Samadai Dolphin House Boat Trip from Marsa Alam
8 hours, shared boat, life jackets in the swim zone, two snorkelling stops and lunch included.
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
An 8-hour shared boat trip from Marsa Alam to Samadai Dolphin House, with snorkelling in the permitted zone, a second reef stop, lunch, and a good chance of wild dolphins.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Marsa Alam · Samadai Reef
- Includes
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir by request) · Shared air-conditioned transport and a seat on the boat · The marine reserve entry charge · Mask, snorkel, fins and a life jacket · A cooked lunch on the boat
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
Calm mornings make the best conditions. Spring and autumn are comfortable for a day on the water.
- ETAA Licence 718, operating since 1988
- One of our six Egyptian offices
02Overview
A first look
This is an eight-hour shared boat trip from Marsa Alam to Samadai, the reef people call Dolphin House. The boat ride is short, about 30 minutes. Spinner dolphins often rest inside the horseshoe, but they are wild and we cannot promise to see them. The reserve has rules to protect the animals. You swim only in the permitted zone, wear a life jacket and keep a respectful distance. A second reef stop and lunch on board follow, and you are back at your hotel mid-afternoon.
Background
The facts
Samadai is a horseshoe-shaped reef about 30 minutes by boat from the coast near Marsa Alam. It is protected, so swimming is limited to a marked zone.
Named in this entry
Samadai Dolphin House·wild spinner dolphins·reef snorkelling·Red Sea coast
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Families and snorkellers who want a shorter boat day than the far-south dolphin trips.
Maybe not, if
- Not right for anyone who needs a certain dolphin sighting or who cannot wear a life jacket.
What lingers
- 01A short boat ride to Samadai, a horseshoe reef where spinner dolphins often rest
- 02Likely, but never guaranteed, dolphin sightings, watched from a respectful distance
- 03Snorkelling in the permitted zone, with life jackets worn by everyone
- 04A second snorkelling stop on a nearby reef
- 05A lunch served on deck, with tea, coffee and bottled water
- 06The marine reserve entry charge already paid for you
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Only a short sail to a well-known dolphin reef
- Reserve charge, lunch and kit are all covered
- Life jackets make it easy for weaker swimmers
Things to Consider
- Dolphins can never be promised
- Swimming is limited to one marked zone
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir by request)
- Shared air-conditioned transport and a seat on the boat
- The marine reserve entry charge
- Mask, snorkel, fins and a life jacket
- A cooked lunch on the boat
- Tea, coffee and water in bottles
- A guide and boat crew
Not included
- Tips for the crew and guide
- Other drinks
- Upgraded snorkel kit or underwater photos
- Money for your own purchases
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Stay calm and quiet in the water, as it helps the dolphins feel at ease
- 02
Bring a dry top, because the boat breeze feels cool when you are wet
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
The Samadai trip is free for under-2s, half fare for ages 2 to 11 and full fare from age 12. The Samadai trip lasts 8 hours, so think about what your children enjoy and can manage.
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
01How is the price for the Samadai trip worked out?
The figure for the Samadai trip is per person, and it pays for each item in the list of what is included. Our team confirms the figure for the Samadai trip after you send a request, and until then it is provisional. We operate the Samadai trip under ETAA Licence 718 (Category A) and our IATA accreditation, though international flights are not something we sell.02What time is hotel collection?
For the Samadai trip, collection is at about 06:30. For the Samadai trip we cover Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts in between, and we can collect from El Quseir if you ask. Your exact time for the Samadai trip is confirmed when we accept your request, and the driver cannot wait long.03Can children join the Samadai trip, and what do they pay?
Yes. On the Samadai trip, children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult fare, and ages 12 and over pay the full adult fare. Children on the Samadai trip should be happy around water or in the heat, depending on the trip.04Is a dolphin sighting certain at Samadai?
No. The dolphins are wild and come and go, so sightings are likely but never guaranteed. Swimmers must stay in the permitted zone and keep a respectful distance from the animals. Even on a quiet day, the reef itself is worth the visit.05Can I cancel or change my booking for the Samadai trip?
A full refund applies if you cancel the Samadai trip at least three days before. Cancel the Samadai trip later than that but more than a day out, and we return half. Within 24 hours of the Samadai trip, or if you miss the pick-up, nothing can be returned. If the port authority stops boats because of weather, we move the Samadai trip to another date or refund it.06Is a life jacket really necessary?
The reserve rules make life jackets compulsory in the swim zone. They keep swimmers floating on the surface, so nobody dives down and disturbs the dolphins. We provide a jacket together with your mask, snorkel and fins.
If plans change
Plans change? We make it easy.
- More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
- Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
- Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
- Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.
Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds
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From the archives
Product ID: EXC-MRS-243693
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