Full day
Sataya Dolphin Reef Snorkeling Trip (Dolphin House)
A full-day boat trip to Sataya Reef to snorkel pristine coral and share the water with wild spinner dolphins.
From€65€70/ adult
Hamata, Southern Red Sea
Sataya Reef (Dolphin House), Marsa Alam
There are few experiences in the Red Sea as unforgettable as slipping into the water at Sataya and watching a pod of spinner dolphins spiral beneath you. Our guides follow strict responsible-encounter rules so the dolphins stay wild and the moment stays magical.
About Sataya Dolphin Reef
Sataya Reef — known to visitors as Dolphin House — is a sheltered horseshoe of coral in the southern Red Sea, roughly two hours by boat from Hamata. Its calm inner lagoon is a daytime resting ground for a large pod of wild spinner dolphins, making it one of the few places where responsible swimmers can share the water with them in the wild. It is not the same reef as Samadai, the “Dolphin House” close to Marsa Alam.
Highlights
- Swim near wild spinner dolphins in their natural habitat
- Snorkel a pristine, protected coral reef
- Calm, shallow lagoon ideal for all abilities
- Onboard lunch and unhurried snorkel stops
Book a trip
Tours to Sataya Dolphin Reef
Full day
Hamata Islands Boat Trip (Qulaan Mangroves)
A full-day cruise through the protected Hamata archipelago — mangrove lagoons, white sandbars and untouched reefs.
From€65/ adult
Google reviews of the reef
What visitors say about Sataya Reef (Dolphin House)
Franco Restelli
Local Guide · August 2023
Rated 5.0 out of 5
An excellent day, there are dolphins that swim with you, a unique experience, one to repeat.
Google review
Essam Mesbah
Local Guide · July 2022
Rated 5.0 out of 5
A beautiful diving area in the southern Red Sea. Dolphin House is a nature reserve where dolphins breed: many families of dolphins live there, on reefs protected from fishing. Tourists are only allowed to swim at the surface and watch the dolphins with a mask and fins, under the supervision of diving instructors, to give the greatest possible protection to the dolphin families that live and breed in this reserve.
Google review
Rob
Local Guide · August 2026
Rated 5.0 out of 5
An exceptional place where we met dolphins. 12 August 2026
Google review
Michael - KRÖLLHOF
Local Guide · September 2026
Rated 5.0 out of 5
The trip to Sataya Dolphin Reef is really an experience, even if getting there is quite tiring. From Marsa Alam you travel about 3–4 hours by bus and then around 2 more hours by boat. But I can say this right away: it is absolutely worth it. When you jump from the boat into the water, you find yourself in the most beautiful blue you can imagine — such a deep, clear azure that you might otherwise only know from the Maldives. And then suddenly they appear: dozens of dolphins, surely 50 of them, swimming all around you. An impressive feeling! At no time did I have the impression that the dolphins felt stressed by the snorkelers. On the contrary, they seemed calm, playful and completely relaxed. And no, the animals are not chased by boats, as some may think. The big boats anchor at a respectful distance, and you are taken out in small boats. Then the boats leave again, and the snorkelers are allowed — ironically speaking — to “chase” the dolphins. Only: you have no chance anyway. The dolphins decide for themselves how close they come, and nothing ruffles them. One small drawback: if so many boats and groups come here every day, in my opinion that is not ideal for the animals. Perhaps it would be better to limit the tours to two or three times a week so the dolphins get enough rest. Still: an unforgettable experience — the sea, the colours, the animals. Anyone visiting Marsa Alam should do this trip once.
Google review
Галя Саламаха
Local Guide · August 2026
Rated 5.0 out of 5
Great trip for a day. Possibility to see dolphines 91-100% (according to a research that was held for 1.5 year). Not always however you'll see whole bunch of them. We caught mama and two calves at our first visit) still will come again
Google review
Дмитрий Ларионов
Local Guide · July 2026
Rated 5.0 out of 5
A unique place on earth. Pods of dolphins every day. If you come on a safari boat and stay for several days, you can lose yourself in watching how the dolphins interact within their pods. I think it is a unique place on earth. One downside: huge numbers of unprepared people are brought out from the shore on day boats. A wish for the Egyptian authorities: limit how many boats and people can be in the water at the same time, to preserve this protected place! This unique reserve must be protected!!!
Google review
Plan your visit
Guides about Sataya Dolphin Reef
Snorkeling7 min read
Sataya or Abu Dabbab? Dolphins by Boat or Turtles from the Beach
Sataya or Abu Dabbab? Choose Sataya for a full day at sea on the reef where wild spinner dolphins rest, and Abu Dabbab for a relaxed half day snorkeling from the beach in a bay where green turtles feed. Here is how the two trips compare.
Snorkeling7 min read
Snorkeling in Marsa Alam: The Best Spots, Seasons and Tips
Snorkeling in Marsa Alam is some of the best in the Red Sea: healthy reefs close to shore, green turtles in sheltered bays and wild dolphins on the southern reefs. Here is where to go, when, and how to choose the right trip.
Travel Guides6 min read
Marsa Alam in November: Weather, Sea and the Best Things to Do
Marsa Alam in November is one of the most comfortable times on the Red Sea coast: the fierce summer heat has gone, the sea is still warm from summer, and both the reefs and the desert are at their most enjoyable. Here is what to expect and how to make the most of the month.
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