Makadi Bay: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Lunch & Drinks
A full day on the Red Sea out of Makadi Bay: track wild spinner dolphins at Dolphin House, dip over two coral reefs, and settle in for a buffet lunch with free-flowing drinks. Round-trip Makadi Bay hotel pickup is part of the deal.
Overview
Some Red Sea days are about ticking off sights; this one is about slowing down. From Makadi Bay you head out to Dolphin House — the Sha'ab El Erg reef — where wild spinner dolphins gather all year and turn up on roughly nine trips in ten, often close enough to watch from the rail.
It starts with an air-conditioned pickup at your Makadi Bay hotel and a short run to the marina. Out on the water, the skipper points the boat toward the pods, then eases off the throttle as they surface so nobody crowds them. Pull on a mask and fins, wait, and let the dolphins decide — on a good day they will loop past you through bright, clear water.
The yacht then ties up over two of the region's better reefs. You will float above brain and fan coral while parrotfish and clownfish work the shallows and, every so often, a sea turtle glides past. Everything you need — mask, fins, life jacket, briefing — comes with the trip, so a first snorkel here is nothing to worry about.
Lunch is a proper buffet laid out on deck: a hot main, salads, fruit, and as much water, soft drink and tea as you like. After that the day is yours — sun on the top deck, shade in the lounge, or a rinse under the freshwater shower before the gentle ride home. You will be back at your Makadi Bay hotel by mid-afternoon. It suits families, couples and solo travellers alike, and summer weekends fill early, so don't leave booking to the last minute.
Highlights
- Track wild spinner dolphins at Sha'ab El Erg, sighted on roughly nine trips in ten
- Float over two Red Sea reefs alive with parrotfish, clownfish and brain coral
- Tuck into a deck-served buffet lunch with a hot main, salads, fruit and free-flowing drinks
- Spread out across sun decks, a shaded lounge and a freshwater rinse shower
- Door-to-door Makadi Bay hotel transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Gear and a full safety briefing included — no experience needed
Included
- Return hotel transfers within Makadi Bay
- Air-conditioned road transport
- Experienced snorkelling guides
- Pre-swim safety briefing
- Mask, fins and life jacket
- Yacht cruise to Dolphin House and the reefs
- Wild dolphin watching
- Two snorkelling stops
- Buffet lunch served on deck
- Seasonal fruit and light snacks
- Unlimited water, soft drinks and hot drinks
- Onboard shower, toilet and shaded seating
- All service charges and taxes
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 bit of cash for tips or extras
- Wild spinner dolphins appear on about 90–95% of departures, so the odds of an encounter are excellent
- The captain approaches gently and keeps a courteous distance so the pod stays calm and curious
- Good swimmers can get into the water and snorkel with the dolphins under our guide's lead — life jackets are included and available on the boat
- New to snorkelling? Non-swimmers are welcome and our crew keeps you relaxed throughout