Where can you see dolphins in Sharm El Sheikh?

In Sharm El Sheikh you can see dolphins in two ways. Wild dolphins are sometimes seen from boats near Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed, but sightings are never guaranteed. For a certain encounter, the dolphinarium show costs from $25 per person and a 15-minute swim with dolphins costs from $80 per person, both with hotel transfer.

Can you see wild dolphins in Sharm El Sheikh?

Yes, but not on every trip. Pods are sometimes seen cruising the channels near Tiran Island and around Ras Mohammed National Park, and on yacht trips that head into open water. Travel writers who know the area describe these sightings as a bonus, and say they do not happen often. Spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins both live in the Red Sea.

Sharm has no reef that dolphins use every day as a resting place. Hurghada and Marsa Alam do, which is why dolphin boat trips are more common there.

Which boat trips give you the best chance?

Full-day trips that spend time in open water near Tiran or Ras Mohammed give the best chance. Our crews look out for dolphins and stop when a pod is near, but we cannot promise a sighting.

• Tiran Island by boat (from $30), 9 hours with three snorkelling stops.
• White Island and Ras Mohammed by boat (from $30), 9 hours with two reef stops and the White Island sandbar.

Our guide White Island or Tiran Island helps you choose between them.

Dolphin show or swim with dolphins: what is the difference?

	Dolphin show	Swim 15 minutes	Swim 30 minutes
Price	From $25 per person	From $80 per person	From $115 per person
Hotel pickup	About 14:00	About 10:00	About 10:00
Back at hotel	About 17:00	About 12:00	About 12:00
What happens	A show of about an hour with tricks and jumps	Swim in a pool in a group of 5 with one dolphin	The same, for longer
Included	Bus, guide, tickets, show	Bus, guide, swim session	Bus, guide, swim session

The show and the swim are booked separately. If you want both, tell us and we will try to put them on the same day. Drinks and the photographer’s photos are extra on all three.

Can children and non-swimmers swim with dolphins?

Children aged 6 and over can usually join the swim session, and younger children may be allowed with an adult, depending on the centre’s rules. Non-swimmers can take part with a life jacket, in the shallow part of the pool, with trainers in the water. The show suits all ages.

Where are dolphins more reliable?

If wild dolphins are the main goal of your holiday, Hurghada and Marsa Alam have reefs where dolphins rest by day. Dolphin House near Hurghada and Sataya near Marsa Alam are the best known. See our Sataya Dolphin Reef guide for Marsa Alam. These trips leave from those resorts, not from Sharm.

When you meet dolphins at sea, follow the code of conduct of HEPCA, the Red Sea conservation group: wear a life jacket, never touch or chase the dolphins, and stay quiet in the water.

Which should you choose?

• Dolphin show (from $25): the cheapest certain sighting, good for small children.
• Swimming with dolphins, 15 minutes (from $80): close contact in a small group.
• Swimming with dolphins, 30 minutes (from $115): more time in the water for keen swimmers.
• Tiran Island by boat (from $30): a snorkelling day with a chance of wild dolphins.

Tips

• Keep a photo of your passport’s first page on your phone for the transfer.
• For the swim, bring swimwear, a towel and cash for photos.
• On boat trips, watch the water on the way out: pods are often first seen from the deck.
• Bring a warm layer for the boat between November and March.

More trips are on the Sharm El Sheikh excursions page. Read more about White Island and Ras Mohammed.