The dolphins of Gabr el Bint – When the sea suddenly dances

It starts like any other dive.

You jump easily from the diving boat into the Red Sea, the water is calm, the sun is low. You feel this brief moment of weightlessness – then the blue envelops you. It is still.

You let yourself drift. The first few minutes are routine: pressure equalisation, check with your buddy, slowly descend along the reef wall. Colourful bannerfish dance in the light, a boxfish bubbles past. Everything as usual.

And then: a shadow.

You turn round, instinctively. And at first you only see it at the edge of your field of vision: something large and elegant. The whistle comes seconds later. High, clear, unmistakable.

Dolphins.

Five, maybe six animals. You don’t count, you just marvel. They swim parallel to you, almost like an escort.
Curious, not shy. And incredibly fast – one movement, a twitch of the tail fin, and they turn away, back again, above you, below you.

It feels like a dance. In the middle of the open sea.

Why this place is so magical

Gabr el Bint is not a spot for a quick trip. You need a boat, patience and a bit of luck. But anyone who has been there knows that it’s worth it.

And sometimes – just sometimes – you get a gift like this. The dolphins don’t come on command. But they do show themselves. Especially in the early hours of the morning or when the water is as still as glass.

It’s as if they know that there are people down here who enter their world with respect. And sometimes they let us be part of it.

How divers should behave during dolphin sightings

• Stay calm. No hectic movements.
• Don’t swim directly towards them – they will come by themselves if they want to.
• No grabbing or diving.
• Enjoy the moment – and keep it to yourself.

What makes dolphins so special?

Dolphins are mammals. They breathe like us, they have social behaviour like us – and they often show an almost frightening curiosity about humans.

They communicate via clicks and whistles and recognise each other by their individual sounds.

And yes, there are studies that show that they even have names for each other. When you make eye contact with a dolphin underwater, something happens. You don’t understand it – but you can feel it.

Our recommendation

If you are in Dahab and have the opportunity to take a trip to Gabr el Bint: Do it.

Not just because of the dolphins. But because of the whole scenery: the deep blue, the seclusion, the healthy reef structure.

And the feeling of being really far away – from everything.
Dolphins need space – and sometimes we do too.

Once a week can be many things. But sometimes it’s just magical.

👉 Once a week, our boat sails directly to Gabr el Bint. A day trip with a relaxed crew and a good atmosphere. Let us know – we’ll take you with us.

Want to read more stories like this? Check out our Lagona Divers blog.

Are you interested in dolphins? SSI has a great marine biology speciality on the subject. Have a look at our diving courses: Marine mammals

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