Bucket list experience:
Marsa Alam, Red Sea Coast, Egypt
woman swimming with a pod of Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirorstris) over sand in Sataya reef, Egypt, Red Sea
One of the best, most reliable places to swim with dolphins is in the Red Sea at Sammadai Reef – nicknamed ‘Dolphin House’.
This horseshoe-shaped reef shelters a calm lagoon, home to a large pod of around 100 spinner dolphins. With few currents, and crystal-clear water, viewing conditions are typically excellent; better still, the dolphins are naturally curious animals and often come close to swimmers (though physical interaction is not permitted).
Sammadai Reef lies off the coast of Marsa Alam, about a 4-hour drive east from Luxor. The boat ride to the reef takes around 30 minutes.
Experienced guides give you a briefing before you enter the water, including tips on how to get close to the dolphins without scaring them. There’s no minimum age. Wear a T–shirt and sunscreen to avoid sunburn on your shoulders and the backs of your knees.
Overnight accommodation if required is available through operators in nearby villages – Marsa Shagra, Marsa Nakari and Wadi Lahami.
Tours run all year round, seven days a week. Start times vary by operator.
Visit between September and March, ideally. The light is better at this time of year and outside temperatures are lower. Spring (March-May) sees winds that can whip up the sea, reducing visibility. July and August are blisteringly hot.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
These intelligent, social beings have long held a special place in our hearts – a result of their seemingly-smiling faces, playful frolicking and friendly disposition. Here’s our round-up of some of the best places in the world to swim with them.
