Dolphin House Hurghada • Shaab El Erg • Red Sea
Dolphin House Hurghada
Snorkeling with Wild Dolphins at Shaab El Erg. From 60 Euro.
Dolphin House Hurghada is the famous excursion to Shaab El Erg, the horseshoe-shaped reef north of Hurghada known for wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Firstly, you travel north by boat for a full day of Red Sea snorkeling over coral reefs. Meanwhile, when dolphins are present and conditions allow, there may be an opportunity to observe them in their natural environment. Furthermore, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks and hotel transfers within Hurghada are included. Importantly, this is a snorkeling and dolphin experience only, so no island or beach visit is included.
In short
Dolphin House Hurghada: The Short Answer
Dolphin House Hurghada is a snorkeling trip to Shaab El Erg, and the standard day-boat tour costs 60 euro per person. The standard boat departs the marina at approximately 07:00 to 07:30, reaches the reef at about 08:45 to 09:00 and returns between roughly 15:30 and 16:30, with lunch included. Meanwhile, an early private speedboat option reaches the reef at approximately 06:45 to 07:15, before the main fleet arrives, and it is priced on request. However, the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are completely wild, so sightings can never be guaranteed, and no island or beach visit is included.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Where is Dolphin House? | Shaab El Erg, north of Hurghada |
| The real reef name | Shaab El Erg |
| Main activity | Snorkeling |
| The dolphins | Wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, never guaranteed |
| Standard day-boat | Departs 07:00 to 07:30, 60 euro per person |
| Private speedboat | At the reef by about 07:00, price on request |
| Included | Boat, equipment, guide, lunch, drinks, transfer |
| Island visit | No |
Choose your program
Two Dolphin House Trips from Hurghada
We run two Dolphin House snorkeling programs, with different departure times but the same focus. Consequently, both days revolve around Shaab El Erg, wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and Red Sea snorkeling, and neither includes an island visit.
Private speedboat • On request
Early Speedboat: Beat the Fleet
Firstly, the private speedboat leaves earliest, with hotel pickup at approximately 05:30 to 06:00 and marina departure at about 06:00 to 06:30. Because the crossing takes only around 30 to 45 minutes, you reach the reef at approximately 06:45 to 07:15, while the dolphins are still resting calmly in the lagoon and before the main fleet of day boats arrives at around 09:00 to 10:00. Afterwards, the speedboat returns between about 10:00 and 11:30, so the rest of your day stays free.
Day boat • 60 euro
Standard Day-Boat Tour
Meanwhile, the standard day-boat tour picks you up at approximately 05:30 to 06:30 and departs the marina at about 07:00 to 07:30. The crossing takes roughly 75 to 90 minutes, so the boat arrives at the reef at approximately 08:45 to 09:00 for a full day of snorkeling. Lunch is included on this full-day program, and the boat returns to the marina between about 15:30 and 16:30.
The two programs side by side
| Feature | Standard Day-Boat | Private Speedboat |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup | 05:30 to 06:30 | 05:30 to 06:00 |
| Marina departure | 07:00 to 07:30 | 06:00 to 06:30 |
| Transit time | Approx. 75 to 90 minutes | Approx. 30 to 45 minutes |
| Arrival at the reef | Approx. 08:45 to 09:00 | Approx. 06:45 to 07:15 |
| Return to the marina | 15:30 to 16:30 | 10:00 to 11:30 |
| Lunch | Included | Water and soft drinks |
| Price per person | €60 | On request |
The place
What Is Dolphin House?
Shaab El Erg
The famous horseshoe reef
Dolphin House is the popular excursion name for Shaab El Erg, a reef north of Hurghada in the Egyptian Red Sea. Specifically, the reef forms a distinctive horseshoe shape with a shallow, sheltered lagoon where wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins rest. Consequently, the name Dolphin House stuck, although the reef itself is worth the trip on its own.
Shaab El Erg
Not only dolphins
A snorkeling destination in itself
Additionally, the Shaab El Erg area and its surrounding reefs offer excellent Red Sea snorkeling, with coral formations, clear water and rich marine life. Therefore, even on a day when the dolphins stay away, the snorkeling makes the journey north worthwhile.
The stars of the show
Are the Dolphin House Dolphins Wild?
Yes, one hundred percent wild. The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins around Shaab El Erg live freely in the Red Sea, and they decide where they swim and whether they approach people. For this reason, dolphin sightings can never be guaranteed, and honestly, that freedom is exactly what makes an encounter special. Notably, early mornings often find the dolphins resting calmly inside the lagoon, before the main fleet of day boats arrives at around 09:00 to 10:00.
100 percent wild
What these dolphins are not
- Not captive, as well as not trained
- Not kept in pools
- Not fed to attract them
- Not part of a dolphin show
Respect first
Responsible dolphin encounters
- Stay parallel to the dolphins on the surface
- Never dive down onto the pod
- Never touch, as well as never feed the dolphins
- Do not chase them, or block their swimming direction
- Follow the HEPCA eco-code, as well as the guide’s instructions
- Above all, allow the dolphins to decide whether they approach
On the reef
Snorkeling at Shaab El Erg
Dolphin House is not only about dolphins. Undoubtedly, the reefs around Shaab El Erg, particularly the Gota, the sheltered lagoon and El Fanus, provide excellent snorkeling, and depending on the conditions you may encounter the marine life below, although wildlife encounters are natural and can never be guaranteed.
