# Dolphin House Marsa Alam: full content Source: https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com. Updated 2026-09-05. # Samadai Dolphin House by Speedboat (Half Day) https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/tours/samadai-dolphin-house-speedboat-half-day Half-day dolphin trip by speedboat from Marsa Alam to Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House): hotel pickup at 07:30, 15 minutes by speedboat from the marina, 45 minutes snorkeling with the resident spinner dolphins, a second 40-minute snorkel on the coral reef, and back at your hotel between 10:30 and 11:30: three to four hours door to door. 75 EUR per adult including transfer, speedboat, snorkel gear, guide, water and snacks. Sha'ab Samadai is a horseshoe reef 11 km off Marsa Alam where a pod of around 60 spinner dolphins comes to rest after a night of hunting. By speedboat you are there in a quarter of an hour, in the water before the day boats arrive, and back on land in time for lunch at the hotel. This is the trip we recommend to families, first-time snorkelers and anyone who wants the dolphins without giving up the whole day. The speedboat leaves the marina at 08:00 and reaches the lagoon around 08:15, which is usually when the pod is settling in to rest in the shelter of the reef. Your guide briefs you on the marine-park code before anyone gets wet: enter the water slowly, no splashing, no chasing, float and let them come. Then you spend 45 minutes drifting at the edge of the rest zone as the pod passes under and around you. Some days they play and spin, some days they cruise slowly in tight formation. Both are unforgettable. After a rest with water and snacks on the boat we move to the coral wall on the outside of the reef for a second 40-minute snorkel: hard coral gardens, anemone city with its clownfish, and often a turtle or an eagle ray on the sand. By 10:10 you are heading back to the marina, and between 10:30 and 11:30 you are at your hotel. Three to four hours door to door, which is why this is the trip guests pick when the day is already spoken for. ## Itinerary - 07:30: Pickup from your hotel. Air-conditioned minibus from hotels in Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib and Abu Dabbab. - 08:00: Marina, boarding the speedboat. Life jackets, gear fitting and the dolphin code briefing. - 08:15: Arrive at Samadai lagoon - 08:15–09:00: Snorkel 1: with the spinner dolphins. Guided, at the edge of the rest zone. 45 minutes. - 09:00–09:30: Rest on the speedboat. Water, snacks, photos, dolphins often surface next to the boat. - 09:30–10:10: Snorkel 2: coral reef. Outer wall of Samadai, anemone city, turtles on the sand. - 10:10: Return to the marina - 10:30–11:30: Drop-off at your hotel ## Included - Hotel pickup and drop-off - Speedboat with skipper - Snorkeling guide in the water - Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket - Water and snacks - Dolphin briefing and marine-park code ## Not included - Tips for the crew - Underwater photos (optional add-on) ## Good for - Families with children from 4 - Guests with an afternoon plan - Anyone who gets seasick on long crossings - Couples who want a small shared group and a short morning ## FAQ Q: What time will I be back at the hotel? A: Between 10:30 and 11:30 depending on where your hotel is. Port Ghalib and Marsa Alam town hotels are first; Abu Dabbab hotels a little later. Q: Are the dolphins guaranteed? A: No. They are wild animals. Both Samadai and Sataya have resident pods that come into the lagoon to rest on most days, and our guides know the timing and the corners of the reef. If the pod is not there when we arrive we wait, move along the reef and snorkel the coral in the meantime. We tell you this honestly before you book. Q: Is it suitable for children? A: Children from 4 years snorkel with a life jacket and a parent next to them. Younger children stay on the boat with a parent. Under 4 travel free. Q: Is there a toilet on the speedboat? A: No. The trip is short and the marina has facilities before you leave and when you return. The full-day boats have toilets and a changing area. Q: Can I touch the dolphins or swim right next to them? A: No touching, chasing, feeding or diving down onto the pod. You float calmly at the edge of the rest zone with the guide and let the dolphins choose how close they come. Most days that is very close. It is the marine-park rule and it is what keeps the pod coming back. Q: How rough is the speedboat ride? A: Samadai is close and sheltered, so the crossing is usually smooth. On the rare windy days the skipper slows down and we may switch the order of the two snorkel stops. Q: How and when do I pay? A: You book without a card. You pay on the day in EUR (or the equivalent in EGP or USD), or by bank transfer in advance if you prefer. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. # Samadai Dolphin House Boat Trip (Full Day) https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/tours/samadai-dolphin-house-full-day Full-day boat trip to Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House) from Marsa Alam: pickup at 08:00, boat departs 09:00, about one hour to the reef, 45 minutes snorkeling with the spinner dolphins, one hour rest, 45 minutes on the coral reef, lunch on board, back at the marina 15:30 to 16:00 and at your hotel 16:00 to 16:30. 