Blue Hole and Dahab City from Sharm El Sheikh

The main draw here is the change of scenery. You leave the resort strip of Sharm El Sheikh for desert roads, Bedouin country, Dahab, and the coral-filled waters of Blue Hole. Along the way, you get tea in a Bedouin tent, a canyon stop, a camel ride, and lunch by the beach.

I like the mix of land and sea activities, especially the short camel ride to the snorkeling area. I also like the human touch from guides such as Saeed and Mohammed, who are praised for patience, safety, language skills, and helpful explanations. The catch is the price: $15 is very low, but the Blue Hole entrance fee, camel ride, lunch, and drinks are not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Hole snorkeling: See coral and fish in one of the Sinai coast’s best-known snorkeling areas.
• A 20-minute camel ride: Ride from the beach toward Blue Hole, with desert scenery along the route.
• Bedouin tea and lunch: Tea is included, while the Bedouin lunch is an extra cost served in a beach tent.
• Dahab Canyon: The tour includes a canyon visit, adding rocky desert scenery to the sea time.
• A full 10-hour day: Pickup begins around 8 a.m., with roughly three hours of driving in total.
• Large possible group: The maximum group size is 45, so this is not a small, private outing.

From Sharm El Sheikh into the Sinai desert

Pickup is scheduled for 8 a.m. from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle for the round trip to Dahab, with the drive taking about an hour and a half each way.

That travel time matters. This is not a quick beach outing with a short transfer. You spend a good part of the day on the road, but the journey takes you away from the hotel zone and into a very different part of the Sinai Peninsula.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is important in the desert. Still, one practical note should not be ignored: the transport has been described as somewhat uncomfortable over the long distance. The driver is praised for handling the road well, but you should expect a basic excursion vehicle rather than a luxurious coach.

The maximum group size is 45 people. That can help keep the cost low, but it also means stops may feel organized around the group’s schedule. If you prefer quiet, flexible outings, ask about the group arrangement before paying.

Bedouin tea and a glimpse of desert life

One of the more distinctive parts of the day is the Bedouin stop. You have tea in a tent and see elements of local desert life, including homes and burial places. The tour also explains how bodies are buried and where people live.

This part is valuable because it gives the day more purpose than a simple ride to a snorkeling site. The Sinai desert is not just empty scenery, and the stop offers a basic introduction to a community whose way of life is tied to the land.

Keep your expectations measured. The information provided describes a short stop, not a long cultural visit or an in-depth community program. You will get a brief look and some tea, then continue toward Dahab. Treat it as an introduction rather than a full study of Bedouin culture.

The route also includes desert dunes and canyon scenery. The canyon is listed as included, though the exact length of the stop is not stated. Rocky walls, dry ravines, and changing colors give the drive more interest than a straight highway transfer.

Dahab Canyon and the desert scenery

Dahab’s surrounding desert is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a simple snorkeling transfer. The canyon stop brings you into the dry, rugged interior, where the scenery is shaped by stone, wind, and sudden folds in the terrain.

I would pay attention to the pace here. The tour description promises Dahab Canyon, but it does not give a precise walking distance, trail grade, or time at the canyon. If you have limited mobility, ask the operator what the stop involves before booking.

Several guide names appear in connection with this excursion, including Saeed, Sayed, Saad, and Mohammed. The spelling varies, and your assigned guide may be different. The guide can make a real difference on a day with several moving parts, especially when the group shifts from vehicle to canyon, camel, beach, and water activities.

Mohammed is associated with English, Russian, and Italian explanations. Saeed or Sayed is also praised for speaking Italian and English and for taking care with safety and details. These language arrangements are not guaranteed for every departure, so confirm your preferred language if that matters to you.

The camel ride to Blue Hole

Near Dahab, the vehicle leaves the road by the beach. From there, the camel ride takes about 20 minutes toward Blue Hole.

This is a manageable length for someone curious about camel riding but not eager to spend hours in the saddle. You get the classic desert experience without making it the entire day. The ride also creates a memorable transition from road transport to the coast.

Camel riding is not included in the advertised $15 price. The same applies to the Bedouin lunch. Ask for the current extra charges before departure, since the supplied details do not state the amounts.

You should also expect a practical rather than polished experience. Camel riding can feel bumpy, and mounting or dismounting may be awkward. Wear clothing that allows easy movement, and bring something to protect yourself from the sun. The ride is short, but the heat can make even a brief outing tiring.

The camel section is best understood as part of the day’s variety, not as a serious animal-riding excursion. If you mainly want to snorkel, the ride adds atmosphere. If you mainly want a long camel trek, this tour will probably feel too brief.

Snorkeling at Blue Hole

Blue Hole is the centerpiece. The area is known for coral reefs and colorful fish, and the tour gives you time to snorkel and see the underwater scenery from the surface.

The supplied schedule allocates about two hours to Blue Hole, while the broader Dahab stop lasts about five hours and includes the camel ride, snorkeling, lunch, and time around the tents. That gives you a useful amount of time by the water, though the exact swimming schedule can change with the group and the day’s operations.

Blue Hole is famous among snorkelers, but you should not confuse this outing with a technical underwater expedition. The activity is snorkeling, not scuba instruction, and no certification or specialist equipment details are provided. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay close to the guide and ask how the group handles water time.

The sea area is described as having coral and many kinds of fish. Coral conditions can vary, and the water may not look identical on every visit. Still, this is the part of the trip most likely to reward you with a memorable view, particularly if you enjoy seeing reef fish without spending a full day on a boat.

