Dolphin House Hurghada: What the Trip Is Like and How to Swim Near Wild Dolphins

A Dolphin House Hurghada trip takes you by boat to a reef north of Hurghada where wild dolphins often come to rest during the day. If they are there, you can snorkel quietly on the surface while they swim below and around you, one of the most memorable things to do on the Red Sea. This guide explains what the day is like, how to choose between the group boat and a private speedboat, how to behave near wild dolphins, and what to bring.

What and where is Dolphin House?

Dolphin House is the name tourists and boat crews use for a large reef north of Hurghada, also known as Sha'ab El Erg. The reef forms a sheltered lagoon with calmer water, and a group of wild dolphins likes to spend time there, resting and moving slowly between the coral.

It is not a dolphinarium and nothing is staged. The dolphins live freely in the open sea and visit the reef on their own terms. That is exactly what makes the trip special, and also why no one can promise that you will see them on a given day.

Around the lagoon there are coral reefs with colourful fish, so a Dolphin House trip is also a proper snorkeling day. For an overview of the reefs and marine life, see our snorkeling in Hurghada guide and our page about the Red Sea in Hurghada.

What the trip is like

The day starts with hotel pickup in Hurghada and a drive to the marina. Dolphin House is further away than the islands close to the city, so the boat ride takes longer than a trip to Giftun Island: on a regular boat, plan for a good part of the morning at sea before the first stop.

When the boat reaches the reef, the crew looks for the dolphins and the guide explains how the group will get in the water. If the dolphins are nearby and calm, you snorkel near them on the surface. After that, the boat moves on to one or more coral reefs for more snorkeling, and on the group trip there is lunch on board before heading back.

Our Dolphin House sea trip is the classic full-day group version. Our private speedboat to Dolphin House takes only your group and gets there faster. The exact times, stops and inclusions are on each tour page.

Group boat or private speedboat?

Both trips go to the same reef. The difference is how you spend the day.

- Group boat: a full, relaxed day at sea with other travellers, several snorkeling stops and lunch on board. It suits people who want a complete sea day and don't mind a longer boat ride.

• •Private speedboat: only your group on the boat, a faster ride and a shorter trip, with a morning or an afternoon start. It suits couples, families with young children and anyone who gets seasick, because you spend less time on the water.

If you are unsure, think about how long you are happy to be on a boat. A shorter private trip leaves the rest of the day free for the pool or the beach.

How to behave near wild dolphins

The dolphins come to Dolphin House to rest. The calmer the swimmers are, the longer they stay, and the better the experience is for everyone. Our guides explain the rules before you get in, and these are the most important ones:

- Let the dolphins come to you. Float quietly on the surface and watch. Never chase or follow them; they swim much faster than you anyway. - Never touch or feed them. Touching can stress them and pass on germs, and feeding changes their natural behaviour. - Keep calm in the water. No splashing, shouting or diving down on top of them. Slow, quiet movements work best. - Stay with your guide and the group. A big group surrounding the dolphins pushes them away; a calm group spread out on the surface does not. - Keep fins at the surface. Kicking hard stirs up the water and can hit the coral below.

• •No flash and no selfie sticks pushed towards them. A small camera held close to your body is fine.

If the dolphins swim away, let them go. They may come back on their own, and the coral reefs nearby are a good reason to keep snorkeling.

Dolphin House with children and non-swimmers

You don't need to be a strong swimmer for this trip. A life jacket keeps you floating on the surface, which is also the best way to watch the dolphins without disturbing them. Many families choose the private speedboat because the trip is shorter and the boat is only theirs.

Tell us when you book how old the children are and whether anyone in your group can't swim. Our team will tell you which trip fits best and what to expect on the day.

What to bring

Pack the night before so the early pickup is easy:

- Swimwear, already on under your clothes - A towel and a change of clothes - Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses - A T-shirt or rash vest to wear in the water - A waterproof pouch for your phone or a small action camera - Seasickness tablets, taken before the boat leaves

• •Some cash for extras such as photos

The boat ride to Dolphin House is longer than to the nearby islands, so if boats don't agree with you, sit in the middle or at the back of the boat and look at the horizon. Our snorkeling tour Hurghada guide has more first-timer tips, from mask fitting to the best months for warm water.

When to go

You can visit Dolphin House all year. The sea is usually calmer in the morning, which makes the ride more comfortable, and the water is warmest from about August to October. On a very windy day boat trips can be changed, so it helps to book your sea trip early in your holiday and keep a free day for later. For the full picture by month, read our guide to the best time to go to Hurghada.

Ready to book your Dolphin House day?

Choose the trip that fits your group: the Dolphin House sea trip for a full day at sea with lunch on board, or the private speedboat to Dolphin House for a faster trip with only your group. If you would rather spend more time on a beach, the Orange Bay sea trip is a calmer island day with snorkeling. Each tour page shows the live price and the plan for the day. Questions about swimming, children or the best day for your trip? Send us a message on WhatsApp with the buttons on this page.