A horseshoe reef south of Marsa Alam, home to one of the largest spinner dolphin pods in Egypt.
About this trip
Sataya is the largest of the Fury Shoals reefs, sitting 25 nautical miles south of Hamata harbour. The pod here numbers between 100 and 200 dolphins on a good morning, the largest gathering in Egyptian waters. The boat ride is long, three hours each way, but the lagoon is twice the size of Samadai and the dolphins are notably more curious.
Trip highlights
- Up to 100+ dolphins on a good day
- Long journey, big reward
- Lunch and refreshments
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
36 verified reviews from real guests
Unvergesslich!
Das Highlight unseres Urlaubs. Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Klare Empfehlung für jeden Ägypten-Besucher.
Maximálisan ajánlom
A vakáció fénypontja. Több száz delfin a hajó körül Satayánál. Libabőr! Bárkinek, aki Egyiptomba megy.
We booked last minute and so glad we did. Hundreds of dolphins around the boat at Sataya. Goosebumps. Pickup was on time and crew super friendly.
Was für ein Tag! Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Klare Empfehlung für jeden Ägypten-Besucher.
Unforgettable!
Our family had a brilliant time. Hundreds of dolphins around the boat at Sataya. Goosebumps. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Egypt.
难忘的一天！
全家都很喜欢。 Sataya 数百只海豚围着船，太震撼了！ 预订简单，价格诚实。
Bester Tag des Urlaubs
Was für ein Tag! Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Mittagessen an Bord war reichlich und lecker.
Top expérience
Toute la famille a adoré. Des centaines de dauphins autour du bateau à Sataya. Frissons ! Réservation simple, prix juste.
Show all 36 reviews
Top expérience
Tout simplement bluffant. Des centaines de dauphins autour du bateau à Sataya. Frissons ! On rebookera la prochaine fois.
Unsere Familie war begeistert. Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Beim nächsten Mal definitiv wieder.
What an incredible day! Hundreds of dolphins around the boat at Sataya. Goosebumps. Lunch on board was tasty and plenty.
Le meilleur jour du séjour
Réservation de dernière minute, aucun regret. Des centaines de dauphins autour du bateau à Sataya. Frissons ! Réservation simple, prix juste.
Bester Tag des Urlaubs
Unsere Familie war begeistert. Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Klare Empfehlung für jeden Ägypten-Besucher.
Exceeded expectations
What an incredible day! Long ride but absolutely worth it for the pod. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Egypt.
Wow, just wow. Long ride but absolutely worth it for the pod. Booking was effortless and price was honest.
Spontan gebucht und nicht bereut. Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Beim nächsten Mal definitiv wieder.
Просто вау. Сотни дельфинов вокруг лодки в Сатайе. Мурашки! Обязательно поедем снова.
假期最棒的一天
真是难以置信的一天！ Sataya 数百只海豚围着船，太震撼了！ 酒店准时接送，船员友好。
Felejthetetlen!
Micsoda nap! Több száz delfin a hajó körül Satayánál. Libabőr! Ebéd a hajón finom és bőséges.
Exceeded expectations
Our family had a brilliant time. Hundreds of dolphins around the boat at Sataya. Goosebumps. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Egypt.
Het hoogtepunt van onze vakantie. Honderden dolfijnen rond de boot in Sataya. Kippenvel! Boeken zeker weer.
Le top de nos vacances. Des centaines de dauphins autour du bateau à Sataya. Frissons ! On rebookera la prochaine fois.
De neuitat!
Ce zi incredibilă! Sute de delfini în jurul bărcii la Sataya. Pielea de găină! Preluare la hotel la timp, echipaj prietenos.
Top-Erlebnis
Unsere Familie war begeistert. Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Beim nächsten Mal definitiv wieder.
Das Highlight unseres Urlaubs. Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Buchung mühelos, Preis fair.
10/10 would book again
Our family had a brilliant time. Long ride but absolutely worth it for the pod. Will definitely book with them again next visit.
假期最精彩的部分。 Sataya 数百只海豚围着船，太震撼了！ 船上午餐美味又丰盛。
Quelle journée incroyable ! Des centaines de dauphins autour du bateau à Sataya. Frissons ! Réservation simple, prix juste.
Egyszerűen szuper. Több száz delfin a hajó körül Satayánál. Libabőr! Foglalás egyszerű, ár tisztességes.
يستحق كل قرش
أحلى يوم في الإجازة. مئات الدلافين حوالين المركب في ستايا. صادمة! الحجز سهل والسعر صادق.
Sehr empfehlenswert
Was für ein Tag! Hunderte Delfine rund um das Boot bei Sataya. Gänsehaut! Mittagessen an Bord war reichlich und lecker.
Absolut superb
Întreaga familie s-a distrat. Sute de delfini în jurul bărcii la Sataya. Pielea de găină! Preluare la hotel la timp, echipaj prietenos.
À refaire absolument
Réservation de dernière minute, aucun regret. Des centaines de dauphins autour du bateau à Sataya. Frissons ! On rebookera la prochaine fois.
حجزنا في آخر لحظة ومبسوطين جداً. مئات الدلافين حوالين المركب في ستايا. صادمة! الغداء على المركب لذيذ.
We booked last minute and so glad we did. Long ride but absolutely worth it for the pod. Booking was effortless and price was honest.
أنصح بشدة
أحلى يوم في الإجازة. مئات الدلافين حوالين المركب في ستايا. صادمة! الغداء على المركب لذيذ.
Trip-specific questions
How long is the boat ride and is it worth it?
Three hours each way from Hamata harbour, six hours of boat time total. The reward is the largest spinner dolphin pod in Egypt, 100 to 200 dolphins on a good morning, in a lagoon twice the size of Samadai. Worth it if you have done Samadai and want more, or if dolphins are the whole point of your Marsa Alam trip.
How early do we start?
Hotel pickup is between 04:30 and 05:30 depending on your resort distance from Hamata. We aim to leave port at 06:30 so we are at the lagoon for the 09:30 dolphin window. Long day, late return around 19:00.
Can I sleep on the boat?
Yes, the boat has a shaded upper deck with cushions, you can stretch out for the three-hour ride. Most guests doze on the way out and chat on the way back. Bring a light jumper, the morning breeze is cool even in summer.
How is the encounter different from Samadai?
Bigger pod, more curious dolphins, less crowded with other boats, but a much longer day. Samadai sits at 60 to 80 dolphins, Sataya at 100 to 200. Samadai is a 90-minute boat ride, Sataya is three hours. If you can spare the whole day, Sataya wins on raw scale.
