Pyramid Compass › Cairo & Transport › Red Sea
Three Red Sea coast hubs, three different experiences. The choice is not just "where the resort is" — it's about the dive sites, the visa rule, the nightlife, and whether you need a Sinai-only entry permit.
Sinai-only entry is visa-free for many nationalities (EU, US, Japan, Gulf) if you don't leave the Sinai.
Run the picker to see the recommendation.
Most "Red Sea coast" guides treat these three as interchangeable resorts. They are not:
The picker ranks Dahab / Hurghada / Sharm for your profile and tags the trade-offs you should know. The "Sinai permit" input is the most important single decision — it can overrule everything else because it determines whether you can go to the Sinai at all.
Dive cost. 2-tank boat dive costs roughly 1500–3000 EGP per person across the three hubs. Dahab shore dives are cheapest (300–600 EGP per tank including weights). Sharm boat dives run higher because Ras Mohammed trips have marine park fees.
No. The Sinai-only entry stamp restricts you to the Sinai peninsula. If you want to do Cairo (or the pyramids, or Luxor), you need a full Egypt visa (USD 25 at Cairo airport for most nationalities).
The Arch (55–120m dive) is. The Blue Hole itself has a shallow 6–30m recreational dive that's safe and beautiful. If you are technical and trained for the Arch, the dive operator knows you. If you are a recreational diver, do not try the Arch.
Both are present. Wear booties on the reef. If you step on a sea urchin, soak the foot in hot water and pull out spines with tweezers; vinegar dissolves sea urchin spines. Stonefish stings need immediate medical care; medical clinics in Dahab and Sharm handle dive-related injuries.
Across the Red Sea: 8000–12000 EGP for the 4–5 day course including manual, pool, and 4 open-water dives. Dahab is consistently the cheapest (most schools). Hurghada and Sharm cost a bit more but include boat trips.
Page last updated: October 2026.
What it is. A small JavaScript picker that ranks the three Red Sea hubs — Dahab, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh — for your dive level, nightlife, visa, budget, and priorities.
Who it's for. Independent travellers choosing a Red Sea coast base or deciding between them after Cairo.
What it isn't. Not a substitute for current visa stamps. Not a substitute for asking the dive operator about conditions.
Limitations. Visa rules are unilateral; the tool assumes 2026 rules. Dive costs vary by season; the figures are in-season.
What this site collects. Pyramid Compass does not collect, store, or process personal data. There is no login, no account, no email capture, no analytics beyond what Google AdSense requires, and no first-party tracking. You can use this calculator without entering any personal information.
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Last updated: October 2026.
Not professional advice. The information on Pyramid Compass is for general informational purposes only. It is not professional travel, legal, financial, medical, or safety advice.
Accuracy. We do our best to keep prices, ticket tiers, opening hours, EGP rates, and rules current. Conditions in Egypt change quickly — always cross-check with your hotel concierge, your embassy, and the official site.
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Last updated: October 2026.