Spinner Dolphins

While observing a spinner dolphin group, you may notice slight differences in the external morphology of the individuals. This would be the size of the animal or a specific anatomical feature. This information can help us assess age and gender. Below is a list of age classes identified by body length, anatomical features and dolphin behaviour.

Samadai Experience
Photo by: Tony Baskeyfield

Managed by:

The reef topography of Samadai is stunning with caverns systems and a wide diversity of marine flora and fauna.The reef topography alone is worth the trip! The shallow sandy internal lagoon is protected from prevailing winds and wave motion, thus it is characterized by calm and quiet waters. The lagoon is bordered on the northern side by the main reef and on the southern side by numerous pinnacles. The outer reef features drop offs and opens directly towards the blue. Despite being so close to shore, the depth in the channel between Samadai and the coast of Marsa Alam is approximately 200 meters and goes up to 600 meters on the eastern side. Three main dive sites offer various possibilities including cave systems and caverns, eel garden, a little seagrass bed and the biodiversity of the pinnacles. The common passage of pelagic species like barracuda, manta, sharks and dolphins and the presence of microfauna, soft corals, hard corals and reef fish make Samadai one of the most interesting and ecologically diverse dive sites in the Red Sea.

Age Class
Newborn

Fetal crests on both Length (cm) sides of the body, folded fins and flukes. 75 105

Anatomical features

Behaviour

Strictly associated with the mother in typical formation, clumsy swimming.

Age Class
Calf

Head relatively larger Length (cm) than adults, smaller fins, juvenile locomotion. 105 128

Anatomical features

Behaviour

Associated with the mother in typical formation.

Age Class
Juvenile Subadult

Anatomical features

Length (cm)
128 170

Fins smaller and bodies less robust than adults.

Behaviour

Independent individuals, usually playful and highly social.

Photo by: Kimmo Hagmann

Managed by:

The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) is a local non-governmental organization (NGO) specialized in the field of marine and land conservation.

SAMADAI
THE WORLDS PREMIER DOLPHIN RETREAT
www.dolphinhouse.org www.hepca.org

Age Class
Adult

Anatomical features
Male dorsal fin is very triangular. Female dorsal fin is slightly curved.

Behaviour

Length (cm)
170 235

Independently ranging, females associated with their babies in typical formation.

Tel. (+2) 010 1515 4400 E-mail: samadai@hepca.org www.dolphinhouse.org www.hepca.org

Samadai Managment Plan

Samadai, also known as Dolphin House is considered one of the worlds leading dolphin retreats and one of Egypts most important natural preserves. Located approximately 6 nautical miles south-east of Marsa Alam; this strategic and precious dolphin sanctuary is one of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in the Red Sea. The inner lagoon of this horse-shoe shaped reef is a resting place for at least 200 dolphins that our researcher team has confirmed. Aside from the resident spinner dolphins, Samadai is also one of the most popular sites for diving and snorkeling in the southern Red Sea. The reef topography is stunning with caverns systems and a wide diversity of marine flora and fauna. The Samadai initiative is an internationally recognized conservation model and an example of sustainable tourism development. The Samadai management plan has been one of our communitys most important achievements towards protecting the dolphins of the Red Sea. This initiative was the first time that civil society, the government, and the tourism sector set aside their differences to protect one of our countries most valuable resources. This model will always stand as a testament of our communitys ability to intervene in protection of our environment and natural resources The Samadai initiative is a conservation model that we hope can be adopted all over the world. By visiting Samadai, you are contributing to the protection of Dolphins, as well as supporting many other environmental protection initiatives throughout the Red Sea.

Code of Conduct
Once you are in Zone B, there are two possible scenarios: the dolphins come or they dont. Despite the fact that most of the time we cant see them while in zone B, they are well aware of our presence. They may decide to approach us or to stay in zone A. The choice of engaging and interacting is on them. There is no way for us to attract them, but several wrong behaviours would definitely make them avoid us. Approaching the animals: try as much as possible to keep quiet and calm. Always swim gently with fins only. Try not to be exactly on top of them when they surface, but rather on the side of the group. Interaction: if the animals engage and stay around you, observe and enjoy. Never, never, never touch them: this is for several reasons. First of all, our skins are different and the risk to exchange pathogens that might trigger the onset of pathologies is very likely. Second, they are wild animals and should stay wild. They are not pets. Do not try to feed them: wild animals hunt their prey. Potential habituation to artificial feeding would compromise their ability to effectively forage, as well as increase the risk of diseases caused by an improper diet. Avoid big crowds:The higher the number of people, the more frightful the crowd and consequently the disturbance to the dolphins. Stay in small, silent and quiet groups of people. Avoid splashes and noise: dont jump from the zodiac! Slip gently in the water instead. Do not shout or whistle. Dont leave objects in the water: even though we see them playing with marine litter, they may turn out to be lethal for dolphins or other marine species. Anything that doesnt belong to the sea shouldnt be introduced into the ecosystem.