Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness.

The dolphins come to the Sataya Reef on their own initiative; they are not lured or chased. The spinner dolphins are naturally very curious and playful. They have been coming to this reef for years, so they are used to the presence of humans. The fact that they keep coming back and seeking contact with humans indicates that they enjoy the contact.

Do not touch the dolphins, ever! This is very clearly stated to all guests upon arrival. Use as little sunscreen, shampoo or shower gel as possible. And if you use it, make sure it is coral-friendly and/or 100% natural (and biodegradable).
In addition, the boats are not allowed to use anchors, they attach the ropes to hitching points so as not to damage the bottom and reef.

In the morning when the sun rises, you wake up, put on your swimwear and look questioningly at the snorkeling guide "are they in the reef yet? If that's a 'yes,' then we get in the zodiac to head toward the dolphins. This dive is our favorite. They come out of the deep sea just then, with a belly full and because the day boats are not there yet, these are the serene moments between you and the dolphins. After this dive we return to the boat, where breakfast is ready. After breakfast, plenty of time to relax before we head out to sea again. The dolphins are often resting this round, so there is a good chance that we will find them lounging and snorkeling at one of the beautiful reefs. After we have had our fine moments again, back to the boat for lunch. After lunch we have room to rest again. Before going to the dolphins again if they are still in the reef. The dolphins (especially the adolescents) are often enormously playful in the afternoon, a wild playtime can often be witnessed, or you join them. Late in the afternoon the dolphins move back out to open sea and we on the boat have space to ourselves. Often we then get a tasty snack and enjoy the sunset. After this we get another delicious dinner from the chef and very often not much later we are in our bed. Or you crawl on the upper deck with your blanket to sleep under the stars.

Good to know: you certainly don't have to join us every time to swim with dolphins, some prefer to occasionally skip, rest, or just go snorkeling at one of the beautiful coral gardens. You choose where your needs lie, nothing must, everything goes.

No. They are there almost daily, but very occasionally they are not there for a day(part). They are wild animals and decide for themselves whether they come to the reef. That makes it extra special when they do show up, they very consciously choose to have contact with you.

You don't have to be a top athlete for this trip. If you can swim a little, that's enough. The water of the Red Sea is incredibly salty and therefore provides tremendous buoyancy, allowing you to simply lie on your stomach and watch the underwater world while floating. There are also life jackets on board should you like it.

No, you don't have to. But if you have never snorkeled before, it is highly recommended that you practice beforehand, or take a few snorkeling lessons. That way you can immediately swim with the dolphins on Sataya. In the sea, of course, it is a little different than in the pool. Therefore we will take the first day to practice. Here you will get fine help from the experienced snorkel guides. These instructors are always with us during our snorkel moments with dolphins for our safety.

The dolphins decide for themselves if they want contact. If they don't feel like it, they swim away at lightning speed. If they do feel like it, you will notice that for a single moment they adjust their pace to you. In addition, it is good to know that they often swim in an 8-form, or in other words they often just come back to you. If not, you will soon be picked up by the zodiac.

This trip is a SNORKEL TRIP and is not about scuba diving or freediving.

We see that freedivers who are not properly briefed are the most disruptive to the dolphins. So we have guidelines for this. When the dolphins are resting or sleeping, we do not dive down or only dive at a great distance. When we come back up, we look up so we don't disturb other snorkelers. We give space to other snorkelers and to the dolphins. We never dive in front or in the middle of a group of dolphins, but only behind them or next to them. If the dolphins are awake, and they invite us to dive with them, we are happy to do so.

The reef is so shallow (maximum 10 meters) with crystal clear water that snorkeling will allow you to experience all the splendor.

If you still really want to dive down on your own breath, and you have your own diving belt with you, then you can get lead from us. Maximum 2kg per person for safety reasons.

Yes. But it is not allowed to dive near the dolphins in Sataya. It's only allowed at the coral reef.

So it is possible, but always with a buddy and if you bring the following four things yourself: a valid diving license, a dive belt, a dive jacket (BCD) and a regulator. Lead and oxygen is on board.

