Freediving the Blue Hole in Dahab starts with a short drive. Fifteen minutes from town, the road runs along the coast. Mountains and desert on one side. The Red Sea on the other. On a clear day you can already see Saudi Arabia in the distance. Then you arrive at the Blue Hole, and you see it immediately. The colour of the water is different. Unmistakably so.
Nobody knows exactly how it got there. A massive hole in the reef, between 50 and 70 metres wide and dropping to over 90 metres. One of only three blue holes in the world. And the one that freedivers keep talking about.
What makes it different
For freediving, the appeal is straightforward: depth, close to shore, with a shore entry. You are in significant water within minutes of walking in. No boat, no long surface swim. At the Lighthouse, training depth depends on the tide. At the Blue Hole, it is always there.
But what you cannot fully prepare for is how it feels to dive it. You drop below the surface and you can see the reef wall of the Blue Hole curving away beneath you. It is like freediving inside a tunnel. The water is extraordinarily clear. You are not diving in open water. You are diving into something.
The reef around the edge of the Blue Hole, at five to ten metres, is also some of the best in Dahab. Colourful, healthy, busy with marine life. Even if you are not going deep, there is plenty to see.
When we take new people there, we often walk up to the viewpoint above the restaurants first. From above, you can see the Blue Hole clearly outlined in the reef. It puts the scale of it into perspective before you get in the water.
What people get wrong about it
The Blue Hole has a reputation. There have been accidents there over the years, and that history follows it around. Some people arrive nervous. Others assume it is only for advanced divers.
Both of those assumptions miss the point.
The Blue Hole itself is not a dangerous place. It is a freediving site that can be dived at almost any depth. The reef at the rim is accessible to beginners. Deeper training is for certified divers working with an instructor. The risks people associate with the Blue Hole come from divers who pushed beyond their training and experience, often without proper supervision. That is a different thing entirely.
Come with the right preparation and the right people, and the Blue Hole is simply a beautiful place to freedive.
Who it is for
We bring people to the Blue Hole for two different reasons.
For training, we generally recommend the Blue Hole once you are working beyond 40 metres. Below that, the Lighthouse handles most of what you need, and it is closer. Above 40 metres, the Blue Hole gives you consistent depth that the Lighthouse cannot always offer.
For the experience, any certified freediver can come. If you want to see what it looks like, dive the reef around the edge, and feel what it is like to drop into the hole, that is reason enough. You do not need to be chasing depth records to make the trip worthwhile.
If you are on a beginner course or advanced course with us, we include a Blue Hole session as part of the programme. It is one of those things you have to do while you are in Dahab.
What a Blue Hole day looks like
We pack the gear before we leave and drive out together. We usually go early in the morning. It is quieter then, the light on the water is better, and the heat has not built up yet.
When we arrive, we set up at one of the freediving restaurants that look out over the Blue Hole. Warm-up and stretching happen there, before anyone gets in the water. Then we walk in, set the buoy on the line that is already anchored in the hole, and start the session.
After diving, we come back to the restaurant. There is always time for pancakes. Personal best pancakes, we call them. If there is energy and appetite for more time in the water, we might do a fun dive on the reef. It depends on the group and what people feel like.
The drive back takes fifteen minutes. Back at the centre, we rinse the gear and sit down for a debrief. How the dives went, what to work on next, what felt different compared to the Lighthouse. Then the rest of the day is yours.
Because of the drive, a Blue Hole session is a full morning or a full day. You are not popping back to Dahab in between. Plan for it accordingly, and bring everything you need.
What to bring
- Your freediving certification card
- Your freediving gear (or rent ours)
- Water. More than you think you need.
- Sunscreen
- A towel
- Credit card for the entrance fee ($20 per person). We can pay it for you and add it to your session invoice if that is easier.
- Cash or card for the restaurant
That is it. No complicated logistics. We handle the rest.
Ready to freedive the Blue Hole in Dahab?
Blue Hole training sessions are available as standalone sessions or as part of a training week. If you are on a course with us, we plan the Blue Hole visit as part of your programme.
Book a training session and mention the Blue Hole, or get in touch if you have questions about what level makes sense for you.
See you in the water. Emilio & Liam
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blue Hole in Dahab dangerous?
The Blue Hole is safe when you dive it with proper preparation and supervision. Its reputation comes from divers who attempted extreme depths without appropriate training or guidance. As a freediving site for recreational and training dives, it is no more dangerous than any other open water location. We dive it regularly with students at all levels.
What certification do you need to freedive the Blue Hole?
For recreational dives on the reef around the Blue Hole rim, AIDA 2 or SSI Level 1 is sufficient. For deeper training dives inside the hole, we recommend AIDA 3 or SSI Level 2, or equivalent experience. We assess each diver individually and plan the session around your current level.
How deep is the Blue Hole in Dahab?
The Blue Hole drops to approximately 90 metres at its deepest point. Training dives with us typically range from 20 to 60 metres depending on your certification and goals. The reef around the edge is accessible from 5 to 15 metres.
How far is the Blue Hole from Dahab?
About 15 minutes by car along the coast road. We drive there together with all the equipment. Because of the distance, a Blue Hole session is typically a half-day or full-day outing. We go early to avoid the heat and the crowds.
Is there an entrance fee for the Blue Hole?
Yes, there is a $20 per person entrance fee payable on arrival by credit card, in addition to the session pricing. We can pay it on your behalf and add it to your invoice. The fee goes to the local authority managing the site.
Can beginners freedive the Blue Hole?
Yes, though we typically bring beginners to the Lighthouse first. The Blue Hole is included in our advanced course and available to certified divers on training sessions. If you are on a beginner course with us, we assess whether a Blue Hole visit fits into your programme based on your progress.