Dolphin House

In Hurghada, Dolphin House usually means Sha'ab El Erg, a large horseshoe-shaped reef about 35 km north-east of the city, off El Gouna, where a resident pod of wild bottlenose dolphins lives around the calm water of its central lagoon, and it is the most popular dolphin trip from Hurghada for snorkelers, families and first-time visitors.

The dolphins use the sheltered, light-filled lagoon as their base, so the best chance to see them is on an early boat, when the water is calm and boat traffic is low. They are wild and free to come and go: sightings are common but never guaranteed. Guides brief every group to enter the water quietly, keep a respectful distance, never chase, touch or feed the dolphins and stay together, because swimming with dolphins should be about watching them in their own habitat. The reef around the lagoon adds coral gardens, colourful reef fish and, with luck, turtles and eagle rays, and most Dolphin House trips include one or two snorkeling stops on nearby coral reefs.

This is mainly a snorkeling and boat day: a typical trip lasts around six hours, including the ride out, lunch on board and time in the water, with hotel pick-up in Hurghada. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest, a towel, sunglasses and a hat, and take a seasickness tablet if you are sensitive, as the boat spends most of the day in open sea. Do not confuse it with Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House), the dolphin reef near Marsa Alam.