Snorkeling in Blue Hole

Visiting the Blue Hole Dahab is a bucket list adventure for most underwater explorers. At this unique snorkeling, freediving, and diving spot, you can experience swimming in a 120 m (394 ft) deep underwater sinkhole and observe the rich marine life it has to offer.

When we arrived at the Blue Hole, we instantly fell in love with the view and the atmosphere. Well, it is impossible not to get excited when you are at one of the world’s most famous dive sites and a training mecca for freedivers. If you plan to go snorkeling at Blue Hole Dahab, we give you as much information as possible in this guide to make the most of your visit.

Blue Hole Dahab Snorkeling Overview

The Blue Hole is one of the most iconic snorkeling places in Egypt
It can be found in Dahab, in the Sinai Peninsula
It is a 120 m (394 ft) deep underwater sinkhole with a shallow reef at its outer ring
Although it is one of the world’s most dangerous dive sites, it is completely safe for snorkelers
You can see a good diversity of coral and a wide range of reef fish
The hole can be visited individually or by joining an organized tour
There is a ~10 USD entry fee
You find diving centers, cafes, restaurants, and public toilets on the site

Snorkeling The Blue Hole in Dahab Egypt – What To Expect?

The Blue Hole is the most popular snorkeling spot in Dahab. According to a local legend, the hole was cursed by the ghost of a girl who drowned herself there to escape from an arranged marriage. This is, of course, just a story, as the hole was formed through erosion, but it still makes it a mystical place and a must-visit when you are in the area!

Unfortunately, the inner ring of the hole is completely dead, so you won’t find any corals on it. You need to swim to the outer ring to see the amazing coral garden. There is a shallow opening section, which is called “the saddle”. The reef here is very lively, full of vibrant corals and fish. You find here schools of sea goldies, bannerfish, anemonefish, wrasses, and groupers.

swimming over corals at the Blue Hole — Adam swimming over the reef

Snorkeling around the Blue Hole Egypt is safe, the sea is usually calm without strong currents. But note that the hole is more than 100 meters deep; you won’t see the bottom if you swim in the middle. If you are scared of such depths, don’t swim in the middle; follow the ring on the sides.

corals at the saddle - Blue Hole - Dahab — Beautiful Corals

How To Access The Blue Hole Dahab Snorkeling Spot?

The Blue Hole has four entry/exit points. Three are directly at the hole (a wooden jetty and a walk-in path from the shore), and one is at the nearby Bells dive site. This spot is about 200 meters north of the hole, a small crack in the reef table that makes the perfect entry point for snorkelers!

snorkeling map Blue Hole - Dahab — Entry / Exit point and the snorkeling area

Why do we recommend starting your Blue Hole snorkeling at the Bells? Because the current runs from north to south, so it will take you down towards the hole. After getting into the water, turn right and swim along the fantastic wall loaded with coral overhangs and surrounded by a variety of Red Sea fish.

Bells Dahab entry point — Bells Access Point

When you reach the hole, you can look around the Saddle, then swim through the hole and leave the water through the jetty or walk out through the shore.

Where Is The Blue Hole in Egypt?

This iconic snorkeling site can be found outside in the small fishing village of Dahab, a few kilometers north of the city center. It is easily accessible by car or by boat. If you stay at one of the nearby hotels like the Tropitel Dahab, you can reach it within 30-40 mins by walking along the shore.

Blue Hole Dahab dive site — The Blue Hole Dive Site

Can You Go To The Blue Hole In Egypt On Your Own?

You don’t need to join an organized tour to visit the Blue Hole. You can take a taxi or walk along the shore if you stay at a nearby North Dahab resort. However, since entry permits and fees were introduced, coming to the Blue Hole on your own is not necessarily a better option; joining an organized tour can save you the hassle of getting the permit and also time as they organize your transfer.

Road to Blue Hole - Egypt — Sign on the road to the Blue Hole in Egypt

Is Visiting The Blue Hole Free?

Visiting the Blue Hole used to be free, but as of 2019, all vehicles entering the reserve area need a permit from the Egyptian army. It costs approx 10 USD per vehicle and is valid for one day. The permit can be arranged in Dahab; taxi drivers know this, so they will take you to the permit office before heading to the hole.

On top of this, you will also need to pay an entrance fee of 10 USD on the site. This fee applies per person.

Blue Hole Dahab Snorkeling Tours

Snorkeling trips to the Blue Hole can be booked locally and online in advance, both from Dahab and the nearby Sharm el Sheik. Usually, each hotel has a tour desk and a dive center where you can book excursions.

Should you prefer to do it online, we recommend these options:

Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour From Dahab: full-day trip starting from and returning to Dahab. Lunch is included.

Blue Hole and Abu Galum Tour: this excursion includes visiting the hole and another fantastic snorkeling location, the Ras Abu Galum Reserve.

Multi-stop Dahab Snorkel Trip from Sharm el Sheikh: an exciting full-day trip with snorkeling at the Blue Hole and the Three Pools site. This excursion also includes a visit to the town center.

Is It Dangerous To Snorkel In The Blue Hole Dahab?

A frequently asked question is if visiting the Blue Hole is dangerous. Well, it depends. The Blue Hole in Dahab is one of the most dangerous diving spots in the world. It is often referred to as divers’ cemetery because many fatal accidents have happened here.

The latest one involved a freediver, Stephen Keenan. He was the coach and safety diver of the Italian world record holder, Alessia Zecchini, when she attempted to swim through the Arch. You can learn more about the story by watching The Deepest Breath documentary.

freediving training in Dahab - Blue Hole — Freediving training

Diving/freediving accidents used to happen primarily because of a lack of preparation and training, ignoring individual conditions, and exceeding depth limits. To avoid diving fatalities, strict diving regulations apply here; freedivers and divers need special certifications.

Snorkeling at the Blue Hole is not dangerous. We don’t recommend this experience for non-swimmers or first-time snorkelers, but for recreational snorkelers, it is as safe as other spots if you follow basic snorkeling safety guidelines. If you feel discomfort when swimming in deeper water, consider wearing an inflatable snorkel vest! Know your limits, be fit, respect the sea, and enjoy the abundance of corals and reef fish you can see here!

How Deep Is The Blue Hole Dahab?

The total depth of the hole is 120 m (394 feet), with a shallow opening at 6 m. This part of the hole is called the Saddle, and it is the main snorkeling area. A 26 m long tunnel opens out to the open sea at 56 m (184 feet) called “Arch”. It is accessible only to freedivers and divers.

Are There More Blue Holes In The World?

Blue holes are found all over the world on shallow carbonate platforms. They formed through erosion during past ice ages when sea level was 100-120 meters (330-390 feet) lower than now.

The deepest blue hole in the world is the Dragon Hole in the South China Sea. It is 300.89 meters (987 feet) deep. The 2nd deepest is Dean’s Blue Hole (Bahamas), with an underwater entrance at 202 meters (663 ft).

There are many famous Blue Holes around the world, like The Blue Hole Gozo, Great Blue Hole Belize, and Watling’s Blue Hole San Salvador, but the Dahab Blue Hole offers the best snorkeling experience.

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