Ahmed “Bambino” Korany starts his day with a ritual familiar to many in Dahab: waking up as the sun rises over the Red Sea and preparing to dive. For most freedivers based in this Egyptian town, the stillness of the early morning is an enticing invitation to get into the water.
“I dive with a few students, have good food, stretch, relax, sleep and repeat,” he explains, reflecting the slow rhythm of life between the rugged Sinai mountains and clear Red Sea waters.
Once a traditional Bedouin fishing village, Dahab has transformed over the last decade or so into a hotspot for adventure sports lovers – especially those drawn to the water. Located on the southeastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula, the town is home to a thriving community of scuba divers, kite surfers and rock climbers, but a growing number of freedivers adds a unique twist to life in Dahab.
“I dive with a few students, have good food, stretch, relax, sleep and repeat,” he explains, reflecting the slow rhythm of life between the rugged Sinai mountains and clear Red Sea waters.
Once a traditional Bedouin fishing village, Dahab has transformed over the last decade or so into a hotspot for adventure sports lovers – especially those drawn to the water. Located on the southeastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula, the town is home to a thriving community of scuba divers, kite surfers and rock climbers, but a growing number of freedivers adds a unique twist to life in Dahab.
Local children snorkelling and playing in the Red Sea
Freediving, where athletes hold their breath when diving underwater, has gained considerable momentum over the last few years. Sometimes referred to as an “extreme sport”, freediving requires devotees to train to hold their breath for minutes at a time, with record-holders diving more than 100m beneath the sea on a single breath. Considered one of the epicentres of the sport’s development, Dahab attracts elite athletes, beginners and curious adventurers thanks to its favourable ocean conditions and supportive atmosphere.
Framed by rugged mountains in rich hues of orange and red on one side and hugging the turquoise Red Sea waters on the other, Dahab offers a slither of liveliness against an otherwise arid and remote landscape. Date palms and Egyptian acacia trees add a pop of shady, desaturated green to a community of Bedouin-style homes and streets dusted with desert sand. You can cross the entirety of the town by car in just 15 minutes, in which time you’ll encounter herds of goats, street vendors and people sipping Arabic coffee on colourful cushions by the waterfront.
Freediving, where athletes hold their breath when diving underwater, has gained considerable momentum over the last few years. Sometimes referred to as an “extreme sport”, freediving requires devotees to train to hold their breath for minutes at a time, with record-holders diving more than 100m beneath the sea on a single breath. Considered one of the epicentres of the sport’s development, Dahab attracts elite athletes, beginners and curious adventurers thanks to its favourable ocean conditions and supportive atmosphere.
Framed by rugged mountains in rich hues of orange and red on one side and hugging the turquoise Red Sea waters on the other, Dahab offers a slither of liveliness against an otherwise arid and remote landscape. Date palms and Egyptian acacia trees add a pop of shady, desaturated green to a community of Bedouin-style homes and streets dusted with desert sand. You can cross the entirety of the town by car in just 15 minutes, in which time you’ll encounter herds of goats, street vendors and people sipping Arabic coffee on colourful cushions by the waterfront.
Julia Tobler prepares for a freedive
Korany is among many freedivers making their mark on this small desert town. Having recently opened One Breath Academy, he’s witnessed a massive increase in demand for freediving courses among foreign and Egyptian students. Many expect this demand will only rise, constituting an ever-increasing share of tourists coming to Dahab.
Perhaps the allure of the town itself has partially fuelled this growth. "Dahab is the mecca of freediving," Clara Katz, a French freediving instructor, says. She highlights the accessibility of Dahab’s dive sites, warm waters, calm seas and minimal currents as big selling points. One of those sites is the Blue Hole, a 93m-deep underwater sinkhole renowned worldwide among divers. "People even come here just to take photos of it," Korany adds.
Korany is among many freedivers making their mark on this small desert town. Having recently opened One Breath Academy, he’s witnessed a massive increase in demand for freediving courses among foreign and Egyptian students. Many expect this demand will only rise, constituting an ever-increasing share of tourists coming to Dahab.
Perhaps the allure of the town itself has partially fuelled this growth. "Dahab is the mecca of freediving," Clara Katz, a French freediving instructor, says. She highlights the accessibility of Dahab’s dive sites, warm waters, calm seas and minimal currents as big selling points. One of those sites is the Blue Hole, a 93m-deep underwater sinkhole renowned worldwide among divers. "People even come here just to take photos of it," Korany adds.
