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

Sinai packs a lot into one long day. This Dahab safari combines a Blue Hole snorkeling stop, a 20-minute camel ride, a Bedouin lunch, and a jeep trip through the colorful 800-meter Canyon Salama. I especially like the variety and the chance to see both the Red Sea coast and the dry mountain interior. The main drawback is that the day can become tiring, and some optional extras or shopping stops may cost more than expected.

The tour costs $70 per person and includes hotel transfers, entrance fees, lunch, the jeep safari, camel ride, and taxes. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you need to bring your own or arrange it separately. Good shoes matter more than you might expect, since Canyon Salama involves scrambling and climbing over uneven rock.

Key Points Before You Book

• Blue Hole snorkeling: The marine stop is usually the most praised part of the day, with about 45 minutes in the water according to one recent account.
• Canyon Salama by jeep: The 800-meter gorge has sandstone walls in yellow, purple, red, and gold, but the walk requires sturdy footwear.
• Twenty-minute camel ride: This is a short coastal outing, useful for photos and a taste of Bedouin-style transport rather than a long desert trek.
• Bedouin lunch by the sea: The meal comes with views of the water and surrounding mountains.
• Small group potential: A group of 12 was reported, which makes a busy itinerary easier to manage.
• Bring passport documents: A passport and a photocopy are required for government permission before the trip.

The Early Ride from Sharm El Sheikh to Dahab

Your day begins with an early hotel pickup in an air-conditioned van. The drive to Dahab takes about one hour, giving you a quick change from resort streets to open desert and mountain scenery.

The vehicle is described as a modern air-conditioned van, with a High Ace used for the return journey. That matters in South Sinai, where a cool vehicle is a welcome break after time in the sun. The full outing lasts about 10 hours, so you should expect an early start and a late return to Sharm El Sheikh.

Transfers from your hotel are included, as are entrance fees and taxes. That makes the $70 price reasonable for anyone who wants several separate activities in one day. Booking each part independently would require arranging transport between Dahab, the coast, and Canyon Salama.

The schedule is busy. You will not get long, lazy stretches at every stop. I would treat this as an active sightseeing day rather than a restful beach excursion.

Blue Hole National Park and the Best Part of the Day

The first main stop is Blue Hole National Park, where you have time to relax beside the sea and snorkel over coral reef. The site is known for its clear water, colorful fish, and unusual underwater setting.

You can expect roughly 45 minutes of snorkeling, based on the timing reported for the activity. That is enough for a good introduction, but it is not a full-day water outing. If snorkeling is the reason you are booking, keep your expectations in check. You will get a meaningful taste of the reef, not hours in the water.

I would bring a mask and snorkel if you own reliable equipment. Snorkeling gear is not included, and the tour price does not cover personal equipment. The supplied information does not confirm rental arrangements, so ask the operator before departure if you plan to rent locally.

The beach stop also gives you a chance to rest after the drive. You can take photographs, sit near the water, and enjoy the contrast between the sea and the bare mountains behind it. Blue Hole is the most consistently praised part of the experience, and it is easy to see why. It gives the day a strong natural highlight before the land-based activities begin.

Take care with your clothing. A recent visitor specifically advised packing dry clothes for after snorkeling. I agree with that practical tip. You will be happier in the van and at lunch if you are not sitting in wet swimwear.

Lunch at the Bedouin Beach Camp

After the water activity, the group stops for a Bedouin lunch at a beach camp. Lunch is included, and the setting is part of its appeal. You eat with views toward the Red Sea and the surrounding mountains rather than inside an ordinary restaurant.

The meal offers a useful pause in the middle of a packed day. You can dry off, eat, and regain energy before the camel ride and canyon trip. Since the itinerary includes several active stops, this break is not a minor detail.

The exact menu is not specified, so I would not book this tour based on hopes for a particular dish. Think of it as an included local-style meal in a scenic setting. Personal drinks, snacks, and other purchases count as extras unless clearly included by the operator.

A Short Camel Ride Along the Coast

The camel ride lasts 20 minutes and takes place along the coast. That is long enough for photographs and a brief introduction to camel riding, but too short to feel like a serious desert expedition.

For many people, this will be one of the more amusing parts of the day. The sea, mountains, and camel make an easy photo combination. If you have never ridden a camel, the short duration is also a blessing. Camel saddles can be less comfortable than they look.

The ride should be understood as a photo-friendly sample, not the main reason to choose the tour. If you want extended time on a camel, this itinerary may feel limited. It is one small piece of a much larger program.

One review also referred to quad riding, but quad biking is not listed among the included services. Do not assume it is part of your $70 booking. If it is offered on the day, treat it as optional and ask for the price before agreeing.

Canyon Salama by Jeep

The tour then turns inland toward Canyon Salama. A jeep carries you into a gorge formed by sandstone cliffs, with rock colors described as yellow, purple, red, and gold. The canyon runs for about 800 meters, giving the afternoon a completely different character from the morning by the sea.

The jeep ride is part of the fun. One account especially liked the ride over the dunes, and the rougher vehicle adds a little adventure without requiring a full expedition. You are not simply looking at the canyon from a road. You enter it and move through the rock walls.

The walking section requires more effort than the cheerful word canyon might suggest. You may need to climb, scramble, and place your feet carefully over uneven ground. Bring sturdy closed shoes with grip, not beach sandals. Pack flip-flops or sandals for the beach, but use proper shoes in the gorge.

The colors make Canyon Salama excellent for photography. Light on the sandstone can bring out the red, gold, purple, and yellow tones. The setting also gives you a close look at how wind and water have cut through the rock over time.

