Samadai Reef (Dolphin House)
شعب سمداي
A horseshoe-shaped lagoon south of Marsa Alam where spinner dolphins often rest. Known as 'Dolphin House', it operates under visitor limits for protection.
Samadai Reef lies about 10 km offshore south of Marsa Alam. A horseshoe-shaped reef flat encloses a calm lagoon, where spinner dolphins often enter to rest during the day, which is why it is nicknamed 'Dolphin House'. To protect the dolphins, the lagoon is zoned. Some waters are off-limits to people, daily numbers of visitors and boats are capped, and access must be booked through licensed boat operators or dive centres, with a protected-area fee payable. Itineraries often include snorkelling in the lagoon to watch dolphins and diving at the coral pinnacles on the outer edge. Do not chase or touch the dolphins, keep quiet, and do not splash with your fins.
Opening hours
With boat trips (daytime, capacity-limited)
Nearby sights
- Marsa Alam Town
- Marsa Shagra
- Elphinstone Reef
- Sharm El Luli
- Abu Dabbab Bay, Marsa Alam
- Marsa Mubarak
- Wadi El Gemal National Park
- Port Ghalib