Dahab, nestled between the mountains of the Sinai Desert and the turquoise waters of the Red Sea, is a world-renowned destination for freediving. Formerly a Bedouin fishing village, located approximately 80 km northeast of Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab is considered to be one of the Sinai’s most treasured diving destinations. The calm and crystalline waters surrounding Dahab provide the perfect setting to train in the exciting and rapidly growing sport of freediving. With minimal equipment, you’ll learn to train your body to dive longer and deeper on a single breath. The true key to freediving is mastering relaxation, allowing you to push your limits safely.
Dahab, Egypt is a world-renowned destination for freediving.
Why Dahab?
Dahab, renowned for its deep dive sites like the Blue Hole and Lighthouse, provides the perfect setting. Having been to Dahab to train before, we know how incredible of a dive location it is.
The Blue Hole
The nearby Blue Hole is a submarine sinkhole (a kind of cave), around 130 m deep. The Blue Hole is just about 100m deep and is where most of modern freediving athletes have spent at least a bit of time training. There is a shallow opening around 6 m deep, known as ‘the saddle’, opening out to the sea, and a 26 m long tunnel, known as the arch, the top of which lies at a depth of 56 m. The hole itself and the surrounding area has an abundance of coral and reef fish. The Blue Hole is perfect for deep freediving because the reef around it protects it completely from waves and currents.
The Blue Hole is perfect for deep freediving because the reef around it protects it completely from waves and currents.
Read also: Best Dahab Dive Sites
When you get tired of diving on the line, the walls of the blue hole are home to absolutely stunning coral reefs and fish life. You can explore within the blue hole itself but its far less crowded to go over “The Saddle” out into the sea and swim along the outer walls where you can also find El Bells, which is an arch that sits at about 26m deep after a beautiful dive down an open chimney along the coral wall. We are going to split our time between diving in the Blue Hole (which includes a moderate drive out of town) and Lighthouse, which is within walking distance of where we will be staying for Deep Week!
Lighthouse Bay
Our freediving center is located close to the Lighthouse Bay, which is the heart of Dahab. Most of our courses take place here. The rooms have a big common terrace great for socialising, stretching, and eating during breaks from training.
When we aren’t diving, the Sinai Desert is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We have the opportunity to go to saunas and bonfires in the desert, incredible coral reef dives, and also some pretty awesome adventures into the mountains, which we plan to do during the rest days.
Freediving Courses and Programs
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced freediver, Dahab offers a variety of courses and programs to suit your needs. Are you a certified freediver looking to refresh or improve on certain skills? Do you simply want to reach new goals? You are a freediver already or you just finished a freediving course, and what you need now is refining your skills and technique: we will be your trainers/coaches, giving you suggestions and tips during the freediving sessions.
AIDA Freediving Courses
At H2O, we teach freediving using the trusted AIDA framework (International Association for the Development of Freediving), offering courses from AIDA 1* to 4*. AIDA 3* is a 4-day course that builds on your freediving skills. AIDA 4* is a 4-day course that advances your freediving skills, both theoretically and practically.
Read also: The Joys of Living in Dahab
SSI Freediving Courses
Dive Deeper into Your Passion for Freediving:
- SSI Freediver: Your introduction to the world of breath hold. You will learn the basic skills and safety involved in freediving. Price €280, Duration 3 Days.
- SSI Advance Freediver: Learn the advanced knowledge of freediving like free-fall, Frenzel and the buddy system safety. Price €310, Duration 3 Days.
- SSI Performance: Learn the advanced equalization technique: Mouth-fill and learn the advanced knowledge of deep diving. Price €425, Duration 4 Days.
Instructor Courses
- SSI Freediver Instructor: Do you love to share your passion for freediving with others? This course will give you the skills needed for you to teach freediving courses around the world. Price €1,270, Duration 12 - 14 Days.
- SSI Freediving Instructor Crossover: Ready to join the team? Price €120 per day, Duration Min 3 Days.
- SSI Advance Instructor: Support your freediving dream by making others dreams come true. Change your lifestyle by becoming an SSI Freediving Instructor. Do what you love, travel around the world and share the freediving experience with others. Price €1,270, Duration 12 - 14 Days.
- SSI Performance Instructor Upgrade: Are you ready for the next step in your own training? By taking this step you will be one of the few SSI Level 3 Freediving Instructors in the world. Becoming a Level 3 Instructor will open up wider opportunities to you and allow you to expand your own learning while teaching others. Price €120 per day, Duration Min 2 Days.
- React Right: First Aid and 02 Provider: React Right is SSI’s emergency first response course and provides you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first aid responder in a medical emergency. Price €120, Duration 1 Day.
This is a minimum 10-day course focused on teaching you how to coach freediving, not just how to dive. Are you tired of your daily routine and need a change in your life? Do you want a change in your career and dream to become a professional freediving instructor, but you have no experience? This is the program for you! During this program you will be able to train every day. Our experienced freediving master instructor will be training with you 3 times per week.
Molchanovs Freediving Courses
Molchanovs Freediving Education can take you from learning the basics of freediving through to an elite competition freediver. There are four open water course levels, each of which is known as a Wave. All levels are also available as Lap courses. Lap courses cover the same theory and pool requirements as the corresponding Wave course but do not include open water sessions. Therefore, a Lap certification only certifies you to freedive in a pool. It does not certify you to freedive to depth in open water.
