The Blue Hole is one of Dahab's most famous dive sites. Located about thirty minutes
jeep ride from Dahab, it is accessible from shore with entry into the blue water just a
few metres from the rocky shoreline. Bedouin type facilities surround the main entry /
exit points, with toilets, seating, food and drinks available. Whilst entry into the Blue
Hole pool is one option, quite a nice alternative is to make a short walk to the north,
along the rocky coastal path and enter through a gap in the shoreline rocks. This is
done one diver at a time. Divers can then drop down an enclosed chimney in the reef
exiting at 30 metres or so onto the sheer wall. The reef is near vertical at this point and
as you head south (right shoulder to the reef) you'll come around an outcrop which
makes for some fantastic silhouette photographs looking up towards the sunlight. The
reef wall is home to lots of clownfish anemones and the blue backdrop makes a great
viewing point for trevallies, jacks, barracuda and possibly white-tip and grey reef
sharks.
As you travel south and ascend you will come to a colourful hard coral slope at around
10 metres, which leads up and over at 6 metres into the blue hole pool. It is best to
spend most of the dive on the outside of the reef as the inside pool has little in the way
of coral. Use your safety stop to either swim across the pool or around the edge (left
shoulder to reef) until you reach the small wooden jetty and exit. Currents can be
strong, usually north to south, on the outside of the reef so the northern entry point is
often a good option, then drifting down to the pool with the current. Take care not to
miss your exit, although if this does happen simply find a safe exit further down the
shoreline and be prepared for a walk in full kit.
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