Sataya Dolphin Reef: best time to go and what to expect

Sataya Dolphin Reef (Shaab Sataya) is a large lagoon reef south of the Fury Shoals, reached by boat from Hamata harbour, about 100 km south of Marsa Alam town. The boat ride takes about 2 to 3 hours. Spinner dolphins rest in the lagoon by day, and HEPCA research found groups there on about 93% of survey days, most reliably in summer. Sightings are likely but not guaranteed.

Where is Sataya Dolphin Reef?

Shaab Sataya is an offshore reef in the far south of Egypt’s Red Sea coast, south of the Fury Shoals and close to Hamata. A long reef rises from deep water and shelters a shallow lagoon about 5 to 10 m deep, with a sandy bottom and coral pinnacles. HEPCA describes the reef as about 7 km long; other guides give about 5 km at its longest. The area falls under the Wadi El Gemal and Hamata protected area administration.

Most day trips leave from Hamata harbour. Snorkeling Report puts Hamata about 100 km south of Marsa Alam, and Memphis Tours gives 165 km from Marsa Alam airport, so the road part of the day depends a lot on where your hotel is.

How long does it take to get to Sataya from Marsa Alam?

Leg	Distance	Time
Marsa Alam town to Hamata harbour	about 100 km	depends on hotel and pickups; one 2026 traveller report gives about 3 hours from resorts north of the town
Marsa Alam airport to Hamata harbour	about 165 km	longer than from the town
Hamata harbour to Sataya by boat	offshore reef	about 2 to 3 hours each way
SinbadTour Sataya trip, door to door		about 10 hours, pickup about 6:00 AM

Several operators run Sataya trips only on set days of the week, most often Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Check the day when you book.

Which dolphins live at Sataya?

The dolphins at Sataya are spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), a small species known for spinning leaps out of the water. HEPCA’s survey for the Sataya management plan recorded:

• group sizes of 23 to 112 dolphins, with a daily average of 58;
• dolphins found on 91% to 100% of survey days, 93% on average, and usually every day in summer;
• the lagoon used as a daytime resting area, with hunting at night out at sea;
• births usually in July and August.

Because the lagoon is a resting place, the dolphins are often moving slowly in groups near the surface. They can also leave the lagoon for several hours, so a boat may wait or try again after lunch.

What are the rules for swimming with dolphins at Sataya?

HEPCA and Egypt’s Environmental Affairs Agency drew up a zoning plan for Sataya in 2018 to stop harassment of the dolphins:

Zone	Purpose	What is allowed
A1 and A2	Main dolphin resting areas, up to 4 m deep	No entry, except authorised research
B1 and B2	Snorkelling zones next to the resting areas	Snorkelling only, no diving and no boat movement
C	Swimming and snorkelling	Snorkelling and diving; small boats at no more than 10 knots
D	Diving	Diving on the outer coral reefs
F	Boat anchorage	The only places boats may anchor or tie up

In the water, HEPCA’s dolphin code of conduct sets out how to behave. HEPCA describes the code as mandatory and says breaking it is punishable by a fine:

• Wear a mask, fins, snorkel and lifejacket at all times.
• Slide into the water gently, without jumping or splashing.
• Swim quietly using only your fins, beside the group and never from above. Do not dive down onto the dolphins.
• Do not chase the dolphins. Let them decide whether to come closer.
• Never touch or feed the dolphins. Touching is forbidden because of the risk of passing on disease.
• Avoid shouting and whistling, and take extra care around mothers and calves.

Guides split snorkellers into small groups, usually taken from the main boat by inflatable, and expect everyone to stay with their guide.

When is the best time to visit Sataya?

Dolphins can be seen all year, but HEPCA’s survey found groups present daily in summer. The sea is warmest from July to September, when Marsa Alam averages 29 to 30°C, and coolest in February, at about 23°C. Births happen in July and August, so you may see calves in late summer; boats and swimmers should give them extra space.

Months	Average sea temperature (Marsa Alam)	What to expect
December to April	22.8 to 24.9°C	Coolest water of the year, a thermal suit helps
May to June	25.5 to 27.4°C	Warming water, long days
July to September	29.2 to 30.0°C	Warmest sea, dolphins usually present daily, calving season
October to November	26.6 to 27.9°C	Warm sea, still above 26°C on average

The crossing from Hamata is in open sea and can be choppy. If you get seasick, take medication before the boat leaves and sit in the shade on the boat. Strong northerly winds can make the trip rough, and HEPCA’s researchers recorded only one calm day in the first half of one February. Early morning is often given as the best time to find dolphins in the lagoon.

Sataya or Dolphin House (Samadai): which is better from Marsa Alam?

Marsa Alam has two well-known dolphin reefs. Shaab Samadai, called Dolphin House, is about 15 km southeast of Marsa Alam and only 40 to 50 minutes by boat from Marsa Alam marina. Sataya is much further south. Both are home to spinner dolphins.

	Sataya (Dolphin Reef)	Samadai (Dolphin House)
Location	South of the Fury Shoals, near Hamata	About 15 km southeast of Marsa Alam
Boat ride	About 2 to 3 hours from Hamata	About 40 to 50 minutes from Marsa Alam marina
Dolphins	Spinner dolphins, average group of 58 in HEPCA’s survey	Spinner dolphins, groups of 40 to 140 recorded by HEPCA
Management	Zoning plan by HEPCA and the EEAA (2018)	Managed by HEPCA since 2013, with zones A, B and C
Rules in the water	Snorkel zones next to no-entry resting areas	Zone A no entry; zone B snorkelling only with a guide; vest required
SinbadTour trip	Sataya Dolphin Reef on a Yacht, from $70, 10 hours, pickup about 6:00 AM	Dolphin House by Boat, from $50, 9 hours, pickup about 8:00 AM

Choose Samadai for a shorter, cheaper day with less time at sea. Choose Sataya if you want the larger lagoon and the chance of big groups, and you are happy with an early start and a long boat ride.

What is included in the Sataya trip?

The Sataya Dolphin Reef on a Yacht trip (from $70) includes air-conditioned transport from your Marsa Alam hotel, guide services, a yacht with crew, snorkelling at Sataya reef with an instructor, snorkelling equipment (mask, fins, vest and thermal suit), lunch and drinks. The Dolphin House by Boat trip (from $50) has the same inclusions at Samadai reef. If dolphins are not your priority, the Hamata Island by Boat trip (from $70) visits Sile, Hamata and Om El Sheikh islands in the same southern area.