Dahab locals enjoy an evening in Lighthouse Bay
But the dive sites are just the beginning. While the water draws divers to Dahab, something deeper keeps them here – a thriving, inclusive community you rarely find in other Egyptian destinations, or further afield. This community is shaping the culture of the town itself.
Katz came here with “no expectations” to learn freediving but stayed for reasons that go beyond the water. “There's something magical about Dahab. I loved the weather, but I also love the community and the genuineness of the people here, which gives it a magical vibe.” She adds that the town attracts a certain kind of traveller: “people who are open-minded; who are probably on a path to discover themselves, too.”
A strict buddy system within the sport builds strong bonds among freedivers. Buddies provide safety during dives and are responsible for potentially saving a freediver’s life should anything go wrong. Those intense and relatively intimate moments in the water forge deep trust and connections that are felt both in and out of the water. You’ll often find freedivers tucking into pancakes at Aquamarina, one of the town’s most famous freediver hangouts, located right beside the Blue Hole, or talking about their dives over coffee at Bayside Eatery. There are also plenty of exercises freedivers do on land, so it’s not unusual to see people blowing up balloons with their noses – a bizarre sight for outsiders but perfectly normal in freediving circles.
But the dive sites are just the beginning. While the water draws divers to Dahab, something deeper keeps them here – a thriving, inclusive community you rarely find in other Egyptian destinations, or further afield. This community is shaping the culture of the town itself.
Katz came here with “no expectations” to learn freediving but stayed for reasons that go beyond the water. “There's something magical about Dahab. I loved the weather, but I also love the community and the genuineness of the people here, which gives it a magical vibe.” She adds that the town attracts a certain kind of traveller: “people who are open-minded; who are probably on a path to discover themselves, too.”
A strict buddy system within the sport builds strong bonds among freedivers. Buddies provide safety during dives and are responsible for potentially saving a freediver’s life should anything go wrong. Those intense and relatively intimate moments in the water forge deep trust and connections that are felt both in and out of the water. You’ll often find freedivers tucking into pancakes at Aquamarina, one of the town’s most famous freediver hangouts, located right beside the Blue Hole, or talking about their dives over coffee at Bayside Eatery. There are also plenty of exercises freedivers do on land, so it’s not unusual to see people blowing up balloons with their noses – a bizarre sight for outsiders but perfectly normal in freediving circles.
Tobler dives with a school of hardyhead silversides
“Freedivers have the same lifestyle – same food, activities and workouts. That’s why we always have something to share, and that’s how the community grows," Korany explains.
Beyond the shared dives, meals and coffees, the town’s freediving culture extends to events that create an atmosphere of constant learning. “Dahab is a melting pot of knowledge,” says Julia Tobler, a Swiss freediver and the founder of Shadesinblue, which offers freediving retreats in the town. She explains that freedivers come from around the world and share techniques and ideas through presentations, workshops and screenings at schools including Dahab Freedivers, Touchdown and Freedive Dahab.
“Freedivers have the same lifestyle – same food, activities and workouts. That’s why we always have something to share, and that’s how the community grows," Korany explains.
Beyond the shared dives, meals and coffees, the town’s freediving culture extends to events that create an atmosphere of constant learning. “Dahab is a melting pot of knowledge,” says Julia Tobler, a Swiss freediver and the founder of Shadesinblue, which offers freediving retreats in the town. She explains that freedivers come from around the world and share techniques and ideas through presentations, workshops and screenings at schools including Dahab Freedivers, Touchdown and Freedive Dahab.
Clara Katz in an underwater cave, left, and right, Tobler adjusts her dive mask
From presentations about safety to discussions on plastic-free initiatives, the freediving community is often at the forefront of driving change in Dahab. This culture of shared learning has created a close-knit community while contributing to the success of schools and instructors. “We have a very healthy culture. I think many of us are conscious that when we work as a community, more people are drawn to freedive because we are inclusive and have a good vibe,” Tobler adds.