If you are just getting started in your Freediving journey, we offer Wave 1 courses which are beginner courses. You will learn all the basics of this sport, physiology, safety, and equalization. Most importantly, you will have a whole week to practice your skills and get more comfortable in the water. No rushing through a 2-day course.
Training Techniques
So you’ve just finished your first course and not sure what to do next? TT will show you how to create your own training plans which fit with your abilities and schedule.
Read also: Your Dahab Vacation
Freediving into the Blue Hole – A Journey into the Deep | Dahab, Egypt
Deep Week in Dahab
Deep Week is a one-of-a-kind experience! There is no other event like this! It is the world's premier Freediving Education Event and the worlds largest freediving festival. Deep Week brings the best freedivers, freediving instructors and experts from all over the world, to one spectacular place. A whole week where we can share knowledge and improve our diving without the pressure of chasing numbers or expectations. Progression comes when one lets go of expectations and has fun. Deep Week is the perfect place for you to do this!
Deep Week brings the best freedivers, freediving instructors and experts from all over the world.
We’re heading to one of the most iconic freediving destinations in the world: Dahab, Egypt. We are really excited to be going to Dahab this year and, based on the conversations we have been having around this event so far casually during other Deep Weeks, we know that you all are incredibly excited as well!
What to Expect During Deep Week
Each Deep Week is different and offers interesting and unique workshops but there are always a few classics as well. Adam, along with our other guest instructors, will be leading a variety of interesting and fun workshops every day and be open to questions. Deep Week has a packed schedule if you want to follow it to the letter! We dive every day (except for rest day on Wednesday), pool sessions, freediving theory sessions and workshops, all of which will ensure you cover all of your course requirements, if you decide you want a freediving certification. We also offer sunrise yoga and meditation sessions each day and have family dinners where we all get together and eat, enjoy each others company and talk about freediving (duh!) We love springing surprises on our Deep Weekers during the week. From creating underwater obstacle courses for you all, arranging pedicures during workshops to turning up to dive sessions with costumes. We genuinely aim to have as much fun as possible. The more fun you have, the better you dive!
Deep Week Daily Schedule (Example)
- 7:00am: Yoga
- 8:00am- 11:30am: Dive Session
- 3:00pm - 5:00pm: Workshops
- 5:00pm - 5:30pm: Meditation
- 6:00pm: Family Dinner
We will provide a full day to day itinerary closer to the date.
Legends at Deep Week
Join us for a week of line training, pool sessions, workshops, and so much more. Get ready to hear first hand from these athletes their training routines, techniques and recommendations. And especially get ready to have fun!
- Brandon Reed: General Manager of the Freediving Family as well as a Freediving Commentator, static breath training coach, and glutton for diving as much as he can all over the world!
- Alexey Molchanov: A pioneer of freediving, having multiple multiple records and is the deepest diver in the world.
Location
We are going to be hosting Deep Week at the Molchanova Freediving School in Lighthouse near the Coffee Wheel. Every day we will meet there to run workshops, get into vans for the blue hole, or swim out into Lighthouse bay to dive!
There are lots of options around in the area of places to stay that are all within walking distance but if you want to stay near where all the action is happening, you can look around this area here: Coffee Wheel Dahab. You are absolutely welcome to share rooms if you like and many Deep Weekers enjoy bunking up! Once you are signed up for Deep Week, you will be added to a chat group where you can find a bunk buddy if thats your vibe! Just remember that your hotel is your contact for your accommodation.
Freedive Dahab
Freedive Dahab is one of the very first Freediving Centres in the world started in 2003 by former freediving world record holder Lotta Ericson. Our freediving school is located in El Fanar Street (N 28 30.012, E 034 31.104) at a short walking distance from the Light House bay in the heart of Dahab. Most of our freediving courses are held at Light House and we have nice hot showers and AC classrooms. We have a big and comfortable AC classroom, a spacious equipment room and a big outside terrace, so we have plenty of room for big groups. We organize several events and packages throughout the year, such as Freediving Training weeks, Combo weeks.
Accommodation
All rooms have private bathrooms and are equipped with AC, fridge and wifi. NOTE! The hotel is situated right across the street from us and is facing the sea. It has an outdoor swimming pool and restaurant, where breakfast is served each morning-buffet style. Wifi reaches all the hotel area, including the rooms. All rooms have AC, private bathroom and the breakfast is included in the price.
Pricing and What's Included
Our spots for Deep Week book fast! The price includes all training and certification costs but does not include any accommodation, travel, meals or gear hire. To ensure your booking is confirmed, please provide a $450 AUD non-refundable deposit. The remaining amount can be paid 8 weeks prior to Deep Week. Your transaction is secure.
Entry and travel to the Blue Hole, staff, set-up and facilities to run the event are covered by your ticket.
Deep Week does not include accommodation, travel expenses, visa fees, COVID tests, meals or gear hire. We are also not responsible for how you get to the location. It’s up to you to ensure you have met all the entry requirements of the country, depending on your circumstances. Unfortunately it’s not included. We will provide lead weight for you but not a weight belt.
The water in the Blue Hole and the Red Sea is around 24 - 27 degrees but can be warmer depending on how hot it has been in the lead up to summer.
Important Notes
Nothing during Deep Week is compulsory. If you feel like you need some time to chill and relax by skipping a workshop or want to go out for dinner in Coron Town with a group of friends you made, then by all means do so!
Dahab is world-renowned for its windsurfing SCUBA diving, free-diving and snorkelling. Land based activities include camel, horse, jeep and quad bike trips. The arrival of international hotel chains has since made the town a popular destination with tourists.
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tags: #Egypt