Reef fish
- Butterflyfish, as well as angelfish
- Anthias, as well as parrotfish
- Surgeonfish, as well as clownfish
- Schools of colorful reef fish
On and around the coral
- Moray eels
- Blue-spotted stingrays
- Hard corals, as well as other Red Sea marine life
Snorkeling equipment included
- Mask, as well as snorkel
- Fins
- Life jackets, as well as flotation assistance according to needs
Important
No Island Visit on the Dolphin House Trip
This matters, because the Dolphin House trip is often confused with our island excursions. Instead, the comparison below makes the difference completely clear before you book.
| Dolphin House Trip | Hurghada Island Trip |
|---|---|
| Wild dolphins at Shaab El Erg | Giftun beach destinations |
| Snorkeling and coral reefs | Snorkeling, Try Dive and beach |
| No island or beach visit | Orange Bay, Paradise and more |
| From 60 euro | 35 euro |
The price
What the Dolphin House Hurghada Price Includes
Included
- Full-day boat trip to Shaab El Erg
- Snorkeling, as well as snorkeling equipment
- Professional snorkeling guide, as well as crew
- Lunch onboard, on the standard day-boat tour
- Drinking water, soft drinks, tea and coffee
- Hotel transfer within Hurghada
- Boat safety equipment
Not included
- Scuba diving, as well as diving equipment
- Island entrance, as well as any island or beach visit
- Private guide
- Crew tips, as well as personal expenses
Naturally, anything listed here applies unless specifically stated otherwise in your booking.
What should you bring?
Simply bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable clothes and a camera, ideally waterproof, as well as your passport or a copy if required. Meanwhile, all the snorkeling equipment is already provided onboard.
Safety first
Safety on the Dolphin House Trip
Above all, the captain and crew assess the weather and sea conditions throughout the trip, and the program may be changed when necessary for safety, however inconvenient that occasionally is.
Onboard safety equipment
- Life jackets
- Emergency oxygen, as well as first aid equipment
- Marine communication equipment, as well as general emergency equipment
Organized supervision
Specifically, every guest receives a snorkeling and safety briefing before entering the water, the dolphin encounters follow the guide’s instructions, and the crew watches the water throughout the day. In addition, our diving safety page explains how we approach safety on every trip.
Plan the rest of the trip
More Red Sea Days from Hurghada
One dolphin day is rarely enough. Consequently, the pages below help you plan the rest of your Red Sea holiday, on the surface or below it.
Hurghada Island Trip
Firstly, if you want Orange Bay, Paradise or another Giftun beach, our Hurghada island trip combines snorkeling, a Try Dive and a beach visit for 35 euro.
Daily diving Hurghada
Meanwhile, certified divers can join our daily diving in Hurghada trips, and Shaab El Erg itself appears in that rotation.
Shaab El Erg dive site
Additionally, our Shaab El Erg page describes the reef, the lagoon and the diving side of Dolphin House in detail.
Hurghada dive sites
Above all, our Hurghada dive sites overview covers the wider reef map around the city.
Safety and about us
Because experience matters on the water, read our diving safety page and our About Us page.
Red Sea FAQ
Finally, our general Red Sea diving FAQ answers the wider questions about visiting Egypt’s Red Sea.
Learn more before you go
Beyond our own program, these independent sources are worth a look while you plan your dolphin day.
FAQ
Dolphin House Hurghada: Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Dolphin House snorkeling trip in Hurghada?
Our standard Dolphin House day-boat tour costs 60 euro per person, departing the marina at approximately 07:00 to 07:30 and returning at about 15:30 to 16:30, with lunch included. Meanwhile, an early private speedboat program is also available, with the price on request.
What is Dolphin House in Hurghada?
Dolphin House is the popular name for Shaab El Erg, a horseshoe-shaped reef north of Hurghada known for wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins as well as excellent Red Sea snorkeling.
What time do the Dolphin House trips start?
The private speedboat departs the marina at approximately 06:00 to 06:30 and reaches the reef at about 06:45 to 07:15, whereas the standard day-boat departs at approximately 07:00 to 07:30 and arrives at about 08:45 to 09:00.
The dolphins
Are dolphins guaranteed at Dolphin House?
No. The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins at Shaab El Erg are completely wild, so sightings and encounters can never be guaranteed. Nevertheless, the reef snorkeling makes the day worthwhile on its own.
Is this a swimming-with-dolphins trip?
When dolphins are present and conditions and regulations allow, there may be an opportunity for an in-water encounter. However, the dolphins always decide whether to approach, and every encounter follows the HEPCA code of conduct as well as the guide’s instructions.
Are the dolphins trained or fed?
No. The dolphins are not captive, not trained, not kept in pools, not fed to attract them and not part of any show. Instead, they live freely in the Red Sea around Shaab El Erg.
The trip details
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkeling, as well as a mask, a snorkel and fins, is included, and life jackets and flotation assistance are available according to participant needs.
Is lunch included?
Yes, on the standard day-boat tour. Lunch, as well as drinking water, soft drinks, tea and coffee, is included, whereas the early speedboat program includes water and soft drinks.
Is hotel transfer included?
Yes. Standard hotel pickup and return transfer within Hurghada are included in both Dolphin House programs.
Does the Dolphin House trip visit Orange Bay or Giftun Island?
No. There is no island or beach visit on the Dolphin House trip. Instead, Orange Bay, Giftun and the other beach destinations are part of our separate Hurghada island excursions.
Book Dolphin House Hurghada
Simply send us your name, preferred date, number of participants, your hotel in Hurghada, and whether you prefer the early 06:00 program or the standard 08:00 trip. Afterwards our team will confirm availability, the pickup time and the current conditions before you commit to anything.
Inquiry
