Satayh Reef Dolphin Snorkeling Trip from Marsa Alam with Lunch

This day trip takes you by boat from Hamata marina, south of Marsa Alam, to Satayh reef. The reef curves around a wide lagoon that spinner dolphins often use, and you get two snorkeling stops there plus lunch on board. Boats leave on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the price starts from $85 per person.

What you will see and do

After hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle drives you down the coast to Hamata marina. From there the speedboat needs about two hours to reach the Satayh lagoon, so plan for a long day on the water.

Spinner dolphins are known for their spinning leaps out of the water, and Satayh is one of the places in the southern Red Sea where they are seen most often. They are wild animals, though, so a sighting is likely but never guaranteed. When they are not close, the coral walls and reef fish around the lagoon still make good snorkeling. Lunch, mineral water and soft drinks are served on board between the stops, and the boat then heads back to Hamata.

Satayh or Dolphin House?

Marsa Alam has two well-known dolphin reefs. Satayh lies further south and is reached from Hamata, which means a longer boat ride and a bigger lagoon. Our Dolphin House trip goes to Sha’ab Samadai, which is closer and runs every day. If you have more days on the coast, the Hamata islands snorkeling trip is a good second sea day, and our semi-submarine trip suits anyone who would rather stay dry. For a day on land, look at the jeep safari, the sunset quad ride, or the Luxor day trip and Luxor overnight trip from Marsa Alam. You can compare all of them on our Marsa Alam excursions page, or fly north on the Cairo day trip from Marsa Alam by plane to see the pyramids.

Who this trip suits

You should be comfortable swimming in open water, since the snorkeling happens from the boat rather than from a beach. Children who swim well can join. People who get seasick should know the ride out takes around two hours each way. An English-speaking guide stays with the group and helps on board.

Practical details

• Departures: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with an early pickup from your hotel in Marsa Alam.
• Included: transfers, English-speaking guide, speedboat, two snorkeling stops, mask and fins, lunch, water and soft drinks, taxes and service charges.
• Bring: swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a rash guard or wetsuit if you have one.
• Dolphin manners: do not chase, touch or feed the dolphins, and follow your guide in the water.

Planning a longer stay by the sea? Our Red Sea Egypt travel guide covers beaches and resorts, and our Egypt and Red Sea tours pair Marsa Alam with Cairo and the Nile.

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

Photos: Snorkelling at a Red Sea reef near Safaga. Photo: dronepicr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · 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