Marsa Alam Excursion · Marsa Alam

Dolphin House Marsa Alam: Samadai Reef Snorkeling Trip

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Licence No. 121

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1 DayDuration
Marsa AlamDestinations
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From^$80 per person

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Tour Overview

Dolphin House is the local name for Sha’ab Samadai, a horseshoe-shaped reef off Marsa Alam. Its sheltered lagoon is a resting place for wild spinner dolphins. This one-day boat trip takes you there to snorkel in the lagoon and on the coral, with lunch on board. It runs every day, from $80 per person.

What you will see and do

We pick you up from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and bring you to the boat. Before anyone gets in the water, the guide gives a short briefing on how to behave near the dolphins. They come to the calm water inside the reef to rest, so keeping your distance and staying quiet matters.

The first swim is in the lagoon, where the dolphins often rest and play. Later the boat moves to a coral site for more snorkeling over the reef. Lunch, mineral water and soft drinks are served on board, and then you head back to shore and on to your hotel. Please keep in mind that these are wild animals. They are seen often, but a sighting is never guaranteed.

Dolphin House or Satayh?

Both are Marsa Alam dolphin reefs, but they make different days. Samadai is the nearer of the two and the trip runs daily, which makes it easy to fit into a short stay. Our Satayh reef trip leaves from Hamata, further south, and runs three days a week with a longer ride to a larger lagoon. For more ideas, browse our Marsa Alam excursions, including the Hamata islands snorkeling trip, the semi-submarine trip, the jeep safari, the sunset quad ride, and the Luxor day trip or Luxor overnight trip from Marsa Alam.

Who this trip suits

Swimmers of most levels can join, since much of the snorkeling is in sheltered water. Beginners should tell the guide before the first stop. Families with children who swim well enjoy it, and anyone who wants to stay out of the water can watch from the deck.

Practical details

Departures: every day, with pickup from your hotel in Marsa Alam.
Included: transfers, English-speaking guide, speedboat, snorkeling stops, mask and fins, lunch, water and soft drinks, taxes and service charges.
Bring: swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
In the water: no chasing, touching or feeding the dolphins.

If you want to see more of Egypt from the coast, the Cairo day trip from Marsa Alam by plane reaches the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum in a day. Our Red Sea Egypt travel guide and the full list of Egypt day tours and excursions help with the rest of your plans.

Comparing options? See also our Satayh Reef Dolphin Snorkeling Trip from Marsa Alam with Lunch and Hamata Islands Snorkeling Trip from Marsa Alam with Lunch.

Photos: Snorkelling off Hurghada. Photo: Fanny S Forsdik / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Boarding a dive boat in the Red Sea. Photo: NeilsPhotography / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Coral on a Red Sea reef. Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Beach and reef at Marsa Alam. Photo: Kora27 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tour Highlights

Snorkeling in the sheltered lagoon of Sha'ab Samadai

Dolphin briefing before you enter the water

A second snorkeling stop on the coral reef

Tour Itinerary

An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your hotel in Marsa Alam and takes you to the boat. On the way out to Sha’ab Samadai, your English-speaking guide explains how to act around the dolphins so they are not disturbed.

You snorkel first in the calm lagoon inside the horseshoe reef, where the dolphins often rest if they are there that day. The boat then moves to a coral site for another swim. Mask and fins are provided, and lunch with mineral water and soft drinks is served on board before you return to shore and your hotel.

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Inclusions

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam
Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
English-speaking guide for the day
Speedboat trip with snorkeling stops at the lagoon and the reef
Snorkeling equipment (mask and fins)
Lunch on board
Mineral water and soft drinks on board
Service charges and taxes

Exclusions

Personal expenses
Tips for the crew
Alcoholic drinks

Tour Prices

Prices per person in USD

Prices per person (USD)

Price per person

$80

Important Notes

👨‍👩‍👧 Delta Tours Child Policy:

0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (except for flight tickets where airline rules apply).
2 – 5.99 years: Pay 25% of adult price (if there is a flight tickets).
6 – 11.99 years: Pay 50% of adult price (sharing parents’ room/cabin).
12 years and above: Considered an adult and pay full price.

Notes:

Child discounts apply when sharing a room/cabin with two full-paying adults.
If a child requires a separate room, the full adult rate applies.
Some tours, cruises, or hotels may have different rules; in that case, the stricter policy applies.

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Dolphin House Trip: Frequently Asked Questions

It costs from $80 per person, including hotel transfers, the boat, snorkeling gear and lunch on board.

No. The dolphins are wild and choose when to visit the lagoon. They are seen often, but a sighting cannot be promised.

You need to be able to swim, but much of the snorkeling is in a sheltered lagoon. Tell the guide if you are a beginner, and you can stay on deck if you prefer.

You snorkel in the dolphin lagoon and at a coral reef site. The exact number of stops is confirmed when you book.

It runs every day, with pickup from your hotel in Marsa Alam.

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“Our Egypt trip was perfectly organized with excellent guides, smooth transfers, and constant support from arrival until departure.”

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“Professional service, knowledgeable guides, and excellent communication made our experience smooth, enjoyable, and completely stress-free throughout."”

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