Dahab, which is in Egypt's Sinai Mountains, is a place so enticing that some people have chosen to move there shortly after visiting.

It was formerly a little Bedouin fishing community, but today it is one of the best diving destinations in the Red Sea, drawing adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and, more lately, domestic travelers awaiting Covid-19. Dahab, which is about an hour's drive from Sharm El Sheikh, is bustling with activities while still offering a stress-free beach scene where guests can simply sit back and take in the numerous shades of blue in its waters.

The year-round paradise is centred on a vibrant boardwalk lined with inexpensive lodging options, travel agencies, gift stores, ethnic restaurants, and cafes, each with a distinctive personality. Local Bedouins, Egyptians from mainland Egypt, and foreign expats who were drawn to Dahab by its beauty and proximity to all of Sinai's attractions make up its thriving, multicultural society. Julia Limonova, a Russian expat who relocated to Dahab three years ago, says that she feels at home there. Because there are so many different people, including free divers, divers, kite surfers, windsurfers, and yogis, you can find your circle.

The focal point of the year-round paradise is a bustling boardwalk dotted with low-cost hotel alternatives, tour operators, boutiques, ethnic restaurants, and cafes, each with a unique personality. Its dynamic, multicultural population is made up of local Bedouins, Egyptians from mainland Egypt, and foreign expats who were attracted to Dahab by its beauty and accessibility to all of Sinai's attractions. Russian expat Julia Limonova claims to feel at home in Dahab after moving there three years ago. You can discover your circle because there are so many different people there, including free divers, divers, kite surfers, windsurfers, and yogis.

Since Dahab is a small town with little to no testing, it's important to note that there are currently no verified Covid-19 instances there. "No one in this room is bringing up the coronavirus. Rahma Zein, who decided to quarantine in Dahab on the suggestion of friends, says that living in Cairo means you are constantly being inundated with news. It truly has a negative psychological impact, and in my opinion, when your immunity is low, so is your mentality. "Simply being here, without getting caught up in the discussion of the coronavirus, really lets you simply be and restores some sense of normalcy. According to Zein, the plethora of adventures available in Dahab, from free diving, to hiking and sunbathing, make it the ideal place to quarantine during these uncertain times.

“On a normal day, I wake up, make breakfast, go for a free dive, hang out on the beach, take a hike, eat then sleep,” she adds. “In between sessions, I make phone calls and do my work.”

THE BLUE HOLE

The Blue Hole, one of Dahab's most well-known attractions, is regarded as the world's most dangerous diving location. However, the magnificent sinkhole's attractiveness to daring divers searching for an underwater Everest has only grown as a result of its notorious notoriety.

The Blue Hole, which can be reached from the shore and drops to a maximum depth of 328 feet, is protected from the currents, making its waters reasonably tranquil. Both novice and experienced free divers willing to push their boundaries in a race against depth and lung capacity will find these conditions ideal. Although the Blue Hole is a perfectly safe place to scuba dive, its renown is a result of a notorious archway known as the Arch, which connects the location with the open sea.

Scuba divers may suffer to narcosis, become lost, and eventually run out of air while searching for the Arch, which is situated 184 feet below the surface. The sensitive marine environment has been steadily being destroyed as a result of the diving location's growing popularity.

A local group of divers built an underwater museum with recycled-material mammoth statues to reduce traffic, forming an artificial reef. The most stunning statue is a 700 kilogramme life-sized elephant that has drawn the attention of innumerable travellers looking for an unusual underwater experience. It would be practically difficult to dive all of Dahab's underwater sites in a week because there are so many noteworthy locations, from reefs to the remarkably well-preserved S.S. Thistlegorm.

This British Merchant Navy ship, which was damaged by a German bomber ship during World War II, offers a unique underwater perspective on history. For snorkelers who might wish to stay away from popular diving locations, there are also an infinite number of possibilities in shallower seas. To get a better look at pristine coral and marine life, tourists can hike or trek by camel to Ras Abu Galum National Protectorate, which has 400 square kilometres of coastline. For those looking to get lost in a fishy rainbow, the Three Pools diving location in nearby Akaba is also a sure option.

THE BLUE LAGOON AND WADI QNAI

The Blue Lagoon is a serene haven with flat, azure waters that are always windy, providing just enough speed for windsurfers and large air for kitesurfers. Here, there are only a few bamboo huts and frequently a small number of visitors, giving the impression that you are visiting a private beach. However, the lagoon has little interest in luring travellers with fancy amenities or resort hotels. It is the perfect place to disconnect from the contemporary world because it has no internet, no phone service, and very little electricity. Its stunning simplicity attracts tourists, yet if hunger hits, local Bedouins are nearby and ready to catch and prepare some of the freshest and most delectable seafood possible. Many choose to camp here overnight to catch the spectacular sunrise and sunset. While visitors can rent a hut or bring a tent, neither is required, as a sleeping bag on a sandy beach is all that’s needed to watch the universe reveal itself, one star at a time.

Although Dahab's transformation into a popular tourist destination is frequently attributed to its diving and surfing opportunities, rock climbing is also growing in popularity, with new climbs being created each. The most well-known location is Wadi Qnai, which offers both single-pitch and multi-pitch routes to accommodate climbers of all skill levels. The granite boulder-filled scenery of the sandy valley is ideal for bouldering in the shade. In the summer, it's far too hot to climb here during the day. However, some choose to camp overnight in order to climb here in the morning before returning to town to cool off in the sea. A number of top destinations are also located close to Dahab, such as the village of St. Catherine, which is home to world’s oldest Christian monastery, and nearby Mount Sinai, the site where Moses is given the Ten Commandments in the Book of Exodus.

Meanwhile rock formation Jebel Makharum, or “Mountain with the Hole,” which lies between Dahab and St. Catherine, is another top hiking spot in the Sinai area.