Dolphin House Snorkelling at Samadai Reef Marsa Alam

Shaab Samadai, the Dolphin House reef

Shaab Samadai is a horseshoe-shaped coral reef off the southern Red Sea coast, enclosing a sheltered lagoon of calm turquoise water. Samadai is the Arabic name for the reef and it is protected, with marked zones, limited visitor numbers and rules designed to give dolphins room to rest. The setting is among the most scenic spots in the Red Sea.

If you are searching for a Dolphin House trip from Marsa Alam, this is the classic version: a full day by boat with lunch, two snorkelling sessions and time to enjoy the lagoon. The boat leaves from a harbour south of town after your hotel pickup, and the sea journey itself is part of the experience.

Spinner dolphins in their wild habitat

The lagoon is known for spinner dolphins, which feed in deeper water at night and come to shallow, sheltered areas to rest in the daytime. They are wild animals and move as they wish, so some days you may see pods close to the boat and other days only a few. Sightings cannot be promised.

The best practice is to keep calm and respectful. Do not chase, touch or surround the dolphins, and listen to the guide, who keeps the group in the permitted swimming area. Being in the sea with wild dolphins is a quiet, special moment that is worth the wait when it happens. Quiet movement in the water is the best way to be near them.

Snorkelling the coral gardens

The two guided snorkelling sessions explore the reef edges and the lagoon, where coral gardens fall away into deeper blue. You can expect hard and soft corals, schools of anthias and butterflyfish, parrotfish, and sometimes rays and turtles gliding over the sand, according to the day.

Equipment and life jackets are provided, and a professional guide stays with the group. The trip suits beginners as long as they have basic swimming skills. Wetsuits can be rented if you feel the cold, which matters in winter, when morning water can feel fresh. Please do not touch marine life or stand on the coral. Taking your time, breathing slowly and floating still helps you see far more than a fast swim.

The boat trip and lunch on board

The day starts with a scenic boat journey across the open sea, and you can watch the coast and reefs from the deck. Between sessions you relax on the boat, soak up the sun and enjoy refreshments and soft drinks. A buffet lunch is served on board, so there is no need to organise food.

The boat moves at a steady pace to protect the reef and the dolphins, and the crew gives clear instructions at every stop. If you tend to feel seasick, take a tablet before departure and sit near the middle of the boat, where the motion is gentlest. The sun deck is a good place to watch for dolphins surfacing in the distance.

Planning your Dolphin House day

The trip lasts about seven hours and leaves at around nine in the morning. Pickup times depend on your hotel in Marsa Alam and are confirmed before the trip, and hotels in the far north or far south may need an extra transfer on request. A national park entrance fee is paid separately.

Please send passport copies for all travellers after booking, because the boat permit requires them. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a camera. The best time to visit is any day with calm sea, and spring and autumn tend to give the most comfortable weather. Bring a dry bag for your phone and a light cover-up for the boat ride back.