Sataya Dolphin Reef Boat Trip from Marsa Alam
13 hours, shared boat, snorkelling stops, lunch on board and hotel collection included.
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
A 13-hour shared boat day from Marsa Alam: a drive south to Hamata, a boat to Sataya Reef where spinner dolphins often rest, snorkelling stops and lunch on board.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Marsa Alam · Hamata · Sataya Reef
- Includes
- Collection from and return to your hotel in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir by request) · A shared air-conditioned vehicle for the long drive south, plus a place on the boat · Mask, snorkel and fins to use · Lunch served on board · Hot drinks and bottled water
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
Calm mornings give the best water. Spring and autumn are warm without the sharpest summer heat.
- Licensed Egyptian tour operator since 1988
- Local staff based in Marsa Alam
02Overview
A first look
This is a 13-hour shared excursion from Marsa Alam to Sataya Reef, known as Dolphin Reef. First you drive south to Hamata harbour, which takes two to two and a half hours. Then a boat takes you to the reef, about an hour and a half away. Spinner dolphins often rest here, but they are wild animals and we cannot promise to find them. You snorkel where conditions allow, eat lunch on board and are back at your hotel in the early evening. It is a big day, best for keen swimmers.
Background
The facts
Sataya Reef lies off the far south of Egypt's Red Sea coast. From Marsa Alam you drive to Hamata harbour first, then sail for about an hour and a half to the reef.
Named in this entry
wild spinner dolphins·Red Sea coast
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Keen swimmers and wildlife lovers who accept a very long day for a chance at wild dolphins.
Maybe not, if
- Not suited to anyone who gets badly seasick, to small children, or to people who need a certain sighting.
What lingers
- 01A boat out to Sataya Reef, where wild spinner dolphins often rest in the shallows
- 02Dolphin sightings are likely but never guaranteed, and the crew keeps a respectful distance
- 03Snorkelling from the boat where the sea and the dolphins allow it
- 04A second snorkelling stop on a nearby reef after lunch
- 05A meal on the boat, and tea, coffee and bottled water through the day
- 06A shared boat, with a guide and crew looking after the group
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- A real chance of seeing wild dolphins in their own waters
- Snorkelling on more than one reef
- Lunch, drinks and kit are all looked after
Things to Consider
- About five hours of the day are spent on the road
- Dolphins cannot be promised
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 Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir by request)
- A shared air-conditioned vehicle for the long drive south, plus a place on the boat
- Mask, snorkel and fins to use
- Lunch served on board
- Hot drinks and bottled water
- A guide and boat crew all day
Not included
- Tips for the crew and guide
- The marine reserve entry charge, if the harbour asks for it
- Fizzy drinks and juices
- Photos or film taken underwater
- Money for your own purchases
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Sleep on the drive south and keep your energy for the water
- 02
Put sun cream on before you board, because the deck has little shade
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
The Sataya trip is free for under-2s, half fare for ages 2 to 11 and full fare from age 12. The Sataya trip lasts 13 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 Sataya trip worked out?
We quote the Sataya trip per person and the figure covers everything on the inclusions list. Our team confirms the figure for the Sataya trip after you send a request, and until then it is provisional. For the Sataya trip, bear in mind that we are a licensed Egyptian operator with ETAA Licence 718 (Category A) and IATA accreditation, but we do not sell international flights.02When and where will you collect me?
A driver collects you for the Sataya trip at 04:30 from hotels in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between them. For the Sataya trip, El Quseir pick-ups can be arranged on request. We confirm your exact time for the Sataya trip once your request is accepted, so be ready in the lobby a few minutes early.03Can children join the Sataya trip, and what do they pay?
Yes. On the Sataya 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. Please think about whether little ones can cope with the Sataya trip, which lasts 13 hours.04Will we definitely see dolphins at Sataya?
No. The dolphins are wild and they move around, so sightings are likely but never guaranteed. The crew will not chase, feed or touch them. If they are elsewhere that day, you still get the reef, the snorkelling and lunch on the water.05What if I have to cancel the Sataya trip?
You can cancel the Sataya trip up to three days ahead and get a full refund. From three days down to 24 hours before the Sataya trip, half is returned. Inside 24 hours, or if you are not ready at collection time for the Sataya trip, there is no refund. The sooner you tell us, the better. If the port authority stops boats because of weather, we move the Sataya trip to another date or refund it.06How long is the day and is the boat shared?
It is about 13 hours from collection to drop-off, and a lot of that is travelling. Up to 25 guests share the boat. For a quieter day, ask us about a private boat when you send your request.
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
Continue reading
From the archives
Product ID: EXC-MRS-279878
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