Best time of year to swim with dolphins in Marsa Alam
Month-by-month water temperature, dolphin numbers and sea conditions at Samadai and Sataya.
The pods at Samadai and Sataya are resident, so there is no month without dolphins. What changes through the year is how many come into the lagoon, how warm the water is and how calm the crossing will be.
Month by month
| Months | Water | Dolphin numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Feb | 22 to 24 °C | lower | shorty wetsuit, calm seas most days |
| Mar to Apr | 23 to 25 °C | rising | some wind days, Samadai easier than Sataya |
| May to Jul | 26 to 28 °C | peak | the best months for numbers |
| Aug to Sep | 28 to 29 °C | high | flat sea, hot deck, sun protection |
| Oct to Nov | 26 to 28 °C | high | best all-round comfort |
| Dec | 24 to 25 °C | medium | calm and cooler |
Time of day matters more than month
The dolphins arrive after sunrise and rest through the late morning. Snorkeling at Samadai is allowed from 10:00 to 14:00, which is exactly the rest window. At Sataya the overnight boats are in the water at 06:00 when the pod comes home; the day boats arrive around 10:30 and still get the rest period.
What we tell guests
Come when your holiday is. May to July gives the biggest numbers, October and November the nicest weather, and winter the calmest sea. Bring a wetsuit or rent one from December to March and you will be fine.
