Dolphin House Snorkeling Cruise Marsa Alam Swim with Dolphins

Sixty to eighty spinner dolphins in a warm lagoon, waiting in their natural habitat.

A full-day snorkeling cruise from Marsa Alam to Sataya Reef (Dolphin House) and Crystal Temple Reef, where you swim with wild dolphins in the Red Sea. The boat departs from Hamata Harbour after hotel pickup and includes a 2.5-hour sail, two snorkeling sessions among coral gardens, a buffet lunch with unlimited drinks, and return transfer by 6:00 PM. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and additional languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day snorkeling cruise with dolphins

• Hotel pickup from Marsa Alam area
• Travel to Hamata Harbour by air-conditioned vehicle
• Board boat and receive snorkeling equipment
• Sail 2.5 hours to Sataya Dolphin Reef
• Snorkel with dolphins and coral reefs
• Enjoy buffet lunch and drinks on deck
• Second snorkeling session at Sataya Reef
• Cruise back to Hamata Harbour
• Return to hotel in Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib

The experience

The boat leaves Hamata Harbour after a 2.5-hour sail through clear Red Sea water, and you jump into the lagoon at Sataya Reef: a site known for a resident pod of 60 to 80 spinner dolphins. The reef itself is a garden of colorful coral and tropical fish, but the dolphins are what make the stop unforgettable: they move through the water in groups, and snorkeling puts you at their level. You get two separate sessions in the water, so the first stop is not your only chance to find them.

Between snorkeling sessions, the crew serves a freshly prepared buffet lunch on deck (seasonal fruits, hot and cold drinks without limit), while you rest and watch the Red Sea stretch in every direction. The second snorkeling stop takes you to Crystal Temple Reef, a different site with its own coral formations and marine life. The whole day runs about ten hours from hotel pickup to return, with the boat handling the route and the timing.

Hotel pickup starts the morning from Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib, or El Quseir in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the same driver brings you back around 6:00 PM. Snorkeling equipment is provided and fitted aboard. The guide is live and speaks multiple languages, so instructions and information about the reef and the dolphins come in real time.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• boat trip with two snorkeling sessions at Sataya Reef and Crystal Temple Reef.
• snorkeling equipment.
• buffet lunch with seasonal fruits.
• unlimited soft and hot drinks.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and additional languages.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to13h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 16.84

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Marsa Alam Wonders

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you're traveling with a group or family and want the dolphins and the reef stops organized without building the day yourself. The boat handles the route, the timing, the equipment and the meal, so you focus on the water.

Traveler reviews

4.08★★★★★★★★★★

25 verified traveler reviews

5 ★17

4 ★2

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

Can I snorkel with the dolphins if I've never snorkeled before?

The cruise is suitable for all physical fitness levels and includes snorkeling equipment and instruction. The guide will help you get comfortable in the water and show you how to move safely around the reef and the dolphins.

How close do you actually get to the wild dolphins at Sataya Reef?

Sataya Reef is home to a resident pod of 60 to 80 spinner dolphins that inhabit the lagoon year-round. Snorkeling puts you in the water at their level, though the dolphins are wild animals and their behavior cannot be guaranteed. Some days they are more active and closer than others.

What's included in the lunch, and are there options for dietary restrictions?

Lunch is a freshly prepared buffet served aboard the boat with seasonal fruits and unlimited soft and hot drinks. Dietary needs should be mentioned when you book so the crew can prepare accordingly.

How long is the boat ride from the harbor to Sataya Reef?

The sail from Hamata Harbour to Sataya Reef takes about 2.5 hours through open Red Sea water. You'll have two separate snorkeling sessions once you arrive, with lunch and rest time between them.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup begins in the morning from Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib, or El Quseir, and the return transfer arrives back around 6:00 PM. The full day runs approximately ten hours from pickup to drop-off.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

All snorkeling equipment is provided and fitted aboard the boat. You don't need to bring your own or arrange anything in advance.