One weakness is the lack of a clear geological explanation. The canyon is treated mainly as a route for walking and photos, rather than a place where a guide explains how the rock formed. If you enjoy geology, you may wish for more interpretation.

There is also a cleanliness concern in the final section of the canyon. Some rubbish has been noticed there, which takes away from an otherwise impressive natural setting. This is worth knowing before you go, especially if you expect a pristine national park experience.

Photos, Shopping, and the Extra-Cost Question

Photography is built into the day. You will have attractive settings at the Blue Hole, along the coast, on the camel, and inside the canyon. Photos from the day may be offered for purchase afterward, so decide in advance how much you are comfortable spending.

The itinerary includes a stop at a local shopping center in Dahab for souvenirs. You may find scarves and other gifts there, but this stop is not essential to the natural attractions. One recent account called the market stops unnecessary, and that is a fair point if you prefer more time at the coast or canyon.

The biggest value warning concerns optional activities and sales pressure. The published price says there are no hidden fees, and the listed inclusions are clear. Still, one person reported spending another 30 to 50 euros per person on items presented as if they were necessary, even though they were optional.

I recommend asking three simple questions before paying:

• Is this included in the $70 price?
• Is it required, or is it optional?
• What is the total cost per person?

That approach helps separate the advertised tour from add-ons such as equipment, photos, quad biking, or shopping purchases. Tipping and personal spending are not included.

What the $70 Price Really Buys

At $70, this is a strong value if you want a full-day bundle of transport and activities. Hotel pickup and return, air-conditioned transport, entrance fees, lunch, a camel ride, snorkeling access, and the Canyon Salama jeep trip are all covered.

The value becomes less clear if you want generous time at each location. Ten hours sounds long, but the day includes driving, several activity changes, lunch, shopping, and the return journey. You are paying for variety and convenience rather than a slow, focused visit to one site.

The small group size can improve the experience. A group of 12 was reported, which is much easier to manage than a large coach party. Smaller groups generally mean less waiting when getting in and out of the jeep or gathering for the next stop, though group size can change by departure.

The rating of 3.5 from 24 reviews suggests a mixed but generally workable experience. The strongest points are the range of stops, the Blue Hole, the friendly guide mentioned in one account, and the amusing canyon photography. The weaker points are optional costs, unnecessary shopping stops, limited explanation at the canyon, and some litter.

Who Will Enjoy This Dahab Day Trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see several sides of South Sinai without arranging separate transport. It suits active couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a long day and uneven canyon walking.

It is also a good fit if you want photographs. The combination of camel, sea, mountains, sandstone walls, and jeep travel gives you plenty of visual variety.

You may want another option if you prefer a quiet beach day, extended snorkeling, or detailed nature interpretation. The snorkeling is relatively short, the camel ride is brief, and the canyon guide may not provide much geological context.

People with limited mobility should check the practical details carefully. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the canyon section includes climbing and scrambling according to the available experience details. Ask the operator how the accessible arrangements apply to each part of the day.

What to Bring for a Smoother Day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that solve real problems:

• Your passport and a photocopy
• Swimwear and dry clothes
• Your own snorkeling equipment, if possible
• Sturdy shoes for the canyon
• Sandals or flip-flops for the beach
• A scarf or head covering for sun and dust
• Sun protection and water
• Money for personal purchases, tips, and optional extras

The passport photocopy is important because government permission must be arranged no later than two days before the trip. Provide the requested copy in advance rather than waiting until the morning of pickup.

A scarf can also be bought locally, but bringing one saves time and avoids adding another purchase to the day. The tour is exposed to sun, dust, and heat, so simple protection makes the long schedule easier.

Booking, Cancellation, and Languages

The host or greeter speaks English and Arabic. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

The starting time varies, so check availability for the date you want. The duration is listed as 10 hours, but pickup and return timing can depend on your hotel and the day’s schedule.

Sun Pyramids Tours operates the experience. The booking includes round-trip hotel transfers from Sharm El Sheikh, modern air-conditioned transport, entrance fees, lunch, the jeep safari, snorkeling access, the camel ride, and taxes. Tips, personal spending, optional activities, and snorkeling equipment are separate.

Should You Book This Safari?

Book it if you want a busy, varied introduction to Dahab and value having transport, lunch, and several activities handled in one package. Blue Hole is the strongest reason to go, while Canyon Salama adds color, rough jeep fun, and a change of pace.

I would book with two conditions: bring proper shoes and confirm every optional charge before paying. If you can accept a short snorkeling session, a brief camel ride, a shopping stop, and limited canyon interpretation, the $70 price is fair.

If your priority is long snorkeling time or a calm day with no sales stops, choose a more focused excursion. For everyone else, this is a practical way to fit sea, desert, Bedouin food, camels, and sandstone cliffs into one memorable day.

FAQ

How long does the Dahab safari from Sharm El Sheikh last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including transportation from Sharm El Sheikh and the return journey.

What is included in the $70 price?

The price includes round-trip hotel transfers, modern air-conditioned van transport, entrance fees, the Canyon Salama jeep safari, snorkeling at Blue Hole, lunch, a 20-minute camel ride, taxes, and fees.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own or ask the operator about available arrangements before departure.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts 20 minutes and takes place along the coast.

Do I need my passport?

Yes. You must bring your passport and provide a photocopy. The copy is needed to arrange government permission no later than two days before the tour.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, the Canyon Salama section includes climbing and scrambling, so confirm how accessibility applies to that part before booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.