Dahab Day Trip from Sharm El Sheikh: Canyon, Camel, Snorkel and Town

Dahab sits on the Gulf of Aqaba north of Sharm El Sheikh, and it feels like a different world: no big resorts, a seafront lined with low-key cafés, and a relaxed, bohemian pace. The name means "gold" in Arabic. You can see it in one long day from Sharm, and our Colored Canyon and Dahab day trip packs in the best of the area: a canyon walk, a camel ride along the coast, snorkeling, a quad ride, lunch and free time in town, for €25 with hotel pickup.

The day at a glance

• •Price: €25 per adult.
• •Duration: about 9 hours: pickup around 7:40, back at your hotel around 18:00.
• •Included: hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional guide, the Colored Canyon entrance and guided walk, the camel ride, snorkeling at the 3 Pools lagoon, a quad ride, lunch at a restaurant in Dahab, time in Dahab and all taxes.
• •Not included: drinks, snorkeling equipment, a professional photo shoot and personal spending.

Hour by hour

7:40 – Hotel pickup. The exact time depends on where your hotel is in Sharm El Sheikh. The drive north takes you through the granite mountains of South Sinai.

9:00 – The Colored Canyon. The highlight for many people. You walk with your guide through narrow gorges where the sandstone walls are striped red, orange, yellow and purple. In places the passages narrow so much that you turn sideways, and there are a few steps and rocks to climb over. Go early in the morning and the light on the walls is at its best.

11:00 – Camel ride along the coast. A slow ride beside the Red Sea, with the mountains on one side and the water on the other. A handler leads the camel, so no experience is needed. Our camel riding guide has tips on getting on and off.

12:00 – Snorkeling at the 3 Pools lagoon. Time to cool off. The lagoon is a well-known snorkeling spot near Dahab with coral reefs and plenty of colourful fish.

13:30 – Lunch in Dahab. Lunch at a restaurant in town is included; drinks are extra.

14:30 – Quad ride. A quad bike ride through the wadis and mountains around Dahab. It's a short burst of adrenaline after lunch, and you'll get a safety briefing first.

16:00 – Free time in Dahab. Stroll along the famous seafront promenade, browse the shops, or sit in a café with your feet almost in the water before the drive back.

18:00 – Back at your hotel.

Snorkeling equipment

Snorkeling equipment isn't included, but you can rent it at the lagoon: a mask for €2, fins for €3, a life jacket for €3–4 and a thermal suit for €5, or the full kit for €10. A life jacket is mandatory, even for strong swimmers. If you have your own mask and fins, bring them.

What to bring

• •Comfortable walking shoes with grip for the canyon. Flip-flops won't do.
• •Swimwear and a towel for the lagoon; wearing your swimwear under your clothes saves time.
• •Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat or scarf. The canyon walls give some shade, the coast doesn't.
• •Light clothing, plus a warm layer from November to March for the drive home.
• •Cash for drinks, snorkeling equipment and anything you'd like to buy in Dahab.
• •A camera. The canyon walls are some of the most photographed rocks in Sinai.

Who is it for?

The day suits anyone who's reasonably fit and happy with a long day out. The canyon walk involves some scrambling and squeezing through narrow sections, so it's not ideal for people with mobility problems or very young children. Teenagers usually love it. Because of the heat, the day is most comfortable from October to April; in summer, drink plenty of water. Our guide to Sharm El Sheikh in winter explains why the cooler months are the best time for long trips.

Do I need a visa for Dahab?

Dahab is one of the South Sinai resorts usually covered by the free Sinai-only entry stamp, so the trip is normally fine on it. Our visa guide explains the details.

What this trip doesn't include

Dahab is also famous for the Blue Hole, a deep dive site, and for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Those aren't part of this day trip, and we don't sell them. If snorkeling is your main interest, a full day at sea with three snorkeling stops on the Tiran Island trip or the Ras Mohammed boat trip gives you more time in the water. Our snorkeling guide compares them.

If you'd like more detail on the canyon itself, see our Colored Canyon page.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a Dahab day trip from Sharm El Sheikh?

Our Colored Canyon and Dahab day trip costs €25 per adult, including hotel pickup, a guide, the canyon walk, a camel ride, snorkeling, a quad ride and lunch in Dahab. Drinks and snorkeling equipment are extra.

How long is the day trip to Dahab?

About 9 hours. Pickup is around 7:40 (depending on your hotel) and you're back at your hotel around 18:00.

Is the Colored Canyon walk difficult?

It's an easy-to-moderate walk with narrow passages, a few steps and some rocks to climb over. Wear shoes with good grip. It isn't suitable for people with mobility problems.

Does the trip include the Blue Hole?

No. The trip includes snorkeling at the 3 Pools lagoon near Dahab, not the Blue Hole.