Hurghada: Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet Lunch

Wild dolphins set the tone. This Hurghada boat trip pairs wildlife watching with two coral-reef snorkeling stops, a buffet lunch, soft drinks, and time on a boat with both sun and shade. I like the fair $26 price and the mix of active water time with easy breaks on deck. The main catch is simple: dolphins are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed.

I also like the helpful setup for a day at sea: masks, fins, and snorkels are supplied, and two to four professional guides are assigned to each boat. The possible drawback is crowding, since one happy customer still noted that the boat had quite a few people. If you want a quiet private outing, this is not that kind of trip.

Key details before you book

• Dolphins stay wild: You cruise to known dolphin areas, but no operator can promise a sighting or close encounter.
• Two reef stops: You get two guided snorkeling sessions, giving you more than one chance to see coral and colorful fish.
• $26 covers the essentials: Boat transport, gear, lunch, soft drinks, water, guides, and onboard activities are included.
• Public Beach Number 9 is the starting point: The tour begins and ends there, with hotel pickup available from some areas for an added charge.
• A full half-day at sea: Plan on approximately six to seven hours, not a quick morning outing.
• Good crew support: The boat carries two to four professional guides, including snorkeling instructors, with English, German, and Arabic available.

What this $26 Red Sea cruise actually offers

At $26 per person, this is an easy way to spend a full day on the Red Sea without paying for a private charter. You get transport by boat, dolphin watching, two snorkeling stops, equipment, lunch, water, soft drinks, and a few extra water activities in one package.

That matters in Hurghada, where separate boat rides, equipment rental, meals, and transport can quickly push up the total. Here, the basic costs are gathered into one price. I would still read the trip as a shared excursion rather than a polished luxury cruise. The very positive feedback focuses on the crew, organization, lunch, and successful dolphin sightings, but one comment also points out that the boat may feel busy.

The tour is run by FTS Travels and takes place in the Red Sea Governorate. It is offered in English, German, and Arabic. You meet at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada, and the boat returns to that same meeting point at the end.

If you are staying in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga, pickup can be added for €10 per person. For hotels in Hurghada, hotel transport may be available, although extra charges can apply. Check this before booking so you know if you must arrange your own way to the beach.

Meeting the boat at Public Beach Number 9

The day starts at Public Beach Number 9, which is important to note because the tour does not automatically begin at every hotel door. Your first practical job is getting to the correct meeting point on time, with swimwear already under your clothes and your sun protection packed.

The boat trip lasts about six to seven hours. That is long enough for a proper day on the water, but it also means you should prepare for sun, wind, and time in wet swimwear. Bring a towel, hat, sunscreen, and any personal items you need. Towels are not included.

The boat has a spacious deck with places to sit in the sun and areas with shade. That mix is useful. You can warm up after snorkeling, then move under cover when the Egyptian sun becomes too strong. I would not plan to spend every minute in the sun just because you are on a boat. The shade is part of the comfort, not a last resort.

Music is also part of the atmosphere. This helps create a cheerful group outing, though it may not suit you if you are looking for a quiet, almost silent trip. The strongest praise goes to the friendly crew, with one comment describing the staff as funny and very kind. Another highlights how well the team worked together.

Looking for dolphins in open Red Sea water

The first major part of the outing is the search for dolphins in their natural habitat. You cruise toward known dolphin areas, watching the water and waiting for movement. This is the most exciting part of the trip, but it is also the part you must approach with realistic expectations.

The operator works to find dolphins, but sightings cannot be guaranteed. Even if dolphins appear, their distance and behavior are outside the crew’s control. A responsible wildlife experience should leave room for that uncertainty. You may see several dolphins, or you may spend more time watching the sea and enjoying the boat ride.

The available feedback includes very strong dolphin encounters, including repeated sightings and opportunities to see dolphins close to the boat. Some people also describe getting into the water near dolphins. That can be thrilling, but I would treat it as a possible moment, not the guaranteed centerpiece of your day.

This distinction helps you judge the value fairly. If your only reason for booking is a certain dolphin swim, you may be disappointed by nature’s schedule. If you see the trip as a Red Sea day with a chance to watch dolphins, plus snorkeling and lunch, the experience makes more sense.

You should also follow the crew’s instructions closely around wildlife. The guides and snorkeling instructors are there to help with safety and water activity procedures. The package includes two to four professional guides on each boat, so you are not left to manage the snorkeling stops alone.

Two coral reef snorkeling stops

After the dolphin search, the boat makes two snorkeling stops. This is one of the best parts of the plan because you get more than one chance to see the underwater scenery. If conditions at the first stop are not ideal for you, the second stop gives you another opportunity.

Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided. You also receive guided snorkeling support from an instructor. That makes the trip easier for first-time snorkelers, families, and anyone who would rather not arrange equipment in Hurghada before departure.

The reef sites are described as full of colorful coral and fish. You might see a variety of Red Sea marine life as you move through the water, though exact sightings depend on the conditions and the day. The important point is that the snorkeling is not treated as a brief afterthought. Two stops give this part of the excursion real weight.

I like the balance here. Dolphin watching can be unpredictable, while reef snorkeling gives the day a second main activity. You are not relying on one lucky wildlife sighting to make the cruise worthwhile.

