Learn how to get to the Dahab Blue Lagoon and the beautiful Ras Abu Galoum & what to expect via a day-trip option or camping overnight.
Whether you’re visiting the Dahab for kite surfing or just to explore this amazing part of Egypt’s South Sinai, you have to make a trip out to the Blue Lagoon!
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to visit the Blue Lagoon from Dahab, including a visit to the beautiful Ras Abu Galoum.
About the Dahab Blue Lagoon
While often overshadowed by the much more popular Blue Hole, a visit to the Blue Lagoon is still easily one of the best things to do in Dahab!
- This lagoon is a large sheltered natural pond of calm, crystal-clear water. You'll find it sheltered by a low, arching stretch of sand and rock, protecting it from the wild sea of the Gulf of Aqaba.
- Along its shores, you'll find small local restaurants and many small huts owned by the local Bedouins of Dahab and the surrounding Sinai Peninsula.
- This is a perfect place to spend the day relaxing, swimming, or exploring the surrounding area.
Also, due to its natural beauty, calm ambiance, and steady waters, the Blue Lagoon is a kitesurfing paradise. I didn't visit for kitesurfing but it was awesome to watch the pros from the shore!
How to Get to the Blue Lagoon from Dahab
The Blue Lagoon is located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the town of Dahab in the South Sinai Governate.
This is the furthest attraction north of Dahab. Continue and you won't find more than a vast desert dropping into the wild oceans of the Aqaba Gulf.
Furthermore, there are no roads here, meaning it requires a bit of an adventure to reach. To make it easy for you, I've included the two best options for getting here below, which involve booking an organized tour or doing it independently as we did via a speed boat from Dahab, followed by a pickup truck ride on the beach to the lagoon.
Option 1: Organized Blue Hole & Blue Lagoon Tour from Dahab
By far, the easiest and most convenient way to get to the Blue Lagoon from Dahab is to join in on a group tour.
This takes all of the hassles out of bartering and trying to organize your boat, camel, taxi, and pickup truck required to reach the Blue Lagoon. Furthermore, you'll get to visit all three iconic sites north of Dahab in one day, with all the fees included.
Book: Full-Day Tour from Dahab (Blue Lagoon, Blue Hole, & Abu Galoum)
Note: For travelers from Sharm el-Sheikh, there are currently no day-trip tours I could find going to the Blue Lagoon. However, it is possible to book a Blue hole tour from Sharm quite cheaply.
Option 2: Speed Boat From Dahab & Taxi/Camel to Blue Lagoon
If you want to spend a night or two at the Blue Lagoon camp, then the better option is to get here independently. However, this does take some know-how and will require a bit of bartering on your part.
Here are the steps:
- Taxi to the Blue Hole - hail one from the street. These are usually old pickups or jeeps. Look for orange number plates, which is the designation for taxis in Egypt. The journey takes roughly 15 minutes and costs 80-100 EGP. Once you arrive, you have to pay the USD 10 fee per person to enter the Blue Hole area.
- Hike, camel ride, or speedboat to Abu Galoum - We chose to spend time at the Blue Hole on the way back and continued directly to Abu Galoum. You can pay a speed boat driver (water taxi) or a guide to take you there by camel. We took the speed boat option, which was one of the craziest boat rides of my life due to seriously choppy seas (we hiked back). We paid 200 EGP for a group of five.
- Pickup truck to Blue Lagoon - from Abu Galoum, some locals will drive you to the Blue Lagoon (10 minutes away). We paid 100 EGP for the group.
- Return - Repeat the process to get back to Dahab. You won't struggle to find a boat or a pickup truck from either end. Alternatively, I highly recommend hiking the coastal track between Abu Galoum to the Blue Hole.
Backpacker tip: If you're a backpacker, make sure to stay at the epic "My Hostel in Dahab". This is the number 1 hostel in the area and my good friend Medhat will organize the transport for you very cheaply!
My Experience Exploring the Blue Lagoon & Ras Abu Galoum
Now that you know how to get here, here's what you can expect at the amazing Dahab Blue Lagoon and the Ras Abu Galoum snorkeling and diving spot!
While in Dahab: Don't miss the opportunity to hike to the summit of the holy mountain! Read my guide on how to climb Mount Sinai in Egypt for more information.
Snorkeling at Ras Abu Galoum
The first stop is the epic Abu Galoum! This is a beautiful sheltered cove that is perfect for snorkeling and diving.
The edges of the desert shores are lined with healthy coral reefs, with crystal clear waters!
Along the shores, you'll also find some small local restaurants and huts. Some people decide to camp here rather than at the Blue Hole, as there are also many small huts and tents along the waterfront.
