions there, a Bedouin lunch at one of the seaside camps that line the coast, then drops you in Dahab village for an hour of walking the old market and seafront before heading back. Most operators include a stop at the Canyon dive site as well, which has another small lagoon you can snorkel above.
What to bring
- Long-sleeve rashguard. You'll be in and out of the water several times in strong sun.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. Same rule everywhere on the Red Sea.
- Underwater camera. The colour contrast of the rim is the photo of the trip.
- A small amount of cash for tea or extras at the Bedouin camp.
- Light clothing for the Dahab village stop, this is a more traditional area.
Should you do it?
If you're staying in Sharm for more than three days and you've already done Ras Mohamed and Tiran, the Blue Hole is the third snorkel day worth taking. It's a different vibe: less reef, more landscape, a desert drive, a Bedouin lunch, an iconic spot you'll have heard of before. If you only have a short trip, prioritise Ras Mohamed.
