Home to the globally renowned Blue Hole and Three Pools dive sites, Abu Galum is a tourist favourite, especially because of its proximity to the city of Dahab. Abu Galum covers an area of 500 km2, and was declared as a Protected Area in 1992. This region boasts a collection of coral reefs unlike anywhere else in the world, also housing the infamous Blue Lagoon, a stunning natural saltwater pool surrounded by climbable mountaintops. With foxes, vultures, and ibexes, Abu Galum’s rugged terrain provides the ideal environment for a lively collection of wildlife. The surrounding mountains are also home to various other reptile, bird, and fish species such as the Sinai Agama, Grey Heron and the Giant Moray Eel.
Located north of Nabq, Abu Galum Protected Area is the third of five protected areas in Southern Sinai. Spanning 500 km2, Abu Galum’s special topography hosts a number of plant species distinct to this area, including countless palm trees.
Abu Galum’s Blue Hole is a world-class dive site, sought after by international divers far and wide. With diverse fish and coral clusters, the marine life on offer at Abu Galum provides memorable experiences for underwater explorers. Whale and Hammerhead sharks along with the famous Giant Moray Eel can be found here, surrounded by one of the best-preserved coral reef ecosystems in the world decorating the seafloor.
If you’re more the hiking type, keep an eye out for the Egyptian Vulture, which can be spotted careening Abu Galum’s mountaintops. Long an iconic symbol of Egypt, this endangered bird was endowed sacred qualities in Ancient Egyptian culture. Red Foxes are indigenous to Abu Galum and can be identified by their distinct black-tipped ears and white-tipped tail. Fun fact: Red Foxes are famously fond of watermelons!
Camping, diving, and hiking are among some of the most popular activities in Abu Galum. Several camps line Abu Galum’s beaches, allowing you to disconnect from the bustle of nearby Dahab in total tranquility. Spend your days getting acquainted with the area’s marine life through diving and snorkeling excursions, or set off on hiking trails and rock-climbing activities to explore the area’s distinct topography. With kitesurfing and windsurfing both popular activities in Abu Galum as well, you’ll never experience a dull moment at this precious coastal location. In the evenings, bask underneath clear skies decorated with bright stars as Abu Galum’s remote location provides stunning stargazing opportunities.
You will meet two distinct sets of tribespeople while visiting Nuweiba, each with their own unique cultural heritage.
Considered one of the largest Bedouin tribes in the Sinai Peninsula, the Tarabin Tribe is particularly famous for their rich culture and genuine hospitality. While touring Abu Galum, don’t forget to break for a meal alongside the Tarabin people, whose local fettah dish Qorsa is cooked with unripe watermelon and eaten with chili peppers – not for the faint hearted!
Abu Galum is also inhabited by the Mazayna, a large tribe with Saudi Arabian origins. As with all Bedouins in Sinai, the Mazayna are known for their hospitality and will likely offer you some of their signature Marmaria tea, made with sage. The Mazayna people are also particularly fond of the Habaq herb, which they use to make another peppermint-like tea – a Bedouin favourite.
Clothing and crafts-making is a pillar of Bedouin cultural heritage. Women among both the Tarabin and the Mazayna tribes produce traditional craft items with striking decorative embroidery and beadwork in distinctly stylized motifs reflecting the local area’s flora and fauna. This is a wonderful opportunity to find gifts for friends or source authentic personal souvenirs, all while benefiting the local community.
The nearby city of Dahab is a thriving tourist center, with countless hotels and comfortable accommodations lining its beaches. If you prefer to stay in Blue Lagoon itself for a few days, locals have set up a number of basic camping facilities along the beach, which provide a more minimalist experience.
