Dahab Safari from Sharm El-Sheikh: Canyon Salama & Blue Hole

The best part of this long day is the sharp change of scenery. You go from the Red Sea coast and its coral fish to the striped sandstone walls of Canyon Salama, with a camel ride and Bedouin lunch in between. I like the variety, and I like that the main transport, entrance fees, lunch, and transfers are bundled into the $70 price.

The main caution is time and add-on pressure. Snorkeling may last only about 45 minutes, market stops are not essential, and one report put extra spending at €30 to €50 per person for activities presented as if they were required. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it, and ask clearly what costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Hole snorkeling: Spend time by a famous coral reef area with colorful fish, though the snorkeling portion may be fairly short.
• Canyon Salama by jeep: Expect an 800-meter gorge with yellow, purple, red, and gold sandstone, plus some scrambling on foot.
• Twenty-minute camel ride: Ride along the coast and use the stop for photos, with sea and mountain views around you.
• Bedouin beach lunch: Eat at a camp beside the sea, with the mountains providing the backdrop.
• $70 package value: Transfers, entrance fees, lunch, jeep safari, camel ride, and taxes are included, but snorkeling equipment and personal spending are not.
• Passport required: A passport copy must be provided no later than two days before departure for government permission.

A full day from Sharm El-Sheikh to Dahab

This is a 10-hour outing, beginning with an early pickup at your Sharm El-Sheikh hotel. You travel in an air-conditioned van for roughly an hour to Dahab, a coastal town known for sea access, desert scenery, and nearby protected areas.

The early start matters. You get a full day of activities, but this is not a lazy beach excursion. The schedule moves from water to lunch, camel riding, desert roads, canyon walking, and shopping before the ride back. I would choose it when I want to pack several South Sinai experiences into one day, not when I want long, unhurried time at one site.

Transport is one of the practical strengths. The package includes round-trip hotel transfers and a modern air-conditioned van, followed by a jeep ride to the canyon. One recent group had about 12 people, a useful size for a busy day, though the exact group may vary.

Blue Hole: coral, fish, and a short snorkeling stop

The first main stop is Blue Hole National Park. You can relax by the beach, enter the water for snorkeling, and look for the colorful fish around the coral reef. The setting combines clear sea, dry mountains, and a rougher natural shoreline than you would find at a standard hotel beach.

The snorkeling is the star for many people who enjoy the sea. You get a chance to see the reef and its fish without committing to a full-day boat trip. Still, keep your expectations measured. One account put the actual snorkeling time at around 45 minutes, so this is an introduction rather than an extended water session.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. That point matters. Bring your own mask and fins if you have them, or plan for the possibility of arranging equipment separately. The supplied details do not state a rental price, so do not assume it is covered by the $70.

You should also pack dry clothes. The beach portion comes early in a long day, and staying in damp swimwear through the canyon and return journey would be uncomfortable. A towel, sun protection, and secure footwear for the shore are sensible choices, though only a passport is formally listed as required.

Blue Hole is also a place for simple downtime. You are not only rushing from one photo stop to another. You can sit by the beach and take in the mountain setting before lunch. That said, the day’s timetable means you should be ready to leave when the group moves on.

Bedouin lunch beside the Red Sea

After snorkeling, lunch is served at a Bedouin beach camp. The appeal is as much about the setting as the meal. You eat with views of the sea and surrounding mountains, a welcome pause before the more active desert section.

The food is described as a delicious Bedouin lunch, but no menu is provided. I would treat this as a filling group meal rather than a restaurant meal with choices. If you have strict dietary needs, ask the provider before booking because the available information does not explain vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or special-diet arrangements.

This break helps the day work. Snorkeling can be tiring, and Canyon Salama involves walking and scrambling. Use lunch to dry off, drink water, and organize your shoes and camera before the jeep ride.

A 20-minute camel ride along the coast

The camel ride lasts 20 minutes and takes place along the coast. It is short, but that is probably a good fit for a packed itinerary. You get the classic South Sinai photo without spending a large part of the day on a camel.

The ride is also positioned as a photo stop. You can frame the camel, sea, and mountains together, and the open setting gives you better pictures than a crowded urban attraction. A scarf can help with sun and dust, and it can also be bought locally if you forget one.

Keep the experience in proportion. This is not a long desert expedition or a quiet ride through remote country. It is one activity within a mixed safari day. If your main goal is an extended camel journey, this tour will feel brief. If you want a taste of it alongside snorkeling and the canyon, 20 minutes is enough.

The supplied details also mention optional activities, and one account referred to quad riding during the day. Quad biking is not listed among the included items, so do not count on it as part of the $70. Ask before accepting any additional activity, and confirm its price first.

Canyon Salama and its colored sandstone walls

The second major attraction is Canyon Salama, reached by jeep. The gorge runs for about 800 meters and is known for sandstone walls in shades of yellow, purple, red, and gold. This is the most unusual part of the day for anyone interested in geology and desert scenery.

The jeep ride adds to the fun. You leave the paved coastal route and head into a more rugged setting, with the vehicle handling the approach to the canyon. The combination of open desert, rough tracks, and narrow rock walls gives the safari its sense of adventure.

Once inside the canyon, expect more than a simple stroll. One useful warning is that you may need to climb and scramble over sections of rock. Wear proper closed shoes with grip. Flip-flops are suitable for the beach, not for a sandstone gorge.

The canyon’s colors deserve attention, but the guiding appears limited. The experience includes the jeep safari, yet there is no specific geological talk listed. If you want to understand how the layers formed, ask your guide to explain the rock as you go instead of treating the canyon only as a photo backdrop.

