El Mina Mosque
Hurghada, Egypt
Dolphin House, Hurghada
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Photo: AbdelazezMAHMOUD, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Tours from $17 + ≈ $5 fee
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Boats leave every morning: hotel pickup usually 8:00–9:00, back 7–8 hours later; trips are cancelled when the port closes for wind
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- What it is
- Sha'ab El Erg, a horseshoe reef with a lagoon where wild dolphins rest
- Access
- Boat only — a shared day boat or a private speedboat from Hurghada
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Tour price
- Shared boat from about $17 per person; private speedboat from $150 per boat
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Extra fee
- About $5 per person in cash, usually not in the tour price
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Boat ride
- About 1–1.5 hours each way by day boat, less by speedboat
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Whole trip
- 7–8 hours with hotel pickup; about 4 hours by private speedboat
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Dolphins
- Likely but never guaranteed — they're wild
- In-water rules
- Life jacket required; no touching or feeding; boats keep 30 m away
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Weather
- Hurghada port closes in strong wind and all sea trips are cancelled
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Payment
- Book the tour by card online; carry cash for the fee and tips
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
Sha'ab El Ergthe reef's real name; Dolphin House is the tourist name
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Egypt DiversDiving AroundBoat onlyan offshore reef with no access from the beach
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Egypt DiversDiving AroundNo guaranteethe dolphins are wild and may be elsewhere on the day
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Diving AroundTripster tour listingsHorseshoethe reef curves around a sandy lagoon where the dolphins rest
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Egypt DiversDiving AroundHurghada–El Gounathe reef sits offshore roughly halfway between the two
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Egypt Diversunofficial operator data30 mminimum distance boats must keep from the dolphins
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HEPCA dolphin code of conduct4 knotsspeed limit for boats once dolphins are sighted
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HEPCA dolphin code of conductLife jacketmandatory for swimmers, along with mask, snorkel and fins
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HEPCA dolphin code of conductResting areaSha'ab El Erg, Fanous and Abu Nugar are dolphin resting sites; boats must not follow dolphins into the lagoon
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HEPCA dolphin code of conductSpecies disputedsources name either bottlenose or spinner dolphins
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Egypt Divers (bottlenose)Diving Around (spinner)What is Dolphin House?
Dolphin House is the tourist name for Sha'ab El Erg, a large horseshoe-shaped reef offshore north of Hurghada, roughly halfway to El Gouna. The curve of the reef shelters a sandy lagoon with calm water, and a resident pod of dolphins uses it to rest during the day.
There's no beach access — you go by boat. A typical day: hotel pickup, board in port, roughly an hour and a half at sea, a stop at the reef to look for the dolphins, then one or two more snorkelling stops on coral, lunch on board and the cruise back.
Sources disagree on the species. Egypt Divers lists bottlenose dolphins, while Diving Around and most tour operators say spinner dolphins. Either way they're wild animals, and the same rules apply around them.
How much is a Dolphin House trip?
Shared day boats cost roughly $17–30 per person on booking platforms, usually including hotel pickup in Hurghada, snorkel gear, lunch and soft drinks. A private speedboat starts at about $150 per boat for four hours, and "VIP" or "royal" boats with breakfast and extras cost more. These are unofficial platform prices and they move with the season.
Most operators add a fee of about $5 per person, collected in cash on board and described as a national park fee. Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga or El Gouna often costs a few dollars extra. Ask exactly what's included before you pay.
Paying. Tours are easiest to book and pay by Visa or Mastercard online. Bring small US dollar notes or Egyptian pounds for the fee, crew tips and extra drinks.
What you can see
- Dolphins in the lagoon — the main event. If the pod is there and calm, you slip into the water with a mask and watch them pass.
- The reef itself — coral walls and pinnacles around the lagoon with butterflyfish, clownfish and rays.
- A second or third reef — most trips add one or two coral snorkelling stops closer to Hurghada.
- Open water — dolphins sometimes ride the bow on the way out, so watch from the deck.
- Turtles and morays — seen on the reef now and then, but that's luck too.
How to get to Dolphin House
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- Book a boat trip in advance — there's no way to reach the reef on your own. Hotel pickup in Hurghada is usually included.
- Expect pickup around 8:00–9:00. If you're staying near the centre, you may be asked to meet at El Mina Mosque in Sakkala or at the pier — 5–25 minutes on foot or by Uber or Careem.
- Most boats leave from Hurghada Marina in Sakkala, 400 m south of El Mina Mosque, or from nearby piers. Your booking confirmation names the exact one.
- The ride out takes about 1–1.5 hours by day boat, less by speedboat. Pick a mask, fins and a life jacket that fit and listen to the briefing.
- The boat returns to the same port 7–8 hours after pickup, and the minibus drops you back at your hotel.
Best time to go, and what happens in bad weather
Trips run all year, but calm seas matter more than the month: dolphins settle in the lagoon more readily, and fewer people get seasick. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable; summer is hot on deck, and winter brings cooler water and more wind.
When wind and waves get too high, the Red Sea Ports Authority closes Hurghada port and every sea trip is cancelled, sometimes that same morning. Don't book Dolphin House for your last day — leave a spare one.
