Hurghada: Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is the chance to see wild dolphins where they actually live, then swim above coral reefs instead of viewing marine life through glass. The day also includes two snorkeling stops, lunch, soft drinks, and rides on a banana boat and sofa boat.

I like the strong value at $26 per person, and I like that two to four guides are assigned to each boat for snorkeling help and safety. The main catch is simple: dolphins are wild, not scheduled performers, and the boat can feel busy when everyone gathers near them.

Quick facts for your day on the Red Sea

• Dolphin watching is the headline: You may see dolphins several times and, if conditions allow, enter the water near them, but sightings are not guaranteed.
• Two reef stops are included: Snorkel with provided masks, fins, and snorkels while guides assist in the water.
• Lunch stays on board: A buffet meal, soft drinks, and water are included, so you do not need to plan a separate meal during the cruise.
• The boat offers both sun and shade: Use the spacious sun deck for views, or find a shaded place between water activities.
• The day lasts 6 to 7 hours: It begins and ends at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada.
• Extra hotel pickup costs €10: Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga are available for an added charge.

Setting out from Public Beach Number 9

The tour starts and finishes at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada. That makes the meeting point important: if you are staying in central Hurghada, you may find the starting point convenient, while people based farther south or north should check the transfer cost before booking.

Hotel pickup is available from Hurghada, with additional charges for Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga. The listed add-on is €10 per person. I would confirm the exact pickup arrangement before your day, since the standard meeting point remains the public beach.

The boat outing runs for roughly 6 to 7 hours. That is long enough to make the trip feel like a proper day on the sea, not a quick swim tacked onto a transfer. You will want to arrive ready for sun, salt water, and a full stretch of time outdoors.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a sun hat. Towels are not included, and you should not count on finding a convenient place to buy one once you are underway.

Finding dolphins in open water

The crew takes you toward known dolphin areas in the Red Sea. This is the most exciting and least predictable part of the day. Dolphins move freely, so no honest operator can promise a sighting, a certain number of animals, or a close approach.

If dolphins appear, you may watch them from the boat and, depending on the situation and crew instructions, enter the water near them. One particularly memorable possibility is swimming close to dolphins in their natural setting rather than seeing them in a controlled show. That possibility is a major reason to choose this cruise.

Keep your expectations sensible. A dolphin trip is a search, not a theater performance. You might see several dolphins more than once, or you might have a quieter day on the water. The tour description is clear about this uncertainty, and that honesty matters.

The best approach is to enjoy the whole day rather than measure its value only by the dolphin count. You also have two snorkeling locations, a meal, boat time, and water activities included. If dolphins are your only reason for booking, the lack of a guarantee may bother you. If you see the dolphin search as one part of a Red Sea day, the odds feel easier to accept.

Two snorkeling stops above Red Sea coral

After the dolphin search, the boat makes two snorkeling stops at coral reef sites. Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided, and a snorkeling instructor leads the water activity. Two to four professional guides are assigned to each boat, giving you several people to turn to for equipment, directions, and help in the water.

The reef stops are valuable because they add a second kind of wildlife encounter. Dolphins are fast and unpredictable. Coral reefs let you slow down and look carefully at fish, coral, and the water below you. One stop may be enough for a quick look, but two locations give you more time and a better chance to see different underwater scenes.

The supplied equipment keeps the cost down and makes packing easier, though you still need to bring your own towel. If you already own a well-fitting mask, you may prefer it, but the provided gear covers the basic needs of the trip.

You should be comfortable in open water and able to follow the guide’s instructions. This is not suitable for people with mobility issues, and it is not suitable for pregnant women. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Families can still consider the trip when children are properly accompanied and able to manage a boat and snorkeling day.

Lunch, shade, and the useful middle of the day

A fresh buffet lunch is served on board, with soft drinks and water available. I like this setup because it keeps the day moving. You do not lose time heading back to shore for food, and you can eat while staying with the group and boat.

The lunch is more than a minor extra on a 6 to 7-hour outing. You will be outside for much of the day, switching between sun, wind, and water. A proper meal and regular drinks make the schedule easier, especially for families and anyone who does not want to pack food.

