National park · Eritrea
Dahlak Marine National Park
Go for 2 nights on a liveaboard or chartered yacht from Massawa between November and March; the park has no entry fee, but you need a travel permit from Asmara and a boat charter costing US$200–400 per day for the group. Snorkel and dive on reefs that recovered during the war years; expect no facilities on the islands.
- 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.
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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
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- 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.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Eritrea ↗A visa must usually be arranged before travel through an Eritrean embassy or with a pre-approval letter obtained by a local agent (check); arrival without prior arrangements is generally not possible.
- Eritrea ↗Foreign visitors need a free travel permit from the tourism office in Asmara for any trip outside the city; allow a working day and carry several photocopies for checkpoints.
- Eritrea ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention for the lowlands and whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route.
- Eritrea ↗Foreign cards and ATMs do not work for visitors: bring the whole trip's budget in clean US dollars or euros, declare it on arrival and keep every official exchange receipt.
At a glance
- Country
- Eritrea
- Area
- 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
- Approximate; official boundaries are not published (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Massawa
Dahlak Marine National Park covers part of the Dahlak archipelago in the Red Sea, about 50 km east of Massawa. The park was abandoned during the Eritrean–Ethiopian war, allowing fish stocks and coral to recover. Today it is a quiet diving and snorkelling destination with more than 350 fish species, dugongs, turtles and dolphins. There are no hotels, restaurants or roads on the islands; visitors sleep on boats or camp on the sand. The park is reached only by chartered yacht from Massawa. For a different Red Sea experience on the mainland, Semenawi Bahri National Park protects the escarpment forest above Massawa and is reached by road from Asmara.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate; official boundaries are not published (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Massawa.
Why go
- Reefs that were left alone for decades and are now rich with fish.
- Dugongs, turtles and dolphins are seen regularly on boat trips.
- Empty islands with no development; you sleep on the boat or camp.
- Pearl fishing history – you can try it with local fishermen.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool and calm seas
- FebGood visibility underwater
- MarWarming up; still clear
- AprWarmer; some wind
- MayHot; sea life active
- JunVery hot; possible storms
- JulExtreme heat; boats may not run
- AugHottest month; avoid
- SepCooling; season starts
- OctPleasant; good diving
- NovIdeal conditions
- DecCool and dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish (over 350 species)Sep–Jun · Abundant year-round; peak visibility in cooler months. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| DugongsNov–Apr · Seen in seagrass areas; rare but regular. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Turtles (green and hawksbill)Sep–Jun · Nesting on beaches from May to August. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| DolphinsSep–Jun · Common; often seen from the boat. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (109 species recorded)Sep–Jun · Migratory and resident species. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Central islands (Dahlak Kebir, Nora) | Larger islands with sandy beaches and some vegetation; camping possible. | Open; no facilities. |
| Reef areas | Coral reefs around the islands; snorkelling and diving sites. | Open; accessible by boat. |
| Shipwreck site | Remains of a wreck near one of the islands; popular dive spot. | Open; requires diving gear. |
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.
Approximate positions for orientation; exact dive and camping sites vary.
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 | Free | person | No official entry fee (check). |
| Boat charter from Massawa (per day) | US$200–400 | boat | Includes skipper, fuel and sometimes meals; price depends on boat size and duration. |
| Travel permit | Free | person | Free but required; obtained in Asmara at the Ministry of Tourism or through a tour operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Travel permit for Dahlak islands permit or guide
Boat charter booking permit or guide
Park rules
- Travel permit
- Required for all foreigners visiting the Dahlak islands; obtain in Asmara before heading to Massawa.
- No fishing without a licence
- Recreational fishing may require a permit from the Ministry of Fisheries (check).
- Camping
- Allowed on beaches; leave no trace and carry out all waste.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the Ministry of Tourism (check).check
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; there is no waste collection on the islands.
Where to stay
In the park
Liveaboard yacht
Sleep on the chartered boat; most trips include meals and accommodation.
In the park
Camping on the beach
Bring a tent, sleeping bag, food and plenty of water; no facilities.
Near the park
Massawa hotels
Several hotels in Massawa; book before heading to the islands.
Safety
Heat and sun high
Dehydration high
Marine hazards medium
Boat safety medium
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
- The park is accessible only by boat; no wheelchair access on islands or boats.
- Snorkelling and diving require swimming ability; no adapted equipment available.
Visiting lightly
- Do not touch or stand on coral; use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Take all rubbish back to Massawa; there is no waste management on the islands.
- Support local boat operators and fishermen rather than large foreign charters.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Dahlak Marine National Park?
There is no official entry fee. The main cost is a boat charter from Massawa, typically US$200–400 per day for the whole boat. You also need a free travel permit from Asmara.
What are the best hikes in Dahlak Marine National Park?
There are no marked hiking trails. The park is marine; activities are snorkelling, diving, pearl fishing and beach camping. The islands are flat and sandy, not for hiking.
When is the best time to visit Dahlak Marine National Park?
November to March is best: cool, calm seas and good underwater visibility. Avoid July and August when heat is extreme and boats may not run.
Do I need a permit to visit Dahlak Marine National Park?
Yes. All foreigners need a travel permit for the Dahlak islands, obtained in Asmara at the Ministry of Tourism or through a tour operator. Processing takes 1–2 days.
Can I stay overnight on the islands?
Yes. You can sleep on a chartered yacht (liveaboard) or camp on the beach. There are no hotels, restaurants or shops; bring all food, water and camping gear.
Is Dahlak Marine National Park safe?
The main risks are heat, dehydration and lack of fresh water. Bring plenty of water and sun protection. Boat safety depends on the operator; check that life jackets are available.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Dahlak Marine National Park
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