Top Tips for Dahab Visitors
For planning a holiday in Dahab, we have write some information & travel tips that other travellers have find to be very useful.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
Travelling to & around Egypt is safe, generally no more dangerous than travelling around Europe or even the UK. For the latest information from the British Embassy, click here. The road between Sharm el Sheikh & Dahab is well maintained & the local police have checkpoints along it as well as provide good roadside assistance. The Egyptian people are notoriously friendly, welcoming & will help anyone in need if they can.
Do I need a visa?
If you are planning to stay in Dahab for less than 2 weeks (14 nights max), simply write ‘Dahab only’ on your entry card that you are issued with during your flight. If you do plan to do some trips to anywhere outside of Dahab or in mainland Egypt whilst you are here, then you will require a full visitor visa. You can apply for this in advance using the online VISA Service or you can purchase one in person at the airport, before you go through passport control. The current cost of this is $25 per person, payable in cash, preferably in dollars.
N.B. all passports must have a minimum of 3 months validity on them.
Do I need vaccinations?
In general, you will not need any more vaccinations than are usually required for travelling abroad. The NHS provides a comprehensive guide to which vaccinations are relevant to travel to Egypt. If you have any health concerns, it is best to check with your GP before your holiday.
What’s the currency?
Egyptian pounds (LE) can be purchased before you come or via one of the many ATMs around Dahab. As the exchange rates vary, it is worth checking XE for the latest rates. Egypt is still mostly a cash society, and so local businesses might only accept cash. However increasing numbers of busineeses now accept VISA including us here at Dive Ugre. As you will have already paid for all of your booked holiday (see our Terms of Service) before you come, you should only need enough cash for local spending; restaurants, shopping & taxis etc.
Electricity
The electricity voltage is 220 v and 50 Hz which is compatible with most electronic devices from Europe. The power sockets take 2-pin rounded fittings, so you will need a 3 pin to 2 pin adapter. Adapters are available from any electronics store & at all airport departure terminals.
What’s the dress code?
If you travel to Cairo or any large cities in Egypt, please respect the local Muslim culture & wear appropriate clothing to avoid causing offence.
Unlike other parts of Egypt, Dahab is fairly relaxed with regards to more revealing clothing. Swimsuits & bikinis are fine on the beach, & shorts & tank tops are fine for walking around town. If you plan to visit Mount Sinai & the Monastery at St Catherine’s wear loose, long-sleeved, full length clothing (men can wear t-shirts but shorts must be at least knee-length) as it’s a religious center.
Can we buy alcohol?
The nearest off license is a three-minute walk from Dive Urge & we provide a fridge in your room, where you can keep your drinks cold. Please drink responsibly & respect the local culture, to avoid causing offence. Please remember that in Egypt, as with all Muslim countries, drinking is against their religion & is especially frowned upon during the holy month of Ramadan.
How much can we expect to pay for lunches and dinners?
There is an extensive choice of eateries in Dahab featuring various cuisines; ranging from traditional Egyptian, Asian, Russian, Indian, Vegan and many more, all within easy walking distance from Dive Urge. Our Food Urge/Beach Café restaurant has an extensive selection of meals, all freshly prepared. It’s impossible to accurately gauge how much or little you might spend per day but budget for around £15 – £20 (British Pounds) per person, per day for lunch and dinner.
Tipping:
Tipping / paying… everyone likes a tip don’t they? It shows that someone appreciated your service… but how much? The international standard is 10% of the bill
Extra charges:
Blue Hole National Park service do charge for entry to the Blue Hole area, currently the cost is $10 per person, payable directly to the officials on site.
Hotel FAQs
Are towels provided?
Yes, we provide both bath & beach towels (on request). Laundry service is only included in our ‘Direct Booking Reward’ accommodation package prices.
Is there Wi-Fi at Dive Urge?
Free Wi-Fi is available on site but we cannot guarantee it will work well in your room. The electricity voltage is 220 v & 50 Hz which is compatible with most electronic devices from Europe. The power sockets take 2-pin rounded fittings, so you will need a 3 pin to 2 pin adapter. Adapters are available from any electronics store & at all airport departure terminals.
Can I bring my pet?
For the comfort & safety of all our guests, we do not allow pets in our hotel. Dahab though is home to many friendly street cats & dogs. Lots of restaurants & dive site cafes around Dahab will have cats & dogs about, so if you have any severe allergies please be warned. Our resort has a couple of feline residents (Lady and Cheddar), usually found napping around the garden area.
Diving FAQs
Which wet suit should I bring?
