Shaab El Erg
Also known as: Dolphin House (El Gouna)
Best time to dive
January to December; May to October
What you might see
- DolphinReliably seen
- Sea turtlePossible
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Open Water
Snorkelling
Snorkel-friendly - Yes - the site's main draw is snorkeling with a resident pod of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris)
Safety notes
Ethically contested wildlife interaction: conservation groups (e.g., Dolphin Watch Alliance/HEPCA) have raised concerns about boat overcrowding and tourist behavior disturbing this resting/nursery habitat; divers/snorkelers should never chase, touch, or corner the dolphins, keep noise/engine disturbance minimal, and follow boat-number/behavior guidelines where enforced
Permits & fees
No confirmed fixed entrance fee found; site falls within Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Area (HEPCA) marine zones with informal boat-number management - VERIFY current regulation status
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Hurghada/El Gouna
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.