Deutsch
Frühes Aufstehen lohnt sich
Die Lagune ist riesig, das Wasser ruhig, und die Gruppe im Wasser war klein. Ehrlich kommuniziert: Wildtiere, keine Garantie, und trotzdem über 30 Delfine um uns herum.
J
Jonas B. · Österreich
April 2026
Dolphin house
Sataya Reef (Dolphin Reef)
A 4 km crescent reef in the Fury Shoals with the biggest spinner-dolphin pod in the Egyptian Red Sea.
Distance105 km south of Marsa Alam, 12 km off HamataTravel time2 h by road to Hamata, then 1.5 to 2 h by boatTrips to Sataya
Sataya Reef, called Dolphin Reef, is a crescent-shaped barrier reef in the southern Fury Shoals about 12 km off Hamata and roughly 105 km south of Marsa Alam. Its lagoon is several times larger than Samadai and shelters a pod of 100 to 200 spinner dolphins. Trips leave from Hamata marina: a full day (pickup 06:00) or an overnight on the boat with a sunrise snorkel.
Sataya is what people mean when they say "the dolphin trip" in the south of Egypt. The reef is far enough from the resort strip that only a handful of boats make the trip on any day, and the lagoon is big enough that even a full boat feels alone. The pod is the largest in the Egyptian Red Sea.
The rhythm is the same as at Samadai, only bigger. The dolphins hunt at night in the deep water outside, return to the lagoon after sunrise, rest through the morning and drift out in the afternoon. Day boats arrive around 10:30 and get the late-morning rest; the overnight boats get the sunrise arrival, which is the best encounter of all.
The outer reef has some of the healthiest hard coral in Egypt, and the return route passes Abu Galawa with its coral towers and the wreck of a small tug, used as the second snorkel on the overnight trip.
Marine life
Spinner dolphins (large pod) · Hawksbill turtles · Napoleon wrasse · Anthias, fusiliers, trevally · Hard coral gardens · Occasional oceanic whitetip on the outer wall (divers)
Rules at the reef
- Slow entry from the zodiac in small groups
- Float, never chase: let the pod come to you
- No touching, feeding or diving down onto resting dolphins
- Stay with the guide
- Park fee funds the rangers and moorings
Best time to visit
May to October for numbers and warm water; the lagoon is calm year round. Winter mornings are cool on the deck, so bring a layer.
Questions about Sataya
By road to Hamata marina (about 2 hours), then 1.5 to 2 hours by boat. Our trips include the transfer from hotels in Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib and El Quseir.
Sataya has the bigger pod and the calmer, larger lagoon. Samadai is closer and easier with children. See the comparison page for a side-by-side table.
Yes, on the boat. The overnight trip anchors inside the lagoon and gives you the sunrise snorkel with the pod before the day boats arrive.
About 4 EUR per person, and it is included in our price; our crew pays it on board to the national-park rangers.
On the map
Where it is
- Reef shape
- Crescent, about 4 km across
- Lagoon
- Shallow white sand, sheltered on most days
- Resident pod
- 100 to 200 spinner dolphins
- Best hour
- Sunrise, when the pod returns to rest
- GPS
- 24.1563° N, 35.7111° E
Guest reviews
Reviews for our Sataya trips
5.0 · 630+ reviewsRatings from guests who did the trips that go to this reef.
Magyar
Megérte az 5 órai kelést
Több tucat delfin két méterre, kristálytiszta víz, a vezető végig figyelt a park szabályaira. Az ebéd a hajón jó volt.
E
Eszter T. · Magyarország
August 2026
English
The best thing I have done in Egypt
Sleeping on deck and then being in the water at 6 am with the whole pod, no other boats, is the best thing I have done in Egypt. Crew were brilliant.
D
Daniel R. · Ireland
May 2026
Español
Amanecer con delfines
Dormir en cubierta bajo las estrellas y amanecer con los delfines alrededor del barco. Comida abundante, tripulación amable.
L
Lucía G. · España
April 2026
Dolphin house
Trips to Sataya
Marsa Alam · Samadai · Sataya
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