Sharm El Sheikh: Colored Canyon, Blue Hole Snorkeling & Dahab Lunch

Summary

Sinai’s wild colors, Red Sea snorkeling, and Dahab’s laid-back charm in a single day

You’ll ride camels by Dahab’s coastline, snorkel among wild coral at the Blue Hole, eat smoky grilled lunch in a beach tent, and wind through Colored Canyon’s painted stone—all with local guides who know every shortcut and story. This isn’t just sightseeing—it’s Sinai under your skin.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to try the camel?” our guide grinned, already holding out the reins. I’d barely stepped out of the van in Dahab and suddenly there I was, wobbling along the Red Sea coast with salt in the air and my heart thumping. The light here is different—sharp but kind of golden—and for a second I forgot about everything except that slow sway above turquoise water. My friend tried to take a photo but mostly caught me laughing (and clutching on for dear life). We’d left Sharm El Sheikh early—still yawning—and it felt like we’d landed on another planet.

The drive to the Blue Hole was bumpy, windows down so we could catch that dry desert breeze. Our guide, Ahmed, pointed out random goats picking their way over rocks—he said their milk makes the best tea but I didn’t get to try it. At the Blue Hole itself, I just stood there for a moment smelling sunscreen and seaweed and feeling nervous about snorkeling (I’m not exactly Jacques Cousteau). But once I dipped under—wow. The coral really does look like someone spilled paint everywhere. Fish darted around my ankles; I lost track of time until Ahmed waved us back for lunch.

Lunch was in this Bedouin-style tent right on the sand—grilled chicken, smoky eggplant, bread still warm from the fire. There was sweet tea too, poured from way up high like some kind of magic trick. We ate with our hands and nobody cared if you dropped rice or got sauce on your shirt (which I did). Afterward we piled into a battered jeep for the Colored Canyon. The canyon walls twisted overhead—red and gold stripes—and at one point our guide told us to just listen: total silence except for wind scraping over stone. It made me feel tiny but also weirdly calm.

We stopped in Dahab before heading back to Sharm El Sheikh—just enough time to wander past shops selling oils and herbs (the smell of jasmine everywhere) and bargain awkwardly for souvenirs. My Arabic is terrible but people smiled anyway. On the drive home I kept replaying that moment in the canyon when everything went quiet—I still think about it sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jeep tour to Colored Canyon and Blue Hole

• Pickup from Sharm El Sheikh
• Drive to Dahab town
• Jeep ride to Colored Canyon
• Explore Colored Canyon gorge
• Visit Blue Hole National Park
• Snorkel in Blue Hole
• Lunch in Bedouin tent
• Camel ride along coast
• Quad bike ride on coastline
• Shopping in Dahab City
• Return to Sharm El Sheikh

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Sharm El Sheikh to Blue Hole and Colored Canyon?

The tour lasts a full day with early morning pickup from Sharm El Sheikh and return in the evening after visiting all stops.

Is lunch included on this Sinai tour?

Yes, lunch is included—a barbecue meal served in a Bedouin-style tent by the sea near Dahab.

Do you need snorkeling experience for Blue Hole?

No prior experience is required; guides are present and equipment is provided for snorkeling at Blue Hole.

What activities are included besides snorkeling?

The tour includes a camel ride along Dahab’s coast, a jeep safari through Colored Canyon, shopping stop in Dahab city, and optional quad bike ride if selected.

Are entry fees for Blue Hole included?

If you select that option during booking, entry fees for Blue Hole are included; otherwise they are not.

Is hotel pickup provided from Sharm El Sheikh?

Yes, air-conditioned vehicle pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh is included.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport; not recommended for pregnant travelers.

How much walking or hiking is involved?

The walk through Colored Canyon is guided and covers around 800 meters through uneven terrain; moderate fitness recommended.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from Sharm El Sheikh, all transfers between sites by jeep or van, a camel ride along Dahab’s coastline, snorkeling at Blue Hole (with entry fees if selected), barbecue lunch served Bedouin-style by the sea, bottled water throughout, guided walk through Colored Canyon (Salama Canyon), plus time to shop for oils or herbal products before heading back in the evening.