Hurghada Dolphin House: Snorkeling & Wild Dolphins with Lunch

The Dolphins Show Up When They Want. That's the Point

You're picked up from your hotel and taken by boat into the Red Sea for two snorkeling sessions at coral reefs, a hot buffet lunch onboard, and the chance to swim near wild dolphins in their natural habitat. The crew handles all the logistics (equipment, timing, navigation), so you show up and spend the day in the water. Dolphins aren't guaranteed, but the reefs alone make the trip worth it, and the boat's eco-conscious approach means you're not part of a circus.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphin House snorkeling and lunch trip

• Hotel pickup in Hurghada
• Travel to Dolphin House location
• Swim with wild dolphins
• Snorkel vibrant coral reefs
• Enjoy buffet lunch onboard
• Optional water sports activities
• Return to hotel

The experience

Our boat captain, Mohamed, laughed when I asked if we'd definitely see dolphins. "They live here," he said, gesturing at the water like it was obvious. "We go where they are." That's the difference between this trip and the tank shows you see in other places. You're not waiting for a performance on a schedule. The Dolphin House boat leaves from Hurghada and heads out into the Red Sea for seven hours, and what happens depends on the dolphins, not a trainer's whistle. Mohamed's crew knows the routes, the feeding times, the spots where they gather, and they move the boat accordingly. You get hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle before dawn, so you're not arranging transport or timing yourself against traffic.

The snorkeling happens first, at coral reefs where the water is so clear you can see the bottom from the boat. You get two guided stops with full equipment provided (fins, mask, snorkel, life jacket), and the crew stays close but doesn't hover. The reefs are alive with fish in colors that don't look real until you're underwater, and the coral formations are the kind of thing you understand why people travel for. After the second stop, you come back to the boat for lunch, a buffet spread that's actually hot and fresh, not the sad sandwich situation you sometimes get on these trips. Tea, coffee, and water are constant. They keep refilling without you asking.

The dolphin encounter is the part that stays with you. They move through the water in groups, sometimes close to the boat, sometimes farther out. You can swim near them if they come your way, but the crew makes it clear: you're in their space, not the other way around. That restraint (the fact that it's not guaranteed, that you can't force it) is what makes it feel real. Some departures see them for hours. Some see them briefly. Mohamed said that's why people come back. You never know exactly what the Red Sea will show you. The whole day, from pickup to return, takes about seven hours, and you're back at your hotel with time to rest before dinner.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• 7-hour Dolphin House boat trip with eco-conscious crew.
• life jacket.
• two guided snorkeling sessions with full equipment (fins, mask, snorkel) at coral reefs.
• buffet lunch onboard.
• tea, coffee, and refreshments throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in 4 languagesAvailable from 31 Dec

Guide in 4 languages08:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 33

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 23

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Panda Licious Travel

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a full day on the Red Sea without arranging your own boat, snorkeling gear, or lunch. The crew handles all of it, and the hotel pickup means you don't negotiate transport or timing.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do we definitely see dolphins on this trip?

No. Dolphins are wild and move freely in the Red Sea. The crew knows where they typically gather, but sightings aren't guaranteed. Some trips see them for extended periods. Others see them briefly or not at all. That's the nature of wildlife encounters.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and return, the 7-hour boat trip, two guided snorkeling sessions with full equipment (fins, mask, snorkel, life jacket), buffet lunch onboard, and tea, coffee, and refreshments throughout the day.

How long is the whole day?

About 7 hours from pickup at your hotel to return. That includes travel time to the boat, two snorkeling stops, lunch, and time on the water looking for dolphins.

Do I need snorkeling experience?

No. The crew guides both snorkeling sessions, and equipment is provided. The reefs are suitable for beginners, and you're never forced to go deeper than you're comfortable with.

What if I don't want to snorkel?

You can stay on the boat during snorkeling stops. The crew will still take you out for the dolphin-watching portion, and you can enjoy lunch and the views from the deck.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel. The boat provides snorkeling equipment and life jackets. Bring cash if you want to purchase souvenirs or extra refreshments, though lunch and drinks are included.

Can I do optional water sports?

Yes. The crew offers optional water sports activities during the trip, though these may incur an additional cost. Ask the crew on the day for details.