Blue Hole

What is the Blue Hole?

It is a near-circular hole in the fringing reef, about 50–60 metres across, that drops more than 100 metres, separated from the open sea by a shallow saddle on one side and a deep archway far below. From the cliff the change from turquoise reef top to inky blue is startling, and the reef wall is covered in hard and soft corals, with butterflyfish, anthias and occasional turtles.

A row of cafes with cushions and shaded seating lines the shore, and the site sits at the southern edge of the protected coast that continues to Ras Abu Galum. Our Dahab guide covers the town and its other reefs.

Snorkelling the Blue Hole

Snorkelling is the best way for most people to enjoy the Blue Hole: you enter from the shore and swim around the inside rim, with the wall dropping away beneath you. The best coral is along the edges, a metre or two below the surface.

• Use the marked entry points; never walk across the reef top.
• Stay near the edge, where the coral and fish are. The middle is just deep blue.
• Avoid swimming out over the saddle to the open sea unless you are with a guide; currents can pull along the outer wall.
• Rent masks and fins at the cafes, or bring your own; a rash vest helps against sunburn.

Mornings tend to be calmer and less crowded than early afternoon, when day trips from Sharm arrive. See our snorkelling in the Red Sea guide for other Sinai spots.

Diving the Bells and the Blue Hole

The classic dive starts at the Bells, a narrow chimney a few hundred metres south, and follows the wall to the Blue Hole's saddle, staying within recreational limits. You drop through the Bells' opening from the reef top to about 25–30 metres, swim north along a wall of sea fans and soft corals, then rise to cross the saddle at about 6–7 metres into the Blue Hole.

Newly certified divers can do a simpler dive on the saddle and inner wall. Most dive centres require Advanced Open Water or equivalent for the Bells. The Blue Hole is also a training ground for Dahab's large freediving community, using lines suspended in the middle. Our scuba diving in Egypt guide covers choosing a dive centre.

Why is the Arch so dangerous?

The Arch is a tunnel through the reef starting at about 55 metres, well below the 40-metre limit for recreational diving, and many divers have died trying to swim through it on air. At that depth nitrogen narcosis clouds judgement, the passage is longer than it looks, and the bright blue at the far end makes it hard to judge distance. Divers can also run out of air or be carried down by currents.

The Arch should be attempted only by trained technical divers using appropriate gas mixes and equipment. If someone offers to guide you through it on a normal dive, decline.

The memorial plaques

On the cliff by the roadside, plaques commemorate divers who lost their lives at the Blue Hole, a sobering reminder before you enter the water. They record people from many countries, often young and experienced divers. Visitors are asked to treat the area respectfully and avoid using it as a photo backdrop.

Freediving at the Blue Hole

Dahab is one of the world's best-known freediving centres, and the Blue Hole is its training ground: deep water a few strokes from shore, no boat needed and usually calm conditions inside the rim. Freedivers train on weighted lines dropped from buoys in the middle, and international competitions have been held here.

Several schools in Dahab run beginner courses over two to four days, mixing pool or shallow sessions with line dives at the Blue Hole. Never freedive alone: shallow-water blackout gives no warning, and buddy supervision is the core safety rule. If you only want a taste, a one-day "try freediving" session is a good add-on to a snorkelling holiday.

Getting there and practical tips

The Blue Hole is about 15–20 minutes by car from central Dahab, or about 1.5–2 hours from Sharm el-Sheikh. Dive centres include transport; otherwise take a taxi and agree a return time.

• Bring reef shoes, water and cash for cafe lunches and gear hire.
• Carry your passport for the checkpoint on the coast road.
• Dive with a reputable centre and make sure your travel insurance covers your diving depth.
• Travel advice for Sinai can change; check Smartraveller or SafeTravel.