But keep in mind that this trip is a SNORKEL TRIP and is not all about scuba diving or freediving.

Since you are not allowed to dive alone and one of our guides dives with you as a buddy, there is a maximum of 1 dive per day (and depending on the conditions, maybe not even every day). One dive costs €35 per person (to be paid in cash on the boat). These dives only take place near the reef and not with the dolphins out of respect for the dolphins and to avoid disturbing the dolphins and snorkelers.

Finally, the Sataya Reef is so shallow (maximum 10 meters) with crystal-clear water, that with snorkeling you can already experience the whole splendor.

Yes indeed. We collectively have three snorkeling moments a day. But between sunrise and sunset you may always be in the water by the boat.

If you want to get to the reef a little further away from the boat, that's no problem either, provided you have a buddy, have reported it to the snorkeling guides and if you are wearing the uniform UV shirt.

Some people get seasick, others don't. Actually, the only time you might get seasick is while sailing to and from the Sataya Reef. That can be windless, without waves and therefore very calm, but it can also be a bumpy windy ride. Because we've already slept on the boat for a night in port, your body has already gotten used to it. So our experience is that for most people it's not too bad. If you think you will suffer a lot from seasickness, we recommend taking travel tablets. Once we are in the reef, we no longer sail and we are firmly anchored with 4 anchors and there will be virtually no swell.

Swimming with dolphins is intense, physically (because of the swimming) but also mentally. You have so many impressions to process from all the encounters underwater. Being at this place of power for a week can also demand energy from you. So you will probably rest and sleep more than you are used to. But that too is personal, some actually experience much more energy. Either way, we have never experienced anyone being bored, because besides chatting, reading books, listening to music, etc. there is also plenty of room to play, think of games with each other or the crew, swimming and playing in the water if you can't get enough of it.

That was also my question when I went for the first time, because I need my space. But our experience is that because of the four floors of the boat, the vastness and the panoramic view of the sea, makes for so much space and freedom. And actually makes you not feel confined. And there are always places on the boat (or in your cabin) where you can retreat and be alone.

On the mainland of Egypt you probably already have no coverage with your Dutch provider. During our drive to the port, I will therefore provide a hotspot so you can let the home front know you have landed safely. Once we are at sea, there is hardly any coverage. So for a week without a phone. This may feel scary and uncomfortable. But once you're there, you won't give it a second thought. No distractions, you are completely present in the here and now. This adds an extra dimension to this special journey. In case of emergency, a phone number of the crew will be passed on for the home front.

The trip will proceed with a minimum of 11 guests. Maximum number of guests is 20.

Two things. Bare feet and toilet paper.
Immediately after you board, take off your shoes. On board we don't wear shoes, for safety, for hygiene but mostly because of the wonderful feeling of freedom.
Don't throw toilet paper in the toilet. But really don't. First, because everything you put in the toilet gets emptied into the sea (fish love it provided it comes from humans 😉 ). Secondly, boat pipes are so thin, than they are not made to flush paper. And in case of a blockage, at worst we have to go back to land.

The chef with his unprecedentedly important job; filling our stomachs. But he not only fills our stomachs three times a day, but also our hearts, because what a feast this is. A varied buffet three times a day. Vegetarian, meat as well as fish. Fruit, snacks, tea, coffee, water and soft drinks are unlimited and available any time of the day. For environmental reasons, we ask that you bring a drinking bottle which you can fill with water on the boat. No alcohol will be served during the trip on the boat. If you have a gluten, lactose or other food allergy (other than an intolerance), please contact us.

On board there is power, 220volt with a regular plug. So you can charge your equipment on the boat.

Some people find it an exciting idea to be on the open sea for a week. Yes, we are at sea, but in a beautiful serene lagoon and sheltered from the waves. There is even a place where it is so shallow that you can stand. And to reassure you, in the distance you can see the coast with the relief of the mountains, where the sun treats us daily to a beautiful sunset.

