VIP Dolphin House Cruise with Snorkeling, Lunch and Massage Hurghada

Dolphin House Reef (Shaab El Erg)

Dolphin House is the name divers and boat crews give to Shaab El Erg, a large horseshoe-shaped reef north of Hurghada. Its sheltered lagoon of calm, sandy-bottomed water is a favourite resting place for a resident pod of spinner dolphins, which spend the day here between nights of hunting in the open sea. That is why a Dolphin House trip from Hurghada offers one of the best chances in Egypt to see dolphins in the wild.

Sightings are likely, at around eight trips in ten, but never guaranteed, because these are wild animals free to come and go. When the dolphins are present and the sea allows, you slip into the water with your guide for about 20 to 25 minutes and watch them pass below you. Children under 12 watch from the boat. Is Dolphin House worth it? For a calm, respectful encounter with wild dolphins, it is the classic Hurghada sea trip.

Spinner Dolphins of the Red Sea

Spinner dolphins are slender, playful dolphins known for leaping out of the water and spinning in the air several times before splashing down. In the Red Sea they live in tight family groups and rest in shallow reef lagoons during the day, swimming slowly in formation. Watching a pod glide over the white sand, with young calves beside their mothers, is an unforgettable sight even from the deck.

Responsible watching matters: our guides keep swimmers together, ask guests not to chase or touch the dolphins and leave the animals to decide how close they come. This calm approach gives the best encounters, as relaxed dolphins often swim past repeatedly. The best time to visit Dolphin House is from spring to autumn, when the sea is warm and calm, although the trip runs all year.

Coral Gardens and Snorkelling Stops

After Dolphin House the yacht moves on to a second reef, where your instructor leads a guided snorkel over coral gardens teeming with life. Expect branching and table corals, giant clams, parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish and shoals of bright anthias, all in clear, shallow water. Professional masks, snorkels, fins and life vests are provided, so beginners feel safe.

A third snorkelling stop later in the day gives you another reef to explore, often with different fish and coral formations. Hurghada's reefs are part of the northern Red Sea, famous for visibility and colour. Guests who prefer to stay dry can relax on deck, but non-swimmers and anyone prone to seasickness should consider whether a full day at sea suits them.

VIP Day on Board: Breakfast, Lunch and Massage

The day starts on deck with an oriental and international breakfast buffet of fresh pastries, fruit and Egyptian coffee as the yacht heads north. Soft drinks, hot drinks and water are included all day. At lunchtime the crew serves a buffet of freshly grilled fish, chicken, traditional kofta and Mediterranean salads, enjoyed with wide views of the sea.

On the cruise back each guest enjoys a relaxing back massage on deck, a welcome way to unwind after three swims. The yacht has shaded and sunny areas, so you can choose between rest and sunbathing. This is what sets this VIP Dolphin House cruise apart from standard boat trips: more comfort, more food and more time to enjoy the sea.

Hurghada and the Red Sea Coast

Hurghada grew from a small fishing village into Egypt's busiest Red Sea resort, stretching for kilometres along a coast of sandy beaches backed by the mountains of the Eastern Desert. Offshore lie dozens of reefs and islands, making it one of the best bases in the world for boat trips, snorkelling and diving.

This trip includes hotel pickup across Hurghada, and the second option adds transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay and Safaga. Pickup is around 07:30 and the day lasts about seven and a half hours, so you are back at your hotel by mid-afternoon with time to rest. For anyone comparing boat trips in Hurghada, it is one of the most complete days at sea on offer.