The thickness of the wetsuit required, will depend on your body type & tolerance to temperature. Usually a 5mm shorty is sufficient for the hot season (June-October), & a 7mm all-over suit is fine for the cooler season (Dec-Feb). Please note that full dive equipment is provided for in all dive course prices, including a wet suit to fit you.
Diving Regulations
In order to dive you must:
PADI MEDICAL STATEMENT: Download the PADI medical statement which you will need to complete before commencing diving. If you have to answer ‘yes’ to any of the medical conditions listed, please ask your GP to make sure you are fit for diving & sign the medical statement for you.
PADI LIABILITY STATEMENT: You can also download the ‘statement of diving’ and ‘statement of liability’ here which you will be asked to sign before you start diving. Once you arrive to Dive Urge, you will be asked to sign the relevant PADI liability statements, which will be countersigned by your PADI Instructor before commencing diving.
Nervous?
Want to be a diver but nervous about being in the water? Don’t worry, we’ll provide all the hand-holding you require. Here at Dive Urge, we specialise in diving with nervous divers & those with special needs, so you are in very safe hands with our experienced instructors & Dive Urge Team. We want you to have the best experience possible when learning to dive with us so you can love scuba diving as much as we do!
How does e-learning work?
Who wants to do homework on holiday? No-one especially kids right? So why not get it all done online before you go.
The PADI E-Learning courses are an excellent way to learn, taking you step by step through the course, with helpful videos and online quizzes making it easy and fun to complete, on your own schedule. We’re a team of PADI Instructors and are always on hand to help with any questions or support you may need.
Your PADI membership is for life and means you have a permanent updated version of the course online, which negates the need for a manuals saving more trees.
Discount: We offer a £55 discount on your PADI e-Learning Course if you buy direct from us, as opposed to directly from PADI.
E-Learning is available for most PADI courses from Open Water, Advanced to Specialties, just ask us for more information.
Getting to Dahab
Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) is the closest airport to Dahab; also known as Ophira Airport. Flights to Sharm El Sheikh leave from multiple UK airports including London and Manchester. Check out flights with these companies: Easy Jet, TUI Fly and Egypt Air.
EgyptAir runs several flights a day to Sharm via Cairo
Alternative routes can be found with Turkish airlines or Pegasus airlines, via Istanbul.
Routes from Europe are regularly available.
The journey from Sharm el Sheikh Airport to Dahab takes approximately one hour, remember to look out the window at the amazing stars on the way. We can provide a private airport pick up upon request, or is included in your ‘Direct Booking Reward Package’
Where to find Dive Urge
Dahab is unique for its very relaxed and friendly small-town atmosphere; a mixed culture of Bedouins, Egyptians & ex-pats from all over the world make it unlike any other tourist spot in Egypt.
Our resort is perfectly located at the quiet end of the seafront beach path, but everything you need is a short walk away… 5 minutes’ walk to the main bay of Dahab where all the shops/restaurants are.
The village of Assalah is only 1 minutes’ walk from Dive Urge, with various shops; supermarkets, bakery, pharmacy, nature shops & local clothing shops too, as well as ATMS.
Weather
Dahab‘s warm waters & sunshine make it a year-round destination. Top temperatures in summer (June-August) can reach 40-45°C degrees but the sea breeze, keeps it from ever getting too hot plus the lack of humidity helps. It does get cooler in winter (Dec-Feb) 16-20°C, making it possible to enjoy a diving holiday for those prefering the cooler months.
Emergency / Medical Information
We have a hyperbaric chamber here in Dahab to deal with any diving incidents, we recommend you take out DAN insurance before your dive holiday.
We also have GPs who also provide house calls if necessary. Local medical facilities include 2 hospitals in Dahab with a brand new private hospital just been opened to a very high standard (Polyclinic,). Please check your travel insurance policy for details of your emergency medical cover.
Local dentist Dr. Nasser has a world-wide reputation & many folks book holidays to get their dental work done in Dahab.
Travel insurance companies which cover Dahab are…
Boutique Hotel
'Nothing was ever too much trouble to arrange, and I felt thoroughly spoilt by each and every one of them,from the chefs right down to the boys who ferried our dive gear around.' MAGGIE C.
Eco Commitment
'I loved and was so impressed with how eco-friendly they were, from providing free water for us to fill our water bottles with to offering a canvas bag to use for shopping so as to avoid using plastic bags. We also went diving and snorkeling which was beautiful. This place is a gem and worth a visit for sure!' JESSICA D.
