Shaab Samadai Snorkeling: Dolphins & Coral Reef at Marsa Alam

Snorkel two coral gardens and watch for wild dolphins from the boat

Snorkel at Shaab Samadai Reef, also called Dolphin House, on a 7-hour Red Sea boat trip from Marsa Alam with two guided stops in coral gardens, lunch served on board, and hotel pickup included. The reef is home to spinner dolphins that swim freely in the area, and the boat gives you time to watch for them between snorkeling sessions. A professional guide leads both underwater stops and handles all safety briefing and equipment.

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Marsa Alam hotel and a transfer to the marina, where you board a boat heading out to Shaab Samadai Reef. The cruise across the Red Sea takes time: watch the water as you go, since spinner dolphins often appear along the route. When you arrive at the reef, you'll have two separate snorkeling sessions in the water, each one guided. The guide provides mask, snorkel, fins, and a life jacket, and walks through a safety briefing before you enter.

The coral here is dense and colorful, with tropical fish moving through the gardens. You're in the water for snorkeling, not sightseeing from the boat. You do the swimming yourself, at your own pace within the group. Between the two snorkeling stops, you return to the boat to rest and dry off. This is when lunch arrives: a freshly prepared meal served on deck, with soft drinks, water, tea and coffee available throughout the day. If you're lucky, dolphins pass near the boat during these breaks, though seeing them is never guaranteed.

After the second snorkeling session, the boat heads back to the marina. Your hotel transfer meets you there and takes you back to Marsa Alam. The whole day runs about 7 hours from pickup to drop-off. A professional guide who speaks English, German, or Arabic stays with the group for both reef stops and answers questions about what you've seen underwater.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Marsa Alam.
• boat trip to Shaab Samadai Reef with two guided snorkeling stops.
• snorkeling equipment including mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket.
• professional guide in English, German or Arabic.
• freshly prepared lunch served on board.
• soft drinks, mineral water, tea and coffee throughout the day.
• safety briefing before each snorkeling session.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, German and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 22

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by FTS Travels

Is this one for you?Book this if you want two separate snorkeling sessions with time to explore each reef rather than brief stops. The 7-hour structure includes a lunch break between dives, so you get both activity and rest in one outing.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What's the water like when I snorkel at Shaab Samadai Reef?

Shaab Samadai Reef has vibrant coral gardens with colorful tropical fish throughout. The water is clear enough to see the coral structure and the fish moving through it. Spinner dolphins live in the area and sometimes swim near the reef, though they are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed.

Do I need snorkeling experience to join this trip?

No experience is required. The guide provides all equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket), and gives a safety briefing before you enter the water. You snorkel at your own pace within the group. The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy.

What time does the boat leave and when do I get back to my hotel?

The boat trip runs about 7 hours total, including hotel pickup and drop-off. You're picked up from your Marsa Alam hotel in the morning and returned after the second snorkeling session and the return cruise. The exact departure time depends on your hotel location. Pickup from North Marsa Alam is available with extra charges.

What's included in the lunch on board?

A freshly prepared lunch is served on the boat between the two snorkeling stops. Soft drinks, mineral water, tea and coffee are available throughout the day. The meal is included in the price. Personal expenses and gratuities are optional.

Will I see dolphins on this trip?

Shaab Samadai Reef is home to spinner dolphins that live in the area, and you may see them from the boat during the cruise or while you're on deck between snorkeling sessions. Sightings are not guaranteed since they are wild animals, but the reef and the route are known for dolphin activity.