80 EUR per adult including transfer, boat, lunch, soft and hot drinks, snacks, gear and guide. The classic Dolphin House day. A comfortable day boat with a shaded saloon, sun deck, toilets and a galley, two guided snorkel sessions and a proper lunch cooked on board. The best choice if you want to take your time. We board at the marina at 08:30 and sail at 09:00. The crossing to Samadai takes about an hour and the crew uses it for the briefing: how the lagoon is zoned, why the pod rests here, how to enter the water and how to behave around mothers with calves. First session is with the dolphins. The boat moors on the fixed buoys outside the rest zone, the zodiac shuttles small groups to the edge of the snorkeling area and the guide leads you in. You float; the pod does the rest. After 45 minutes you climb back on board for tea, coffee and fruit while the boat moves to the coral. The second session is on the outer reef: a wall of hard coral, glassfish caves, anemone city and the sandy slope where turtles feed. Lunch is served on the way back, a hot buffet with chicken or fish, rice, pasta, vegetables and salad. You are at the marina between 15:30 and 16:00 and at the hotel by 16:30. ## Itinerary - 08:00: Pickup from your hotel - 08:30: Marina, boarding the day boat. Welcome drink, gear fitting, briefing. - 09:00: Boat departs. About one hour of sailing. Dolphins sometimes ride the bow. - 10:00–10:45: Snorkel 1: with the spinner dolphins. Zodiac to the edge of the rest zone, 45 minutes guided. - 10:45–11:45: Rest on board. Tea, coffee, fruit and snacks. - 11:45–12:30: Snorkel 2: the coral reef. Outer wall, anemone city, turtles. - 12:30: Lunch on board, sailing back - 15:30–16:00: Arrive at the marina - 16:00–16:30: Drop-off at your hotel ## Included - Hotel pickup and drop-off - Day boat with crew - Snorkeling guide in the water - Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket - Hot buffet lunch - Soft drinks, tea, coffee and snacks all day - Zodiac shuttle to the snorkel zone - Marine-park and national-park tickets ## Not included - Tips for the crew - Underwater photos (optional add-on) ## Good for - First-time visitors to Marsa Alam - Guests who want lunch and time to relax - Groups and families - Photographers (more time at the lagoon) ## FAQ Q: Are the dolphins guaranteed? A: No. They are wild animals. Both Samadai and Sataya have resident pods that come into the lagoon to rest on most days, and our guides know the timing and the corners of the reef. If the pod is not there when we arrive we wait, move along the reef and snorkel the coral in the meantime. We tell you this honestly before you book. Q: What is the lunch like? A: A hot buffet cooked on board: grilled chicken or fish, rice, pasta, vegetables, salad and bread, with soft drinks, tea and coffee. Vegetarian options are always available; tell us about allergies when you book. Q: Can I touch the dolphins or swim right next to them? A: No touching, chasing, feeding or diving down onto the pod. You float calmly at the edge of the rest zone with the guide and let the dolphins choose how close they come. Most days that is very close. It is the marine-park rule and it is what keeps the pod coming back. Q: Do I need to be a strong swimmer? A: 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. Q: Is there a toilet and shade on the boat? A: Yes. The day boat has toilets, a fresh-water shower, a shaded saloon and a sun deck. Q: Samadai or Sataya? A: Samadai is 11 km from Marsa Alam and the easiest dolphin trip. Sataya is far south with a much bigger pod and a very calm lagoon, but the day starts at 06:00. If you have small children or want an easy day, Samadai. If you want the biggest pod, Sataya. Q: How and when do I pay? A: You book without a card. You pay on the day in EUR (or the equivalent in EGP or USD), or by bank transfer in advance if you prefer. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. # Sataya Dolphin Reef Boat Trip (Full Day) https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/tours/sataya-dolphin-reef-full-day Full-day trip to Sataya Reef (Dolphin Reef) in the Fury Shoals: pickup at 06:00, drive south to the marina (arrive 07:30), boat departs 09:00, about 1.5 hours of sailing, 45 minutes snorkeling with the large spinner-dolphin pod, one hour rest, 45 minutes on the coral reef, lunch on board, back at the marina 16:00 to 16:30 and at your hotel 18:00 to 18:30. 95 EUR per adult including transfer, boat, lunch, water, snacks, gear and guide. Sataya is a crescent reef about 105 km south of Marsa Alam that shelters the largest spinner-dolphin pod in the Egyptian Red Sea, often 100 to 200 animals. It is far from the resort strip, so there are fewer boats, calmer dolphins and a lagoon that looks like a swimming pool. The day starts early because Sataya is worth it. The minibus collects you at 06:00 and drives south along the coast to the marina near Hamata, with a coffee stop on the way. The boat sails at 09:00 and the crossing takes about an hour and a half; keep an eye on the bow, the dolphins often come to ride it. Inside the lagoon the water is flat and turquoise over white sand. The pod rests in the deeper centre and cruises the edges. The zodiac drops small groups with the guide at the edge of the resting area, and for 45 minutes you float over the sand while dozens of dolphins pass under you in slow formation. This is the encounter people fly here for. After a rest on board we move to the outer coral garden for the second session: some of the healthiest hard coral in Egypt, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and clouds of anthias. Lunch is a hot buffet served on the way back. You are at the marina between 16:00 and 16:30 and at your hotel by 18:30. ## Itinerary - 06:00: Pickup from your hotel. Early start. Coffee stop on the road south. - 07:30: Marina near Hamata, boarding - 09:00: Boat departs. About 1.5 hours to Sataya. Dolphins often ride the bow. - 10:30–11:15: Snorkel 1: with the dolphins in the lagoon. Small guided groups from the zodiac, 45 minutes. - 11:15–12:15: Rest on board - 12:15–13:00: Snorkel 2: outer coral garden. Turtles, Napoleon wrasse, hard coral. - 13:00: Lunch on board, sailing back - 16:00–16:30: Arrive at the marina - 18:00–18:30: Drop-off at your hotel ## Included - Hotel pickup and drop-off (about 2 h each way) - Day boat with crew - Snorkeling guide in the water - Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket - Hot buffet lunch - Water and snacks all day - Zodiac shuttle - Marine-park and national-park tickets ## Not included - Tips for the crew - Wetsuit rental in winter (optional add-on) ## Good for - Guests who want the biggest pod - Freedivers and confident snorkelers - Photographers - Couples and small groups ## FAQ Q: Why is the pickup so early? A: Sataya is about 105 km south of Marsa Alam. The drive to the marina takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, and the boat needs to sail at 09:00 to give you the calm late-morning hours in the lagoon. Q: Are the dolphins guaranteed? A: No. They are wild animals. Both Samadai and Sataya have resident pods that come into the lagoon to rest on most days, and our guides know the timing and the corners of the reef. If the pod is not there when we arrive we wait, move along the reef and snorkel the coral in the meantime. We tell you this honestly before you book. Q: How many dolphins will I see? A: The Sataya pod is usually between 100 and 200 animals. On a typical day you swim with a group of several dozen at a time as they pass; some days the whole pod stays in the lagoon. Q: Can I touch the dolphins or swim right next to them? A: No touching, chasing, feeding or diving down onto the pod. You float calmly at the edge of the rest zone with the guide and let the dolphins choose how close they come. Most days that is very close. It is the marine-park rule and it is what keeps the pod coming back. Q: Do I need to be a strong swimmer? A: 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. Q: Is the sea rough? A: The lagoon itself is sheltered and flat. The crossing can have some swell on windy days; the boat is a full-size day boat, not a speedboat, and the captain chooses the calmest route. Q: How and when do I pay? A: You book without a card. You pay on the day in EUR (or the equivalent in EGP or USD), or by bank transfer in advance if you prefer. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. # Wadi El Gemal: Dolphins, Reefs and Island https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/tours/wadi-el-gemal-dolphins-and-island Full-day boat trip inside Wadi El Gemal National Park: pickup at 07:00, boat departs 09:00, 35 minutes to the first lagoon for 45 minutes snorkeling with dolphins, one hour rest, a second lagoon with 45 minutes on the coral reef, lunch on board, then one hour on a Wadi El Gemal island, back at the marina 16:00 to 16:30 and at your hotel 17:30 to 18:00. 110 EUR per adult including transfer, boat, lunch, gear and guide. Wadi El Gemal is Egypt's second-largest national park, 7,000 km² of desert and sea south of Marsa Alam. Its lagoons hold spinner and bottlenose dolphins, seagrass bays with turtles and dugong, and white-sand islands ringed by mangroves. This trip puts all three into one day. We collect you at 07:00 and reach the boat at 08:00. After boarding and the briefing the boat sails at 09:00 and takes about 35 minutes to the first lagoon, where the dolphins come to rest in the morning. The guide leads you in from the zodiac for 45 minutes with the pod. The second lagoon is about coral: shallow gardens with clouds of reef fish, turtles grazing on the seagrass, blue-spotted rays on the sand. Lunch is served on board afterwards, a hot buffet with the park in the background. Then the part nobody expects: an hour on one of the Wadi El Gemal islands. White sand, mangroves, a walk to the point, a swim off the beach, and the kind of photo that makes the trip. You are back at the marina between 16:00 and 16:30 and at your hotel by 18:00. ## Itinerary - 07:00: Pickup from your hotel - 08:00: Arrive at the boat, boarding and briefing - 09:00: Boat departs. About 35 minutes to the first lagoon. - 09:35–10:20: Snorkel 1: with the dolphins. 45 minutes guided. - 10:20–11:20: Rest on board, move to the second lagoon - 11:20–12:05: Snorkel 2: coral reef and seagrass. Turtles, rays, reef fish. - 12:05: Lunch on board - 13:00–14:00: One hour on the island. Beach, mangroves, photos, swim. - 16:00–16:30: Arrive at the marina - 17:30–18:00: Drop-off at your hotel ## Included - Hotel pickup and drop-off - Day boat with crew - Snorkeling guide - Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket - Hot buffet lunch - Water and soft drinks - Island landing - Marine-park and national-park tickets ## Not included - Tips for the crew ## Good for - Guests who want variety in one day - Families (calm lagoons, beach time) - Nature lovers and photographers - Guests who have already done Samadai ## FAQ Q: Which island do we visit? A: One of the Qulaan islands group inside the park, chosen by the captain on the day for wind and landing conditions. All have white sand and mangroves; none have facilities, so we bring water and shade. Q: Are the dolphins guaranteed? A: No. They are wild animals. Both Samadai and Sataya have resident pods that come into the lagoon to rest on most days, and our guides know the timing and the corners of the reef. If the pod is not there when we arrive we wait, move along the reef and snorkel the coral in the meantime. We tell you this honestly before you book. Q: Is Wadi El Gemal better than Samadai for dolphins? A: Samadai has the more reliable resident pod. Wadi El Gemal gives you dolphins plus turtles, seagrass and an island in a protected park with very few boats. Choose it for the variety. Q: Is it suitable for children? A: Children from 4 years snorkel with a life jacket and a parent next to them. Younger children stay on the boat with a parent. Under 4 travel free. Q: Can I touch the dolphins or swim right next to them? A: No touching, chasing, feeding or diving down onto the pod. You float calmly at the edge of the rest zone with the guide and let the dolphins choose how close they come. Most days that is very close. It is the marine-park rule and it is what keeps the pod coming back. Q: How and when do I pay? A: You book without a card. You pay on the day in EUR (or the equivalent in EGP or USD), or by bank transfer in advance if you prefer. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. # Sataya Overnight: 2 Days / 1 Night on the Boat https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/tours/sataya-overnight-dolphin-reef Two-day dolphin trip with a night on a large safari boat at Sataya Reef: hotel pickup at 07:00, transfer to the marina, sailing to Sataya, 6 to 7 snorkel sessions over the two days (each dolphin session up to 45 minutes, plus reef sessions on the coral), all meals on board, a double cabin for every two guests, sunrise with the pod before the day boats arrive, return to the marina between 15:00 and 17:00 on day two and transfer to your hotel. Departures Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. 250 EUR per person, full board, maximum 18 to 20 guests. The day boats reach Sataya around 10:30. The pod comes home at sunrise. Spend the night on the boat and you get the lagoon to yourself: the dolphins arriving in the first light, no other boats, the flattest water of the day. Then breakfast, a second reef and the sail home. Day one starts with a 07:00 pickup and the drive to the marina, where a large safari boat with a cabin for every two guests is waiting. After the briefing we sail to Sataya and start the rhythm that fills both days: a session with the dolphins (never more than 45 minutes at a time, by the marine-park code), a rest with food and drinks, a session on the coral, and again. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board. As the day boats leave in the afternoon the lagoon goes quiet. Sunset from the deck, dinner cooked by the crew, and a night at anchor in sheltered water with no light pollution at all. Your cabin is yours; many guests still fall asleep on deck under the stars. At first light the guide wakes you. The pod is coming back from its night hunt in deep water, and you are in the flattest, clearest water of the day with more dolphins than at any other hour. Breakfast, more sessions with the pod and on the reef, lunch, and the sail back. You reach the marina between 15:00 and 17:00 on day two and the car takes you to your hotel. ## Itinerary - Day 1, 07:00: Pickup from your hotel. Air-conditioned car to the marina. - 08:30–09:00: Marina, boarding the safari boat. Cabin assignment, breakfast, safety and dolphin briefing. - 09:00: Sail to Sataya - Late morning: Session 1: dolphins in the lagoon. Up to 45 minutes. - 13:00: Lunch on board - Afternoon: Sessions 2 and 3: dolphins and the coral reef. Turtles, Napoleon wrasse. - Sunset: Tea on deck, sunset, dinner, stargazing - Night: Night in your cabin (or on deck if you prefer) - Day 2, sunrise: Session 4: sunrise with the pod. The best encounter of the trip. - 08:00: Breakfast - Morning: Sessions 5 to 7: dolphins and reef - 12:30: Lunch, sail back - 15:00–17:00: Arrive at the marina - Afterwards: Car to your hotel ## Included - Hotel pickup and drop-off - Large safari boat for two days and one night - Cabin for every two guests - All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, breakfast and lunch on day two - Water, soft drinks, tea, coffee and snacks - Snorkeling guide - Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket - About 6 to 7 snorkel sessions (dolphin sessions up to 45 minutes each, plus the coral reef) - Marine-park and national-park tickets ## Not included - Tips for the crew - Alcohol (not sold on board; you may bring your own) ## Good for - Couples - Freedivers and photographers - Guests who have done a day trip and want more - Small groups of friends ## FAQ Q: Where do we sleep? A: In a cabin on the safari boat, one cabin for every two guests. Many guests still take a mattress onto the deck to fall asleep under the stars; the cabin stays yours either way. Q: What is different from the day trip? A: Time in the water and the sunrise. You get 6 to 7 sessions instead of two, and the pod comes back into the lagoon at first light, when the water is flattest and no day boat has arrived. Q: Which days does it run? A: Departures on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday only; the booking form accepts these days. The trip runs from 6 guests and takes 18 to 20 at most; we confirm 48 hours before departure. Q: Are the dolphins guaranteed? A: No. They are wild animals. Both Samadai and Sataya have resident pods that come into the lagoon to rest on most days, and our guides know the timing and the corners of the reef. If the pod is not there when we arrive we wait, move along the reef and snorkel the coral in the meantime. We tell you this honestly before you book. Q: Is there alcohol on board? A: No alcohol is sold on board. You are welcome to bring your own for the evening. Q: What about seasickness? A: The boat anchors inside the sheltered lagoon for the night, so it barely moves. Take a tablet before the crossing if you are sensitive. Q: How and when do I pay? A: You book without a card. You pay on the day in EUR (or the equivalent in EGP or USD), or by bank transfer in advance if you prefer. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. # Private Speedboat to Samadai Dolphin House https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/tours/private-speedboat-samadai Private speedboat charter from Marsa Alam to Sha'ab Samadai for up to 8 guests: you choose the departure time, the guide is yours alone, two guided snorkel sessions with the dolphins and on the coral reef, water and snacks on board, hotel transfer included. Price on request: send the date, group size and wishes and we quote the boat for that day. About 4 to 5 hours. The half-day speedboat trip, but the boat is yours. Ideal for families with small children, groups of friends, proposals and anyone who wants to set the pace: leave at 07:00 to be first in the lagoon, or at 10:00 after a slow breakfast. A private charter removes the two things people worry about: other guests and fixed timing. You tell us when you want to leave the marina, we tell you when the dolphins are most likely to be resting, and we meet in the middle. The guide is dedicated