From Cairo to the Coast: Landing in Dahab

After an early morning flight from Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh, Katie and I caught a taxi through the desert mountains to the laid-back seaside town of Dahab—a place that would become the starting point of our Dahab scuba diving Blue Hole itinerary, filled with sunshine, sea breezes, and adventure.

We settled into our hotel, a cozy spot just steps from the water, and headed straight to lunch with fresh-squeezed juice and views of the sea. A post-travel massage melted the airport stiffness away, and we ended the day with dinner under the stars, the warm Red Sea breeze reminding us we were officially in paradise.

First Bubbles: Katie’s Intro to Scuba

The next morning, Katie dipped her toes into the underwater world with an introductory scuba dive guided by my good friend Hassan, one of Dahab’s best instructors. I watched from a beachside restaurant, sun on my face, as she suited up and disappeared beneath the turquoise water—then emerged with wide eyes and a smile.

Later, it was my turn to dive while she relaxed by the sea, and then we shared a post-dive meal with Hassan, still buzzing from the excitement.

In the afternoon, we headed to Dahab’s legendary Blue Hole, where we snorkled. We stayed for lunch by the water, watching divers descend into the deep and emerge as the sun glistened off the reef. It was the perfect way to introduce her to one of Egypt’s most iconic dive sites.

Dive Days and Study Nights

Inspired by her intro dive, Katie decided to start her PADI Open Water course—and just like that, her days were filled with dive theory, skills training, and ocean sessions. Meanwhile, I spent my mornings and afternoons fun diving with Hassan, our friend Fouad, and other local divers.

We explored sites like the Canyon, the Blue Hole, and a southern site I’d never dived before. Each dive brought new marine life, vibrant coral gardens, and unforgettable underwater moments.

At night, Katie and I would reunite over dinner to compare stories, her reliving new skills and quizzes, me sharing tales of fish and finned encounters.

Graduation Dives and Celebrations

After several days of hard work and deep breaths, Katie completed her PADI certification—and we celebrated with a proper night out. She’d officially joined the world of scuba divers, and I was so proud to be there for the journey.

To mark the occasion, we spent the next day diving together for fun at the Blue Hole. Watching her glide through the water, confident and joyful, was one of the highlights of the whole trip.

A Climber’s Finale in Wadi Gnai

On our final full day together—since you can’t dive 12–24 hours before flying—we swapped wetsuits for climbing shoes and headed into the desert.

Wadi Gnai, a canyon just outside Dahab, is a Bedouin-run climbing paradise. We tackled beautiful sandstone routes, reconnecting with our climbing muscles and laughing through the challenge. Our Bedouin guide, casually climbing barefoot, humbled and inspired us in equal measure.

After Katie Left: Quiet Days in Dahab

Once Katie flew out, I stayed a few more days. They passed in a familiar, peaceful rhythm:

• Morning dives with friends.
  
• Massage sessions to soothe sore muscles.
  
• Long meals by the sea with the company of lazy cats.
  
• Time to rest, reflect, and soak in the slow magic of Dahab.
  

Soon I’d be off to Alexandria, but for now, Dahab gave me everything I needed—adventure, friendship, and a deep exhale.

Planning Your Own Dahab Adventure?

Here are a few tips:

• Best time to visit: March to May and September to November for perfect dive conditions.
  
• Where to dive: Blue Hole, Canyon, Lighthouse Reef, and south sites like Um Sid.
  
• Other activities: Rock climbing in Wadi Gnai, freediving, windsurfing, or simply relaxing by the water.
  
• Where to eat: Try local koshary, grilled fish, and fresh mango or sugarcane juice at seaside cafés.
  

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Don´t miss the hole adventure in Cairo on this blog: From Paragliding in Pokhara to a Pyramid Sunrise: My Accidental Detour to Cairo.