Town in South Sinai, Egypt
Is Dahab safe?
Relaxed and safe by Egyptian standards, with low street crime and a small, friendly community.
Is Dahab safe?
Relaxed and safe by Egyptian standards, with low street crime and a small, friendly community. Diving accidents, desert excursions and regional tension matter more than theft.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-07-14.
- Homicide rate in Egypt: 1.3 per 100,000 people (2017, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Egypt: 10.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
Safety in Dahab at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Occasional petty theft from rooms and beaches, overcharging by taxis and some pushy touts. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Masbat and Assala are lively and safe, then quiet after midnight. Streets are dim on the edges; use a taxi from far-out lodgings. |
| Solo women | One of Egypt's easier places for solo women. Some staring and catcalling happen; cover up away from the beach and avoid empty paths at night. |
| Other risks | Blue Hole dive accidents and deaths; Strong winter winds and rough seas; Flash floods in the mountains |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi drivers quoting inflated prices for the airport or Blue Hole
- Beach 'guides' or camel-ride sellers asking for large tips
- Dive operators selling unneeded gear or extra courses
Take care
- Blue Hole and the Arch: advanced diving only with an experienced guide
- Remote Sinai desert and mountain tracks: go with licensed Bedouin guides
- Swimming without flags when winter winds are strong
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing people needs their consent; children, officials and military sites, including the Suez Canal, are off-limits.
- Importing or flying a drone without Defence Ministry permission can mean up to 7 years in prison.
- Criticising the government, including in social media posts, can lead to detention.
How Dahab compares in Egypt
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hurghada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Aswan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dahab | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marsa Alam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Gouna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siwa Oasis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Luxor | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Alexandria | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Dahab safe for solo female travelers?
One of Egypt's easier places for solo women. Some staring and catcalling happen; cover up away from the beach and avoid empty paths at night.
Is Dahab safe at night?
Masbat and Assala are lively and safe, then quiet after midnight. Streets are dim on the edges; use a taxi from far-out lodgings.
What is the crime rate in Dahab?
Occasional petty theft from rooms and beaches, overcharging by taxis and some pushy touts. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Egypt records 1.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2017).
What number do I call in an emergency in Dahab?
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
More about Dahab
Going to Dahab solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Dahab meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
- Go Bus
- UK FCDO travel advice: Egypt
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.