easy Diving & snorkeling Marsa Alam

Satayeh Dolphin Reef

Also known as: Sataya Reef Sha'ab Sataya Satayah Dolphin Reef Marsa Alam

Photo: Sunphol Sorakul · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Depth Range

3–25m

Difficulty

easy

Horseshoe reef far south of Marsa Alam with a protected dolphin lagoon - snorkelers, beginners and certified divers; calm weather essential

Sea conditions at Satayeh Dolphin Reef today

Fair — some chop

Sea

28.9°C

Waves

1.1 m

Wind

20 kn NW

Air

29°C

Today

1.2 m · 22 kn

Tue 6

1.3 m · 23 kn

Wed 7

1.2 m · 21 kn

Thu 8

1.0 m · 20 kn

Fri 9

0.9 m · 20 kn

Sat 10

0.8 m · 17 kn

Sun 11

0.4 m · 9 kn

Water is 28.9°C — 3 mm shorty or thin full suit 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.

Satayeh Reef, known to divers and snorkelers as Dolphin Reef, is a horseshoe-shaped reef in the far south of the Egyptian Red Sea, famous for the spinner dolphins that rest in its lagoon during the day.

The lagoon is shallow and light-filled, with coral gardens, pinnacles and sandy patches at about 3-25 m, so the site suits snorkelers, beginners and certified divers alike. The dolphins are wild and free to come and go: guides ask you to enter the water quietly, keep your distance, never chase, touch or corner an animal and stay with the group. Turtles, Napoleon wrasse and rich reef life complete the picture.

Do not confuse Satayeh with Samadai (Dolphin House), the better-known dolphin reef closer to Marsa Alam. Satayeh lies further south, so trips usually combine a road transfer with a boat ride and make a full day. Sightings are best early in the morning and depend on the dolphins' own schedule; nothing is guaranteed. Calm weather is essential for the crossing.

What You Might See

Spinner dolphins (often present) Green & hawksbill turtles Coral gardens & pinnacles Napoleon wrasse Reef fish in abundance

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: Horseshoe reef far south of Marsa Alam with a protected dolphin lagoon - snorkelers, beginners and certified divers; calm weather essential

Sea temperature, wind and calm days month by month →

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 24.1657,35.7108