Dahab is a small town in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, situated near the south-eastern coastline. It has a hot desert climate with high temperatures, and rain is rare even in the winter months. Dahab means "gold" in Arabic, possibly with reference to its golden beaches, and it is a popular holiday resort for diving and windsurfing, with over 50 dive sites. Tourists can take safari trips to popular sites via camel, horse, jeep or quad bike. The numerous reefs in the region also make it a prime location for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Although January is Dahab's coldest month, temperatures are similar to typical summer values in southern Britain and the daily weather is usually dry and sunny, with low humidity. On average, temperatures reach a daytime maximum of 22 degrees, and fall to 13 degrees at night. The average sea temperature holds up at 22 degrees during January, making for reasonable diving and snorkelling conditions. Rainfall is rare, falling on an average of just two days, with a mean January total of just under an inch. Although January and December are the cloudiest months, they still boast an average of 9 hours per day with bright sunshine, well in excess of the norm during a British summer.
Entertainment and events are commonplace during the winter months, taking advantage of relatively comfortable temperatures and low humidity. Examples of sites that offer good snorkelling and diving facilities include Lighthouse Reef in the north of Assalah and the Eel Garden, just to the north of Assalah, which is also close to the Dai Pescatori Italian fish restaurant. Experienced divers can try the Canyon and Blue Hole sites.
Good accommodation and dining facilities near Assalah include the Eldorado Lodge & Restaurant and the Mirage Village Hotel. The Sinai At Its Best day tours in the south of Dahab will help to keep the kids entertained.
