Laziness permeates Dahab. Or is it just me? My penchant for rolling out of bed and into the water makes Mashraba Reef my top choice for snorkeling in the Dahab area.

There are other factors, of course. Most hotels are farther north near Lighthouse Reef. This area is a glut of beach restaurants, complete with the hassle of waiters on the sidewalk hoping to pull you in. In general, there are lots of people to wade through before getting to the water, and then you end up seeing more humans in the water than you'd like.

Mashraba has absolutely perfect conditions. I enter the water somewhere in the middle and swim to the northern end. There are very few people here during low season, although I hear it's never busy on this end. In several hours, I see two other snorkelers and a few divers, and while at Lighthouse, I am surrounded by diver bubbles. The marine life is spectacular here, and it's actually hard to avoid hitting fish. The drop off makes my heart flip every time - it's just so damn beautiful.

Lighthouse Reef isn't bad, of course. It's more convenient to the more popular hotels and restaurants. But the species I see there are the same; the only difference is more people and fewer fish.

Farther north is Eel Gardens. This is a popular diving spot, but the snorkeling is good here as well. You walk about 10 minutes from the start of Lighthouse reef and pass an amusing McDonald's imitator. Pass a hotel called "Eel Gardens" and you'll see signs for the site. This is an emptier spot, which is nice, but for me, not special enough to forgo Mashraba. About

6km north is the Blue Hole, a gorgeous spot for diving and snorkeling trips. Every hotel or agency in town will charge 25EP for the snorkeling tour, including equipment and an extremely bumpy ride. You get a few hours at the site, which most likely isn't enough! There is also a restaurant where people lounge between dips. The only annoying thing is the floating dock. It's great for entry because you don't touch the reef, but I'd prefer a ladder for getting out. It's difficult to hoist myself out when it moves every time I push. I use a rocky path to get out eventually, but it hurts my feet and I lose my balance... ouch!

South of Mashraba are more excellent spots. The water is very shallow at the reefs near the Blue Lagoon. I have difficulty with my mask and need to empty water out frequently, which is hard to do without touching bottom! Here, I see lionfish for the first time, and frankly, freak out in excitement.

There are also three island reefs, popular for both snorkelers and divers. My diver friends rave about the islands. Your hotel staff should direct you.

Snorkeling in Dahab is so good, I don't think it really matters where you go. Laziness here is still rewarded. Have another milkshake.

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