Shaab El Erg
Also known as: Dolphin House, Sha'ab El Erg
A big horseshoe reef north of Hurghada with a shallow sandy lagoon that a resident pod of spinner dolphins uses to rest — the best shot at wild dolphins anywhere on our day-trip map.
Photo: Derek Keats (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons
- Max depth
- 28 m
- Visibility
- 20 m
- Current
- mild
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Boat time
- 90 min
- Suitable for
- snorkeler, discover, open-water, advanced
Site map
Location
Shaab El Erg is a wide horseshoe of reef sitting off the coast between Hurghada and El Gouna. The draw is the sandy lagoon on the inside of the horseshoe, where a pod of spinner dolphins regularly rests during the day. Sightings are never guaranteed — they are wild animals — but this is the most reliable dolphin spot we run to. The reef itself is gentle and shallow, which makes it a favourite for snorkellers and divers on their first few dives.
Site highlights
- Resident pod of wild spinner dolphins
- Shallow, sheltered lagoon for easy diving
- Healthy hard-coral gardens on the reef edge
- Great for snorkellers and new divers
Marine life on this site
Nearby dive sites
Abu Galawa
A sheltered reef group north of Hurghada with a sandy eel garden and gently sloping coral — relaxed, photogenic diving that rarely sees current.
Abu Nugar
A cluster of shallow coral heads and small reefs north of Hurghada — easy, bright, fish-filled diving that works equally well as a check dive or a relaxed second dive of the day.