Dahab, meaning “gold” in Arabic, earned its name from the shimmering sands and golden hues that greet travelers along the Sinai coastline. Long before it became a haven for divers and seekers of serenity, Dahab was home to the Bedouin tribes — the custodians of the desert and the sea. For centuries, nomadic families lived between its mountains and shore, sustaining their traditions through fishing, goat herding, and trade routes that stretched across the Arabian Peninsula.

In ancient times, the Sinai Peninsula was a crossroads for caravans linking Egypt, Arabia, and the Levant. Dahab served as a quiet outpost where traders would rest by the Red Sea. But it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that this humble village began to transform. Following the 1967 war, Dahab fell under Israeli control and slowly evolved into a destination for hippies, divers, and wanderers drawn to its untouched reefs and spiritual calm.