A protected coastal reserve north of Dahab's Blue Hole, reached by camel or boat and famous for pristine reefs and Bedouin-run snorkelling lunches. Ras Abu Galum is one of the last genuinely unspoilt stretches of the South Sinai coast — no road, no resorts, just a string of Bedouin huts between the mountains and a reef wall that drops straight off the shore. Most travellers reach it on a half-day trip from Dahab, driving to the Blue Hole and then swaying north along the shoreline on a camel before an afternoon of snorkelling and grilled fish.
Some of our favourite mornings in Dahab start with a short drive north to the Blue Hole and then the slow, rocking rhythm of a camel picking its way along the shoreline. We run this route regularly, and it never loses its magic: within twenty minutes the last dive centre disappears behind you and it's just the Gulf of Aqaba on one side, the bare red mountains of Sinai on the other, and the odd Bedouin child waving from a hut. Ras Abu Galum is where guests who think they've 'done' the Red Sea suddenly go quiet — it's that different from the resort coast. This is the trip we send snorkellers, divers and anyone who wants Egypt's sea without the sunbeds and speakers.
Ras Abu Galum protectorate is a protected coastal reserve on the Gulf of Aqaba, declared back in 1992 to shield one of the richest and least-developed stretches of the South Sinai coast. It sits directly north of the Blue Hole and stretches up towards the Blue Lagoon, covering desert, mountain and a long ribbon of fringing reef. With no paved road into the core of the reserve, it has stayed remarkably pristine — you reach it on foot, by camel or by boat, and the only permanent presence is the Muzeina Bedouin, who have fished here for generations and now run the simple huts and lunches. For travellers, the appeal is straightforward: this is what the Sinai coast looked like before the hotels, with coral gardens in shallow water and a genuinely remote, unspoilt feel.
Tell us when you can travel and we'll suggest the ideal route and season — usually within the hour.
Chat with a local expertThe Ras Abu Galum camel ride is the signature part of the day and half the reason people come. From the Blue Hole, a Bedouin camel train follows a narrow coastal path for roughly 45 minutes to an hour, threading between the water's edge and the cliffs. It's gentle, scenic and completely unlike anything on the resort strip — you're up high, looking down onto turquoise shallows and the occasional turtle or ray. If you'd rather not ride, you can walk the same trail or arrive by boat, but the camel is the classic way in and out. Dahab day tours
Abu Galum snorkelling is the payoff. The reef here starts just a few metres from the shore and drops away into a wall, so you get vivid hard and soft corals, shoals of anthias and butterflyfish, and often a turtle or two — all without a long swim. Visibility is usually excellent and the water calm inside the reef, which makes it forgiving for less confident swimmers while still thrilling experienced ones. Bring your own mask if you can; rental gear is available at the huts but quality varies. For a deeper dive into technique and the best local sites, our snorkelling guide is worth a read before you go. Snorkeling in Dahab guide
Ras Abu Galum is a serious dive destination in its own right, with a healthy reef wall, strong currents in places and pelagic sightings that keep divers coming back. Most trips run as guided shore dives or as a boat leg from Dahab, and the reserve's protected status shows in the density of coral and fish life. If Sinai's underwater world is the main reason you're in Egypt, factor a diving day here into your plans. Scuba diving in Egypt
Between snorkels, you'll settle into a palm-frond hut on the beach, sprawl on cushions in the shade and eat whatever the Bedouin have grilled that day — usually fresh fish, rice, salad and sweet Bedouin tea. It's simple, it's delicious, and it's the part guests talk about for years. There's no electricity and no menu; you eat what the sea and the day provide, which is exactly the point.
Ras Abu Galum is almost always visited as a half- or full-day trip from Dahab, about 30 minutes' drive up the coast to the Blue Hole, where the camels and boats wait. On our organised trips, hotel pickup, the transfer, the camel ride, snorkelling gear, the Bedouin lunch and the reserve entry are all arranged for you, so there's no haggling at the trailhead and no worrying about permits or logistics — you just show up and enjoy the day. Independent visitors can negotiate a camel and lunch directly with the Bedouin at the Blue Hole, but going with a local operator is smoother, safer around the currents, and usually better value once you add everything up. The easiest way to lock it in is through our Dahab day tours, which pair Ras Abu Galum with the Blue Hole so you get both highlights in one outing. Blue Hole snorkelling & quad tour
★ Want Ras Abu Galum sorted end to end? Our Dahab day tours handle pickup, the camel trek, snorkelling gear and the Bedouin lunch — all you bring is a swimsuit and a sense of adventure. Browse our Dahab day tours Dahab day tours
We'll tell you honestly what the weather and crowds are really like for your travel dates.
Chat with a local expertYou can visit Ras Abu Galum year-round, but the sweet spot is spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when the water is warm, the air is comfortable and the midday sun on the exposed coast is bearable. Summer is hot and best tackled early in the day; winter days are sunny but the water turns cool, so a wetsuit or rash vest helps. Whatever the season, come prepared — there are no shops once you leave the Blue Hole. Best time to visit Egypt
This trip suits snorkellers and divers who want a pristine, protected reef without a long boat ride, and nature lovers happy to trade sunbeds for a camel and a beach hut. It's a hit with couples and solo travellers after something quieter, and with families whose kids are strong enough for the shallow reef and a short camel ride. It's less ideal if you need resort comforts, want guaranteed shade all day, or aren't comfortable with basic facilities and the odd current — in those cases the calmer Blue Lagoon or Dahab's town beaches may fit better. Dahab desert safari
The obvious pairing is the Blue Hole itself, right at the trailhead — most people snorkel or dive both in a single day. Push a little further north and you reach the Blue Lagoon, a shallow, wind-protected bay that's ideal for beginners and kitesurfers alike. Back in town, Dahab has enough laid-back cafés, dive shops and desert excursions to fill several more days, and there's a good spread of places to stay from backpacker to boutique. Browse our other Red Sea guides to build out the trip. Blue Hole Dahab Blue Lagoon Dahab Things to do in Dahab Where to stay in Dahab More Red Sea attraction guides
★ Turning Dahab into a full Red Sea holiday? Our Red Sea travel packages string together the best of Sinai and the coast — reefs, deserts and Bedouin culture — with the logistics handled. See our Red Sea travel packages Red Sea travel packages
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