Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on September 29, 2023
The Blue Hole is a vertical 394-foot-deep underwater sink hole, located just a few miles north of the city of Dahab, Egypt. Not only is it one of the Red Sea’s most popular dive sites, it is also one of the most dangerous dive sites on the planet. When snorkeling the Blue Hole, you will explore just the edge of the Blue Hole. This area is colonized by a good diversity of corals, and it remains an exceptional underwater experience.
The Blue Hole is located 4 miles/7km North of Dahab. Every day, a multitude of scuba divers, free divers, snorkelers and visitors make the journey from Dahab by jeep or camel, eager to discover and explore the Blue Hole.
Tours are organized every day from Dahab (from $20pp.) and Sharm el-Sheikh (approximately 60 miles south of Dahab). You can also get there in your own car, but you will need an all-road vehicle to cover the last 4 miles.
You can get into the water from three entries. The two first entry points (water entrance 1 and 2 on the map above) are straight into the Blue Hole, a few yards from the shore. They are easily located by observing the other snorkelers and divers entering or exiting the water.
While you can get into the water by going straight into the Blue Hole, we recommend getting into the water at the northernmost entry point (water entrance 3). This spot is about 150 yards north of the Blue Hole, and is called “El Bells”. Since the prevailing current runs from north to south, it is better to enter the water at this point and let yourself drift slowly along the drop-off and enter the Blue Hole through “The Saddle”. The entrance is easy to find as there are usually scuba divers around the area.
Exploring the Blue Hole consists of snorkeling along the vertical coral walls bordering the sinkhole (snorkeling area 1 on the map), where large shoals of surgeonfish, couples of butterflyfish and small groups of Red Sea bannerfish find shelter.
Opposite the shore, there is a shallow opening that we previously mentioned, (↕2-20ft/0.5-6m deep), known as “The Saddle”. This area opens out to the sea. It is probably the most interesting area. Here the seabed is the best preserved, with dense and multicolored corals.
Thousands of sea goldie take shelter around the coral, and a wide range of interesting fish, such as angelfish, clownfish in their sea anemone, wrasse and groupers can be seen here. In the Blue Hole, there are no strong currents and the water is calm, clear and warm.
If you enter the water on the entry point n.3, you will first drift along a reef drop-off opening to the sea before entering into the Blue Hole through “The Saddle” (snorkeling itinerary 2 on the map). In this area, the seabed has more or less the same profile as inside the Blue Hole, but corals are healthier overall.
The Blue Hole is very deep, do not explore this spot alone. Do not free dive if you are not trained to, and stay away from the drop-off. This site is truly one-of-a-kind, and one not to be missed. Just remember to use caution at the Blue Hole and know your limits.
The spot is very popular with scuba divers, free divers and snorkelers. There can be numerous people in the water; so keep an eye out for others all the time.
There is a choice of budget accommodation and restaurants on the site. In Dahab, 4 miles south of the Blue Hole, you can find a choice of restaurants, supermarkets and accommodation for all budgets.
Snorkel over impressive Dahab Blue Hole reef drop off in this video 👇 shot by Gavensmar.
More of the Blue Hole! Video shared by JC_Mara.
These spots are only recommended to good swimmers, in good physical conditions, and with excellent snorkeling skills. These spots can experience currents, moderate waves, important depths, tight or narrow passages, or tricky water entrance, and can be located near hazardous areas (channels, boat traffic, strong currents…). The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas can be important - up to 500 meters. The “advanced” category includes drift snorkeling (transported by currents) and snorkeling off the coast. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell.You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
