Frequently asked questions

No. They are wild. Both Samadai and Sataya have resident pods that rest in the lagoon on most days, and our guides know the timing. If the pod is not there we wait, move along the reef and snorkel the coral in the meantime. We do not refund for wild animals, and we tell you that honestly before you book.

No touching, chasing or feeding. You float at the edge of the rest zone with the guide and the dolphins choose how close they come. That is the marine-park rule and it is what keeps the pod coming back.

Samadai is 11 km from Marsa Alam and the easiest trip, ideal with children or half a day. Sataya is far south with a much bigger pod (100 to 200 animals) and a calmer lagoon, but the day starts at 06:00. If you have one full day and want the biggest pod, Sataya. If you want easy, Samadai.

Dolphin numbers at Samadai peak from May to July. Water is warmest from August to October. Winter (December to March) is calmer and cooler, and a shorty wetsuit helps. The pods are resident, so every month works.

Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) are the resident species at Samadai and Sataya. Bottlenose dolphins visit occasionally, and Wadi El Gemal also has Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.

No. Life jackets are on board for everyone who wants one and the guide stays in the water with the group. If you can float with a mask on, you can do this.

The Samadai half-day speedboat: 15 minutes on the water each way, life jackets, and back at the hotel by lunch. Children from 4 snorkel with a parent; under 4 stay on the boat and travel free.

07:30 for the Samadai speedboat, 08:00 for the Samadai full day, 06:00 for Sataya, 07:00 for Wadi El Gemal, and 05:00 to 06:00 for the Sataya overnight. Your exact time is on the confirmation.

Hotel transfer, the boat, a snorkeling guide in the water, mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket, water and snacks, and all marine-park and national-park tickets. Full-day trips add a hot lunch and drinks all day; the overnight adds all meals and a cabin.

Only tips for the crew and optional add-ons like underwater photos or a wetsuit. Park tickets are included in our price.

Yes on the day boats and the overnight boat. The speedboat has none, but you are back in about 5 hours and the marina has facilities.

Samadai is close and usually calm. For Sataya, take a tablet the night before if you are sensitive. The lagoons themselves are flat.

Swimsuit under your clothes, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, a copy of your passport for the marina check, and some cash for tips. A light jacket for early mornings in winter.

All hotels in Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib and Abu Dabbab at no extra cost. El Quseir and Hamata hotels with a small surcharge shown in the booking form.

Choose a tour and date, add guests and your hotel, and send the request. We confirm on WhatsApp or email within an hour in daytime. No card is needed.

On the day in EUR, or the equivalent in EGP or USD. Bank transfer in advance is possible on request. No card details are ever asked for online.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. If the port authority cancels for weather you get a full refund or a new date.

Yes if there are seats. For same-day or next-day requests message us on WhatsApp for the fastest answer.

Our guides speak English, German and Arabic. The website, WhatsApp support and confirmations are available in 13 languages.