Dolphin House Hurghada: Swim with Wild Dolphins
Spend the day at Dolphin House, the protected horseshoe reef at Shaab El Erg north of Hurghada that a resident pod of wild bottlenose dolphins calls home. We pick you up from your Hurghada hotel in the morning and settle you on board as the boat heads out across the open Red Sea. The captains run this water every day and know the pod, so once we reach the reef we take real time to find the dolphins rather than a quick look. They are most active in the late morning, roughly 09:30 to 11:30. When the pod is relaxed and curious and comes toward the boat, and only then, the crew stops the engine and lets you slip quietly into the water to swim near them. Nobody chases, feeds, corrals or touches a dolphin: they are wild animals in their own home and we follow the HEPCA code that keeps this reef one of the best places in the Red Sea to see them. Around the dolphin time the day includes three snorkeling stops over shallow coral gardens full of reef fish, with mask, snorkel, fins and a buoyancy vest handed to you on deck, and a fresh buffet lunch served on board with soft drinks, tea and water all day. Dolphins are seen on the large majority of summer trips (around 85 percent, lower in winter), but no honest operator can promise a wild animal. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada are included and you are back at your hotel in the afternoon. One price of 20 euros per person, children 10 euros, infants free.
Highlights
- Swim near wild bottlenose dolphins when the pod comes to you
- A resident pod at Dolphin House, one of the Red Sea’s best dolphin reefs
- Three snorkeling stops over shallow coral gardens
- Fresh buffet lunch on board, soft drinks all day
- Ethical, HEPCA code: no chasing, feeding or touching
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada included
- Full day on the open Red Sea, snorkel gear and vest provided
- From €20 per person, children €10, pay on arrival
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada
- Boat trip with certified captain and crew
- Dedicated dolphin search at Dolphin House
- 3 snorkeling stops at Red Sea coral reefs
- Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, vest)
- Buffet lunch on board
- Soft drinks, tea and water
- Professional multilingual guide
- All taxes and fees
Not included
- Transfer surcharge from Makadi, El Gouna or Sahl Hasheesh (€10 per person, round trip)
- Underwater photos / camera hire (optional)
- Tips for the crew (optional)
Your day, step by step
- 08:00
Hotel pickup
Our driver meets you at your hotel reception. We confirm the exact pickup time the night before by WhatsApp.
- 08:45
Board and safety briefing
Captain and crew welcome you on board at the marina with a safety briefing in your language, then we cast off across the open Red Sea.
- 10:00
Arrive at Dolphin House
We reach the Shaab El Erg reef and start looking for the pod. The dolphins are most active late morning, roughly 09:30 to 11:30.
- 10:30
Swim with the dolphins
When the pod is calm and comes to the boat, the engine goes off and you slip quietly into the water to swim near them. We never chase, feed or touch them, and keep our distance if they are resting or have calves.
- 12:00
Reef snorkeling
Snorkel the shallow coral gardens around the reef. Mask, snorkel, fins and a buoyancy vest are handed out on deck. Three snorkeling stops across the day.
- 13:00
Buffet lunch on board
A fresh buffet lunch is served on the open deck. Soft drinks, tea and water are unlimited all day.
- 14:00
More snorkeling and swimming
A final snorkeling or swimming stop over the reef before we head back.
- 15:00
Cruise back to Hurghada
Relax on deck as the boat cruises back to the marina.
- 16:00
Drop-off at your hotel
Driver waiting at the marina. Back at your hotel in the afternoon.
What to bring
- Swimwear (wear it under your clothes or change on board)
- Towel
- Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)
- Sunglasses and hat
- Light layer for the boat in the morning
- Camera or phone (waterproof pouch optional)
- Cash or card for tips (optional)
Snorkeling gear is provided on every trip. If you have your own mask and snorkel, feel free to bring them.
Pickup and meeting point
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your trip, for a full refund with no questions asked.
Cancellations within 24 hours of departure may incur a fee. If we cancel due to weather, you can either reschedule for free or get a full refund.
Safety information
- ✓All boats are licensed and insured under Egyptian maritime regulations.
- ✓Life jackets are available for every guest, including child sizes.
- ✓Our crew is trained in first aid and water rescue.
- ✓Trips are weather-dependent. If conditions are unsafe, we cancel and reschedule or refund.
- ✓Children under 6 must be supervised at all times.
- ✓If you have a medical condition, please tell us at booking.
Frequently asked questions
Guest reviews
Reviews verified across our previous booking platforms. Site reviews open at launch.
- JPJames P.🇬🇧Jul 2026
Brilliant day on the water
Brilliant day out. The lagoon really is that turquoise, the snorkeling stop was full of fish, and lunch on board beat our hotel. The crew looked after everyone.
- KSKatrin S.🇩🇪Jul 2026
Perfekter Tag am Roten Meer
Ein perfekter Tag am Roten Meer. Abholung pünktlich, das Wasser glasklar und die Crew super freundlich. Das Mittagessen an Bord war frisch und lecker.
- LMLucía M.🇪🇸Jul 2026
Un día increíble
Un día increíble. El agua turquesa es real, el snorkel espectacular y la comida a bordo muy buena. El equipo, atentísimo con los niños.
- MRMarco R.🇮🇹Jul 2026
Giornata stupenda
Giornata stupenda. Acqua trasparente, snorkeling tra i pesci e pranzo a bordo ottimo. Personale gentilissimo e prelievo in hotel puntuale.
- SVSanne V.🇳🇱Jul 2026
Mooie dag op zee
Mooie dag op zee. Het water is echt turquoise en het snorkelen was top. De lunch was prima; alleen ’s middags werd het wat drukker op het eiland.
