Diving at Satayah: Protecting the Dolphins of the Egyptian Lagoon

Off the Egyptian coast, a fascinating spectacle unfolds every day: dozens of spinner dolphins find refuge in a shallow lagoon, a peaceful haven with turquoise waters and pristine sand, where the seabed does not exceed ten meters. To ensure this sanctuary endures, Dolphinesse, alongside its Splendeur Nature association, is committed to its preservation through sustainable tourism management.

Text: Isabelle Croizeau Photos: Nicolas Barraqué

A Life Change Dedicated to Cetacean Protection

In 2010, Valérie Valton, a former executive in international start-up development, made a radical change in her life to dedicate herself to her true passion: the connection between humans and animals. Driven by the desire to improve our coexistence with wild species, she embarked on a series of exploratory trips in contact with cetaceans that fascinated her so much.

The year 2011 marked her first encounter with the Satayah lagoon, located about thirty kilometers southeast of Hamata, in the Red Sea. Awed by its beauty and its importance for the dolphins, Valérie returns there every year. « At the time, » she recalls, « there were only a few boats. » But over the years, the situation has evolved alarmingly.

Excessive Tourist Traffic

According to a study conducted during the summer of 2022, the Satayah lagoon welcomes an average of 15 boats per day, a number that can reach up to 34 boats simultaneously! The number of people swimming with the dolphins has increased eightfold in less than a decade, with peaks of 496 people a day in the water, including 296 around the dolphins simultaneously.