Dolphin House

Dolphin House — also known as Sha’ab El Erg or “Dolphin House Reef” — is one of Egypt’s most celebrated dive and snorkel sites, located approximately 25 km north of Hurghada. The site owes its name to a resident population of spinner dolphins that has used this shallow lagoon as a resting area for decades, making it one of the few places in the world where divers can encounter wild dolphins in their home environment.

Overview

The site consists of a horseshoe-shaped reef enclosing a broad shallow lagoon, with the outer reef dropping to around 20 meters on its exposed faces. The lagoon rarely exceeds 10 meters deep and is carpeted with sandy patches broken up by scattered coral bommies and garden eel fields. The dolphin pod — typically 50–100 spinner dolphins — uses the enclosed lagoon to rest during daylight hours before heading offshore to feed at night. Visibility averages 20–30 meters, and water temperatures range from 22°C in winter to 30°C in summer.

Site Information

• Location: Red Sea, Egypt (north of Hurghada, Sha’ab El Erg)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20-30 meters (65-100 feet)
• Current: Light to moderate in lagoon, moderate on outer reef
• Best Time: Year-round; dolphins most reliably present October to May

Marine Life

The spinner dolphins are the headline attraction — pods of 50 to over 100 individuals frequently rest and socialise in the lagoon. Divers who enter calmly and avoid chasing the dolphins often experience extended encounters. The sandy lagoon floor hosts dense colonies of garden eels that retract as divers approach. The outer reef holds the typical Red Sea assemblage: anthias, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, humphead wrasse, octopus, and moray eels. Sea turtles are regularly sighted grazing on sea grass patches within the lagoon.

Dive Profile

Most operators begin in the lagoon, swimming slowly toward the dolphin pod and hovering mid-water at neutral buoyancy to avoid disturbing the animals. Dolphins approach curious and calm divers but flee if chased or crowded. After dolphin time, explore the outer reef wall between 8 and 20 meters, where coral diversity increases and larger reef fish patrol the coral heads. Garden eel colonies are most impressive in the sandy lagoon shallows between 5 and 10 meters — approach slowly and stop several meters away to observe them before they retract.

Entry and Exit

Boats moor on the outer reef or anchor in the lagoon entrance. Entry is via giant stride or back roll, dropping to the sandy lagoon floor or directly onto the reef. The calm lagoon conditions make this a manageable intermediate dive. Exit is via the boat ladder — currents on the outer reef can require active finning to return to the mooring line.

Tips and Recommendations

• Enter the water quietly and remain horizontal — avoid vertical kicking which startles dolphins
• Never swim directly toward the dolphins; let them choose to approach you
• Morning dives offer the best chance of encountering resting dolphins before afternoon boat traffic increases
• The garden eel colony on the lagoon sandy floor is a highlight in its own right — approach extremely slowly on the bottom
• This site is also exceptional for snorkelling — consider a snorkel session after your dive to observe the dolphins from above

Safety Considerations

The site is generally well-protected and conditions are mild, but the outer reef can experience moderate current. Boat traffic is heavy during peak season — deploy your SMB before surfacing and be aware of zodiacs ferrying snorkellers. Egyptian marine protection regulations prohibit touching, chasing, or separating dolphins from the pod; enforce these rules with your entire group.

Photography

Dolphin House is one of the best sites in the Red Sea for underwater dolphin photography. Use a wide-angle lens and shoot in burst mode — dolphins move fast and the best frames come from allowing them to swim toward you. The lagoon’s sandy substrate reflects light well in the shallows. For reef shots, the outer coral wall at 10–15 meters offers attractive hard coral formations with good natural light.

Sources: Divezone - Red Sea, Dive the World - Egypt Red Sea, Red Sea Scuba Diving, PADI - Diving in Egypt. Last updated 2026-04-04.