Dahab's Blue Hole: Diving The World’s Deadliest Dive Site

Dahab is known for its outstanding dive sites, which attract snorkelers, freedivers, recreational scuba divers, and technical divers. One of these sites in Dahab is the Blue Hole. Located a few miles north of Dahab proper, Dahab’s Blue Hole is a must-do site for Snorkelers and divers of all skill levels. In contrast to this, Dahab’s Blue Hole is considered the deadliest dive site in the world with over 130 recorded deaths with a number of 200 being a generally acceptable number of deaths. The site has earned the moniker of the “Diver’s Cemetery”. Before diving at this site, you should understand

why it is called the “Divers Cemetery” and judge for yourself how you should explore this “deadly” dive site.

Memorials at Dahab's Blue Hole, Photograph by Tim Sheerman-Chase

Diving the Divers Cemetery Dahab’s Blue Hole

Blue Holes are interesting geological sites. They are the same as many sinkholes on land. In simplest terms at one time, they were limestone caves above the water’s surface. Erosion caused the roof of the cave to collapse, creating an opening above it. Later sea levels rose causing the cave to flood. The Dahab Blue Hole is located very close to shore as well as close to very deep waters. The reef around the Blue Hole is shallow, with the section opening to the sea being about 20 feet (ca 6 meters) deep, called the Saddle. Once you travel past the saddle, you will reach a wall that drops to over 3,300 feet (ca 1,000 meters). The hole itself is about 500 feet wide (ca 150 meters) and the depth is given between 400 feet (ca 120 meters) to 500 feet (ca 150 meters). Inside the Blue Hole, there is a tunnel that connects to the wall, called “The Arch”. The tunnel is impressive, often called cathedralesque. Within the hole, the top of the Arch is at 180 feet (ca 55 meters)depth with the floor another 210 feet down (ca 65 meters), and averages 78 feet (ca 24 meters) wide and is 85 feet (ca 26 meters) long before exiting the tunnel at a deeper depth.

The Risk Of Diving the Arch

Scuba diving is a safe sport enjoyed by people as young as 10 with an upper age limit limited by your health and fitness. You are more likely to be seriously injured horseback riding than scuba diving if you follow the rules. Recreational divers have depth limits based on their training. Open water divers are limited to 60 feet (ca 18 meters), Advanced Open Water Divers to 100 feet (ca 30 meters), and Deep Divers to 130 feet (ca 40 meters).  The additional training provides the knowledge and skills needed to minimize risks that are increased due to depth. For recreational diving, the main concerns are Decompression Sickness and nitrogen narcosis. Beyond 130 feet, there are risk factors that need to be dealt with that require special training, additional breathing gas concerns, and equipment. Divers entering this realm take on training as technical divers.

Most of the deaths happening at Dahab’s Blue Hole are to technical divers, while some have been to recreational divers exceeding their limits and a few freedivers. The Arch is beyond the depth limits of recreational divers.  The 140-foot limit is significant because at this depth nitrogen narcosis can cause serious consequences. Under increased pressure, nitrogen starts to have a narcotic impact on people. This is often likened to drinking, and in the past, before the effect was well studied, nitrogen narcosis was often referred to as Martini’s law. The effect varies by individual and even with the same person on different dives. However, it is generally held that most people will have an impact at 140 feet that will affect their judgment. Technical divers using breathing gas that has added helium to it reduces the amount of nitrogen, therefore, delaying the impact.  

Another issue that surfaces while diving at depth is the impact oxygen has on the body. Oxygen is a poison to our bodies under certain circumstances. Divers that train to use Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) learn of the dangers of oxygen content and pressure. Oxygen toxicity can cause the central nervous system to shut down and rapidly lead to death. Hospitals generally limit giving a patient 100% pure oxygen to 24 hours to reduce the risk of oxygen toxicity. Breathing pure oxygen underwater as shallow as  18 feet (ca 6 meters) for just a few minutes can bring on this condition.

While breathing compressed air, the depth limit that is considered safe is 180 feet (ca 55 meters), Which is the depth of the top portion of the entry of the Arch. So a recreational diver diving just to the top of the Arch and not entering is already well past the safe zone for nitrogen narcosis and at the limit of the safe zone for oxygen toxicity.

One of the most notable deaths at the Dahab’s Blue Hole is that of Yuri Lipski

in 2000. He was a dive instructor who against the advice of local professional divers attempted to dive the arch as a recreational diver using a single div cylinder.  His dive, and his death, were captured on camera on his helmet. While many people have pointed out where he was wrong, there is one overriding point. Yuri had a simple equipment malfunction that he did not properly react to. The cause of him not reacting properly is due to nitrogen narcosis.

Safely Scuba Dive and Snorkel the Infamous Dahab’s Blue Hole

With a reputation for being so deadly, why do so many people visit the site each year? Because it is a wonderful site that thousands of divers and snorkelers safely visit each year. If you stay within recreational dive limits and within the limits of your training, the Blue Hole is the same dive site. One that offers a variety of options to explore along with amazing corals and marine life.

Snorkelers and Open Water Divers generally start at the Blue Hole itself. The reef provides a great deal to explore with wonderful formations and abundant marine life. They can venture out over the Blue Hole and appear down into the depths or spend time in the saddle exploring the marine life there.

Advance divers can start at the Bell Dive Site and transition to the Blue Hole. The Bell site contains a chimney that they can dive down and exit by a mini arch to a deep wall at 90 feet (ca 26 meters). Supposedly, the name for the site comes from the sound that the tanks make when contacting the walls of the chimney. If a diver does not feel comfortable entering the chimney, they can go directly to the wall. Once at the wall, they can drift dive towards the saddle at the Blue Hole decreasing their depth till they match the depth of the saddle. Once they reach the saddle they can head in towards shore and reach the Blue Hole.

The Egyptian Chamber For Diving & Watersports (CDWS) has increased regulations for diving at the Blue Hole. Divers are required to have a certified local guide who will ensure that the dive being accomplished is within the divers skill and training levels. Additionally, CDWS has personnel on-site to monitor compliance.

Dahab Good To Know

When to Go: Dahab is a year-round destination. Early summer (May and June) and early fall (September and October) seem to have the best combination of weather and sea conditions.

Average Air Temperatures. The months of May, June September, and October may have a slight edge as the air temperature are comfortable in the 70s f (ca 23c) to low 80s(ca 26c)  range. Summers will find a daily high averaging 82 f (ca 27.5) Some may find the air temperature a little cool for swimming in November and  March with average daily highs around 61 F (ca 17 c)

Average Water Temperature: In January the water temperature may drop to around 71 f (ca 22c) and soar as high as 81.5 f (ca 21.7c) in August.

What to Wear: Scuba divers may be comfortable in a shorty or even swimwear from May until November. However, wearing a rash suit is always a good choice to avoid scrapes from corals as well as some sun protection. In the coldest months, divers might opt for a 5mm suit, A 3 mm wetsuit should be sufficient for most scuba divers at other times.