Hurghada: Elite vip snorkeling cruise with BBQ buffet lunch

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is the space. The four-level Elite VIP vessel gives you a sun deck with loungers, shaded seating, and two air-conditioned salons, so you can enjoy the Red Sea without being stuck in one crowded corner. I especially like the guided snorkeling at several reef sites and the proper cooked lunch served onboard.

The main caution is expectation-setting. This is not guaranteed to be an adults-only outing, and dolphin sightings are only possible, not promised. The snorkeling can also be breezy or less colorful on a given day, since sea conditions and marine life change constantly.

Key points to know before booking

• Four decks and two air-conditioned salons: You can move between sun, shade, indoor seating, and dining areas during the cruise.
• Three reef stops are advertised: The schedule describes two guided snorkeling sessions, with the exact sites depending on conditions.
• Dolphins are a possibility, not a guarantee: The boat moves north to look for them before the second snorkeling stop.
• BBQ buffet lunch is included: Expect soup, salads, sides, grilled chicken, Egyptian kofta, shrimp, and oven-baked fish.
• Waiter-served drinks are included: Hot and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
• The $80 price includes hotel transfers and national park fees: A rented wetsuit costs an additional $10.

A spacious Red Sea boat instead of a basic day cruiser

Many Hurghada boat trips get you to the reef and back. This one puts more effort into the ride itself. The Elite VIP cruise boat has four floors, a wide open sun deck, shaded mid-deck seats, and two air-conditioned salon and dining decks.

That matters on a six-hour day. You can start in the sun, move into the shade when the heat builds, and eat lunch indoors if the wind picks up. The extra room also gives you more choice than a small boat with one fixed seating area.

I like that the boat is designed for relaxation as much as snorkeling. Sun loungers let you claim a quiet spot between swims, while the indoor salons give you somewhere to cool off. Electronic massage beds are also available onboard, though the supplied information does not explain how they are booked or whether their use costs extra.

The word VIP here mainly refers to comfort, room, food, and service. Do not read it as a private yacht charter. Other groups may be onboard, and children can be part of those groups. If you are specifically seeking a child-free sailing, this is not the safest choice.

The morning pickup and marina departure

Hotel pickup in Hurghada is included, and collection begins about 45 minutes before the boat departure. The transfer to Hurghada Marina takes roughly 35 minutes by coach, though your exact pickup time depends on your hotel.

The cruise is scheduled to leave around 9:00 a.m. From the marina, the boat heads out across the Red Sea. One part of the published schedule allows about 1.5 hours for sailing, while the overall activity is described as six hours, with return to Hurghada around 3:30 p.m. In practical terms, plan for a substantial morning and afternoon rather than a tightly timed six-hour clock.

The first part of the ride is useful for settling in. Find the deck that suits you, ask about the snorkeling routine, and take in the coast from the water. The boat has English, German, and Russian instruction, so you should be able to get safety guidance in one of those languages.

Bring your swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. The sun deck is a major part of the appeal, but it also means direct exposure for long stretches. Apply sunscreen before boarding and keep using it during the day, especially after swimming.

Three reef stops, with the schedule explained

The boat advertises three stops at Red Sea snorkeling sites. The detailed program sets out a first guided snorkeling stop, a northbound search for dolphins, and a second guided snorkeling tour. The exact number and order of water stops can vary with the day’s conditions, so treat the listed schedule as a framework rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

The first reef stop comes after the initial cruise. You enter the water from a low platform at the back of the boat, which is more convenient than climbing down a tall ladder. Guides accompany the snorkeling session and direct you toward the coral and fish.

Life jackets are available if you are not a confident swimmer. The description also says the guides can use a life buoy to help pull someone along. That makes the trip more approachable for mixed-ability groups, but you still need to be comfortable entering the sea and following the guide’s instructions.

The water is described as staying above 20 degrees Celsius even in winter. That is pleasant for swimming, though some people may still prefer a wetsuit for a long session. Wetsuit rental is listed at $10, so bring that extra amount if you tend to get cold.

The second snorkeling session follows the dolphin search. A third stop may be included as part of the day’s reef program, but the information provided does not name the sites or guarantee a particular reef. That is normal for a sea trip. The crew may need to adjust the route for safety, visibility, or marine conditions.

What you may see beneath the surface

The Red Sea is known for clear, warm water and coral reefs close to Hurghada. During the snorkeling sessions, you could see schools of colorful fish, small reef creatures, turtles, octopuses, seahorses, manta rays, or larger fish. The exact sightings cannot be promised, and a list of possible animals should not be mistaken for a wildlife guarantee.

That uncertainty is part of the day. The guide knows where to look, but fish move, visibility changes, and a reef that was excellent yesterday may be less impressive today. You should judge the trip by the chance to explore several reef areas, not by one specific animal.

The dolphin search deserves the same clear warning. The boat heads north and tries to spot dolphins if possible. This adds excitement to the cruise, but you should not book the trip solely for a dolphin encounter. If none appear, the snorkeling and boat facilities remain the main parts of your day.

The guides are present for safety and enjoyment, not just to point out fish. Follow them closely, especially if you are less confident in the water. Life jackets are available, and the low rear platform makes access easier, but the trip still involves swimming in open sea.