to your group in the water, which matters with kids or nervous swimmers. The route is the same as the shared half-day: 15 minutes to Samadai, 45 minutes with the pod, a rest with water and snacks, 40 minutes on the coral, and back. Want to stay longer at the lagoon or add a third stop at Marsa Mubarak for turtles? Ask, and we quote it. ## Itinerary - Your time: Pickup from your hotel - +30 min: Marina, private speedboat, briefing - +45 min: Arrive at Samadai lagoon - 45 min: Snorkel with the dolphins - 45 min: Rest on board, drinks and snacks - 40 min: Snorkel the coral reef - +4.5 h: Back at the marina and to your hotel ## Included - Private speedboat with skipper (up to 8 guests) - Dedicated snorkeling guide - Hotel pickup and drop-off - Mask, snorkel, fins and life jackets - Water, soft drinks and snacks - Flexible departure time - Marine-park and national-park tickets ## Not included - Tips - Lunch (can be added on request) ## Good for - Families with toddlers or nervous swimmers - Groups of friends up to 8 - Special occasions - Guests with a fixed schedule ## FAQ Q: How is the price calculated? A: Per boat, not per person, and it depends on the day, the group size and what you want on board (lunch, extra stops, private guide). Send a request with your date and wishes and we reply with a fixed quote for that day. Park tickets for everyone on board are included in the quote. Q: Can we add a second site? A: Yes. Marsa Mubarak (turtles and seagrass) or Abu Dabbab are the usual add-ons. Ask for a quote with your preferred timing. Q: Are the dolphins guaranteed? A: No. They are wild animals. Both Samadai and Sataya have resident pods that come into the lagoon to rest on most days, and our guides know the timing and the corners of the reef. If the pod is not there when we arrive we wait, move along the reef and snorkel the coral in the meantime. We tell you this honestly before you book. Q: Is it suitable for children? A: Children from 4 years snorkel with a life jacket and a parent next to them. Younger children stay on the boat with a parent. Under 4 travel free. Q: How and when do I pay? A: You book without a card. You pay on the day in EUR (or the equivalent in EGP or USD), or by bank transfer in advance if you prefer. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. # Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House) https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/destinations/samadai Sha'ab Samadai, known as Dolphin House, is a horseshoe-shaped reef about 11 km south-east of Marsa Alam. Its sheltered lagoon, 6 to 7 m deep, is the daytime resting place of a pod of around 60 spinner dolphins. It is a protected area with zoned access: a no-entry rest zone for the dolphins, a guided snorkeling zone and a diving and mooring zone. Trips run daily by speedboat (15 minutes) or day boat (1 hour) from the Marsa Alam marina. Samadai is the reason "Dolphin House" is a phrase every visitor to Marsa Alam hears in the first hour. The reef wall blocks the northerly wind and turns the lagoon into a calm, sandy pool where spinner dolphins come after a night of hunting in the deep water offshore. They rest, socialise and look after their calves here through the late morning. The lagoon is divided into three zones marked with buoys. Zone A, the inner rest area, is closed to everyone. Zone B is where guided snorkeling groups float at the edge of the rest zone. Zone C is for diving and boat moorings on the outer reef. The rules exist because the pod stopped using the reef for a period in the early 2000s when boats were unregulated; since the zoning it has come back and stayed. Outside the lagoon the reef drops away steeply: a 200 m wall on the west side and 600 m on the east. The outer coral gardens are where the second snorkel session happens: anemone city with its clownfish, glassfish caves, turtles on the sandy slope, eagle rays and occasionally a reef shark below. ## Facts - Reef shape: Horseshoe, 1.4 km long by 1 km wide - Lagoon depth: 6 to 7 m over sand - Resident pod: About 60 spinner dolphins (3 to 210 counted on single days) - Protection: Marine protected area since 2004, managed with HEPCA - Access: Max 10 boats a day, snorkelers 10:00 to 14:00 - Park ticket: Included in our trip price - Water: 23 °C in January to 29 °C in August, visibility up to 30 m ## Rules - Enter the water slowly from the zodiac, no jumping - Never touch, chase or feed the dolphins - Stay with the guide inside Zone B - Life jacket for anyone who is not a confident swimmer - No whistling or shouting under water - Extra distance for mothers with calves ## Best time Dolphin numbers peak from May to July. October and November combine warm water with comfortable air temperatures. The lagoon is snorkelable year round; a shorty wetsuit helps from December to March. ## FAQ Q: How far is Samadai from Marsa Alam? A: About 11 km south-east of the marina: 15 minutes by speedboat or about an hour by day boat. Q: Are the dolphins at Samadai every day? A: The pod is resident and uses the lagoon on most days of the year, with the highest numbers from May to July. Sightings are never guaranteed because the animals are wild. Q: What does the Samadai ticket cost? A: Nothing extra: the Samadai marine-park ticket (about 105 EGP per person) is included in our price. It funds mooring maintenance, the national park and the Marsa Alam city council. Q: Can you dive at Samadai? A: Yes, in Zone C on the outer reef. Our sister site dive-marsaalam.com runs the diving trips; this site is for snorkeling with the dolphins. # Sataya Reef (Dolphin Reef) https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/destinations/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. ## Facts - 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 - Park fee: Included in our trip price - Nearby reefs: Abu Galawa, Sha'ab Claudio, Malahi ## Rules - 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 