El Gouna: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch
Head out of El Gouna for a 7-hour Red Sea day at Dolphin House: watch wild spinner dolphins, snorkel a pair of coral reefs, and break for a buffet lunch with unlimited drinks on deck. El Gouna hotel transfers are included.
Overview
El Gouna sits about as close to Dolphin House as any resort on this coast, so the Sha'ab El Erg reef — where wild spinner dolphins gather right through the year — is a short, easy sail away. Sightings come off on something like nine trips in ten, usually close enough to follow from the deck.
The morning opens with an air-conditioned pickup from your El Gouna hotel and a quick hop to the marina. Once everyone is aboard, the captain makes for the reef and backs off the engine the moment the pod shows, keeping a calm distance. Slide in with mask and fins, hold still, and let them come to you — when they are curious, they will trace lazy circles through water so clear you can watch them from above.
From there the boat moors over two of the area's standout reefs. Expect gardens of brain and fan coral, parrotfish and clownfish darting about, and the odd sea turtle sculling past. Gear, life jackets and a proper briefing are handed out before you go in, so this makes an easy first snorkel for anyone new to it.
Midday brings a buffet spread on deck — a hot dish, salads, fresh fruit, and water, soft drinks and tea flowing all day. The rest is downtime: a spot in the sun, a seat in the shade, a rinse under the freshwater shower, then a gentle cruise back that has you at your El Gouna hotel by mid-afternoon. Easygoing enough for families and couples alike, and the best summer slots go early, so it pays to book ahead.
Highlights
- Meet wild spinner dolphins at Sha'ab El Erg, seen on around nine trips in ten
- Snorkel two coral reefs busy with parrotfish, clownfish and brain coral
- Break for a deck buffet — a hot dish, salads, fruit and unlimited drinks
- Lounge across sun decks and shaded seating, with a freshwater rinse shower onboard
- Return El Gouna hotel transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- All snorkel gear and a full briefing supplied — beginners welcome
Included
- Return El Gouna hotel transfers
- Air-conditioned road transfer
- Qualified snorkelling guides
- Safety briefing before you swim
- Mask, fins and life jacket
- Yacht cruise to Dolphin House and the reefs
- Wild dolphin watching
- Two snorkelling stops
- Deck-served buffet lunch
- Seasonal fruit and snacks
- Unlimited soft drinks, hot drinks and water
- Onboard shower, WC and shaded seating
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- Towels — please bring your own
Good to know
- Child price: ages 2-11 · Infants under 2
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- A camera or phone
- A little cash for tips or extras
- On around 90–95% of our sailings the wild spinner dolphins show up, so your chances of seeing them are excellent
- Our captain slows right down and keeps a respectful distance, letting the pod stay relaxed and inquisitive
- Confident swimmers can slip into the sea and swim near the dolphins alongside our guide — life jackets come included and are on hand aboard
- Non-swimmers are just as welcome — our attentive crew keeps you at ease in the water