What ?
A real underwater dream.
A week freediving and scuba diving between the most amazing coral formations and the most playful pods of dolphins.
Where ?
Marsa Alam area, Egypt.
You will spend 3 nights in a luxury tent at Red Sea Diving Safari Village and 4 nights onboard Aziab Seafaris 50.5 ft sailboat anchored around the Dolphin Reef for a memorable diving experience.
When ?
June – December 2026.
Embark on a 7 night adventure exploring the underwater beauties of the Red Sea during it’s best season.
Who ?
You will join a very small number of people, up to maximum 7 guests. All will be young like-minded ocean lovers. One group will be lead by us and the other 2 will be lead by a trusted member of our team.
Highlights of the trip
Wildlife is in fact wild. Nature cannot be controlled. We will do our best during this trip to organise sufficient excursions to give wildlife encounters the highest possible chance of happening. But please remember that we cannot control if the animals want to see us. We will always strive for respect and simplicity first.
Accommodation
Red Sea Diving Safari Village
Enjoy 3 nights in the Red Sea Diving Safari village located in the south of Egypt, away from the touristy areas of Hurgada and Sharm el Sheik. It offers a wild and comfortable opportunity to experience and explore raw nature. All the RSDS villages are built following a sustainable tourism model, allowing only a limited number of people to visit the area per time. This means that nature remains well preserved and pristine offering a truly unique experience.
You will sleep in the Royal Tents. These tents are truly luxurious, wide and spacious, 5x5m (15x15ft) and equipped with everything you might need. The tents are positioned just a few steps away from the sea, with a guaranteed sea view and especially, a truly gorgeous sunrise view from the water.
Bathrooms and showers are shared but close to the tents. They’re cleaned very frequently. Food is served in a communal buffet area with tables under a tented space or indoors.
Zodiacs and boats depart every day, just next to diving shade and a few steps away from the tents and the dining area.
Room upgrades are available.
Aziab Seafaris
Enjoy 4 nights aboard a 50.5 foot long sailboat, specifically built as a charter boat. Aboard this yacht we will sail our way to the Dolphin Reef where we will stay for 3 days (hopefully!) in the company of a beautiful pod of spinner dolphins.
The 2 double cabins at the bow of the boat have 2 separate private bathrooms and can sleep 2 people each (for a total of 4).
The 2 double cabins at the stern of the boat can sleep 2 people each (for a total of 4) but share a communal bathroom.
The cabin in the center of the boat right next to the galley has 2 bunk beds, thus sleeping a total of 2 people who share the same communal bathroom as the stern cabins.
Shared spaces include a galley with kitchen and dining table and sofa. On deck is where we will eat most of the time, on a centre table. The boat is also equipped with solar panels and outdoor shower.
Program
Day One
Arrive at Marsa Alam International Airport where you will meet a driver with your name. A private transfer will take you in about 30 minutes the Red Sea Diving Safari village.
Day Two and Three - Coral Reefs & Wildlife
Wake up at dawn and enjoy the first rays of the sun coming up from Red Sea. You will spend these 2 mornings onboard our zodiac as you travel between different amazing freediving spots.
Lunches will be served back at the village in buffet style.
In the afternoons, We will host Freediving & Photography Workshops with the whole group, giving everyone the opportunity to chill by the beach as well.
Dinners will be served at the village in buffet style and you will all go to bed early in your tents under the stars.
Scubadiving day: one day will be dedicated to scuba diving! Certified divers will have the opportunity to dive multiple times as they explore the amazing coral formations of the Red Sea (Open Water certification is enough). Non-certified divers who are interested will do their first Discovery Dive to experience the joy and beauty of breathing underwater!
Day Four
This morning you will pack your bags quickly and after breakfast, you will leave for Hamata Harbour. There you will board the SY ROAGA sailboat with Aziab Seafaris. You will settle down and set sail for the Dolphin Reef. Once arrived the boat will anchor and you will sleep there in the bay under the stars.
Day Five to Seven - Dolphins & Dolphins
Days onboard the sailboat will typically follow the sun’s natural hours and… whatever the dolphins decide to do 😉 From dawn to sunset you will look for dolphins, dive and play with them, explore nearby reefs and channel passages and shipwrecks, observe the stars and their constellations, watch the sky light up twice a day, all while literally living on the ocean. It can’t get much better than this! The schedule will be very flexible to accomodate everyone’s needs.
The boat will head back towards Hamata Harbour on Sunday evening and the last night will be close to the harbour so you can check out early and catch your flight easily.
