Is Dahab Safe in January 2026?

Taxis and shared minibuses (service taxis) between Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh Airport, and Cairo quote foreign tourists flat rates significantly above the standard local fare. The run from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport should cost approximately 200-300 EGP by shared taxi but is frequently quoted at 400-600 EGP or higher to foreign visitors.

How to avoid: Ask your guesthouse or dive centre for the current going rate to your destination before hailing any transport. Negotiate in Egyptian pounds rather than accepting a dollar or euro rate. Shared service taxis to Sharm cost significantly less than private hire — ask your accommodation to arrange one.

Camel trek operators in Dahab and in the Sinai desert access areas routinely quote prices for half-day and full-day treks that are then renegotiated mid-journey, either by the guide claiming the initial price was a misunderstanding or by adding charges for water, food, and additional stops that were implied to be included. Refusing to pay in a remote location creates a safety risk.

How to avoid: Agree every detail of the trek in writing before departing — duration, route, what is included for food and water, and the final total price. Pay only a small deposit before departure and the remainder on return. Use operators recommended by established Dahab hotels with documented pricing.

The Blue Hole at Dahab is one of the most dangerous recreational dive sites in the world due to its extreme depth and the presence of the Arch at 56 metres. Unlicensed guides and instructors offer dives to the Arch at prices below certified operators, lacking the technical diving certification required for this profile and inadequate emergency equipment. Multiple fatalities at this site have involved poorly supervised or uncertified divers.

How to avoid: Only dive the Blue Hole with operators holding PADI or SSI technical diving certification and guides with Trimix or Tec Rec certification for the Arch profile. Recreational divers should not attempt the Arch under any circumstances regardless of guide reassurances. Verify certification at the dive centre before paying any deposit.

Tourist-facing restaurants on the Dahab waterfront Mashraba strip use menus without prices or with prices significantly lower than the final bill. Bills include service charges, cover charges, and charges for bread and salads placed on the table without being ordered. Currency confusion between Egyptian pounds and US dollars is used to inflate bills significantly.

How to avoid: Always confirm prices in Egyptian pounds before ordering. Ask for an itemised receipt. Confirm whether bread or any item placed on the table carries a charge. Restaurants one street back from the waterfront tend to be priced more transparently.

The overnight bus service between Dahab and Cairo has documented theft from passenger luggage during the journey. Items stored in overhead compartments or in luggage holds are accessed while passengers sleep. Valuables in bags stored away from the passenger have been taken on multiple reported occasions.

How to avoid: Keep valuables including passport, phone, and wallet in a bag between your body and the seat rather than in overhead storage. Use a luggage lock on bags placed in the hold. Sit facing your stored luggage where possible. Consider taking a daytime bus service if you are carrying significant valuables.