If we are lucky, we can meet dolphins while diving in Hurghada in the Red Sea. We see them more often from a boat, but sometimes we also meet them on a dive. Around Hurghada we can find coral reefs known as "dolphin houses" - Shaab El Erg, El Fanous and also Abu Nugar, these are larger reefs with shallow sand flats and lagoons. Such locations are suitable for resting and sleeping dolphins. The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is mainly found here. But we also met the Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus). The chance of finding dolphins is greater on windless days.
- Most of us know that dolphins are mammals that need to breathe, which means that they have to surface at regular intervals to breathe. The frequency of breathing depends on their activity, for example, if they swim fast, they have to breathe more often.
- Dolphins do not often jump out of the water. But a toxin secreted by the pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) serves as a drug for them. Under its influence, they can behave erratically.
- Dolphins communicate with each other with whistling and clicking sounds that can be heard even underwater.
How do dolphins sleep?
How can dolphins sleep in the water and still breathe air? These amazing animals are only able to sleep “half”, only one half of their brain sleeps. Usually one eye remains open and the other closed, which helps them to be on the lookout for other predators. Dolphins are social animals and live in groups. When dolphins sleep, they stay close together and swim slowly in large circles together, their physical activity is minimized, their heart rate slows down and unnecessary internal processes are turned off. A few fully awake dolphins still patrol the group. Every few minutes, the pod swims out to bring their breathing hole on top of their heads above the surface. This happens in the morning and early afternoon and lasts an average of six hours. During this time, the mothers also feed their young. Dolphins stay at a shallow depth during their sleep, in shallow locations, so people going out to sea for diving around Hurghada can often observe this behavior of dolphins.
How to behave when we meet dolphins
The HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association) has issued rules regarding the protection of dolphins in the Red Sea, including Hurghada. How those who want to approach dolphins should behave to avoid disturbing and chasing them. Remember that dolphins are wild predators larger than us.
Rules for swimmers and divers:
- All swimmers MUST wear fins, a mask, a snorkel and a life jacket
- Enter the water carefully, without jumping or excessive splashing
- When in the water, always be quiet and swim calmly using only your fins
- Always swim alongside (parallel to) the group and do not free dive
- Do not chase dolphins. Let them approach and decide how they will behave towards you
- Using scooters when swimming near dolphins is strictly prohibited
- Avoid loud noises (shouting and whistling)
- Remember that touching dolphins is strictly prohibited. The risk of transmitting diseases is very high
- NEVER throw garbage into the sea
- NEVER feed the animals
Rules for boat captains:
- Always maintain a minimum distance of 30m from dolphins
- Approach dolphins in open water with caution and parallel to the direction they are swimming
- If you see dolphins, drive slowly at a maximum speed of 4 knots or 7 km per hour, adjusting your speed to the slowest dolphin. Never accelerate, reverse or change direction suddenly
- If dolphins approach your vessel, shift to neutral
- If dolphins turn, do not change direction suddenly
- NEVER chase, chase, surround or separate a group of dolphins. Always leave the animals an “escape route”
- NEVER chase dolphins inside lagoons and resting areas and keep a safe distance from the reef. Immediately use mooring lines at prepared anchoring points
- Avoid noise. Do not shout, whistle, use horns or play music
- Be alert for signs of distress (e.g., avoiding, tail slapping), if you see this, leave the area at very low speed
- Always be extra careful if there are young animals present
If the rules are followed, we can look forward to seeing these wonderful wildlife underwater in the future while diving on the dive sites around Hurghada.
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Pavla