National park · Egypt
Ras Abu GalumRas Abu Galum National Park
Enter Ras Abu Galum for a camel‑dive day (≈8 h total) for about LE 250–300 per person, or stay overnight in Bedouin huts (≈LE 120 per night); avoid peak summer heat and travel after sunrise.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Oct–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
- Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
- Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
- Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
- Sinai ↗On the coastal strip from Sharm el-Sheikh through Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba Heights to Taba, most visitors do not need a visa for stays up to 15 days.
- Sinai ↗Going beyond the strip — to Cairo or inland Sinai — needs a visa, best arranged online at least seven days ahead; checkpoints enforce this.
- Sinai ↗No visa facilities at the Taba land border; entering there means an Israeli exit fee and an Egyptian entry fee, with duty-free zone exemptions.
- Sinai ↗Agree the taxi price before getting in, or have your hotel arrange the car; local taxis outside the resorts quote high.
At a glance
- Country
- Egypt
- Area
- 15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
- Approximate protected area; official size not published (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Dahab
Ras Abu Galum offers a remote Red Sea coastline where visitors can combine a desert camel trek with a dive safari, stay in simple Bedouin huts, and explore coral reefs, making it a distinct adventure spot in Sinai.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteDesignated as a protected area by Egyptian authorities.
Size and age
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate protected area; official size not published (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Dahab.
Why go
- Remote Red Sea coastline with clear water and coral reefs.
- Camel‑dive experience combining desert trek and underwater sight‑seeing.
- Cultural immersion with Bedouin hospitality on the beach.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, clear seas
- FebMild, low wind
- MarSpring, good visibility
- AprWarm, low rain
- MayHot but sea still calm
- JunHeat rises, occasional wind
- JulVery hot, stronger winds
- AugPeak heat, occasional storms
- SepCooling, good sea
- OctIdeal temperature, clear water
- NovMild, low crowds
- DecCool, calm seas
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sea reef fish (parrotfish, surgeonfish, lionfish)Mar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sea turtles (nesting season)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Desert foxes and lizards on the trailAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Taba (Israel border)
Bus or shared taxi to Nuweiba (≈LE 50‑100), then 1.5 h off‑road jeep to the camp.
2–3 h
From Dahab
Taxi to Blue Hole (≈LE 100), then walk north on camel path 1½ h to the Bedouin camp; optional boat from Blue Hole (≈LE 60).
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Nuweiba
Local jeep service directly to the camp (≈LE 100‑200).
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bedouin camp (Sala & Sabah) | Beach huts, meals, basic facilities, start point for hikes and camel dives. | Open with park entry ticket. |
| Coastal trail | Camel path along the shoreline, leads to dive sites and viewpoint. | Free with entry; guided for camel‑dive tours. |
| Marine zone | Coral reefs and dive sites offshore. | Only with certified dive operators. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the Ras Abu Galum headland; camp and nearby points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | EGP 50–100 | person | Collected at the Bedouin camp gate (check). |
| Camel‑dive day package (incl. equipment, guide, lunch) | EGP 250–300 | person | — |
| Bedouin hut overnight (incl. meals, water) | EGP 120–150 | night | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camel‑dive activity permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- EGP 50–100
- EGP 250–300
- EGP 120–150
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires on the beach.
- Marine protection
- Do not touch coral; use reef‑safe sunscreen.
- Camping
- Only in designated Bedouin huts; wild camping prohibited.
Where to stay
In the park
Bedouin huts at Ras Abu Galum
Simple rooms, three meals, water; basic toilet facilities.
Near the park
Dahab town
Range of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses 20 km (12 mi) north.Range of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses 12 mi (20 km) north.
Safety
Security medium
Heat and dehydration medium
Marine currents low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Camp area reachable by car or jeep; short walks on flat sand.
- Trails and camel rides involve uneven ground; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support Bedouin families by staying in their huts and buying meals.
- Choose dive operators that follow reef‑safe practices.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; bring reusable water bottle.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ras Abu Galum?
Entry is about LE 50‑100 per person at the Bedouin camp gate; camel‑dive packages cost around LE 250‑300, and overnight huts are LE 120‑150 per night.
What are the best hikes in Ras Abu Galum?
The coastal camel path to the viewpoint (2‑3 h round‑trip) is the main hike; longer treks are usually combined with the camel‑dive safari.
When is the best time to visit Ras Abu Galum?
October to April offers mild temperatures and clear seas; summer months are very hot and windier, so plan early‑morning activities then.
Is camping allowed on the beach?
No; only stay in the Bedouin huts or in Dahab. The beach is a protected area.
Do I need a special permit for diving?
Yes, you must join a certified dive operator who arranges the equipment and safety briefing.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Ras Abu Galum
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