There is also a less attractive side. One account noted rubbish toward the final section of the canyon. That does not erase the beauty of the colored walls, but it can affect the final impression. You will enjoy the canyon more if you arrive with realistic expectations: striking natural rock, some physical effort, and imperfect upkeep.

A photographer may be present, and photos from the day may be offered for sale afterward. This can be convenient if you want camel and canyon pictures without handing your phone to someone else. It is another optional purchase, so decide in advance how much you want to spend.

Dahab shopping and the question of extra costs

Before returning to Sharm El-Sheikh, the group stops at a local shopping center in Dahab. You can look for souvenirs, scarves, and small gifts, but the stop is not a core attraction.

I would see it as a chance to buy something useful, not a reason to book the tour. If you prefer more time at Blue Hole or Canyon Salama, a market stop may feel unnecessary. One account specifically found the shopping stops avoidable.

The price deserves a careful look. At $70 per person, the package covers hotel transfers, air-conditioned transport, entrance fees, the jeep safari, snorkeling access, lunch, a 20-minute camel ride, taxes, and other listed fees. For a 10-hour day, that is a reasonable bundle if you use the included activities.

But the phrase no hidden fees should not make you stop checking. Snorkeling equipment, optional activities, photos, tips, and personal spending are excluded. One recent account warned of another €30 to €50 per person for extras that felt presented as necessary. That does not prove every departure will be the same, but it is a good reason to ask at the start:

• Which activities are included?
• Is any equipment extra?
• What is the price of quad biking, photos, or other add-ons?
• Can I skip an optional stop without paying more?

A clear answer lets you control the cost. Bring small amounts for drinks, souvenirs, or tips, but do not feel obliged to buy every extra activity.

What to pack for the canyon and coast

Your packing choices will affect this day more than you might expect. Bring your passport, and provide a copy at least two days before the tour so the required government permission can be issued.

For comfort, I would pack:

• Swimwear and dry clothes for after snorkeling
• A towel and sun protection
• Sturdy shoes for the canyon
• Sandals or flip-flops for the beach
• A scarf for sun and dust
• Your own snorkeling mask and fins, if available
• Water and some money for personal purchases

The advice about shoes is especially important. The canyon includes climbing and scrambling, so thin sandals can turn a fun stop into an awkward one. You can switch footwear at the beach, but do not plan to use beach shoes for the gorge.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the canyon’s uneven, climbing sections may not suit every mobility need. If accessibility is essential for you, confirm which parts can be reached without scrambling before you pay.

Who will enjoy this Dahab safari?

I would recommend this day to you if you like variety and do not mind a firm schedule. It suits people who want a first taste of Dahab, especially those staying in Sharm El-Sheikh without their own transport.

Families with older children may appreciate the mix of sea, animals, vehicles, and colored rock. The 20-minute camel ride is manageable, and the beach lunch breaks up the active sections. Younger children may find the long day and canyon walking tiring, though no age limit is provided.

It is also a good choice for photographers. Blue Hole gives you sea and fish images, the camel stop adds a classic coastal scene, and Canyon Salama supplies the strongest colors of the day. Just remember that photos bought from the on-site photographer cost extra.

I would be more cautious if you want quiet exploration, a long snorkeling session, or detailed geology. The schedule is full, the snorkeling may last about 45 minutes, and the canyon has no specific geological presentation listed. You are buying range, not depth.

The English and Arabic host support is useful for international groups, but no guide name is provided. The quality of explanation may therefore vary by departure. Ask questions directly at the canyon and request a clear rundown of any extra charges.

Booking details worth checking

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. The duration is listed as 10 hours, with starting times depending on availability.

Hotel pickup in Sharm El-Sheikh is included, and the main vehicle is an air-conditioned van. The return is described as a High Ace vehicle. Bring your passport, and remember that a passport copy must reach the operator no later than two days before the trip.

The tour is operated by Sun Pyramids Tours. English and Arabic are the listed languages. Tipping is not included, but the amount is left to your judgment.

Should you book this $70 day trip?

Book it if you want one energetic day that combines Blue Hole snorkeling, a camel ride, Bedouin lunch, and a colorful sandstone canyon. The included transport and entrance costs make the price fair, and Blue Hole plus Canyon Salama provide the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day, specialist canyon interpretation, or a long session in the water. Also skip it, or budget carefully, if you dislike shopping stops and sales pitches for optional extras.

My practical verdict is positive with conditions: bring the right shoes, bring dry clothes, carry your passport copy, ask about every extra, and pack snorkeling equipment if you own it. With those details handled, this is a lively and varied introduction to Dahab rather than a polished luxury excursion.

FAQ

Where does the Dahab safari depart from?

The tour includes round-trip pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Sharm El-Sheikh.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is 10 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $70 per person.

What transport is used?

You travel by modern air-conditioned van, with a jeep used for the Canyon Salama safari. The return is described as being by High Ace.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling at Blue Hole is included, but snorkeling equipment is not included.

How long is the camel ride?

The included camel ride lasts 20 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at a Bedouin beach camp beside the sea.

What should I bring?

You must bring your passport. Dry clothes, suitable canyon shoes, beach footwear, and snorkeling equipment are also practical choices based on the activities.

Do I need to provide a passport copy?

Yes. A passport copy must be provided no later than two days before the tour so government permission can be issued.

Are optional activities and tips included?

No. Optional activities, personal spending, tips, and snorkeling equipment are not included.