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. ## FAQ Q: How do I get to Sataya from Marsa Alam? A: 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. Q: Is Sataya better than Samadai? A: 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. Q: Can I sleep at Sataya? A: 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. Q: What is the park fee? A: About 4 EUR per person, and it is included in our price; our crew pays it on board to the national-park rangers. # Wadi El Gemal National Park https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/destinations/wadi-el-gemal Wadi El Gemal National Park covers more than 7,000 km² of desert and Red Sea coast south of Marsa Alam. Its marine section holds sheltered lagoons used by spinner, bottlenose and humpback dolphins, seagrass bays with turtles and dugong, and the Qulaan islands with their mangroves and white sand. Boat trips reach the first lagoon in about 35 minutes. Wadi El Gemal means "valley of the camels". The park runs from the Red Sea Hills to the coast and out to sea, and it is the least visited stretch of water south of Marsa Alam. The lagoons are sheltered and shallow, which is why dolphins rest in them and why families like them. Our day here is built on variety: dolphins in the first lagoon, coral and seagrass in the second, lunch on board, then an hour on one of the Qulaan islands. The islands are rimmed with mangroves, which is unusual for the Red Sea, and the beach is the kind of white you see in photos. The park also protects dugong, the sea cow that grazes the seagrass meadows. Sightings from the boat are rare but real, and turtles on the seagrass are common. ## Facts - Area: Over 7,000 km² of desert and sea, declared 2003 - Reef life: About 450 coral species and over 1,200 fish species - Dolphins: Spinner, bottlenose and Indo-Pacific humpback - Islands: Qulaan islands: white sand, mangroves, no facilities - Fee: Included in our trip price ## Rules - No landing on islands with nesting birds - Take all litter back to the boat - No touching dolphins, turtles or coral - Stay with the guide in the lagoons - Park fee funds the rangers ## Best time March to November. Summer is hot on the island, so the beach hour is kept to early afternoon with shade on board. ## FAQ Q: How far is Wadi El Gemal from Marsa Alam? A: The park boundary is about 45 km south of the town. Pickup at 07:00 gets you to the boat at 08:00. Q: Are there dolphins in Wadi El Gemal? A: Yes. Spinner and bottlenose dolphins use the sheltered lagoons to rest; the first snorkel stop of the trip is with them. Q: Can I visit the islands? A: Yes, with a licensed boat. Our trip lands for one hour on a Qulaan island chosen for the day's wind. # Swim with Dolphins in Marsa Alam You can swim with wild spinner dolphins in Marsa Alam at two protected reefs: Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House), 11 km from town, and Sataya Reef in the Fury Shoals, 105 km south. Trips run daily with hotel pickup, a guide in the water, snorkel gear and lunch, from 75 EUR for a half-day speedboat trip to 250 EUR for an overnight at Sataya. ## Where the dolphins are Spinner dolphins hunt at night in deep water and come into shallow, sheltered lagoons after sunrise to rest. Marsa Alam has the two best lagoons in Egypt for this: Samadai, close and zoned, with a pod of about 60, and Sataya, remote and huge, with 100 to 200 animals. Wadi El Gemal National Park adds a third option with dolphins plus turtles and an island. ## How the encounter works You do not chase dolphins. The boat moors outside the rest zone, the zodiac takes small groups to its edge, and you float with the guide while the pod passes under and around you. Some days they play and spin; some days they cruise slowly. Life jackets are available and children from 4 can join with a parent. ## Which trip to choose Half a day and small kids: the Samadai speedboat. A full day with lunch and no early start: Samadai full day. The biggest pod: Sataya full day. Sunrise with the pod and no other boats: Sataya overnight. Variety with an island: Wadi El Gemal. ## FAQ Q: How much does it cost to swim with dolphins in Marsa Alam? A: From 75 EUR per adult for the half-day speedboat to Samadai, 80 EUR for the full day with lunch, 95 EUR for Sataya, 110 EUR for Wadi El Gemal and 250 EUR for the Sataya overnight. Children 4 to 11 pay a reduced price. Q: Is it safe to swim with wild dolphins? A: Yes, with a guide and the marine-park rules. Spinner dolphins are small, calm when resting and not aggressive. You float, they choose the distance. Q: Do I need to book in advance? A: One or two days ahead is enough in most months. May to October and holiday weeks fill up faster; the overnight runs on fixed days and should be booked a week ahead. # Dolphin House Marsa Alam Dolphin House is the local name for Sha'ab Samadai, a horseshoe reef 11 km off Marsa Alam where a pod of about 60 spinner dolphins rests every morning. Trips run daily: a half-day speedboat trip for 75 EUR (back by 11:30) or a full day on a boat with lunch for 80 EUR. Access is zoned and guided under marine-park rules. ## Why it is called Dolphin House The reef wall shelters a calm lagoon over white sand, and spinner dolphins have used it as a daytime resting place for as long as anyone in Marsa Alam remembers. It became a managed protected area in 2004 after boat pressure pushed the pod away; the zoning brought it back. ## Two ways to go By speedboat: 15 minutes from the marina, in the water before the day boats, back at the hotel by lunch. By day boat: a slower, shaded day with a hot lunch on board and more time at the reef. Both include a guided session with the dolphins and a second session on the outer coral. ## Rules that protect the pod No entry to the inner rest zone. Guided snorkeling only, life jackets available, slow entry, no chasing or touching, max 10 boats a day on fixed moorings, snorkeling window 10:00 to 14:00. Park tickets are included in the price. ## FAQ Q: Where is Dolphin House Marsa Alam? A: About 11 km south-east of the Marsa Alam marina, 15 minutes by speedboat or an hour by day boat. Q: How much is the Dolphin House trip? A: 75 EUR per adult by speedboat (half day) or 80 EUR by day boat with lunch. Children 4 to 11 pay 55 or 60 EUR. The marine-park ticket of about 105 EGP is already included in both prices. Q: Is Dolphin House the same as Sataya? A: No. Dolphin House is Samadai, close to Marsa Alam. Sataya is a different, larger reef 105 km south, sometimes called Dolphin Reef. # Samadai vs Sataya: Which Dolphin House Should You Choose? Samadai is close (11 km, 15 minutes by speedboat), zoned and ideal with children or for half a day. Sataya is far (105 km south, early start), with a pod two to three times bigger and a huge calm lagoon. Choose Samadai for easy and quick, Sataya for the biggest pod, and the Sataya overnight for sunrise with the dolphins and no other boats. ## Side by side | | Samadai (Dolphin House) | Sataya (Dolphin Reef) | | Distance from Marsa Alam | 11 km | 105 km | | Travel | 15 min speedboat or 1 h boat | 2 h road + 1.5 h boat | | Pod size | About 60 | 100 to 200 | | Pickup | 07:30 or 08:00 | 06:00 | | Back at hotel | 11:30 or 16:30 | 18:30 | | Price | 75 or 80 EUR | 95 EUR (overnight 250 EUR) | | With kids | Excellent (from 4) | Good (from 5), long day | | Crowds | More boats, strict zones | Few boats, big lagoon | ## Choose Samadai if You have half a day, travel with small children, get seasick on long crossings, or want the lowest price. The speedboat has you in the water 45 minutes after pickup. ## Choose Sataya if You want the biggest pod and the calmest, clearest lagoon, you are a confident snorkeler or freediver, or you have already done Samadai. Add the overnight if you want the sunrise session, which is the best dolphin encounter in Egypt. ## FAQ Q: Can I do both Samadai and Sataya? A: Yes, on different days. Many guests do Samadai by speedboat on arrival day and Sataya later in the week. Ask us for a combined price. Q: Which has clearer water? A: Both are excellent. Sataya's lagoon is larger and shallower over white sand, so it usually looks brighter in photos. # General FAQ Q: Are the dolphins guaranteed? A: 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. Q: Can I touch the dolphins? A: 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. Q: Samadai or Sataya: which is better? A: 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. Q: What is the best season for dolphins in Marsa Alam? A: 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. Q: Which dolphin species will I see? A: 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. Q: Do I need to be a good swimmer? A: 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. Q: Which trip is best with kids? A: 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. Q: What time is pickup? A: 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. Q: What is included in the price? A: 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. Q: What is not included? A: Only tips for the crew and optional add-ons like underwater photos or a wetsuit. Park tickets are included in our price. Q: Is there a toilet on the boat? A: 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. Q: Will I get seasick? A: Samadai is close and usually calm. For Sataya, take a tablet the night before if you are sensitive. The lagoons themselves are flat. Q: What should I bring? A: 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. Q: Which hotels do you pick up from? A: 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. Q: How do I book? A: 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. Q: How do I pay? A: 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. Q: What is the cancellation policy? A: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. If the port authority cancels for weather you get a full refund or a new date. Q: Can I book for tomorrow? A: Yes if there are seats. For same-day or next-day requests message us on WhatsApp for the fastest answer. Q: Do you speak my language? A: Our guides speak English, German and Arabic. The website, WhatsApp support and confirmations are available in 13 languages. # Samadai vs Sataya: which dolphin house should you choose? https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/blog/samadai-vs-sataya-which-dolphin-house Distance, pod size, pickup times and prices side by side, from the guides who run both reefs every week. Marsa Alam has two reefs with resident spinner-dolphin pods, and every guest asks the same question in the first email: Samadai or Sataya? The short answer is that Samadai is close and easy and Sataya is far and bigger. The longer answer depends on how much of a day you want to give it. ## Samadai in one paragraph Sha'ab Samadai, called Dolphin House, sits 11 km off Marsa Alam. A speedboat gets you there in 15 minutes; a day boat in an hour. The lagoon is zoned, guided groups float at the edge of the rest area, and the pod is about 60 animals. You can do it in half a day and be back at the hotel by 11:30. ## Sataya in one paragraph Sataya Reef is 105 km south, off Hamata. The drive takes two hours and the boat another hour and a half. The lagoon is several times bigger, there are far fewer boats, and the pod is 100 to 200 animals. Pickup is at 06:00 and you are back around 18:30. Sleep on the boat and you get the sunrise session, when the pod comes home and the lagoon is flat and empty. ## The table | | Samadai | Sataya | | Distance | 11 km | 105 km | | Pod | about 60 | 100 to 200 | | Pickup | 07:30 / 08:00 | 06:00 | | Price | 75 / 80 EUR | 95 EUR, overnight 250 EUR | | With small kids | yes, from 4 | from 5, long day | ## Our honest recommendation If it is your first dolphin trip, or you have children under 8, or you only have a morning: Samadai by speedboat. If you want the encounter people fly here for and can handle an early start: Sataya, and if you can, the