Dolphin House Hurghada – Swim with Wild Dolphins

Some experiences stay with you for life. Swimming alongside wild dolphins in the open Red Sea is one of them. Dolphin House Hurghada is the most iconic sea excursion from Hurghada — a full-day boat trip to one of Egypt's most extraordinary marine locations, where resident spinner dolphins live year-round and regularly approach snorkelers in the water.

This is not a dolphin show or an aquarium. These are wild, free dolphins in open ocean — and with a 90% encounter rate, the Dolphin House trip is the highest-probability wild dolphin swimming experience in the entire Red Sea region.

What Is Dolphin House?

Dolphin House (also known as Sha'ab El Erg) is a horseshoe-shaped coral reef about 90 minutes by boat from Hurghada, located within a protected Red Sea National Park. The reef's shallow, sheltered lagoon creates an ideal habitat for a resident pod of spinner dolphins — the same dolphins who have lived here for years and are accustomed to the presence of snorkelers.

Unlike destinations where dolphins pass through briefly, Dolphin House has resident dolphins who return to the reef daily. They rest in the shallower parts of the lagoon in the morning and hunt in the deeper water beyond the reef in the afternoon. The boat captains and guides know the dolphins' patterns, and the timing of the visit is planned specifically around maximum dolphin activity.

90% Dolphin Encounter Rate — In the Wild

The encounter rate at Dolphin House is among the highest for wild dolphin swimming anywhere in the world. On most days (approximately 90% of trips), dolphins are present in the water and approach snorkelers closely, swimming alongside, diving beneath, and sometimes engaging in the energetic spinning jumps that give spinner dolphins their name.

No dolphin encounter is ever guaranteed — these are wild animals and their behaviour cannot be controlled. However, the combination of resident pod, ideal habitat, and experienced guides produces a consistently extraordinary encounter rate.

Three Snorkeling Stops — National Park Reefs

The Dolphin House trip includes two to three snorkeling stops at different reef locations, all within the Red Sea National Park. The reef at Sha'ab El Erg is exceptionally pristine — a direct result of its protected status and the deeper, cleaner water of the open Red Sea (compared to the nearshore reefs closer to Hurghada).

Visibility at these reef sites regularly reaches 40–45 metres. The coral formations are extraordinary: towering coral towers, expansive table corals, vivid sea fans, and coral gardens teeming with parrotfish, angelfish, chromis, groupers, moray eels, and the occasional turtle or reef shark in the deeper sections.

A professional snorkeling guide accompanies the group in the water at every snorkeling stop. All equipment — masks, fins, and life jackets — is provided on board.

Seafood Lunch on Board

The Dolphin House trip is long enough to include a full lunch at sea. Freshly prepared seafood is served on board during the return journey — a proper meal cooked by the boat's chefs, with mineral water and soft drinks included throughout the day. Previous guests have specifically highlighted the quality of the food as a standout part of the experience.

The Boat Journey — 90 Minutes Each Way

Dolphin House is further from Hurghada than the island trips — approximately 90 minutes of sailing in each direction. This is part of what makes the experience feel so genuinely remote and special. The journey itself is pleasant: you're sailing through the open Red Sea, far from the shore, with nothing but blue water in every direction. Dolphins are sometimes spotted from the boat deck during the journey.

Who Is the Dolphin House Trip For?

• Wildlife lovers who want a genuine wild animal encounter rather than a captive show
• Snorkeling enthusiasts who want the best, most pristine reefs in the Hurghada region
• Families creating once-in-a-lifetime memories for children
• Couples seeking the most extraordinary and emotional Red Sea experience
• Anyone who has ever dreamed of swimming with dolphins in the wild

Price & Inclusions

At €28 per person — children 6–12 years €14, under 5 free — the Dolphin House trip is one of the most remarkable value propositions in Hurghada. National Park entrance fees are included, along with hotel pickup and return, all snorkeling equipment, guide assistance, freshly prepared seafood lunch, and unlimited soft drinks and mineral water throughout the day.

Note: transfers from hotels outside central Hurghada (e.g., Makadi Bay) incur a small additional fee.