Day Eight
After your last breakfast onboard, you will pack our bags and head back to Marsa Alam International Airport for everyone’s return flights home.
Miki, Carlo & Anna
The bonny & gava Expeditions team
We are the team behind Bonny & Gava Expeditions. About three years ago, we began curating group trips for people like us – travelers and ocean lovers looking for something more than the average tourist experience.
People who like spending time in the water, exploring the underwater world, connecting with local cultures, and coming home with more than just pretty pictures.
We have been running the Dolphin Dream Expedition for 3 years now and we cannot get enough of it. We will never get tired of the feeling you get when you look into the eyes of a dolphin and it looks back at you with intention. A little head bob, a smile, a duck dive it’s time to play together. Trust us, it’s real and it’s amazing!
Anna has been part of the Bonny&Gava team for 2 years and her passion and knowledge about travel has helped us expand our expeditions to offer you more destinations and more amazing underwater animal encounters. You can check her IG here.
Every year we can’t wait to go back and share this magic with you.
What's Included
What's included
- Accommodation: 3 nights in shared Royal tents in Red Sea Diving Safari Village
- Accommodation: 4 night aboard Roaga Sailboat
- Full board, all meals are included
- Private excursions (2 days from land – 3 days on the boat)
- 3 Days with dolphins (do you need anything else?)
- All transfers: private airport transfers from Marsa Alam airport
- Workshops
- Digital copies of photos/videos from the trip
What's not included
- Flights to and from Egypt
- Travel medical insurance covering water activities (mandatory)
- Tips for captain and guide (recommended if you have a good time)
- Anything not explicitly listed as included
Dive Deeper, Leave No Trace
Our mission is simple: inspire people to embrace adventure, explore the underwater world, and protect it for generations to come. The ocean is our playground, and we’re committed to keeping it as healthy and awe-inspiring as it is today.
That’s why this trip is designed with sustainability at its core. We’re proud to partner with eco-conscious leaders like Red Sea Diving Safari, renowned for being one of the most environmentally friendly and low-impact diving operations in the world. Their commitment to blending seamlessly with nature sets the standard for responsible tourism.
We’re also teaming up with Aziab Seafaris, the only commercial sailboat in the Red Sea. Sailing minimizes fuel consumption, making it a greener alternative to motorboats. By staying at the Dolphin Reef for several days instead of making daily trips, we significantly reduce engine use, preserving the serenity of the underwater world.
To further our efforts, we ask you to bring your reusable water bottle. On land, water is refilled, and onboard, it’s desalinated and filtered—no single-use plastics here!
Dolphins interactions are all conducted with the highest ethical standards by our group. We don’t chase them with zodiacs but respect our distance and only get closer by swimming. Then we respect their resting and playful nature by adapting our behaviour to their desires. Trust us, they ask to play and they love it, no need to force interactions!
Join us for an unforgettable journey that doesn’t just explore the ocean but actively works to protect it. Together, we can make waves for a better planet.
Pricing
2400 € or 2500€
Price depends on week selected.
ROOM ARRANGEMENTS: Double bed with private bathroom – Double bed with shared bathroom.
We will pair up participants in the shared rooms based on sex, age and interests to make it the best experience for everyone! Single occupancy is not available.
Our goal is to offer a closed package deal. Unless you have some particular or special requests, once you have paid for this deal, it is unlikely you will have to spend anything else during this trip (excluding international flights from your country)
There is only 2 spots left! If you are a couple, book them fast!
To make every expedition unforgettable, we carefully match participants into balanced groups (one group per week). Before you pay your deposit, we’ll ask you a few quick questions — this helps us find the group where you’ll fit in perfectly and make the most of the adventure.
Registration will remain open until Dec 21th. Make sure you submit your before then to not miss your chance.
This trip is currently SOLD OUT. If you can’t make these dates, but you want to join this expedition, make sure to be in the waitlist below because you will know first in case anyone cancels! Also for future dates that’s where you get the info first!
Requirements
Ocean Comfort
Free diving or scuba diving certifications are NOT necessary to participate, but a very good level of swimming and comfort in open waters is essential to enjoy the experiences. Of course, certification is welcome and training will be based on each individual’s level.
Insurance
A dive insurance is mandatory for this trip, we recommend Dive Assure. Travel insurance is not mandatory but recommended.
Gear
Please bring your own gear if you own it (masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, cameras, weight belts..etc). We will provide everyone with weights if needed. If needed we can also organise to provide other missing gear, when duly noted.