You should still use sunscreen often and drink water. The open deck can make the sun feel less intense than it is. A hat is useful when you are not in the water, and a shaded area gives you a break between activities.

The boat has a spacious sun deck and shaded areas. That mix matters. You can sit in the sun for the views, then move out of direct heat when you need a rest. Music is also part of the onboard atmosphere, so expect more of a social cruise than a quiet wildlife survey.

Banana boats, sofa rides, and the boat atmosphere

The package includes a banana boat and sofa boat ride. These add a playful edge to the day, especially for couples, families, and people who want more than snorkeling. They also break up the longer stretches of cruising.

The atmosphere can be lively. Music, group activities, and several people sharing the boat make this a social outing rather than a private charter. A French-language comment described some crowding on board, although the same account also noted swimming near dolphins more than once. That is a useful warning: the boat may not feel spacious at every moment, especially when everyone gathers for the most popular activities.

I would choose a seat with easy access to shade and keep your belongings together. Personal expenses and photography are not included, so bring only what you need and protect anything you take on deck from spray.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the trip. Reports describe the staff as funny, kind, attentive, and well organized. The guides work together, and their role is not limited to pointing out fish. They also help with safety, snorkeling instructions, and general support throughout the day.

What the $26 price really covers

At $26 per person, this is an unusually full package for a Red Sea boat day. You receive round-trip boat transportation from the Hurghada meeting point, dolphin watching, two snorkeling stops, equipment, guided snorkeling, lunch, soft drinks, water, banana boat and sofa boat rides, and a crew of two to four professional guides.

That price makes the trip especially appealing if you want several activities in one booking. Paying separately for a boat outing, reef snorkeling, lunch, and water rides could easily become more complicated. Here, the main costs that remain outside the package are personal spending, photography, towels, and certain hotel transfers.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you prefer a private boat, a quiet pace, or guaranteed wildlife sightings, this is not the right product. If you want a shared day with several activities and a good chance to see the Red Sea from different angles, the price is hard to argue with.

Pickup is the main extra to watch. Staying in Hurghada keeps the listed price more straightforward. From Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Safaga, add the €10 transfer charge to your calculation.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to nature lovers who want both dolphins and reef life. It also suits couples looking for a full day on the water, and families with accompanied children who are comfortable with swimming and boat activities.

The cruise works well for people who like variety. You can watch for dolphins, snorkel twice, eat lunch, rest on deck, and try the banana boat and sofa boat. You are not locked into one long activity.

It is less suitable if you are pregnant, have mobility problems, or need a fully quiet and private setting. It may also disappoint anyone who regards a dolphin sighting as essential. The crew will search, but nature decides.

The language options are English, German, and Arabic. That gives you a practical choice when booking, especially if you want instructions in a language you understand well.

Small details that make the day easier

Use the cancellation policy to protect your plans: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Hurghada schedule is not fixed.

Children under three years old join free. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted, so families should plan for an adult to remain responsible for younger participants.

The tour ends back at the same meeting point. Since pickup is not automatically included from every resort area, sort out the return transport before the morning begins.

Finally, treat the reef stops as real water activities, not just photo opportunities. Bring a towel, listen to the snorkeling instructor, and leave room in your day to rest. You will enjoy the cruise more if you pace yourself instead of spending all your energy at the first stop.

Should you book this Hurghada dolphin cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced shared boat day with wildlife, reef snorkeling, lunch, and water rides in one package. The strongest reasons are the two snorkeling stops, the helpful crew, and the amount included for $26.

Book with a little caution if your heart is set only on dolphins. Sightings are not guaranteed, and the boat may feel crowded during the most exciting moments. Still, the day has enough included activities to remain worthwhile even when the animals keep their distance.

For most visitors staying in Hurghada who are comfortable in open water, this is a practical and lively way to spend a day on the Red Sea. Bring your towel and sunscreen, budget for the hotel transfer if needed, and go in expecting nature rather than a scheduled show.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and ends at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours.

Are dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included at coral reef locations.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided, along with a guided snorkeling session and a snorkeling instructor.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, soft drinks, and water are included on board.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from hotels in Hurghada. Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga are available for an added charge of €10 per person.

Who should not join this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.