Dolphin House Hurghada: Snorkeling Trip to Shaab El Erg

Dolphin House Hurghada is the nickname for Shaab El Erg, a horseshoe-shaped reef north of Hurghada where wild dolphins often come to rest in the sheltered water. This trip takes you there by boat for a day of snorkeling, with the chance to see the dolphins in their own environment.

Let's be clear from the start: these are wild animals. They come and go as they like, so sightings are never guaranteed, and nobody can promise you a swim with them or any contact. What we can promise is a crew that looks for them responsibly and follows the local marine-life rules – and a good snorkeling day either way, with coral, reef fish and lunch on board.

The trip suits couples, families and friends who love nature and are happy with "maybe" when it comes to dolphins. No snorkeling experience is needed; equipment and a professional guide are included.

If dolphins on the menu feel like too much of a gamble, our Giftun Island trip gives you reef and beach time instead.

Where is Dolphin House Hurghada – and why do dolphins go there?

Dolphin House is the local name for part of Shaab El Erg, a large horseshoe-shaped reef north of Hurghada, roughly between the city and El Gouna. The curve of the reef shelters a calm lagoon, and that's the attraction for dolphins: after feeding, they use quiet, protected water like this to rest.

The conservation group HEPCA describes Shaab El Erg as a dolphin resting habitat. The dolphins usually seen around Hurghada's reefs are Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (spinner dolphins are the species people know from Samadai reef further south near Marsa Alam).

Resting matters. Dolphins that are disturbed again and again while resting become stressed and may leave an area. That's exactly what happened here: in 2013 the Red Sea Governor closed Shaab El Erg and nearby Shaab Fanous for a month after boats were chasing and harassing the dolphins. The sites reopened with a mandatory code of conduct for boats, divers and snorkelers, and fines for operators who break it.

Shaab El Erg is also a good reef in its own right – dive guides list moray eels, blue-spotted rays and big coral heads – so the snorkeling is worth the trip even on a day without dolphins.

Can you swim with dolphins in Hurghada?

You can snorkel in the same water as wild dolphins if they're present and choose to come close – but it's their choice, not ours. That's the honest answer, and it's the one the rules are built on.

The code of conduct used on the Red Sea coast, summarised by the International Whaling Commission's whale-watching handbook, includes:

• Boats keep their distance (around 30 m) and approach slowly, never cutting through a group.
• Swimmers never touch dolphins and don't use scooters or other motorised gear.
• Let them approach – don't chase, block or surround them.
• No feeding, ever.

In practice: if the guide sees dolphins and the situation is calm, you'll enter the water quietly, float at the surface and watch. Splashing and swimming toward them makes them leave. Keep your arms by your side and let them pass.

Please be wary of anyone who promises guaranteed dolphins, touching or "swimming with" them on a schedule – those promises put pressure on the animals. If you want guaranteed close-up dolphins, that isn't what this trip is. If you'd like to try a calmer, beach-focused day instead, see our Orange Bay trip.

Tips for a good day at Dolphin House

A few things that make the day better, for you and for the dolphins:

• Manage expectations. Think of it as a snorkeling trip with a bonus. Some days the dolphins are there, some days they've moved on.
• Practise first. If you haven't snorkeled before, use the first stop to get comfortable with the mask and fins, so you're relaxed if dolphins appear.
• Float quietly. Gentle movements and no splashing give you the best chance of dolphins staying nearby.
• Ask for a vest. If you're not a strong swimmer, wear a life vest or use a float – Shaab El Erg's lagoon is deeper than the shallow beaches at the islands.
• Protect your skin. A rash vest or T-shirt protects your back from the sun better than sunscreen alone, and is kinder to the reef.
• Leave the reef alone. No standing on coral, no collecting shells.

Want dolphins with more privacy and flexible timing? Ask us about a private speedboat. Compare all our sea days on the snorkeling & island trips page.