Linnea B.
FinlandRescue Diver
May 10, 2026
Spent the morning with the dolphins, then dives on healthy reef. Magic.
42 people found this helpful
Wild & Remote
Sataya Reef Dolphin Snorkeling
Sataya Reef in the southern Fury Shoals shelters a resident pod of 100 to 200 spinner dolphins inside a 4 km lagoon. A long but unforgettable day for confident snorkelers and families.
Sataya Reef, Fury Shoals (south of Hamata)
DurationFull Day
Skill LevelAll Levels
Group SizeMax 12
LocationSataya Reef, Fury Shoals (south of Hamata)
About this trip
Sataya is the largest spinner-dolphin sanctuary in the Egyptian Red Sea. A crescent-shaped barrier reef encloses a wide lagoon where pods of 100 to 200 spinner dolphins rest during the day before heading offshore at night to hunt. We run it as a full-day speedboat trip from Hamata harbour (about 2 hours each way). On a calm day you snorkel the lagoon edge alongside the pod, then move to the outer reef wall for coral and reef-fish snorkeling. Less crowded than Dolphin House and feels genuinely wild.
Trip Highlights
Resident dolphin pod
100 to 200 spinners
Pristine hard corals
Outer reef wall snorkel
Speedboat access
Fast crossing from Hamata
Less crowded
Far quieter than Samadai
What's Included
Included
- Boat trip
- Snorkeling gear
- Marine park fees
- Lunch on board
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
Not Included
- Photographer service
- Tips
A Day in Detail
- 05:30
Hotel pickup
- 07:00
Speedboat departure from Hamata
- 09:00
Arrive Sataya lagoon, first dolphin session
- 11:00
Move to outer reef snorkel
- 13:00
Lunch on board
- 14:00
Second dolphin / reef session
- 15:30
Return crossing to Hamata
- 17:30
Hotel drop-off
Marine Life You May See
Wild animals - sightings are likely, not guaranteed. We never bait, chase, or surround.
Spinner dolphin
Hawksbill turtle
Napoleon wrasseAnthiasBumphead parrotfishReal reviews . Real divers
What divers say about Sataya Reef
4.7/5. 19 curated reviews
Google
Marco P.
Italy
Apr 6, 2026
Sataya is a hidden gem. Dolphins by the dozens, reef in pristine condition.
5 people found this helpful
Beata P.
PolandAdvanced Open Water
Mar 26, 2026
Wild and remote feel. The dolphins were curious and friendly.
19 people found this helpful
Page 1 of 7 . 19 total reviews
Reviews are sourced from publicly available Google Maps and TripAdvisor entries for Sataya Reef. We have not edited the substance, only formatted for readability. Click "View all on Google Maps" to read every review and post your own.
Frequently Asked
- The 2-hour open-sea crossing can be choppy in winter (Nov to Feb). We use a stable speedboat and pick calm-weather days. Bring motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive.
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