Nuweiba is the quiet neighbour up the coast from Dahab — a low-key town on the Gulf of Aqaba in South Sinai, Egypt, roughly an hour's drive north. Where Dahab has dive centres and a busy seafront, Nuweiba has empty beaches, simple Bedouin beach camps, clear snorkeling reefs and desert canyons behind it. This guide covers where it is, whether it's worth the trip, how to get there from Dahab, the famous Ras Shaitan camps, desert excursions, and the ferry across to Jordan.
Where Is Nuweiba?
Nuweiba sits on the eastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula, on the Gulf of Aqaba, about 70km north of Dahab and on the road that continues to Taba and the Israeli and Jordanian border crossings. It's spread out into a few areas — the port, the town, and the beach settlements — with the well-known Ras Shaitan (Ras Shetan) camp area just to the north. You pass the Blue Hole and the entrance to Ras Abu Galum on the way up from Dahab.
Is Nuweiba Worth Visiting?
It depends what you want. Nuweiba is one of the calmest, least-developed stretches of the Sinai coast — the appeal is exactly that there isn't much to "do" in the resort sense. You come to sleep in a hut a few metres from the water, snorkel an empty reef, watch the mountains of Saudi Arabia glow across the gulf at sunset, and switch off. As a day trip or an overnight escape from Dahab it's excellent. As a base for a whole holiday it's too quiet for most people — Dahab, with its restaurants, dive scene and nightlife, is the better home base.
How to Get to Nuweiba from Dahab
Nuweiba is roughly an hour north of Dahab (~70km) on the coastal road toward Taba. Options:
- Private taxi: the simplest and most flexible. Agree the fare up front, and if you're day-tripping, agree a return or a pickup time so you're not stranded.
- East Delta bus: buses run the Dahab–Nuweiba–Taba coast road. Cheap, but timings change seasonally — check the current schedule locally before relying on it.
- Shared microbus: cheapest of all along parts of the route, but slower and less predictable.
- Own car / rental: the road is straightforward; note there are security checkpoints along the coast — carry your passport.
Heading further? Nuweiba is on the way to Taba and the border crossings — see our getting-around guide for the wider South Sinai routes.
Ras Shaitan Beach Camps
Ras Shaitan (also spelled Ras Shetan) is the reason most travellers come to Nuweiba: a string of simple, barefoot Bedouin beach camps strung along a rocky bay just north of town. Accommodation is basic by design — reed-and-wood huts or "hushas" right on the sand, shared bathrooms, communal meals and mattresses under the stars. The reef runs close to shore, so you can snorkel straight off the beach. It's unplugged, cheap and social — bring cash, a torch, and low expectations of Wi-Fi.
Blue Lagoon — Which One?
Worth clearing up, because two different "Blue Lagoons" get confused. The turquoise Blue Lagoon at Ras Abu Galum is Dahab's — reached by boat or camel from the Blue Hole, closer to Dahab than to Nuweiba. The Nuweiba coast has its own quiet lagoon-like bays around Ras Shaitan. If you're specifically after the famous turquoise Blue Lagoon day trip, that's the Ras Abu Galum one from Dahab.
Desert Trips from Nuweiba
Behind the coast, the Sinai interior opens up. From Nuweiba you can reach the Coloured Canyon — a narrow, wind-carved sandstone gorge streaked with mineral colour — and the palm-shaded Ain Khudra oasis, both classic half-day Bedouin excursions. These are usually arranged through your camp or a local guide with a 4x4. Go early to beat the midday heat, and bring water and sun cover.
The Nuweiba–Aqaba Ferry (to Jordan)
Nuweiba is the Egyptian port for the ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Aqaba in Jordan — the overland gateway to Petra and Wadi Rum. It's a genuinely useful crossing if you're combining Egypt and Jordan in one trip. Sailings, prices and the boat used vary, and visa rules apply on the Jordanian side, so confirm the current timetable and requirements close to your travel date rather than relying on old information.
Practical Tips
- Bring cash: the camps and small shops are cash-only; there are far fewer ATMs than in Dahab.
- Best time: spring and autumn are ideal; summer is very hot and winter nights on the beach get cold — pack a layer.
- Snorkel gear: bring your own if you can; rental is limited compared with Dahab.
- Checkpoints: keep your passport handy for the coastal security checkpoints.
- Base in Dahab: for most travellers Nuweiba works best as a trip from Dahab rather than a whole stay — see things to do around Dahab to build the rest of your itinerary.