Kitesurfing
While the Blue Lagoon doesn't offer the same amazing snorkeling, it is easily one of the best places in Dahab for kite surfing! Many of the pros come here, and we spent a good hour chilling at one of the small Bedouin restaurants watching them shred!
The Blue Lagoon is also a great spot for swimming. The water is a crystal clear shade of turquoise and offers the perfect opportunity to cool down from the blistering Sinai Desert sun.
We were also approached by some local Bedouin kids who sold us some colorful bracelets.
Tip: If you're visiting this part of Egypt, it's a good idea to spend some change here and there. These people have very little and it's amazing how much a few dollars can do for them.
Short Mountain Hike to A Very Hot Viewpoint
While there aren't any marked hiking trails at the Blue Lagoon, we decided to try to climb the rocky scree mountains behind the lagoon to get a better view.
From the top, we were granted with some awesome views of the lagoon, offering an awesome photo opportunity contrasting the calm lagoon waters against the wild and choppy seas beyond.
We even spotted some wild camels on the way!
Camping at the Blue Lagoon
One of the main reasons why visitors make it out to Abu Galoum and the Blue Lagoon is to spend a night or two here.
In this remote part of Egypt, there is no internet, no busy roads, or chaotic foot traffic. It's the perfect place to unwind, unplug, and just enjoy the present moment.
There's no need to organize accommodation in advance since there are plenty of huts at both sites that you can stay in for as cheap as 150-200 EGYP per night. However, you'll need to barter.
Tip: While I haven't stayed here, I've been told that the night sky is incredibly clear. There is no light pollution for miles, resulting in incredible stargazing and astrophotography opportunities.
Blue Lagoon Packing List
Here are some things you'll want to bring with you.
- Water and snacks - you can save a bit of money since bottled water at the lagoon is a bit pricey
- Swimmers - a no-brainer
- Snorkel set - if you plan to do some snorkeling at Abu Galoum. Alternatively, you can rent some from the locals cheaply
- Travel towel - an essential for any trip
- Camera/GoPro - also an essential for this trip
- Cash - no ATMs or credit card facilities out here!
- Sturdy shoes - if you want to hike back to the Blue Hole
Abu Galoum to the Blue Hole Coastal Hike
If you have the time, I highly recommend taking the coastal hike back from Abu Galoum to the Blue Hole. This is what we did and it meant we didn't have to pay the entrance fee via the military gates :P.
This is a 5.5-kilometer (3.4-mile) walk that is very scenic. The track is mostly flat and follows a route wedged between soaring desert mountains and the beautiful coral reef of the Gulf of Aqaba.
View the track: My Strava
Once you return to the Blue Hole, make sure to take some time to snorkel here as well. This is one of the world's most infamous dive sites and the most famous attraction in Dahab.
Tip: Go have lunch or a Turkish Coffee at the Camel Restaurant overlooking the Blue Hole. While there are many restaurants along this waterfront, I was blown away by the kind hospitality of the man who owned this place! He even let us use some fins and held our bags for us while we snorkeled in the Blue Hole.
Where to Stay in Dahab
Looking for a great place to base yourself before visiting the lagoon? Below are current favorite options for every budget.
1. Swiss Inn Resort Dahab Luxury
The best luxury resort in Dahab offers its guests a gym facility, a private beach, a children's play area, multiple pools, restaurants, a shuttle service, and its very own dive center.
2. Jaz Dahabeya Mid-Range
Overlooking the Red Sea and Sinai Mountains this 4-star resort offers its own reviving and reinvigorating treatments in its spa facility, pool, children's play area, and gym. Breakfast and dinner are included.
3. My Hostel Budget
My favorite hostel in Egypt– and I've stayed in a lot! Complete with a roof-top terrace and chill co- work area. Fun vibe and the owner Medhat also arranging tours and diving for you at the best price in Dahab.
I hope you've found this quick guide to visiting the Blue Lagoon in Dahab useful. While you're here, make sure to check out some of my other detailed guides and blog posts on Egypt.
- 10-Day Egypt Itinerary - my recommended itinerary to explore Egypt the right way
- Landmarks in Egypt - the most comprehensive guide to Egypt's top natural & historical landmarks
- Things to do in Dahab - get off the beaten path on the Sinai Peninsula with this travel guide
- Things to do in Sharm el Sheikh - discover what to do at Egypt's scuba diving and resort town capital of Egypt’s Red Sea region.
- Aswan Travel Guide - find the unmissable sites & top attractions in Aswan
Plan Your Egypt Accommodation
Still in the planning stages of your trip? Perhaps you're booking on the fly. The below accommodation guides will help you plan where to stay in Egypt.
Yousef
Sunday 9th of July 2023
Nice article.