Shaab El Erg (Dolphin House)

Red Sea, Egypt

A large horseshoe-shaped reef ~90 minutes north of Hurghada, famous for its resident pod of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins that reliably rest inside the lagoon in the morning — one of the few sites in the Red Sea where snorkellers and divers can interact with wild dolphins in their daytime resting habitat. The outer reef has a steep wall dropping past 40 m with healthy hard-coral gardens, gorgonians, and passing pelagics. Dolphins approach freely; operators enforce a strict no-touch no-chase code. Suitable for all levels in the lagoon, moderate current on the outer wall.