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
Sataya · 105 km south of Marsa Alam, 12 km off Hamata
Sataya Dolphin Reef Boat Trip (Full Day)
Egypt's biggest spinner-dolphin lagoon. Longer transfer, bigger pod, calmer water.
5.0(510+ reviews)Biggest podTop rated
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Time in the water
- 90 min
- Group size
- Max 20 guests
- Pickup
- 06:00
- Return
- 18:00–18:30
- Minimum age
- From 5 years
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.
Highlights
100 to 200 dolphins
The largest spinner pod in the Egyptian Red Sea.
Flat turquoise lagoon
Sheltered by a 4 km crescent reef, calm on most days.
Hot lunch on board
Buffet, water, tea and coffee.
Fury Shoals
The remote south, far from the crowds.
About this trip
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.
Your day, hour by hour
- 06:0006:00Pickup from your hotelEarly start. Coffee stop on the road south.
- 07:3007:30Marina near Hamata, boarding
- 09:0009:00Boat departsAbout 1.5 hours to Sataya. Dolphins often ride the bow.
- 10:30–11:1510:30–11:15Snorkel 1: with the dolphins in the lagoonSmall guided groups from the zodiac, 45 minutes.
- 11:15–12:1511:15–12:15Rest on board
- 12:15–13:0012:15–13:00Snorkel 2: outer coral gardenTurtles, Napoleon wrasse, hard coral.
- 13:0013:00Lunch on board, sailing back
- 16:00–16:3016:00–16:30Arrive at the marina
- 18:00–18:3018:00–18:30Drop-off at your hotel
What is 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
All marine-park and national-park tickets are included in the price.
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
Not the best choice for
- Children under 5
- Guests who cannot do a 06:00 start
- Guests who get seasick on 1.5 h crossings
What to bring
- Swimsuit under your clothes
- Towel and a light jacket for the morning
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Passport or ID copy for the port check
- Seasickness tablet the night before if you are sensitive
What you may see
Spinner dolphins (large pod) · Hawksbill turtles · Napoleon wrasse · Anthias and fusiliers · Healthy hard coral gardens
The encounter code
- 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
Wild animals: sightings are very likely but never guaranteed.
Questions about this trip
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Reviews
5.0 · 510+ reviewsMagyar
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
Polski
Warto wstać o 5 rano
Stado kilkudziesięciu delfinów, przewodnik pilnował, żeby nikt ich nie gonił. Obiad na łodzi bardzo dobry.
A
Agnieszka K. · Polska
July 2026
Dansk
Vandet var som glas
Kæmpe flok delfiner. Guiden holdt øje med parkens regler, ingen forstyrrede dyrene. God frokost om bord.
M
Mette J. · Danmark
May 2026
Sataya Full Day in Marsa Alam: price and booking
The price is per adult in EUR and includes everything listed above. Book without a card; pay on the day. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
€95 / adultChild 5–11: €70
Book now No card needed to bookFree cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
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