Sataya Dolphin House Liveaboard Marsa Alam | 8-Day Trip

Name: Sataya Dolphin House Liveaboard Marsa Alam | 8-Day Trip - 4 December 2027
Start: 2027-12-04
End: 2027-12-11
Location: Marsa Alam

5 (1 Reviews)

Marsa Alam, Egypt

Instant Booking

Duration: 8 days

Hotel Pickup Included

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Highlights

Swim with wild spinner dolphins at Sataya Reef ; the Red Sea's legendary Dolphin House
Stay anchored at the reef for a full week, with 2–3 guided snorkeling sessions every single day
Choose an 8-day Sataya Dolphin House liveaboard over a rushed day trip and transform your chances of a real encounter
Snorkel vivid coral gardens alive with tropical fish, green turtles, and blue-spotted rays
Sleep in an air-conditioned en-suite cabin aboard a spacious 35-metre yacht
Enjoy full-board meals with unlimited water, tea, coffee, and soft drinks
Step ashore on an uninhabited island of powder-soft sand and turquoise shallows
Watch sunrise and sunset from the open deck, with nothing but open sea in every direction
Switch off completely ; no mobile network, no notifications, pure digital detox
Travel with professional snorkeling guides, an experienced crew, and certified first-aid support

Itinerary

04:00 PM
1 Days
Arrival at Hamata Marina & Boarding
Arrive at Marsa Alam or Hurghada Airport and transfer to Hamata Marina. Meet the crew, settle into your en-suite cabin, and enjoy a welcome dinner before the journey begins.
07:00 AM
1 Days
Sail to Sataya Dolphin House
Cruise to the famous Sataya Reef in the southern Red Sea, receive your snorkeling briefing, and enjoy your first guided session with the opportunity to swim with wild spinner dolphins.
08:00 AM
4 Days
Snorkeling with Dolphins & Marine Life
Enjoy 2–3 guided snorkeling sessions each day at Sataya Dolphin House and the surrounding coral reefs. Swim with spinner dolphins when conditions allow and discover tropical fish, turtles, rays, and vibrant Red Sea marine life.

12:30 PM
1 Days
Final Snorkeling & Uninhabited Island Visit
Enjoy a final snorkeling session before sailing to an uninhabited island with white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters. Relax on shore and spend your last evening aboard the yacht.
08:00 AM
1 Days
Return to Hamata Marina
After breakfast, sail back to Hamata Marina and transfer to Marsa Alam or Hurghada Airport, marking the end of your 8-day Red Sea liveaboard experience.

Overview

Experience the southern Red Sea on an 8-Day Sataya Dolphin House Liveaboard from Marsa Alam, combining an overnight yacht stay, guided snorkeling, vibrant coral reefs, and opportunities to encounter wild spinner dolphins in their natural habitat. This multi-day Red Sea cruise gives you more time to explore Sataya Reef than a standard day trip, with a program designed around marine exploration, relaxation, and life aboard a comfortable yacht.

Explore Sataya Dolphin House & Its Wild Dolphins

Sataya Reef, also known as Sataya Dolphin House, is one of Egypt’s best-known destinations for encountering wild spinner dolphins. During your liveaboard trip, you’ll have opportunities to snorkel in the lagoon and explore the surrounding reef while observing the marine environment with your guides.

The extended itinerary allows more time for snorkeling and marine-life exploration than a single-day excursion. You may encounter spinner dolphins, colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and rays, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. All encounters should take place responsibly, without chasing or disturbing the animals.

Snorkeling, Coral Reefs & Life Aboard the Yacht

Throughout your Sataya Dolphin House liveaboard experience, enjoy guided snorkeling sessions in selected locations around Sataya Reef and the southern Red Sea, according to the itinerary and sea conditions. Discover coral formations and tropical marine life, then return to the yacht to relax between activities.

Between snorkeling sessions, enjoy the onboard facilities, open-water views, and freshly prepared meals included in your package. The combination of time in the water and comfortable accommodation makes this 8-day snorkeling liveaboard an option for travelers who want a more immersive Red Sea experience than a conventional boat excursion.

Your 8-Day Sataya Dolphin House Liveaboard Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival and Boarding: Transfer to the departure marina, meet the crew, settle into your cabin, and prepare for the cruise.

Day 2 – Journey to Sataya Reef: Sail toward Sataya Dolphin House, receive your snorkeling briefing, and begin exploring the reef when conditions allow.

Days 3–6 – Snorkeling and Marine Exploration: Enjoy the scheduled snorkeling sessions, look for wild dolphins, discover coral reefs, and relax aboard the yacht. The exact activities and locations depend on the itinerary and sea conditions.

Day 7 – Final Snorkeling and Coastal Stop: Enjoy another opportunity to explore the marine environment before the planned coastal or island stop, if included in the operating itinerary.

Day 8 – Return to the Marina: After breakfast, return to the departure marina and continue with your arranged transfer.

Book Your Sataya Dolphin House Liveaboard

If you’re looking for a Sataya Dolphin House Liveaboard for 8 days, this multi-day cruise combines guided snorkeling, opportunities to observe wild dolphins, Red Sea reef exploration, and accommodation aboard a yacht.

Choose this experience if you want to spend more time exploring Sataya and the southern Red Sea instead of booking a single-day dolphin snorkeling trip. Check the itinerary, departure dates, cabin options, and included services before booking your Sataya Dolphin House Liveaboard from Marsa Alam.

What's included

Includes

Transfers from and to Marsa Alam or Hurghada airport
7 nights accommodation on board in an en-suite cabin
Full-board meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Unlimited water, tea, coffee, and soft drinks
Professional snorkeling guides throughout
Snorkeling equipment: mask, fins, and snorkel
Safety equipment and certified first-aid support
2–3 guided snorkeling sessions daily at the reef

Excludes

Sataya Reef National Park fee
$130 Per Personmandatory
Crew tips — recommended
$70 Per Personoptional
Egypt entry visa
International flights
Optional activities, where available
Personal expenses and souvenirs

Boats

Forever Sea

Maximum of guests 24
Deluxe Cabin 12
Length 35M & Beam 8M
Shaded sun deck & Fly deck
Restaurant, Salon & Dive deck
TV / Video / DVD / CD
Climate control
En suite bathroom & shower
Boat Navigation and Safety
Depth Finder & GPS & Radar

Note: Similar boat may be assigned based on group size

Accommodations

Panorama Suite

Capacity: 4 Available 4 cabins

Deluxe Cabin

Capacity: 16 Available 16 cabins

Map

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Can you really swim with dolphins at Sataya Dolphin House?

Yes. Sataya Reef, also known as Dolphin Reef, is one of the best places in the Red Sea to swim with wild spinner dolphins in their natural habitat. Encounters take place during guided snorkeling sessions, in open water and entirely on the dolphins' terms.

02 Are dolphin sightings guaranteed at Sataya Reef?

No — and any operator who promises otherwise should be treated with caution. These are wild animals that come and go freely, and they occasionally leave the lagoon for hours at a time. That said, sightings at Sataya are very frequent, and because this is an 8-day liveaboard anchored at the reef with daily sessions, your chances are far higher than on a single day trip.

03 Where is Sataya Dolphin House and how do I get there?

Sataya sits in Egypt's southern Red Sea, at the south-eastern edge of the Fury Shoals reef system, and is reachable only by boat. Your trip departs from Hamata Marina, roughly an hour and a quarter south of Marsa Alam, and transfers from Marsa Alam or Hurghada airport are included.

04 What's the difference between Sataya and Shaab Samadai?

Both are nicknamed "Dolphin House," but they're more than 100 km apart. Shaab Samadai lies close to Marsa Alam and Port Ghalib and tends to be busier. Sataya is much further south and further offshore, which makes it larger, wilder, and considerably quieter — a big part of why the encounters here feel so special.

05 Why choose a liveaboard instead of a day trip?

A day trip gives you around two hours at the reef, and if the pod has moved off, that's your only chance. On a liveaboard you sleep at Sataya and snorkel two to three times a day for a week, so you can go whenever the dolphins appear. For anyone serious about this encounter, it's the single biggest thing you can do to improve your odds.

06 Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

No. Basic swimming ability is enough, and life jackets are always available. Your guides are in the water with you, and the Red Sea's high salinity makes floating noticeably easier than in most seas.

07 Is it safe to swim with dolphins in the Red Sea?

Yes, when you follow your guide's instructions. The dolphins at Sataya are relaxed around people, and interaction is kept respectful and non-intrusive. Sessions are always supervised, with life jackets and certified first-aid support on board.

08 How do you protect the dolphins and the coral reefs?

We follow strict eco-friendly guidelines: no touching or chasing dolphins, no feeding, no anchoring on coral, and reef-safe sunscreen is strongly encouraged. Keeping Sataya a calm sanctuary is exactly why the dolphins keep returning to it.

09 How many snorkeling sessions will I get?

Most days include two to three guided snorkeling sessions, alternating between the dolphin lagoon and the surrounding coral reefs, plus free swimming time around the boat whenever conditions allow.

10 Can I get close to the dolphins?

The dolphins decide. If they're curious, they may swim right up and circle you; if they'd rather keep their distance, we let them. That's what makes the encounter genuine — and it's why we never chase or crowd them.

11 Is scuba diving available on this trip?

This is a snorkeling-focused liveaboard, so diving isn't part of the program. Scuba may be possible — as an optional extra that may carry an additional fee. Please ask when booking.

12 Is there phone signal or wifi on board?

There's no mobile network at the reef — which most guests come to see as one of the best parts of the trip. It's a genuine digital detox, so let family or colleagues know before you sail.

Important Information

Trip Details

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights on board
Location: Sataya Reef (Dolphin House), Fury Shoals — southern Red Sea, Marsa Alam region
Departure port: Hamata Marina, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes south of Marsa Alam
Focus: snorkeling only — 2 to 3 guided sessions every day
Check-in: Saturday (trip start date) from 4:00 PM
Check-out: final day, between 8:00 AM and 11:59 AM
Transfers: included from and to Marsa Alam or Hurghada airport
Instant booking, with a book-now-pay-later option

Your Liveaboard Yacht

Spacious 35-metre yacht with an 8-metre beam
Maximum 24 guests across 12 deluxe cabins
Individual climate control in every cabin
En-suite bathroom with shower in each cabin
Shaded sun deck and fly deck for relaxing between sessions
Restaurant, salon, and dive deck
TV, video, DVD, and CD in the salon
Full navigation and safety equipment: depth finder, GPS, and radar

What to Bring

Swimwear and a beach towel
Reef-safe sunscreen — strongly recommended to protect the coral
Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
A light layer for cooler evenings on deck
An underwater camera or GoPro
Motion-sickness remedies if you are prone to seasickness
Any personal medication you may need during the week

Good to Know

Dolphin sightings are highly likely but never guaranteed — these are wild animals
Basic swimming skills are recommended; life jackets are available at all times
No touching or chasing dolphins — eco-friendly rules apply throughout
There is no mobile network at the reef, making this a genuine digital detox
Sea conditions may vary on navigation days; the reef itself is usually calm
The Sataya Reef National Park fee of $130 per person is mandatory and paid locally
Alcohol is not served on board
Please let us know about any dietary requirements when booking

Terms and Conditions

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation before the deadline shown at checkout entitles you to a refund of 70% of the amount paid; the remaining 30% is a non-refundable booking fee that applies to all customer cancellations, regardless of how far in advance you cancel, as your cabin is held exclusively for you from the moment of booking. Cancellation after that deadline is non-refundable. Full payment is required to confirm the booking, and the exact cancellation deadline for your dates is shown on the booking page at checkout.
Customer Responsibility: Guests must follow all safety instructions from the guides and crew at all times, both on board and in the water, and are responsible for carrying a valid passport and arranging appropriate travel insurance. Please respect marine-park rules at every session: never touch, chase, or feed the dolphins, and use reef-safe sunscreen. Marsa Waves is not liable for injury, loss, or additional costs arising from failure to follow instructions.
Weather Conditions: The operator reserves the right to adjust the itinerary based on weather, sea conditions, or decisions by the maritime and port authorities. Where a trip cannot depart for these reasons, we will first offer alternative dates or a comparable trip at no additional cost. If no suitable alternative can be agreed within 7 days, you will receive a full refund of 100% of the amount paid, with no deduction of the 30% booking fee.
Delays & No-Shows: Transfer and departure times may shift with flight schedules, road conditions, and port operations. Guests who do not board by the stated check-in time may be recorded as a no-show, and the booking treated as non-refundable.
Operational Notes: The daily schedule, anchorage, and session order remain flexible and may be adjusted to suit dolphin activity, sea conditions, and marine-park regulations. Dolphin encounters are wild and cannot be guaranteed. Marsa Waves acts as a booking platform connecting you with independent local operators, and this trip is delivered by the operating supplier under these terms.

Traveller Photos

Guest snorkeling with wild spinner dolphins during the Sataya Dolphin House Liveaboard in Marsa Alam

Traveler swimming alongside a pod of wild spinner dolphins at Sataya Dolphin House Egypt

Large pod of spinner dolphins swimming beneath a snorkeler at Sataya Dolphin House Marsa Alam

From

$1,187.5

$1,250

Per Person

5% Off

Free Cancellation Cancel up to 90 days in advance for a full refund

Open Date Ticket Flexible travel, no fixed date

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