Snorkeling with Dolphins in Marsa Alam: Sataya Reef

Spinner dolphins in their natural home, close enough to watch them hunt and play.

Snorkeling with dolphins at Sataya Reef near Marsa Alam combines two ways of seeing the Red Sea: a 90-minute semi-submersible cruise through coral walls and towers viewed from an air-conditioned platform 3 meters below the surface, then a 30-minute guided snorkel in open water where you swim alongside spinner dolphins in their natural habitat. The reef depth ranges from 5 to 40 meters, so beginners and advanced snorkelers both find their level. Hotel pickup and drop-off, snorkeling guide, equipment, life jacket, lunch and refreshments are included. The full outing runs about 10 hours.

The experience

What makes this snorkel different is the semi-submersible start: you board a boat with panoramic windows and descend 3 meters below the surface into an air-conditioned viewing chamber. For 90 minutes you watch the coral walls and towers pass: the exotic, multicolored marine life moving through the reef without you having to get wet yet. This matters if you want to ease into the water, if the sun is intense, or if someone in your group prefers to stay dry. Once you've seen the reef from inside, you get in the water for a 30-minute guided swim with the dolphins.

Sataya Reef holds a large resident population of spinner dolphins that interact with humans regularly. The reef itself drops between 5 and 40 meters, which means the snorkel works for both beginners and experienced divers. You choose your depth and the guide stays with you. The water is warm and clear. Snorkeling equipment, a life jacket and a guide who speaks English, French, German or Arabic come with the booking. The guide leads the 30-minute swim, so you're not navigating alone or guessing where the dolphins are.

Hotel pickup and drop-off happen in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the day includes lunch, coffee and tea. The whole outing is about 10 hours from the time you're picked up. A national park admission fee of $7 per person is separate. If you want a photo session during the snorkel, that's available on request for an extra charge.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• the 90-minute semi-submersible cruise with panoramic windows 3 meters below the surface.
• two snorkeling stops with a guide who speaks English, French, German, Arabic and other languages.
• all snorkeling equipment and life jacket.
• lunch, coffee and tea.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Arabic, Russian and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 29 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 7

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by El Agamy Travel

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need a car or a way to reach the boat. The driver collects you and handles the return, so the day works whether you're staying in Marsa Alam or passing through without transport.

Traveler reviews

4.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Arabic, Russian and Ukrainian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6).

Can I snorkel at Sataya Reef if I've never done it before?

Yes. The reef depth ranges from 5 to 40 meters, so you can stay in shallower water and move at your own pace. The guide stays with you during the 30-minute swim, and all snorkeling equipment is provided. Beginners and advanced snorkelers both find their level here.

What is the semi-submersible part of this snorkeling trip?

The semi-submersible is a boat with panoramic windows that descends 3 meters below the surface into an air-conditioned viewing chamber. You spend 90 minutes watching the coral reef and marine life pass by without getting wet, then board the same boat to reach the snorkeling site where you enter the water for the 30-minute guided swim with dolphins.

Does the snorkeling trip include pickup from my hotel?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle are included. You'll be collected about an hour before the boat departs and returned to your hotel at the end of the day.

What's included in the snorkeling trip price?

The booking includes the 8-hour boat trip with two snorkeling stops, a snorkeling guide, all snorkeling equipment and life jacket, hotel pickup and drop-off, and lunch plus coffee and tea. A national park admission fee of $7 per person is not included and is paid separately.

Will I actually see dolphins during the snorkel?

Sataya Reef is home to a large resident population of spinner dolphins that regularly interact with humans. The 30-minute guided snorkel takes place in their natural habitat, so sightings are typical, though wildlife encounters are never guaranteed.

How long is the whole snorkeling day from pickup to drop-off?

The full outing is about 10 hours. This includes hotel pickup, the 90-minute semi-submersible cruise, the 30-minute guided snorkel, lunch and refreshments, and hotel drop-off.