overnight. Many guests do both in one week and nobody has regretted it. # Best time of year to swim with dolphins in Marsa Alam https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/blog/best-time-to-swim-with-dolphins-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. # Dolphin House rules: how the HEPCA zones protect the spinner dolphins https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/blog/dolphin-house-rules-hepca-zones Why Samadai has a no-entry zone, a snorkeling zone and a diving zone, and why that is good news for you. In the early 2000s the Samadai pod started leaving the lagoon. Too many boats, too many swimmers chasing them, no rules. In 2004 the reef became a managed protected area with HEPCA and the National Parks, and the pod came back. The zones are the reason you see dolphins today. ## The three zones - Zone A: the inner lagoon. No entry for anyone. The dolphins rest here. - Zone B: the edge of the lagoon. Guided snorkeling groups only, life jackets available, slow entry from the zodiac. - Zone C: the outer reef. Diving and boat moorings on fixed buoys. ## The other limits Max 10 boats a day, a snorkeling window from 10:00 to 14:00, a diving window from 09:00 to 15:00, boats no faster than 2 knots near the reef and engines off when moored. A ticket of about 105 EGP per person funds mooring maintenance, the park and the Marsa Alam council; on our trips it is included in the price. ## Why it helps you Resting dolphins that are not chased stay longer, come closer and bring their calves. The best encounters happen when 20 people float still and the pod decides to pass through them. The rules make that happen every day. # What a Sataya overnight actually looks like, hour by hour https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/blog/sataya-overnight-hour-by-hour From the 05:00 pickup to the sunrise snorkel and the sail home: the full two-day timeline. The overnight is the trip guests write to us about months later. It is also the one with the most questions, so here is the whole thing in order. ## Day one - 05:00 to 06:00: minibus pickup, coffee stop on the coastal road south. - 07:30 to 08:00: Hamata marina. Passport check, cabin assignment, safety and dolphin briefing. - 08:30: sail. About 1.5 to 2 hours. Dolphins often ride the bow. - 10:30: first snorkel with the pod in the lagoon, 45 minutes from the zodiac. - 12:30: lunch. 14:00: second snorkel on the outer coral garden. - Sunset: tea on deck, BBQ dinner, the Milky Way. Sleep in a cabin or on a mattress on deck. ## Day two - 06:00: the guide wakes you. The pod is coming home. 45 minutes in the flattest water of the day with no other boat in sight. - 07:30: breakfast. 09:00: snorkel at Abu Galawa, coral towers and a small tug wreck. - 12:00: lunch and the sail back. 15:00: Hamata. 18:00: your hotel. ## What to pack Passport copy, a warm layer for the night, seasickness tablets, a power bank, and some cash for tips (the park fee of about 4 EUR is already included in the trip price). No alcohol is sold on board; bring your own if you want a glass at sunset. # Dolphin trip with kids in Marsa Alam: ages, life jackets, seasickness https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/blog/dolphin-trip-with-kids-marsa-alam Which trip works at which age, what the boats have on board, and how to keep the day easy. Half of our guests travel with children, and the questions are always the same: from what age, is it safe, and how long is the day. Here is what we tell them. ## Ages From 4, children snorkel in a life jacket with a parent beside them and the guide within arm's reach. Under 4 stay on the boat with a parent and travel free. The Sataya day trip is from 5 and the overnight from 6 because of the long day and the night on board. ## Which trip The Samadai speedboat is the family trip: 15 minutes on the water each way, dolphins, reef, back by lunch. The Samadai full day adds a comfortable boat with toilets, shade and a hot lunch, and works from about 6 years. Wadi El Gemal adds an island hour that children love. ## Seasickness Samadai is close and sheltered. If your child is sensitive, choose the speedboat (short) or the full-day boat (stable) and sit outside in the fresh air. For Sataya give a children's tablet the night before. ## The encounter Children do well because the rule is simple: float still and look down. The guide holds the group together and the dolphins pass under. Most kids talk about it for the rest of the holiday. # Spinner dolphins of the Red Sea: 12 facts from the guides https://dolphinhouse-marsaalam.com/blog/spinner-dolphins-red-sea-facts Why they spin, why they rest in lagoons, how big the pods get and what they eat at night. Every trip starts with a briefing about the animal you are about to meet. These are the facts our guides repeat most. - Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) are 1.6 to 2 m long and weigh 45 to 75 kg, smaller and slimmer than bottlenose dolphins. - They are named for their leaps: a spinner can rotate up to seven times in one jump. - They hunt at night in deep water for lanternfish and squid that rise toward the surface after dark. - By day they rest in shallow, sheltered lagoons. Samadai and Sataya are the two best in Egypt. - Resting dolphins swim slowly in tight formation and breathe in sync. That is when you float still. - Pods at Samadai average about 60; Sataya holds 100 to 200. - Calves stay close to their mothers for a year or more. Guides keep extra distance from mother-calf pairs. - They use echolocation and can "see" you long before you see them. - They do not like splashing, whistling or being approached head-on. Float sideways and quiet. - Bottlenose dolphins visit the same reefs; they are bigger, greyer and more curious. - Numbers at Samadai peak from May to July and are lowest from February to April. - The best encounters last: guests who stay still for ten minutes get the pod passing through them, not around them.