easy Diving & snorkeling Marsa Alam

Marsa Samadai (Dolphin House)

Also known as: Dolphin House Sha'ab Samadai Samadai Reef Dolphin House Marsa Alam

Depth Range

5–20m

Boat Ride

40 min

Difficulty

easy

Protected horseshoe reef and dolphin sanctuary, sheltered lagoon — all levels & snorkelers

Sea conditions at Marsa Samadai (Dolphin House) today

Fair — some chop

Sea

27.7°C

Waves

1.1 m

Wind

15 kn NW

Air

27°C

Today

1.2 m · 17 kn

Tue 6

1.3 m · 19 kn

Wed 7

1.2 m · 17 kn

Thu 8

1.0 m · 16 kn

Fri 9

1.0 m · 15 kn

Sat 10

0.8 m · 15 kn

Sun 11

0.5 m · 10 kn

Water is 27.7°C — 3 mm full wetsuit is the usual choice.
Wind is up: the boat will move. If you are prone to seasickness, take your tablet an hour before departure and stay mid-ship, outside, looking at the horizon.

Updated 03:37 · Full conditions & 7-day outlook
Forecast data: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). Model values for the area, not a reading at the reef — your skipper and guide make the call on the day.

Better known as Dolphin House, Sha'ab Samadai is a horseshoe-shaped reef and protected marine sanctuary that shelters a resident pod of spinner dolphins. Access to the zone is regulated, so encounters are respectful and reliable, and the sheltered inner lagoon — shallow, light-filled and dotted with coral gardens and pinnacles — is superb for snorkelers and beginner divers. Depths of about 5 to 20 metres, calm water and rich reef life round out one of the region's signature experiences.

What You Might See

Spinner dolphins (resident pod) Coral gardens & pinnacles Reef fish in abundance Moray eels Turtles (occasional)

Suitable for

Newly certified divers
Open Water level

Best time to dive here

Divable all year — the Red Sea has no closed season. Water runs from about 22°C in February to 30°C in August, and March–May and September–November give the most comfortable mix of warm water, light wind and good visibility. Conditions at this site: Protected horseshoe reef and dolphin sanctuary, sheltered lagoon — all levels & snorkelers

Sea temperature, wind and calm days month by month →

Gallery

Dolphins swimming near the surface at Satayeh Reef

Dolphins swimming close together at Marsa Samadai

Dolphin pod at the surface, Marsa Samadai

Spinner dolphins gliding through clear water, Marsa Samadai

Where it is

This site is the highlighted pin; the others are the rest of the reefs around Marsa Alam. Boat times are from the main harbour and vary with sea conditions.

Get directions Open in OpenStreetMap 24.9886,34.9997