Samadai Dolphin House from Marsa Alam – Boat & Snorkeling
8 hours, shared boat of up to 25, marine park fee, equipment and lunch included, pick-up from 06:30. Sightings are likely, never guaranteed.
The short answer
An 8-hour shared boat trip from Marsa Alam: 30 minutes by boat to Samadai, snorkeling in the permitted zone with life jackets, a second reef stop and lunch on board. Dolphins are wild and not guaranteed.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Marsa Alam · Samadai Reef
- Includes
- Hotel pick-up and return in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts in between; El Quseir by request · Shared air-conditioned vehicle and shared boat · Marine park fee · Snorkeling mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket · Lunch served on board
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
Spring to autumn offers the warmest water and the calmest seas. Winter mornings can be cool and breezy on deck.
- Run by our Marsa Alam team, one of six offices of an Egyptian operator founded in 1988
- ETAA Licence 718 (Category A) and IATA accreditation
02Overview
A first look
Samadai is a protected horseshoe reef close to Marsa Alam, and it is the nearest place on this coast where spinner dolphins regularly rest. This eight-hour trip starts with a pick-up at 06:30 and a short drive to the harbour. The boat needs about 30 minutes to reach the reef. Rules protect the dolphins here. Swimming is limited to a permitted zone, and every swimmer wears a life jacket. The crew keeps the group calm and at a distance. After the first swim the boat moves to another reef for a second stop. Lunch is on board, and you reach your hotel around 15:00.
Background
The facts
Samadai is a horseshoe-shaped reef, about half an hour by boat from the Marsa Alam coast. It is a protected area, so swimming is limited to a permitted zone.
Named in this entry
Samadai·Dolphin House·Marsa Alam·Spinner dolphins·Marine park·Red Sea
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Guests who want to look for wild dolphins on a day that is shorter than the far-south Sataya trip.
Maybe not, if
- Not for guests who need a certain sighting or who cannot wear a life jacket in the water.
What lingers
- 01A short boat ride of about 30 minutes to the Samadai horseshoe reef
- 02Snorkeling in the permitted zone, with life jackets worn and dolphins watched from a respectful distance
- 03A second snorkeling stop on a nearby coral reef
- 04Marine park fee, mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket all included
- 05Lunch, tea, coffee and water on board
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Short crossing of about 30 minutes
- Marine park fee and lunch are included
- Rules protect both the dolphins and the swimmers
Things to Consider
- Life jackets are required in the swimming zone
- The reef can be busy with other boats at peak times
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
The vehicle arrives at 06:30 and collects guests from Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes. A drink and a snack from the hotel breakfast table are a good idea.
- 2
At the harbour the crew checks in the group and shows you to the boat. You get a short briefing on the reef rules and on life jackets. Seasickness is rare on this short crossing, but take a tablet if you are prone to it.
- 3
The crossing takes about half an hour. The captain slows near the reef so the crew can look for dolphins before anyone enters the water. Keep your voice low from here on.
- 4
Guests enter the water in the area where swimming is allowed, all wearing life jackets. If dolphins are resting inside the reef, you watch them from a distance, and you never swim toward them. The marine park limits how many boats and swimmers use the reef at one time.
- 5
The boat then goes to a nearby coral reef for a freer swim. Fish are plentiful and the water is usually clear. Weaker swimmers can hold the boat's line or stay by the ladder.
- 6
Lunch is served on deck while the boat rests. Water, tea and coffee are free, and other drinks are extra. Tell the crew early about allergies or special diets.
- 7
The boat heads back to the harbour with the sun high and the wind often picking up. Rinse off, dry off and put a layer on. The crew helps with the gangway.
- 8
The vehicle takes you back to the hotels, finishing at around 15:00. The last guest to be dropped may arrive later. You will have most of the afternoon free.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Hotel pick-up and return in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts in between; El Quseir by request
- Shared air-conditioned vehicle and shared boat
- Marine park fee
- Snorkeling mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket
- Lunch served on board
- Tea, coffee and bottled water
- Guide and boat crew
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks other than those listed
- Upgraded snorkeling gear or underwater photos
- Personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Get in the water early, when the zone is usually calmer
- 02
Keep your fins still and your hands to yourself when dolphins pass
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Under 2 travels free on this shared boat, and ages 2 to 11 are charged half the adult amount. Guests of 12 or older are charged the adult amount. There is no age minimum, and every child wears a life jacket in the water. Please keep young children beside an adult on deck.
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On the ground
Where it is
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What does the fare include for Dolphin House?
The fare is per person for a shared boat of up to 25 guests. It includes the marine park fee, transfers, snorkeling gear with a life jacket, lunch and soft hot drinks. Children under 2 are free, children 2 to 11 pay half, and those 12 and older pay full. Our team confirms the exact amount after you send a request.02Are dolphins guaranteed at Samadai?
No. These are wild spinner dolphins that rest in the reef during the day, and sightings are likely but never guaranteed. Some mornings they are close, and some days they are away feeding. We keep a respectful distance, do not feed them and do not try to touch them.03Why must I wear a life jacket?
Samadai is a protected area, and the park rules require life jackets in the permitted swimming zone. The jacket also keeps swimmers floating quietly, which disturbs the dolphins less. We supply one for every guest, including children, in the right size.04Can non-swimmers join?
Yes. With a life jacket on, most non-swimmers float comfortably, and the guide stays close. You can also stay on deck and watch the water. Tell the crew when you board so they can keep an eye on you.05What if I need to cancel or the sea is closed?
More than 72 hours ahead, keep 100% as credit toward future travel or take a 100% refund, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours, keep 100% as credit or take a 50% refund. Within 24 hours, or if you don't show up, there is no refund or credit. If we have to cancel, you lose nothing.06Do I share the boat with other guests?
Yes. The boat is shared, with up to 25 guests who may be staying at different hotels. You swim and have lunch with the same group, led by one guide. If you would like a quieter day, a private trip is a different product we can arrange on request.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated Product ID: EXC-MRS-243693
At a glance
- Departs
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