Dolphin House trip takes you from Hurghada to Shaab El Erg, a horseshoe-shaped reef about an hour north by boat, where pods of wild dolphins often rest in the lagoon. With an English-speaking guide, you watch for dolphins and snorkel at the reef, then stop at a second reef site before a buffet lunch on board. Hotel transfers and snorkeling equipment are included.
Important information
- Wild dolphins: The dolphins at Shaab El Erg are wild animals, not trained or fed. They are seen on many trips but sightings can never be guaranteed, and the guide decides whether snorkeling near them is appropriate on the day.
- Responsible watching: Never chase, touch or feed the dolphins, and do not dive down toward them. Stay with the guide, keep your fins below the surface and let the dolphins choose how close they come.
- Snorkeling ability: No experience is needed, but snorkeling is in open water from the boat. Non-swimmers should wear a life jacket and tell the guide.
- Sea conditions: The crossing to Shaab El Erg is longer and more exposed than trips to the Giftun Islands. In strong wind, the captain may change the route or the trip may be rescheduled.
- Seasickness: If you are prone to seasickness, take a tablet before the crossing.
- Shared trip: You travel on a shared boat with other travelers.
- Children: Children aged 0–3 travel free and children aged 4–11 pay half the adult price. Child-size life jackets are available.
What to bring?
- Swimwear and a towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard or T-shirt for snorkeling
- Hat and sunglasses
- Motion-sickness tablets
- A light jacket for the early boat crossing in winter
- Waterproof phone pouch or underwater camera
- Cash for photos, extras and tips
Who is this tour for?
This trip suits travelers in Hurghada who want the chance to see wild dolphins in their natural habitat and are happy to spend the day on a boat. It works for couples, friends, families with children who are confident in the water, and snorkelers of all levels.
It is less suited to people prone to bad seasickness, or anyone who wants beach time. For a day that includes a beach, the Orange Bay Island trip is the better fit.
Trip info
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Hurghada included; Safaga, El Gouna and Soma Bay $10 per person extra
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English-speaking guide; some say licensed or PADI-certified
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Shared day boats; some premium boats carry 8–12 people; private boats sold separately
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Wild dolphins seen often but never guaranteed; no sighting rate published
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1
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80
Full tour overview
Shaab El Erg is a large horseshoe-shaped reef in the Red Sea north of Hurghada. Its sheltered lagoon is used by resident pods of wild dolphins, most often described as spinner dolphins, which come there to rest during the day. That habit gave the reef its popular name, Dolphin House.
The day starts early, because the dolphins are usually calmest in the morning, before most boats arrive. After hotel pickup, you transfer to Hurghada Marina and board a shared excursion boat for the crossing of about an hour.
At Dolphin House, the captain looks for the pods inside the lagoon. If the dolphins are present and calm, the guide briefs the group and leads snorkelers into the water at a respectful distance. If the dolphins are moving or resting, you watch them from the boat instead. Either way, the reef itself is a good snorkeling site, with coral gardens and reef fish.
The boat then moves to a second reef for another snorkeling session, and a buffet lunch is served on board before the return to Hurghada.
The dolphins are wild, so sightings are common but never guaranteed. This trip has no island or beach stop. If you want beach time as well as snorkeling, look at the Orange Bay Island trip; for more time on the reefs, the Giftun Island snorkeling trip is a good alternative.
Tour highlights
- Sail to Shaab El Erg, the reef known as Dolphin House, north of Hurghada
- Look for wild dolphins resting in the sheltered lagoon
- Snorkel near the dolphins when conditions allow, following the guide's rules
- Snorkel a second coral reef site
- Enjoy a buffet lunch with soft drinks and water on board
- Use the included snorkeling equipment and life jackets
- • Travel with return hotel transfers from Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay
