Zoned access, permit rules, and snorkel/diving area guidance.
Dolphin House reef with a sandy bay, spinner dolphins, and access rules
Dolphin House reef with a sandy bay, spinner dolphins, and access rules
Protected Red Sea reef at Marsa Samadai, known as Dolphin House, with a sandy bay, shallow lagoon, and horseshoe-shaped coral system that supports resident spinner dolphins. It is a shore-access snorkel and dive site, but park zoning, permit timing, and staying inside the designated areas are part of the plan. The visit works best when you treat it as a regulated wildlife encounter rather than a simple free-entry reef stop.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
2m - 25m
Depth Note
Includes shallower water areas where Indian mackerel may be seen.
Best Season
Year-round, with spring and autumn usually the most comfortable.
Typical Conditions
Large sandy bay, horseshoe reef, shallow lagoon, north and south reef sections, and a resident pod of spinner dolphins.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Use the designated zones, keep distance from dolphins, and follow the permit and guide plan.
Access Restrictions
The park has strict zoning and permit controls; snorkeling and diving are limited to designated areas.
Legal Notes
Stay within the designated zones and follow ranger instructions.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Stated to suit all divers, with the option to do two dives on each reef in the bay.
Freediving
The shallow bay can work for freediving, but access and wildlife rules matter more than depth.
Snorkeling
This is one of the Red Sea's signature snorkel sites, but snorkeling is only allowed in the designated zone.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Zoned access, permit rules, and snorkel/diving area guidance.
Shore access, depth, visibility, and marine life summary.
Historical visitation caps and regulated access context.
Protected national-park framing and spinner-dolphin sanctuary context.
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