Ras Abu Gallum & Blue Hole Snorkel Safari by Jeep and camel

The best part of this Dahab day is the mix of ways to see the coast: camel across the desert, boat over the Gulf of Aqaba, jeep back through the mountains, and two major snorkeling sites in between. You get more than a beach outing, but the day still leaves plenty of time in the water.

I like the simple value here. Pickup, lunch, transport, a camel ride, and snorkeling gear are bundled into the $58.89 price. I also like the small-group limit of 15, plus the friendly, multilingual guiding reported from guides such as Ahmed and Mohammed. The main catch is that the Blue Hole entrance fee is extra, and the busy site may not feel as peaceful as the name suggests.

Key points to know before booking

• Two snorkeling stops give you a chance to compare the Blue Hole with the quieter Ras Abu Gallum area.
• A 10-minute camel ride connects the Canyon route with the Blue Hole.
• Boat transfers take about 30 minutes each way, adding a scenic coastal leg to the day.
• Lunch and Bedouin tea are included, giving the outing a local touch beyond the water activities.
• The group is capped at 15 people, though the exact guide team can vary.
• The Blue Hole entrance fee is not included, and the booking is non-refundable.

A full day built around the Red Sea coast

This excursion gives you a broad look at the area around Dahab without asking you to arrange several separate rides. You leave at about 10 a.m. and return to Dahab at roughly 5 p.m., so set aside most of the day.

The route combines four kinds of movement: car or jeep, camel, boat, and plenty of time on foot around the shore. That variety is the real appeal. If you want only a long, quiet snorkeling session, a simpler beach trip may suit you better. If you enjoy changing scenery and a little adventure between swims, this is a stronger choice.

The tour takes place around the Ras Abu Gallum Protected Reserve, an important reason to book this rather than a standard beach transfer. Your guide is meant to explain local geology, plants, and wildlife as you move through the area. The information provided does not promise a fixed guide, but Ahmed and Mohammed are among the guides associated with the experience. Ahmed is described as speaking four languages, including English, Arabic, and Italian.

That matters if your group includes people with different language needs. It also helps on a day with several handoffs, since clear instructions are useful when moving from jeep to camel, camel to snorkeling, and shore to boat.

From Dahab to the Canyon by jeep

Pickup from your Dahab hotel is included, with return transport at the end. The day begins at about 10 a.m., when you head toward the Canyon by car or jeep.

The Canyon gives the trip a dry, rugged opening before the sea takes over. You are not simply driven to a resort beach and left there. The route shows the contrast that makes the Dahab area special: bare desert and rock beside clear Red Sea water.

The exact amount of time spent at the Canyon is not specified, so think of it as the starting point for the day rather than a separately timed hike. Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground and clothing suited to sun and dust. The tour description does not state that walking equipment, towels, or sun protection are supplied, so bring your own practical basics.

The jeep portion also has a useful role at the end of the day. After the boat returns you to the Blue Hole, a jeep is expected to be waiting for the trip back to Dahab. This avoids retracing the entire route by camel or boat and keeps the schedule moving.

A 10-minute camel ride to the Blue Hole

From the Canyon area, you ride a camel for about 10 minutes to the Blue Hole. It is a short ride, not a long camel safari, so I would treat it as a taste of desert transport rather than the main event.

That short length is good news if you are curious about riding a camel but do not want hours in the saddle. It also means the ride is unlikely to dominate the day. You get the fun of arriving at the coast in an old-fashioned way, then move on to the main water activity.

Camel rides can feel awkward at first, especially when the animal stands up or kneels down. Listen closely to the guide’s instructions and hold on as directed. The supplied information does not specify the type of saddle or exact route, so do not book this expecting a full desert expedition.

Still, the little ride adds character. You are not just changing vehicles at a parking area. The shift from rocky desert to the Blue Hole by camel makes the arrival feel more like a small expedition.

Snorkeling at the Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is the first major water stop, with time for snorkeling and lunch. Its underwater setting is famous, and the marine life listed for this area includes parrotfish, unicorn fish, and other Red Sea species.

The snorkeling equipment included is limited to a mask and tube. You should bring fins if you prefer to use them, unless your operator confirms otherwise. The information does not say that wetsuits, flotation aids, towels, or prescription masks are supplied.

The Blue Hole can be a striking place, but you should keep your expectations sensible. The site can be crowded, and one account describes it as busy with fewer fish and less coral than expected. That does not make it worthless, but it does mean the name creates a bigger promise than the actual stop may deliver for every swimmer.

I would approach it as one part of a larger day rather than the sole reason to book. Conditions, crowd levels, and the exact snorkeling area can affect what you see. The strongest part of the itinerary comes from pairing this stop with Ras Abu Gallum instead of treating the Blue Hole as the whole experience.

The entrance fee is not included in the advertised price. Ask about the current amount before the day begins, and carry money for that charge and any personal expenses. The tour description does not give the fee, so I cannot tell you the final all-in cost from the listed price alone.

Lunch and Bedouin tea by the water

Lunch is included, along with tea at a traditional Bedouin tea house. This is a useful break between water activities, especially because the day runs for about eight hours.

The meal gives you time to slow down rather than rushing from one photo stop to the next. It also adds a local element that a basic boat transfer would miss. Food quality can vary, and the information does not provide a menu, so bring a snack only if you have particular dietary needs or want extra food between swims.

The tea stop is also a practical chance to dry off, rest, and listen to the guide. The tour promises explanations about local geology, flora, and fauna, and this kind of pause is a natural place to ask questions.