If you get seasick, take a tablet an hour before departure and sit towards the stern, where the boat moves less.
Is Dolphin House worth it?
Yes, if you love the sea and treat the dolphins as a bonus. Even on a bad day you get several reefs, lunch on board and a full day on the water. It works for families too, as long as the children are happy in the water in a life jacket.
No, if a guaranteed dolphin encounter is the whole point — you may come back disappointed. And probably not if you only have two days in Hurghada: the trip takes the whole day. If you get badly seasick, a shorter boat to an island closer to shore, such as Orange Bay, is easier.
When choosing an operator, look at group size rather than the word "VIP", and at how the crew behaves near the pod: good captains keep their distance and don't race other boats to the dolphins.
Dolphin House or snorkelling at Sahl Hasheesh
| Dolphin Houseyou are here | Offshore reef north of Hurghada | Boat only | Wild dolphins and reefs | Full day, 7–8 hours | Tour plus about $5 fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahl Hasheesh | Bay 18 km south of Hurghada airport | Taxi, then from the pier or a boat | Sunken City columns off the pier | 2 hours, half a day with snorkelling | Piazza and promenade free |
For the dolphins, it's a boat and a full day. For a short snorkel and an evening stroll, Sahl Hasheesh is simpler.
Before you go
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Hurghada by the water: compare and choose
Every waterside place in Hurghada scored by YesGo. Tap a column header to sort.
| Hurghada Fish Market | 44 | 45 min | Free | 19.9 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurghada Marina | 43 | 1 h | Free | 20.2 km |
| Sahl Hasheesh | 28 | 2 h | Free | 40.0 km |
| El Gouna | 26 | 4 h | No ticket; entry permit needed | 17.4 km |
| Hurghada Grand Aquarium | 24 | 1 h 30 min | $35, $32 online; kids 4–9 $17.50 | 30.7 km |
| Dolphin Houseyou are here | 21 | 2 h | Tours from $17 + ≈ $5 fee | — |
| Orange Bay | 21 | 4 h | Trip from $20 + park fee ≈ $5 | 23.2 km |
A day at sea and an evening in Sakkala
Morning boat to Dolphin House, then a stroll round the marina and seafood at the fish market. YesGo works out the timings and walks.
- Dolphin Houseyou are here2 h · Tours from $17 + ≈ $5 fee
- 351 min walk from the previous stopHurghada Marina1 h · Free
- 6 min walk from the previous stopHurghada Fish Market45 min · Free entry; seafood sold by weight
3 places · about 9 h 42 min with walks · 357 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Don't save this trip for your last day — if the port closes for wind, it gets moved.
- Ask which reef the boat goes to: Sha'ab El Erg or Fanous.
- Keep the roughly $5 fee in cash and separate — it's collected on board.
- In the water, stay beside the pod rather than above it; the dolphins stay longer that way.
- Snorkel in a T-shirt — your back burns within half an hour.
- Back on land, walk round Hurghada Marina; it's right by the piers.
Questions
Where is Dolphin House in Hurghada?
It's Sha'ab El Erg, an offshore reef north of Hurghada, roughly halfway to El Gouna. You can only reach it by boat.
How much does a Dolphin House trip cost?
Shared boats start at about $17–30 per person, private speedboats at about $150 per boat, plus a fee of about $5 in cash. These are unofficial platform prices.
How long is the boat ride to Dolphin House?
About 1–1.5 hours each way by day boat, less by speedboat. The full trip with hotel pickup takes 7–8 hours.
Can you swim with the dolphins?
Yes, if the pod is there and calm: the guide lets you into the water with a mask and life jacket. Touching and feeding them is forbidden.
Are dolphins guaranteed?
No. They're wild and can leave the reef. You still get coral snorkelling stops either way.
Is swimming with dolphins at Dolphin House ethical?
It can be, if the crew follows the HEPCA code: boats keep 30 m away, swimmers enter quietly, nobody chases, touches or feeds the dolphins. Avoid operators that promise guaranteed contact.
What kind of dolphins live there?
Sources disagree: some say bottlenose, others spinner dolphins. Either way it's a wild pod.
Is Dolphin House good for kids?
Yes, for children comfortable in the water in a life jacket who don't get seasick. Expect a long day in the sun.
What's the best time to visit?
Any calm day. Spring and autumn usually bring the easiest seas; winter is windier and trips are cancelled more often.
Is Dolphin House the same as the dolphin show?
No. The show is in town with captive dolphins in a pool. Dolphin House is a reef at sea with wild dolphins.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- HEPCA — code of conduct for dolphin encounters (distance, speed, swimmer rules, resting areas)
- HEPCA — management plan for Sha'ab El Erg and Fanous (2017)
- Egypt Divers — Shaab El Erg (location, shape, dolphins)
- Diving Around — Dolphin House, Shaab el Erg (reef, dolphins, boat time)
- Tripster — Dolphin House trips from Hurghada (prices, duration, inclusions)
- Headout — Dolphin House tours (programmes, snorkelling stops)
- Egypt Independent — Red Sea Ports Authority closing Hurghada port for wind and waves
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