The Blue Hole National Park entrance fee is extra and must be paid in cash. This is an important cost to prepare for. The amount is not listed, so carry cash and confirm the current fee before leaving Sharm.

There is also an alternative: you may choose free snorkeling time in Dahab with a guide instead of entering Blue Hole National Park. That option is described as optional. It can make sense if you want to avoid the extra entrance fee, though Blue Hole itself is the signature stop.

Lunch in a Bedouin tent by the beach

While you snorkel, lunch is prepared in Bedouin tents near the beach. You then eat in the tent beside the water.

This is a pleasant setting and gives the day a pause between activities. Rather than eating in a standard restaurant, you have a simple meal connected to the desert and coastal setting. The food has been described positively, but the tour details do not specify the menu.

Lunch is not included in the $15 base price. Drinks are also excluded. Bring cash for both, and do not assume bottled water or other beverages will be supplied.

The five-hour Dahab section may feel long if you are not interested in sitting around the beach between activities. For most people, however, the combination of camel riding, snorkeling, lunch, and the tent stop fills the time naturally.

What the $15 price really means

At $15 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive full-day outing. The air-conditioned transport, Bedouin tea, and Dahab Canyon are included, and the trip links several popular activities in one day.

But the advertised price is best viewed as a starting price. You still pay for:

• Blue Hole National Park entrance
• Camel riding
• Bedouin lunch
• Drinks

Those extras can change the final cost considerably. Because the amounts are not supplied, I would ask for the complete price before booking. A cheap headline price is useful only when you know what you will actually pay.

The value is strongest if you want variety. Booking separate transport to Dahab, arranging a camel ride, finding a snorkeling spot, and organizing lunch would take more effort. This tour puts those pieces together in one long day.

The value is weaker if you want a small group, a quiet schedule, or a high level of comfort. With up to 45 people and a long road journey, the experience is designed for affordability and activity, not exclusivity.

Guides, safety, and the human side

The strongest personal element is the guide service. Saeed is repeatedly associated with being patient, attentive, friendly, and careful around the water. Mohammed is noted for explaining the day in several languages, including English, Russian, and Italian.

Those details matter because the day has many transitions. You need clear directions when leaving the vehicle, mounting camels, reaching the snorkeling area, returning to the tents, and regrouping for the drive home.

The tour is open to most people, but the supplied information does not give a detailed health, swimming, or mobility policy. If you have concerns about camel riding, canyon walking, or snorkeling, contact Infinity Excursions before booking.

The operator also provides a photographer on some departures, based on the supplied experiences. Photography is not clearly listed as an included service, so ask before assuming you will receive pictures or that they are free.

Who should book this Dahab day trip

You should consider this outing if you want to see several sides of the Sinai in one day. It suits people who enjoy a busy schedule with desert scenery, local cultural contact, camel riding, coral reefs, and a simple meal by the beach.

It is also a good fit for families and mixed groups with different interests, provided everyone can manage a long day and the physical demands of the activities. One person can enjoy the canyon, another the sea, and everyone gets time in Dahab.

This tour is less suitable if you want a relaxed beach day. The early pickup, three hours of driving, group size, and multiple stops create a full schedule.

It may also disappoint serious snorkelers who want extended time in the water or detailed marine guidance. The focus is on a broad day out, not a specialized reef program.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring cash for the Blue Hole entrance fee, camel ride, lunch, and drinks. The tour does not state the exact charges, so confirm them before departure.

Wear light clothing that works for both desert stops and snorkeling. Take sun protection, a swimsuit, and a towel if you plan to enter the water. The supplied details do not specify what snorkeling equipment is provided, so ask whether you need to bring or rent your own gear.

Expect about 10 hours from pickup to hotel return. The day starts at 8 a.m., but the return time can vary with road conditions, group size, and the length of each stop.

If you want the Blue Hole visit, make sure you have cash for the national park fee. If you prefer to avoid that charge, ask about the free snorkeling alternative in Dahab before the group leaves for the park.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made later, or changes made within that 24-hour window, are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a low-cost, action-filled introduction to Dahab and the Sinai coast. The best reasons are the combination of Blue Hole snorkeling and desert scenery, the short camel ride, and the chance to have tea and lunch in a Bedouin setting.

Before booking, confirm the extra charges and transport setup. The $15 price does not cover the national park entrance, camel ride, lunch, or drinks, and a group of up to 45 can make the day feel busy.

For an affordable first look at Dahab, I think the mix is appealing. For a private, comfortable, snorkeling-focused day, choose a smaller and more specialized trip.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Hole and Dahab tour from Sharm El Sheikh?

The experience lasts about 10 hours, including hotel pickup, the journey to Dahab, the activities, and the return drive.

What time does pickup begin?

The scheduled start time is 8 a.m. Pickup is offered from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

Is the Blue Hole entrance fee included?

No. The Blue Hole National Park entrance fee is paid separately in cash. The current amount is not stated in the tour details.

Are the camel ride and Bedouin lunch included in the price?

No. The camel ride and Bedouin lunch are listed as extra costs. Drinks are also not included.

Is there an alternative to visiting Blue Hole National Park?

Yes. You can choose free snorkeling time in Dahab with a guide instead of entering Blue Hole National Park. This is an optional choice.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 45 people. Most people can participate, but the details do not provide a more specific mobility or swimming policy.