🐬 Dolphins at Sataya Reef lagoon — daily encounters while anchored
🦭 Dugongs at Marsa Mubarak — seagrass feeding ground, 8–20 m depth
🪸 Fury Shoal coral system — multiple reef and lagoon options
🌙 Only 2 night crossings — activity starts every morning
🤿 No dive certification required — open to all levels
Dolphins & Dugongs encounters on 4N getaway for best Red Sea fun aboard.
Are you next?
What you will see
Dolphins, dugongs and coral gardens in 4 nights
Three distinct ecosystems — each chosen for freediving and snorkelling access from the boat or zodiac.
🐬 Spinner & Bottlenose Dolphins
The Sataya Reef lagoon (5–18 m, sandy bottom) is one of the most reliable dolphin encounter spots in the southern Red Sea. The pod rests in the lagoon during the day — snorkellers and freedivers enter while the boat is anchored. Encounters are likely on both days at this location.
Sataya Reef · Dolphin House Lagoon
🦭 Dugongs
Marsa Mubarak and Marsa Shouna have seagrass-covered seabeds at 8–20 m — primary feeding grounds for dugongs in the Egyptian Red Sea. Sea turtles are commonly seen at the same sites. Patient snorkellers in calm water have the best sightings.
Marsa Mubarak · Marsa Shouna
🐢 Sea Turtles
Green and hawksbill turtles are regular visitors across all sites on this route — at Marsa Mubarak, Big Abu Galawa and Small Abu Galawa. Often seen resting on the reef or feeding on seagrass in shallow areas accessible without a tank.
Marsa Mubarak · Fury Shoal
🪸 Fury Shoal Coral System
Big Abu Galawa (10–25 m) is a sheltered sand-and-coral lagoon — excellent for freediving training with Napoleon wrasse, stingrays and parrotfish. Small Abu Galawa includes a shallow wreck (from surface to 20 m) accessible from the zodiac — suited to experienced freedivers and underwater photographers.
Big Abu Galawa · Small Abu Galawa
🏅 Freediving briefing at every site
Before each session our guide briefs the group on site conditions, depth, current, and animal encounter protocol. No chasing, no blocking paths — the same respectful approach we apply on all wildlife encounters aboard MY JPMarine.
Three rules that apply on every wildlife encounter, every week, without exception.
🚫
Natural encounter only
We never use bait, chum or any attractant to bring sharks to divers. Encounters happen because the animal chooses to approach. This is the only ethical way to dive with sharks.
🤝
Nothing disturbs the animal
No touching. No chasing. No blocking a shark’s path. Every diver is briefed on positioning and signals before entering the water at every shark site.
📋
We report what we see
Unusual behaviour, new individuals, unusual aggregations — all observations are shared with local and international shark research organisations.
Conservation support
All shark dives aboard MY JPMarine follow the behavioural safety protocol published by redseasharks.org — guidelines developed by Dr Elke Bojanowski based on 20 years of direct field research at Elphinstone, Daedalus and Brothers Islands.
We actively support marine protection associations such as:
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver courses run aboard MY JPMarine every week. Complete your certification mid-trip and unlock deeper sections of Big Abu Galawa and the Small Abu Galawa wreck on the same journey. Course price: €280.
A sandy-bottom lagoon with crystal-clear water — one of the most reliable dolphin encounter spots in Egyptian waters. Spinner and bottlenose dolphins rest here during the day. The boat anchors in the lagoon and guests enter from the platform or zodiac. No current, no surf — accessible to all levels.
Two days at Sataya gives enough time to observe the pod without pressure. Freedivers can work on depth in the 10–18 m zone while snorkellers stay shallower. Sessions run morning and afternoon.
Marsa Mubarak / Marsa Shouna
Day 2 · Dugongs & Turtles · Seagrass beds · 8–20 m
North of Marsa Alam
The seabed here is covered with seagrass — primary feeding habitat for dugongs in the Egyptian Red Sea. Sightings are weather and tide dependent; patience in calm water gives the best results. Sea turtles are frequently seen at both marsa sites.
Sessions run from the boat into sheltered bays. Depth is manageable for beginner snorkellers and offers genuine freediving training opportunity for those working on depth.
Big Abu Galawa — Fury Shoal
Day 4 · Coral lagoon · Napoleon wrasse · 10–25 m
Fury Shoal System
A fully sheltered sand and coral lagoon — ideal for freediving training. Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, stingrays and turtles are regular sightings. The sheltered position means minimal current and good visibility even in stronger wind conditions.
Sessions run from the boat directly into the lagoon. The adjacent Small Abu Galawa site has a shallow wreck from the surface to 20 m — accessible by zodiac and suited to more experienced freedivers or underwater photographers.
Questions about the sites or conditions? Our guide dives this route every week.
Do I need any certification or experience to join this cruise?
No dive certification is required. This itinerary is designed for freedivers and snorkellers of all levels — including complete beginners. You only need to be a confident swimmer. If you want to add scuba diving during the trip, PADI AOWD courses are available aboard for €280.
Are dolphin encounters guaranteed?
Encounters at Sataya Reef are very likely — the resident pod uses the lagoon as a rest area and is present most days. However, wildlife encounters are never guaranteed. We spend two days at Sataya, which significantly increases the chances of a quality encounter. The boat anchors in the lagoon and guests enter the water calmly from the platform.
What are the chances of seeing a dugong?
Dugongs are present year-round at Marsa Mubarak and Marsa Shouna but sightings depend on sea conditions and animal behaviour. Calm, flat water gives the best visibility into the seagrass. Sea turtles at the same site are a near-daily sighting. Our guide knows the area well and positions the group for the best chance of an encounter.
Is this itinerary suitable for children or non-swimmers?
Guests need to be confident swimmers to participate in water sessions. Children are welcome aboard with a parent or guardian — please contact us before booking to discuss ages and swimming ability so we can confirm suitability. Non-swimmers can enjoy the boat experience and observe from the deck or zodiac.
Can I bring my own freediving equipment?
Yes — freedivers are welcome to bring their own mask, fins, wetsuit and buoy. Storage space is available aboard. Snorkelling equipment (mask, fins, wetsuit) is also available for rental aboard if you prefer to travel light. See the full rental list and prices at the equipment rental page.
How does this compare to the scuba diving itineraries?
This 4-night cruise focuses on surface and breath-hold access to wildlife — no tanks required. The sites are chosen for shallow lagoons and protected bays suited to snorkelling and freediving training. The scuba itineraries (BDE, Pelagic Trail, Golden Mix) visit deeper offshore reefs and require AOWD certification and dive experience. If you want to combine both, the Golden Mix itinerary includes Sataya alongside shark reefs — but does require a scuba certification.
How do I book?
Contact us directly on WhatsApp at wa.link/e829al or by email at info@divesafarimaster.com — we respond quickly and can answer any questions before you confirm. No agency fees — you book directly with us.
Snorkel with dolphins at Sataya. Meet dugongs at Marsa Mubarak.
4 nights · Marsa Alam · From €819 · No agency · No markup
