The Blue Hole
Dahab’s most famous sinkhole: stunning from the surface, legendary for freediving and diving, and safest when you keep it simple and stay within your training.
Early morning (7:00–9:00 AM) for fewer crowds and calmer conditions.
Often a protected-area ticket is collected on arrival (amount can change).
Quick answer (the calm version)
Yes, you can visit the Blue Hole safely — especially for surface snorkeling along the outer reef. The risk comes when people treat it like a challenge and go beyond their training (especially anything involving deep freediving or technical routes). Keep it simple, respect conditions, and it becomes one of the most beautiful “do-less” days you can have.
What it feels like
You step onto a pale reef table, the sun already warming the stone. The horizon is wide. The water is impossibly clear. A few meters out, the reef drops away into a deeper blue that doesn’t give you depth cues — it just keeps getting darker. This is why the Blue Hole is famous: It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. It’s just… very, very blue.
What the Blue Hole actually is (and why people talk about “the Arch”)
The Blue Hole is a sinkhole in the reef with a shallow connection to the open sea often referred to as the saddle (used by many recreational dives/snorkel routes), and deeper features that are not for casual visitors. Important clarity: Most visitors enjoy it from the surface or within recreational limits. The infamous deep “Arch” stories are about technical/freediving depth territory — not casual snorkeling. If you’re not trained for deep freediving or technical diving, the best Blue Hole experience is: snorkel the outer reef + float + watch the light move.
How to get there (simple)
The Blue Hole is a short drive north of Dahab (many people go by taxi/jeep or with a dive center transfer). Ask your driver to wait (or agree pickup time) if you’re not joining a group. Arrive early if you want quiet. Pair it with: a relaxed stop at a nearby coastline stop, a light lunch, then back to Dahab before the day gets busy.
The easiest, safest way to enjoy it: snorkeling
Think of the Blue Hole as two vibes: 1) The outer reef (alive, colorful, friendly for snorkeling when conditions are good) 2) The deep blue center (beautiful to look at — not something you “need to cross”)
Important
- Buddy system (always).
- Don’t snorkel if the sea is rough or you’re not confident.
- Don’t step on coral or stand on living reef.
- Don’t touch marine life — even “just for a second.”
Scuba here is iconic — but only within your training
If you’re diving: Go with a reputable center and follow the briefing. Don’t let the site’s reputation push you into deeper profiles than you’re certified for.
Local Tip
Nearby, divers often mention “The Bells” — a narrow chimney-like entry that leads deeper before exiting onto a wall route (this is a diving-specific approach, not a snorkeling route). If you don’t know exactly what that means: You don’t need it. Your best day is still the reef + the sunlight.
What you might see
Dense coral gardens on the outer reef, schools of colorful reef fish, the occasional larger visitor out in the blue, and light beams and shadow lines that make everything feel cinematic.
Respect the Vibe
"This place is beautiful because it’s still alive. Do: Use reef-safe sunscreen or cover up with a rashguard, keep fins away from coral, take your trash back (even the small stuff). Don’t: Walk on living reef, touch coral, fish, or turtles, treat the site like a “challenge”."
Important
Going on a windy/rough day and forcing it, drifting too far from the reef edge while snorkeling, overestimating stamina (the sea looks calm… until it isn’t), and confusing “famous” with “must push limits”.
Planning a trip to Dahab? Let us handle the logistics so you can relax.
Last Reviewed: 2026-02-02
Questions about The Blue Hole
Is the Blue Hole safe for snorkeling?↓
Do I need a guide?↓
What’s the “Arch” everyone talks about?↓
How long should I stay?↓
What should I wear?↓
Can kids snorkel here?↓
Is it crowded?↓
Can I combine it with another stop?↓
Keep Exploring
On this page
- Quick answer (the calm version)
- What it feels like
- What the Blue Hole actually is (and why people talk about “the Arch”)
- How to get there (simple)
- The easiest, safest way to enjoy it: snorkeling
- Snorkeling safety rules
- Scuba here is iconic — but only within your training
- The “Bells” entry
- What you might see
- Respect the reef
- Common mistakes people make here
- If you want it guided
- Common Questions