The meal has been praised for being good on related outings, but no detailed menu or dietary guarantee is provided. If you have allergies or strict food requirements, tell the operator ahead of time rather than assuming the included lunch will meet them.

Thirty minutes by boat to Ras Abu Gallum

After the Blue Hole and lunch, you take a boat to Ras Abu Gallum. The ride takes about 30 minutes each way, so the transfer itself becomes part of the experience.

This is where the combination format earns its keep. You get a view of the coast from the water instead of seeing only the road and shore. The ride also links the two snorkeling areas without requiring a long land transfer.

Ras Abu Gallum is the second major water stop and, for many people, the more rewarding one. The protected setting offers a change from the Blue Hole, and the trip is described as an expedition to two snorkeling locations rather than a single crowded swim.

You should still expect basic conditions rather than a polished marina excursion. Boat size, shade, seating, and the exact time at the site are not specified. If you are prone to seasickness, the 30-minute ride each way is worth considering. Bring any medication you normally use, though the tour does not list such supplies.

At Ras Abu Gallum, your guide may snorkel with you and point out the best areas. One praised aspect of the guiding is the effort to show swimmers attractive underwater spots and stay aware of how they are feeling. That personal attention can make a real difference if you are new to snorkeling or unsure where to look.

Returning by boat, then jeep to Dahab

After snorkeling at Ras Abu Gallum, the boat takes you back to the Blue Hole. The return crossing is listed as about 30 minutes, and a jeep should be waiting there for the drive back to Dahab.

This final switch is efficient, but it can make the afternoon feel busy. You need to be ready to leave the shore when the guide calls the group together. Keep valuables in a secure waterproof bag and avoid leaving important items loose on the beach or boat.

The return to Dahab is expected at about 5 p.m., though the total timing can shift. Boat conditions, group movement, and the pace of the snorkeling stops all affect the schedule. Do not book a late, fixed appointment immediately afterward unless you leave a generous buffer.

The small-group maximum of 15 is helpful here. A group of that size is easier to move through several transport changes than a large coach party. It can also make it easier to ask the guide for help with equipment or snorkeling technique.

What the $58.89 price really covers

At $58.89 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use most of the included elements. You are paying for hotel pickup and return, all listed transport, the camel ride, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and access to a full-day route with two water stops.

Booking the parts separately could cost more and would leave you responsible for coordinating the jeep, camel, boat, meal, and return trip. The combination saves effort as well as money. That is especially useful in Dahab, where a badly timed connection could cut into your snorkeling time.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet, private experience or if you already have transport and equipment. This is a group outing, with up to 15 people, and the included gear is basic: mask and tube only.

Remember the extra entrance fee at the Blue Hole. Personal expenses are also excluded. The price should therefore be treated as the package cost, not the final amount for every person.

The experience is booked, on average, about five days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your Dahab stay is short. Confirmation is provided at booking, and group discounts are available.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a varied Red Sea day rather than one long session at a single beach. The camel ride is short, the boat crossings add a sense of movement, and the jeep route provides a dry-land contrast to the snorkeling.

It is a good fit for people who want the main sights handled in one booking. It also suits mixed groups, since you can enjoy the desert ride, lunch, scenery, and boat trip even if you are not an expert swimmer.

Most people can participate according to the supplied information, but the activity still involves a camel ride, boat transfers, uneven shore areas, and snorkeling. If any of those are difficult for you, ask the operator for details before paying.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is solitude. The Blue Hole may be crowded, and a group outing has a set rhythm. You may also prefer another option if you want fins, specialist snorkeling equipment, a private guide, or a long guided swim.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That makes it especially important to check your hotel pickup details, date, and personal ability before committing.

What to pack for the Blue Hole and Ras Abu Gallum

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a waterproof bag for valuables. The included snorkeling equipment is only a mask and tube, so bring or arrange any extra gear you need.

Carry money for the Blue Hole entrance fee and personal expenses. Keep some water with you, even though lunch and tea are provided.

Wear footwear that works for both the desert and shore areas. You will move through several settings in one day, and a fragile pair of sandals may not be your best choice.

Finally, keep your schedule flexible after the tour. The planned return is about 5 p.m., but an eight-hour outing with road travel and boat crossings can run late.

Should you book this Dahab safari?

Book it if you want an efficient, good-value introduction to Dahab’s desert coast, with two snorkeling locations and plenty of variety between them. The included pickup, lunch, camel ride, transport, and basic gear make the $58.89 price appealing, especially for a first visit.

Go in with realistic expectations. The Blue Hole may be crowded, the included equipment is simple, and the entrance fee is extra. The boat ride to Ras Abu Gallum, the Bedouin tea stop, and the care shown by guides such as Ahmed and Mohammed are likely to be the more memorable parts.

For a full day that mixes sea, sand, camel, boat, and jeep without complicated planning, I think this is a solid choice. Just confirm the extra fee and your pickup details before you book, since the reservation cannot be refunded or changed.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, with an expected return to Dahab at about 5:00 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from your Dahab hotel and return transport are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and tea at a traditional Bedouin tea house are included.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

A mask and tube are provided. No other snorkeling equipment is specifically listed.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride from the Canyon to the Blue Hole takes about 10 minutes.

How long is the boat ride to Ras Abu Gallum?

The boat ride takes about 30 minutes each way.

Is the Blue Hole entrance fee included?

No. The Blue Hole entrance fee is not included in the tour price.