Katz is also a freediving competition judge who often oversees record-breaking attempts and deep dives. These events attract athletes from around the world, drawing international attention to Dahab. And even in competitive settings, freediving has a uniquely supportive feel that celebrates everyone’s successes. Many Dahabians woke up early to cheer on their friends from the water during a competition at the Blue Hole this summer. More recently, crowds gathered at hotel Neom Dahab to spend the day watching divers hold their breath in a pool.
From presentations about safety to discussions on plastic-free initiatives, the freediving community is often at the forefront of driving change in Dahab. This culture of shared learning has created a close-knit community while contributing to the success of schools and instructors. “We have a very healthy culture. I think many of us are conscious that when we work as a community, more people are drawn to freedive because we are inclusive and have a good vibe,” Tobler adds.
Katz is also a freediving competition judge who often oversees record-breaking attempts and deep dives. These events attract athletes from around the world, drawing international attention to Dahab. And even in competitive settings, freediving has a uniquely supportive feel that celebrates everyone’s successes. Many Dahabians woke up early to cheer on their friends from the water during a competition at the Blue Hole this summer. More recently, crowds gathered at hotel Neom Dahab to spend the day watching divers hold their breath in a pool.
Julia Tobler in Lighthouse Bay
But it’s not just about breaking records or diving ever-deeper. “A big part of freediving is understanding how much our mind and mental state influence our overall wellbeing,” Tobler explains, highlighting the connection between body and mind that the sport fosters.
As a result, Dahab has become home to a rich ecosystem of wellness events, yoga classes and retreats that complement freediving. Offering a blend of water activities, desert adventures and yoga practice, Tobler works closely with the Bedouin community to organise retreats that help guests unlock a deeper connection to themselves while embracing a simpler way of living. “The Sinai desert is this vast wild, untouched space, which does a lot to people,” she explains. “And then to connect with the locals… the Bedouins show us the desert; they cook the food; they know how to navigate in the desert.”
Korany similarly points out that: “everything is connected to freediving.” In addition to his school’s freediving classes, he has introduced ice baths on the rooftop. “It gives you a very good dopamine boost,” he explains, highlighting how these sessions, open to both divers and non-divers, offer a chance to explore personal limits while recovering from the sport’s physical demands.
But it’s not just about breaking records or diving ever-deeper. “A big part of freediving is understanding how much our mind and mental state influence our overall wellbeing,” Tobler explains, highlighting the connection between body and mind that the sport fosters.
As a result, Dahab has become home to a rich ecosystem of wellness events, yoga classes and retreats that complement freediving. Offering a blend of water activities, desert adventures and yoga practice, Tobler works closely with the Bedouin community to organise retreats that help guests unlock a deeper connection to themselves while embracing a simpler way of living. “The Sinai desert is this vast wild, untouched space, which does a lot to people,” she explains. “And then to connect with the locals… the Bedouins show us the desert; they cook the food; they know how to navigate in the desert.”
Korany similarly points out that: “everything is connected to freediving.” In addition to his school’s freediving classes, he has introduced ice baths on the rooftop. “It gives you a very good dopamine boost,” he explains, highlighting how these sessions, open to both divers and non-divers, offer a chance to explore personal limits while recovering from the sport’s physical demands.
Julia Tobler prepares her equipment for a diver
What’s clear is that Dahab and the people that call this place home are inextricably linked. “The rhythm of Dahab is shaped by freedivers,” Katz says. “Cafés open early, and taxis run to the Blue Hole at dawn – it’s a lifestyle that promotes health and intentionality.”
“I think Dahab would look very different without freediving,” Tobler agrees. “You have the facilities, but Dahab is also natural and primitive,” Korany adds, explaining that a unique blend of accessibility and simplicity draws people to the town. “People here really care about the place.”
What’s clear is that Dahab and the people that call this place home are inextricably linked. “The rhythm of Dahab is shaped by freedivers,” Katz says. “Cafés open early, and taxis run to the Blue Hole at dawn – it’s a lifestyle that promotes health and intentionality.”
“I think Dahab would look very different without freediving,” Tobler agrees. “You have the facilities, but Dahab is also natural and primitive,” Korany adds, explaining that a unique blend of accessibility and simplicity draws people to the town. “People here really care about the place.”
The Lowdown
Dahab is a one-hour drive from Sharm El Sheikh airport, which welcomes international flights. You can also travel by land from Cairo, but the route can take up to 10 hours by bus.