Seven days in the water
In the water several times a day at Sataya Reef, in Egypt’s Red Sea — and when the dolphins choose to come, you’re there.
Retreat · 1–8 November 2026 · Red Sea, Egypt
Voices of the Deep
Welcome back to the water — your original home.
Seven days with wild dolphins Aboard the Nooraya With Jacob
What the week brings
Seven days of dolphins and sound
Somatic Vocal Healing
Voice work with Jacob — sounding and sound constellations to give the days in the water a voice. Songs around the piano in the evenings.
Life aboard the Nooraya
Live, dine, and sleep aboard the Nooraya, a warm and welcoming boat, for the whole of the trip.
Warm water, gentle sun
Relax in the warm waters and the gentle, pleasant temperatures of the Egyptian sun in November.
The wonders of the reef
Free dive and marvel at the reef, encountering a surprising variety of marine life.
Optional scuba diving
A first taste for beginners, or a chance to continue exploring for those with experience.
Wild, and on their terms
They choose to swim with you
Remember this — you don’t swim with dolphins; they choose to swim with you.
It is a rare and magical experience to encounter wild animals that choose to connect with you. With a single flap of their fin, they can disappear — gone in an instant, as if they were never there. And then, out of the misty blue, hundreds emerge, moving slowly and gracefully toward you.
Some signal to their babies that it’s safe; once a mother approves, the curious young ones often come close. The elders sometimes hold your gaze — long enough that you stop putting words to it.
And then, your voice
Where the sound work comes in
When you’re not in the water, you give the day a voice: sounding, sound constellations, song around the piano, and stories on deck under the open sky — on the boat that will be your home for seven days.
Marvelling in the Sataya Reef
Six days in Dolphin Bay
Sataya’s “Dolphin Bay” is one of the Red Sea’s most beautiful reefs. For six days our boat anchors in this sheltered bay, where playful spinner dolphins visit most days, often inviting you into their world of joy and spontaneity.
When the dolphins are away, the reef itself is worth the trip — corals, and an abundance of marine life.
Aboard the Nooraya
A home on the water
Your journey is made complete aboard the Nooraya — a 29-metre-long, 7-metre-wide boat designed for comfort and tranquillity. Fully refurbished, it offers shaded decks and sunlit spaces for relaxation, socialising, and taking in the beauty of Sataya.
Inside are cozy lounges, a traditional Egyptian salon with a bar and dining area, and eight cabins with private bathrooms. Meals are prepared by a chef who blends flavours from different cuisines throughout the week, and a dedicated crew of experienced guides keeps the days easy.
Life aboard
Long days on the water
Your guide
The voice work — with Jacob
For 15 years, Jacob has offered voice-led online sessions to people worldwide, and hosted in-person retreats across Europe and South Africa. His approach is deep and healing, yet grounded and warmed by a touch of humour. Everyone — whether they love singing or fear it — is warmly welcomed and easily drawn into his accessible, inclusive style. Sounding is not singing. You don’t need a good voice — you need an honest one.
His work focuses on what is actually here, and what stands in the way — using voice work (Somatic Vocal Healing), chanting, and mantra singing. A gifted pianist, Jacob plays in the evenings; the music makes its own kind of stillness.
Practical information
Everything you need to know
When
Arrival: Sunday, 1 November 2026
Departure: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Where
Onboard the Nooraya
Sataya Bay, Red Sea, Egypt
Group
A maximum of 17 participants, for an intimate experience.
All-inclusive package
This means everything is provided for you upon arrival:
- Airport shuttle to and from the harbour
- Lodging on board the Nooraya
- All meals throughout the week
- Dolphin swimming with experienced guides
- Snorkelling in the reef
- The daily sessions with Jacob
How to get there
Fly to either Hurghada or, preferably, Marsa Alam, as it is closer. A shuttle will collect you at the airport and transfer you to the harbour, where the boat will be waiting.
The shuttle takes roughly 3 hours from Marsa Alam and about 5 hours from Hurghada.
Price
from €1995 all-inclusive · private bathroom in every cabin
- Twin cabin, lower deck (porthole) — €1995 per person
- Twin cabin, upper deck (sea views) — €2495 per person
- Double-bed cabin, lower deck (porthole) — €3990 for two
Reserve with a 50% deposit and pay the rest before September 2026.
Not included
- Flights
- Scuba diving (available onboard for an additional cost)
- Tip for the crew (captain’s recommendation: €70 per person)
- Visa (€25, obtainable on arrival). Your passport or ID must be valid for at least six months after your return.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Can I pay with a deposit?
Yes. You’re welcome to reserve your spot with a 50% deposit and pay the remaining 50% before September 2026. Just choose “Reserve with a deposit” at checkout.
Is the registration refundable?
No. Once you place a deposit or register for the retreat, your registration is considered final.
In some cases someone on the waiting list can take your place. Last year the retreat was fully booked with more than 20 people on the waiting list, so this has rarely been an issue.
When should I arrive with my flight?
You book your own flights, but you’re very welcome to email Jacob at info@songdance.co for help checking arrival times.
Arriving: if you fly into Hurghada, please be at the airport no later than 12:00 (midday) on the arrival day. From Marsa Alam you have more flexibility — no later than 15:00.
Departing: flights from Marsa Alam should not be booked before 15:00; evening departures no earlier than 19:00. A shuttle is arranged from the airport to the harbour, where the boat will be waiting.
Can I arrive earlier or leave later?
Yes, absolutely. If you do, transport to and from the harbour may not be included and you might need to arrange it separately.
If you arrive early, we recommend Marina Lodge in Port Ghalib — a comfortable, beautiful hotel to relax and acclimatise before the retreat.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
We’ve run this trip on this stretch of coast for years without incident, and Sataya is far from any urban centre. For the official view, check your country’s travel advice for the Red Sea coast.
What if the dolphins don’t come?
They’re wild — nobody can promise a wild animal, and we won’t. At Sataya they come most days. The reef, the boat, the voice work, and the group are there either way.
Do I need to be able to sing — or make sounds in front of people?
No. Sounding is not singing — one tone, the tone of what’s there. The voice will never force you, and soft counts double.
Registration
Reserve your place
1–8 November 2026 Sataya Reef, Egypt Max 17 places