Lunch is a real part of the value

After the water activities, lunch is served onboard as an open buffet. The menu includes soups, salads, side dishes, BBQ chicken, Egyptian kofta, grilled shrimp, and oven-baked fish.

That is more substantial than a basic packed lunch. You get familiar Egyptian flavors alongside seafood and grilled meat, with enough variety to suit different appetites. The shrimp and fish are prepared onboard, which makes the meal feel connected to the setting rather than like food brought in from elsewhere.

The food has been one of the strongest parts of the experience for me to highlight. The published menu is generous for a boat excursion, and a birthday mention in the booking details may be worth making clear if you are hoping for special attention. Do not assume that noting a birthday guarantees a celebration or announcement.

The boat also provides unlimited hot and soft drinks during the day, with waiter service. That is useful in the sun, since you do not need to keep returning to an indoor counter. The combination of lunch, drinks, transfer, and national park fees helps explain the $80 price.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea. You are paying for a larger, more comfortable vessel, hotel pickup and drop-off, guided snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and the $5 national park fee.

I think the price makes the most sense if you value comfort. A basic boat might cost less, but the Elite VIP setup gives you air-conditioned rooms, multiple decks, loungers, waiter service, and more room to spread out. That can be worth the difference on a long day in the sun.

The value is also stronger for a group with mixed preferences. One person can relax in the shade, another can sit in the air conditioning, and keen swimmers can join the reef sessions. Families and couples do not have to spend the full day in one cramped seating area.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short swim and do not care about the boat. You may also feel disappointed if you expect a private charter, an adults-only atmosphere, guaranteed dolphins, or a fixed list of named reef sites.

The child-free question and the overall mood

The boat is marketed as a VIP cruise, but that does not mean adults only. Children may be part of other groups onboard. If children would spoil the atmosphere you want, ask the operator directly before paying, because the information available does not promise an adults-only setting.

For most people, the mood should be a mix of sightseeing, swimming, eating, and resting. The spacious layout gives you a chance to make the day as active or lazy as you like. You can spend much of the time on a lounger and join the guided water sessions when they begin.

The crew is described as professional, and the guides stay with the snorkeling groups. Languages offered are English, German, and Russian. If you need detailed help in another language, confirm that before booking rather than assuming it will be available.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can change quickly at the marina or onboard. Pack a towel and sunscreen, and consider a waterproof pouch for small items. The supplied instructions do not list a camera or phone service, so keep electronics protected around the water.

A wetsuit is optional and costs $10 to rent. Most people may be comfortable without one in warm-season conditions, but winter swimmers or anyone who gets cold easily should budget for it.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is useful information for planning. Still, the day includes a coach transfer, marina boarding, movement between decks, and sea access from the rear platform. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking to confirm that the particular transfer and boarding arrangements suit your needs.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still taking shape. Pickup begins well before the stated sailing time, so keep your phone available and be ready at your hotel.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada cruise most?

I would choose this trip for you if you want a comfortable full-day Red Sea outing with snorkeling built into a larger boat experience. It suits couples, families, and mixed groups where some people want active water time and others prefer shade, food, or a lounger.

It is also a good match if you do not want to organize transport, lunch, drinks, and reef access separately. The included hotel pickup and national park fee remove several small decisions from the day.

You should think twice if your top priority is solitude. A four-level boat with several groups is still a shared excursion. You should also reconsider if dolphin sightings are the main reason you are booking, since the search is only an attempt.

The snorkeling is suitable for different confidence levels because guides accompany you and life jackets are available. Even so, you need to be prepared for open-water swimming. The guides can assist with a buoy, but this is not a glass-bottom sightseeing ride where you remain dry.

Should you book the Elite VIP snorkeling cruise?

Book it if you want the Red Sea in a comfortable setting, with room to escape the sun, a strong lunch menu, drinks served during the day, and guided reef stops. At $80, it offers fair value for a packaged outing that includes transport, food, drinks, and the national park fee.

Skip it if you want an adults-only boat, a private yacht, or guaranteed dolphins. The best reason to book is the combination of comfortable boat facilities and several chances to snorkel, not one promised wildlife sighting.

For most visitors staying in Hurghada, this is a sensible choice for an easy Red Sea day. Just bring sunscreen, keep your expectations realistic, and treat the marine life as a wonderful possibility rather than a scheduled performance.

FAQ

How long does the Elite VIP snorkeling cruise last?

The activity is listed as six hours. Pickup begins around 45 minutes before departure, and the boat is scheduled to leave the marina at about 9:00 a.m. Return to the marina is listed for around 3:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada are included. The coach transfer to Hurghada Marina takes about 35 minutes.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Russian.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The cruise advertises three stops at Red Sea snorkeling sites. The detailed schedule describes a first guided snorkeling session and a second guided snorkeling tour after the dolphin search. The exact sites and order may vary.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The boat moves north and tries to spot dolphins if possible, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The open buffet includes soups, salads, side dishes, BBQ chicken, Egyptian kofta, grilled shrimp, and oven-baked fish.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited hot and soft drinks are served during the day, with waiter service.

Does the cruise provide life jackets?

Yes. Life jackets are available, including for people who are less confident in the water.

How much does a wetsuit cost?

A wetsuit can be rented for $10. Swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen are recommended.