Language
It is important for every participant to speak English at a basic level so that we can all have a fun time together without leaving anyone out.
Terms & Conditions
Deposits
To make every expedition unforgettable, we carefully match participants into the 3 weeks available based on your preference and your application (each week has one group who always stays together). Before you pay your deposit, we’ll ask you a few quick questions — this helps us find the group where you’ll fit in perfectly and make the most of the adventure.
Once you’re selected, securing your spot is easy: agree to our T&Cs and pay a non-refundable deposit of EUR 400.
Book your spot HERE, let’s start the adventure 😎
Payment
The remainder of the payment after the deposit will be asked via invoice and payed via bank transfer.
- 100% by March 1st for trips occurring before July
- 100% by June 1st for trips occurring after July
Cancellation
Once the deposit has been made, for trips occurring before July, if you cancel:
– Before March 1st we will keep the deposit and not charge anything extra.
– After March 1st we will keep 100% of the expedition cost.
For trips occurring after July, if you cancel:
– Before June 1st we will keep the deposit and not charge anything extra.
– After June 1st we will keep 100% of the expedition cost.
Very Important Note for Everyone: this retreat is subject to a minimum number of participants. We will make sure we can confirm the trip to everyone as soon as possible (at latest 75 days prior to departure) but until then we recommend to refrain from purchasing non-refundable flights to avoid useless expenses.
F.A.Q.
What is the starting time of the trip?
The official beginning of the trip is in the evening of Monday. Should everyone arrive in time for dinner the trip will start with a welcome dinner, if not introductions will be on the next day after a good night of rest.
What is the ending time of the trip?
The trip will end with a breakfast onboard the SY Roaga sailboat at the Hamata Port. Depending on the flights of the group we will decide at what time the boat will arrive at the port (potentially even on Sunday evening) ideally you should look at a flight in the afternoon of Monday or later.
If you have a long travel back home we recommend an extra night in a nearby resort to relax after the sailboat days.
How do I get to the first accommodation?
You only have to worry about purchasing an international flight from your country to Marsa Alam International Airport on the coast of Egypt. Once you have arrived there you will be greeted by a member of our team. Depending on arrival times of all the guests we will organise the transfers by minivan to the village. Hurgada international airport is also an arrival option if the international flights are more convenient but a surcharge on the transfer will be applied due to the longer route. We personally don’t recommend it but you are free to choose depending on your situation.
Are there any optional extra activities?
Extra Scuba Diving opportunities will be available for certified divers. For example, you might not want to miss an excursion to Elphinstone for a chance to dive an amazing reef with oceanic white tip sharks.
Does Egypt require a VISA?
Yes it does, you need to purchase it online before departure. It will cost around 25USD and we will assist you with the process if needed.
Is there wifi or signal in the accommodations?
You will be traveling to the furthest point in Egypt and our accommodations are all aimed at keeping you immersed in nature. Wifi will be decent in common areas in the village and signal available on land. We recommend getting a local SIM card if being online is important for you. While on the boat we might lose it completely. Trust us, the only connection you will need will be the one with the dolphins 🙂
Should I bring extra cash?
You might want to, if you want to have alcohol, look for small souvenirs and gifts to take home or even for some snacks or extra activities (card is often fine too but just to be sure). Make sure you either have American Dollars $ or Euro €.
What are the sleeping options?
You can either have a shared double or twin room (you can share it with a friend or partner travelling with you). Otherwise you can share it with someone else joining the retreat.
Room upgrades are possible but subject to availability so please inquire about this as soon as possible.
What if I'm travelling solo?
This is a great opportunity then! The majority of our guests are young (<40 years old) solo travellers looking to make awesome ocean friends. We also get couples who are up to have some fun with other like-minded people. All in all, we’ve always had AMAZING groups and EVERYONE has made incredible friendships during our group trips.
What if I am vegan? Or have allergies?
Please let us know of any dietary requirements and we will do our best to fit your needs.
Are drinks included in the full board meal plan?
The full board plan includes 3 meals per day, water and soft drinks. Alcohol will be at an extra cost.
Can I split the payment?
Yes absolutely! As explained here, we only ask for the deposit this year, then the total by March 1st if you are traveling in May or June or by June 1st if you are traveling in December. You can split this in how many payments fits you best.
If you need further assistance on this you can add a note on your application or reach out directly to us at retreats@bonnyandgava.com.
Still not sure?
Write to us so we can clear your doubts!
