Sataya Reef and Samadai at a glance
Dolphin House is the common name for Samadai, a protected reef where spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) rest in protected lagoons by day and travel out at night to feed. Sataya, also written Satayah, is a second reef further south with its own management plan. Both are protected. Trips to Sataya Reef and Samadai are long boat days, and you should treat a dolphin sighting as a possibility, not a promise.
This page covers the reefs reached from Marsa Alam. It is not about dolphin excursions from Hurghada, and not about dolphin shows. Samadai and Sataya have separate management documents, so the zone rules of one do not automatically apply to the other.
Our picks: Dolphin House trips
Samadai and Sataya are both full days by boat. Samadai has the shorter transfer; Sataya is the longer trip with an extra fee on board. Dolphins can never be promised.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Shaab Samadai reef trip with two snorkel stops
- Boat to Shaab Samadai
- Two guided snorkel stops
- Buffet lunch and soft drinks
A full day by boat to the Dolphin House reef. Dolphins are never guaranteed, and touching marine animals is not allowed. Ask whether the reserve fee is included before you book.
Check availability →
Sataya reef full-day snorkel trip with lunch
- Two guided snorkel stops
- Lunch, soft and hot drinks
- Mask, snorkel, fins, life vest
A long day on the water to the Dolphin House reef at Sataya. The reserve fee is paid in cash on board and comes on top, and a dolphin sighting is not promised.
Check availability →Samadai reef boat snorkeling from Marsa Alam
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Two snorkeling sessions
- Buffet lunch and drinks all day
A day trip with a snorkel guide, equipment and a life vest. Dolphins are a possibility, never a promise.
Check availability →Dolphin House trips from Marsa Alam
Boat days to Samadai and Sataya with snorkeling, with live prices and availability.
Samadai or Sataya
Times are typical figures, not a public timetable. Prices are 2026 starting points; check the current price when you book.
| Samadai | Sataya | |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | About 8 hours | About 13 hours |
| Getting there | Boat about 30 minutes | Road transfer 2 to 2.5 hours, then boat about 1.5 hours |
| Price in 2026 | From about €60 | From about €80 |
| Reef type | Reef with protected lagoons | Reef with its own management plan |
| Good for | Travelers with one day for the dolphins | Travelers who accept a very long day |
For most visitors, Samadai is the more practical Dolphin House day. Sataya suits those who want a longer trip south and do not mind the early start and the long transfer.
Zones and why they matter
Both reefs use zones to keep part of the reef closed to visitors. The dolphins need a place where nobody swims.
Samadai. The zone plan separates a no-entry resting area (A), an area for swimmers and snorkelers without speedboat traffic (B) and an area for moorings, diving and further activity (C).
Sataya. The 2018 management plan, based on 1.5 years of study, sets absolutely protected zones (A1 and A2), snorkeling zones without diving or boat traffic (B1 and B2), a zone for further swimming and snorkeling (C), an outer zone for diving (D) and boat moorings (F). Do not assume that every rule is enforced everywhere on every day.
Daily visitor limits and fees can change. Your booking should confirm the rules that apply on your day.
Swimming with dolphins: the code of conduct
There is no free approach to the dolphins. These are the main points.
What you wear
Fins, mask, snorkel and a life vest.
How you enter and swim
Enter quietly and swim alongside the animals, parallel and from the side. Do not dive down on them from above.
What you never do
Do not chase, touch or feed dolphins. No underwater scooters near the animals.
What boats must do
Boats keep at least 30 m away, move slowly, and do not chase or encircle the dolphins.
Some days there are no dolphins at the reef, which is normal for wild animals. A good operator tells you that before you pay.
Before you book a Dolphin House trip
- Which reef: check whether the trip goes to Samadai or Sataya. The two days are very different in length.
- Pickup time: a Sataya day starts with a road transfer of 2 to 2.5 hours, so the pickup is early.
- Group size: organized snorkeling is limited to 12 guests per snorkeling guide.
- Equipment: ask whether fins, mask, snorkel and a life vest are in the price. The code of conduct asks for all four.
- Fees: ask which entry or environmental fees are included.
- No dolphins: ask what happens if the dolphins are not at the reef that day.
The dolphins were here first, and the zones exist so that they can rest. A calm, respectful visit also makes the swim better for you.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other water days nearby.
Dolphin House: frequently asked questions
What is Dolphin House in Marsa Alam?
Dolphin House is the common name for the reef Samadai, where spinner dolphins rest by day. Sataya is a second reef with its own management plan.
Is Dolphin House the same as Hurghada?
No. This page covers the reefs reached from Marsa Alam, not dolphin excursions from Hurghada.
Will I see dolphins?
Not necessarily. The dolphins rest in the lagoons by day, and some days they are not there. No operator can promise a sighting.
Can I touch or feed the dolphins?
No. Touching, feeding and chasing are not allowed, and neither are underwater scooters near the animals. Boats keep at least 30 m away.
What do Dolphin House trips cost?
In 2026, Samadai trips start at about €60 and Sataya trips at about €80. Check the current price when you book and ask what is included.