Still, you should be comfortable in the water and able to manage the physical demands of entering and leaving the sea. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues, and pregnant women should not join. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Children under three can join free, but the activity itself still needs to suit the child and accompanying adult.

The word snorkeling is doing a lot of work here, so pack accordingly. You will need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. The boat provides the core equipment, but it does not provide a towel or personal items.

Lunch, soft drinks, and time on deck

Between the water activities, you can rest on the boat and enjoy the views. A fresh buffet lunch is served onboard, along with soft drinks and water. This is a practical inclusion on a six to seven hour trip. You do not need to return to shore for a meal or carry a full day’s supply of food.

The lunch receives some of the clearest praise in the available feedback. One comment specifically calls the lunch very good, while others praise the overall organization and crew. That suggests the meal is more than a token snack, although you should still think of it as a boat buffet rather than a restaurant meal.

The deck gives the day a useful rhythm. You can spend one section watching for dolphins, another snorkeling, then sit down with lunch and a drink. The boat also has music, sun areas, and shaded seating. If you want nonstop activity, the open-water travel between stops may feel slow. If you like a day that lets you alternate between action and rest, it works well.

The included drinks also add value. At a low-cost excursion, buying water and soft drinks separately can be annoying, especially under the sun. Here, refreshments are available onboard. Bring your own personal expenses only if you want extras beyond what is included.

Banana boat and sofa boat extras

The package also includes a banana boat and sofa boat. These are group water activities that add a playful, more energetic touch to the cruise. They may appeal especially to families with older children, couples, and friends who want more than snorkeling.

I would view them as extras rather than the reason to choose this trip. The core experience is the boat ride, dolphin search, two reef stops, lunch, and the Red Sea setting. The banana boat and sofa boat make the day more varied, but the exact timing and availability are not specified.

As with the snorkeling, listen to the crew and consider your own comfort. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues. Anyone unsure about an activity can use the shaded deck instead. You do not have to turn a relaxing boat day into an endurance test.

How the guides shape the day

The strongest praise is directed at the crew. The comments describe the staff as friendly, funny, attentive, and well organized. One detailed account credits the team with working closely together throughout the outing. That is valuable on a boat trip, where clear instructions and steady support make the water activities feel easier.

Two to four professional guides are assigned to each boat. Their roles include general guiding, snorkeling instruction, and safety assistance. English, German, and Arabic are available, which can help mixed-language groups understand the plan and receive help in the water.

The crew also handles the practical transitions: getting ready for snorkeling, returning to the boat, settling in for lunch, and moving between activities. Those small moments often decide whether a shared cruise feels relaxed or chaotic. The strong organization described in the feedback is a good sign.

Still, the experience is not private. One comment praises the day while noting that there were many people on the boat. You should expect a social atmosphere and shared equipment, not complete personal space. That is a fair trade at $26, but it is worth knowing before you arrive.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada outing most

I think this cruise suits you best if you want several Red Sea experiences in one affordable day. Couples can share the dolphin search and reef stops, families can use the mix of swimming and deck time, and nature lovers get two chances to see marine life.

It is also a good fit if you are new to snorkeling. The gear is included, and a snorkeling instructor is available. You do not need to plan separate equipment rental or arrange your own reef visit.

The trip is less suitable if you want silence, privacy, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. It is also not appropriate for pregnant women, people with mobility issues, or unaccompanied minors. Young children under three join free, but an adult must accompany them.

I would also think about your tolerance for a long day in the sun. Six to seven hours is a substantial outing. If you pack a hat, towel, sunscreen, and swimwear, the day should be easier to manage. A little preparation goes a long way on an open boat.

Is $26 good value?

Yes, provided you want a shared group cruise. The price includes the boat, dolphin search, two snorkeling stops, equipment, instructor support, lunch, water, soft drinks, banana boat, sofa boat, and several guides. You would normally pay extra if each of those pieces were arranged separately.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a full activity day without luxury pricing. The lunch and drinks remove some common extra costs, while the included mask, fins, and snorkel make the outing simple for first-time visitors.

The price is less compelling if your main goal is guaranteed close dolphin contact, since no sighting is promised. It is also less appealing if you dislike busy boats. In that case, a private or smaller cruise may suit you better, though it would likely cost more.

The very high rating, along with praise for the crew, lunch, dolphin encounters, and reef stops, supports the idea that this is a well-liked budget excursion. I would book it for the variety, not for a promise nature cannot make.

Should you book it?

Book this Hurghada dolphin cruise if you want a friendly, active Red Sea day at a modest price. The best reasons are the two snorkeling stops, included equipment and lunch, and the crew support praised for being kind and well organized. The dolphin search adds real excitement, while the reef stops give you a worthwhile plan even if the animals stay out of sight.

Skip it if you need a private boat, guaranteed dolphins, or an outing built around accessibility. For everyone else, bring your towel and sunscreen, arrive ready for a shared boat, and treat the dolphins as a wonderful possibility rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin cruise start?

The tour starts at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada and returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six to seven hours.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew works to find dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included, with guided snorkeling at coral reef locations.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided onboard.

Is lunch included?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from hotels in Hurghada, with extra charges possibly applying. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga is available as an add-on for €10 per person.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Children under three years old join free.