Fortunately, the boat has more shade spots than sun spots. So you can sit/lay wherever you like and whatever suits your skin. We recommend using as little sunscreen as possible during the trip. Everything you put on your skin will end up in the sea. We will lend you a UV-resistant shirt which is mandatory to wear when snorkeling. We also advise you to wear shorts/leggings. Sometimes you are in the water for a long time, you have no idea you are getting sunburned, but once that happens you can suffer from it for the rest of the week. Avoiding sunburn completely is difficult for some, but check to see if you can purchase coral-friendly sunscreen (see overview of coral-friendly sunscreen).

No. You are not allowed to swim with dolphins in Egypt without fins, mask and snorkel.

If you just want to swim by the boat, and play in the water, of course you don't have to wear snorkeling equipment if you don't want to.

Yes you can. Outside there are plenty of mats or beds where you can lie down under the stars. It is handy to bring a sheet bag or light sleeping bag to lie down in so you are a little more sheltered from the sea breeze. And you won't get stung, because there are no mosquitoes at sea.

Of course you will need swimwear, fins (flippers), goggles and a snorkel. A shorty (wetsuit with short sleeves and legs) is a good option, but not necessarily necessary (depends on the month you go). If you swim without a shorty, it is strongly recommended that you bring shorts/leggings to protect you from sunburn. A quick-drying towel is also a must, since you will have to dry yourself off at least 3 times a day when you come out of the sea. Other than that, you need very little. It will be hot, so a few airy garments are enough. After you book the trip, you will receive another itemized packing list, as some things depend on the month you are going.

You book your own flight to Marsa Alam or to Hurghada. From Hurghada, the transfer to the port takes three hours longer than from Marsa Alam.

You can fly from Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Düsseldorf, Cologne or Brussels. After your booking I recommend some flights, but you are totally free to book the flight you want. Then keep this in mind:

If you fly into Marsa Alam, you must land in Marsa Alam no later than 5 p.m. on the first day, and book your return flight no earlier than 3 p.m. on the last day.

If you fly into Hurghada, you must land in Hurghada no later than 3 p.m. on the first day, and book your return flight no earlier than 5 p.m. on the last day.

These times are the extreme times due to travel time to and from the port. If in doubt, please contact us. It is your own responsibility to be in Egypt on time and not book your return flight too early!

You can often find the cheapest flights at www.skyscanner.com.

It is mandatory to take out your own travel insurance (Egypt is often covered by Europe, but check with your insurer beforehand). Cancellation insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended (note that most insurers require cancellation insurance within 7 days of booking a trip).

At the airport in Egypt, you pay for the visa to enter the country. This costs €25 (cash). You need a valid passport for this. The passport must be valid for at least another 6 months on the date of return. An ID card is not valid proof and does not allow entry into Egypt. For Belgium, however, an ID card is valid. It must also be valid for at least 6 months after the return trip.

If so, send us an email right away. In fact, the travel dates on this site will not be the only dates. In fact, with a minimum of 6 people, a date of the guests' choice can be chosen. We are completely open to discuss the possibilities.

The crew of the boat consists of some 10-12 men who not only take care of our safety, but also make sure we don't lack anything. The service they provide is unparalleled. And beyond these labor duties of theirs, they are more than open to playing a game, chatting with you, and having untold laughs with you. Besides the dolphins, the crew is a key element that makes this trip so special. Their income depends almost entirely on tips (unlike in the Netherlands). Therefore, we give a minimum guideline of €75 tip, so that they are properly rewarded for their hard work.

At the end of the week, this tip jar from all guests is given to the captain who distributes it 100% fairly among the crew members (regardless of position or rank).

Children as young as 9 who are good swimmers can join. When in doubt, or if your child is not yet 9, please contact us. Then we will discuss the possibilities.

If you decide to cancel the trip, you will owe the following amounts:
a. Up to 90 days before departure: 25% total travel sum.
b. From 90 to 60 days: 50% total travel sum.
c. From 60 to 30 days before departure: 75% total travel sum.
d. From 30 days before departure: 100% total travel sum.

But if you find someone else willing to go in your place, you will receive a refund of the amount already paid out of goodwill minus a €75 change fee.

If so, please contact us via email. If the group is not yet full, we can see if you can reserve a cabin for yourself. This does incur additional costs.