Egypt Discovery
ExcursionHurghada

Dolphin House Snorkelling Boat Trip from Hurghada

8 hours, shared boat (up to 30 guests), two snorkelling stops, lunch on board and hotel transfers included.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

An 8-hour shared boat trip from Hurghada, about 90 minutes each way, to the Dolphin House reef for a chance of seeing wild dolphins, with two or three snorkelling stops and lunch.
  • New

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Hurghada · Dolphin House reef · Red Sea reefs
Includes
Collection from and return to your hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh or Soma Bay · A place on a boat shared with other guests · A snorkelling guide · Snorkelling kit: fins, mask and snorkel · Lunch on board, with soft drinks and water
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

Calm mornings give the smoothest sailing and swimming conditions. Spring and autumn offer warm water without the harshest midday heat.

  • Egyptian tour operator working since 1988
  • Local team in our Hurghada office

02Overview

A first look

This is an 8-hour shared boat trip from Hurghada to the Dolphin House reef area, about 90 minutes by sea. The aim is to see wild spinner dolphins, which are often seen but never guaranteed, and to snorkel on coral reefs along the way. Hotel transfers, lunch on board, snorkelling equipment and marine park fees are included. The crew does not chase, feed or touch the dolphins. The boat takes up to 30 guests and suits families and keen swimmers who are happy with a long day at sea.

Background

The facts

The Dolphin House reef area lies north of Hurghada, about 90 minutes by boat from the marina. The 8-hour day includes the sail, two or three snorkelling stops and lunch, with transfers from the main resort areas.

Named in this entry

coral reef

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Snorkellers and families who want to look for wild dolphins and are fine with a long day on a shared boat.

Maybe not, if

  • Not recommended for anyone who needs a guaranteed dolphin sighting or who is prone to bad seasickness.

What lingers

  • 01A 90-minute sail north to the Dolphin House reef area, where wild spinner dolphins are often seen
  • 02Dolphin sightings are common but never guaranteed, and nobody chases, feeds or touches them
  • 03Snorkelling with a guide if dolphins come close and the crew judges the water calm
  • 04A second stop on a coral reef, and a third stop or free swim if the sea allows
  • 05Lunch on board with soft drinks and water, mask, snorkel and fins included
  • 06A shared boat of no more than 30 guests, with marine park fees paid

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • A chance of seeing wild dolphins in open water
  • Two or three snorkelling stops with a guide
  • Marine park fees, equipment and lunch are all covered

Things to Consider

  • No dolphin sighting can ever be promised
  • Roughly three hours of the day go on sailing

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Collection from and return to your hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh or Soma Bay
  • A place on a boat shared with other guests
  • A snorkelling guide
  • Snorkelling kit: fins, mask and snorkel
  • Lunch on board, with soft drinks and water
  • Fees for the marine park

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and crew
  • Towels
  • Photos and film taken underwater
  • Your own spending money

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Take a seasickness tablet before sailing, not after you feel unwell

  2. 02

    Keep a rash vest in your bag to avoid sunburn on your back while snorkelling

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. Children need to be comfortable around water, because the day is long and the sail is about 90 minutes each way.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How is the price worked out for this dolphin trip?
    The price is per person on a shared boat and covers transfers, lunch, equipment and marine park fees. Until our team has confirmed your request, prices remain provisional. We are an Egyptian operator (ETAA Licence 718), not an ATOL or ABTA member, and we do not sell international flights, so book your own flights separately.
  2. 02When and where do you collect me?
    A minibus collects you from your hotel at about 08:00. We cover hotels in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay. You travel to the marina with other guests and board at 09:00, so be in the lobby a few minutes early.
  3. 03Can children come, and what do they pay?
    Yes. Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and anyone aged 12 or over pays the adult price. Children should be comfortable around water, and the day is long, with a lot of time at sea.
  4. 04Can we be sure of seeing dolphins?
    No. The dolphins are wild, so sightings are common but never guaranteed. The crew does not chase, feed or touch them, and snorkellers only enter the water if the dolphins come close and the sea is calm. Even without dolphins, you still have the reef stops and lunch.
  5. 05What happens if the sea is too rough?
    If the port authority stops sailings because of weather, we move your trip to another day or refund it.
  6. 06Is the boat shared, and how crowded is it?
    It is shared with other guests, up to 30 in all, so expect a lively deck. Space for sitting and sunbathing is fair rather than generous. If you would prefer more privacy, ask about our private boat charter from Hurghada.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-HRG-721010

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