A horseshoe-shaped lagoon, home to the most famous spinner dolphins in the Red Sea.
About this trip
Samadai is a horseshoe-shaped reef 8 nautical miles offshore from Marsa Alam. Since 2004 it has been a protected zone with strict daily quotas, only 100 guests in the water at one time, only between 10:00 and 12:30. The pod numbers around 60 to 80 dolphins and uses the lagoon as a daytime rest area, the same way the Hurghada pod uses Shaab El Erg.
Trip highlights
- Resident spinner dolphin pod
- Three snorkel zones
- Boat lunch & all gear
What you will see underwater
Spinner dolphins (95% sighting rate), eagle rays, blacktip reef sharks at the entrance, large groupers along the back wall.
Identify every fish and coral you'll meetBest time to go
April to October. The lagoon closes on north-wind days from December to February.
Travel tips
The protected zone is in the inner lagoon, no fins allowed, snorkelers must enter from a fixed buoy line. The captain briefs the entry rules in detail.
What's included
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, vest)
- Buffet lunch on board
- Soft drinks, tea & water
- Certified captain & crew
- Insurance
- Underwater camera (extra)
- Alcoholic drinks (extra)
- Tip for captain & crew (optional)
Daily itinerary
Approximate. Subject to weather and sea conditions.
- 06:30Early hotel pickup
We start early because dolphins are most active in the morning.
- 07:30Boarding & briefing
Captain explains how to enter the water without scaring the pod.
- 09:00Search for the pod
Dolphins return to the same lagoons most days, captain knows the spots.
- 10:00Swim with dolphins
If they're playful, they'll come close. We never chase them.
- 12:00Reef snorkel stop
- 13:00Buffet lunch on board
- 15:00Second snorkel or beach stop
- 16:30Return & hotel drop-off
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before the trip start time and get a full refund. After that, we can usually reschedule but cash is non-refundable.
Guest reviews
26 verified reviews from real guests
Top dag
Wat een dag! Samadai is beschermd en zeer respectvol. Lunch aan boord lekker en ruim.
Az egész család imádta. Samadai védett és nagyon tisztelettudó. Legközelebb is őket választjuk.
Het hoogtepunt van onze vakantie. Samadai is beschermd en zeer respectvol. Aanrader voor iedereen in Egypte.
Echt aanrader
Het hoogtepunt van onze vakantie. Samadai is beschermd en zeer respectvol. Boeken zeker weer.
Bester Tag des Urlaubs
Das Highlight unseres Urlaubs. Samadai ist geschützt und sehr respektvoll geführt. Pünktliche Hotelabholung, freundliche Crew.
À refaire absolument
Toute la famille a adoré. Samadai est protégé, encadrement respectueux. Réservation simple, prix juste.
Unvergesslich!
Unsere Familie war begeistert. Samadai ist geschützt und sehr respektvoll geführt. Beim nächsten Mal definitiv wieder.
Вся семья в восторге. Самадай охраняется, очень уважительно к дельфинам. Обед на борту вкусный, порций хватало.
Show all 26 reviews
Wat een dag! Samadai is beschermd en zeer respectvol. Ophalen bij hotel op tijd, crew vriendelijk.
أحلى يوم في الإجازة. سمداي محمي وطريقة احترام الدلافين ممتازة. الغداء على المركب لذيذ.
Quelle journée incroyable ! Samadai est protégé, encadrement respectueux. Prise à l'hôtel à l'heure, équipage adorable.
Unvergesslich!
Spontan gebucht und nicht bereut. Samadai ist geschützt und sehr respektvoll geführt. Beim nächsten Mal definitiv wieder.
Întreaga familie s-a distrat. Samadai e protejat și foarte respectuos. Rezervare ușoară, preț corect.
Pur și simplu wow. Samadai e protejat și foarte respectuos. Sigur rezervăm din nou.
Ce zi incredibilă! Samadai e protejat și foarte respectuos. Recomand oricui vizitează Egipt.
Réservation de dernière minute, aucun regret. Samadai est protégé, encadrement respectueux. Prise à l'hôtel à l'heure, équipage adorable.
Micsoda nap! Samadai védett és nagyon tisztelettudó. Bárkinek, aki Egyiptomba megy.
Exceeded expectations
Spectacular from start to finish. Spinner dolphins everywhere, very respectful operation. Will definitely book with them again next visit.
Egyszerűen csodás
Az egész család imádta. Samadai védett és nagyon tisztelettudó. Legközelebb is őket választjuk.
Лучший день отпуска
Какой потрясающий день! Самадай охраняется, очень уважительно к дельфинам. Рекомендую всем, кто едет в Египет.
Întreaga familie s-a distrat. Samadai e protejat și foarte respectuos. Recomand oricui vizitează Egipt.
假期最棒的一天
假期最精彩的部分。 Samadai 受保护，运营非常尊重海豚。 船上午餐美味又丰盛。
Echt geweldig. Samadai is beschermd en zeer respectvol. Lunch aan boord lekker en ruim.
Absolutely amazing
Honestly the highlight of our holiday. Spinner dolphins everywhere, very respectful operation. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Egypt.
Inoubliable !
Tout simplement bluffant. Samadai est protégé, encadrement respectueux. Recommandé sans hésiter pour qui visite l'Égypte.
Best day of our trip
Wow, just wow. Samadai's protected lagoon is the right way to see dolphins. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Egypt.
Trip-specific questions
What is the 100-guest daily quota and does it affect me?
Since 2004 the inner lagoon at Samadai allows only 100 snorkelers in the water at once, between 10:00 and 12:30. We book your slot a week in advance, you receive a wristband on the boat that grants entry. We never overbook against the quota.
How likely is a spinner dolphin encounter?
Around 95 percent of trips. The pod numbers 60 to 80 spinner dolphins and uses the lagoon as a daytime rest zone. They are usually present from the moment the boats arrive, sleeping in a slow circular pattern that snorkelers float above.
Can I use fins in the protected zone?
No, fins are banned in the inner lagoon to protect the seagrass and reduce noise. You snorkel with a vest and mask only. The captain briefs the rules and the rangers check at the buoy line before you swim.
How is this different from Hurghada Dolphin House?
Different species. Samadai has spinner dolphins, smaller, more acrobatic, often spinning above the surface as the name suggests. Hurghada has bottlenose dolphins, larger and more curious. Both are wild, both follow rest patterns, both are ethical when the rules are followed.
