Hamata, Red Sea, Egypt

Sataya Reef Dolphin House

Sataya Reef (also known as Dolphin Reef of the south) is a horseshoe-shaped reef 25 km off Hamata, the largest spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) resting lagoon in the Egyptian Red Sea, with a resident population of over 100 animals. The dolphins enter the sheltered lagoon to rest after night feeding and tolerate snorkellers maintaining respectful distance; scuba is not permitted in the inner lagoon to minimise disturbance. Outside the horseshoe the reef is a coral garden with hard coral cover descending from 5 metres to a sandy bottom at 25 metres, dotted with bommies and small coral pinnacles. Anthias clouds, anemones, parrotfish, lionfish, masked pufferfish and turtles are abundant; the occasional reef shark patrols the deeper plateau. The site is dived primarily on liveaboard itineraries from Hamata. Currents are typically mild. Visibility 25 metres.