Hurghada: Elite vip snorkeling cruise with BBQ buffet lunch

The boat is part of the attraction. This Hurghada cruise pairs Red Sea snorkeling with four decks, two air-conditioned salons, waiter service, and a BBQ buffet. I like the generous room to spread out and the low rear platform, which makes entering the water easier than climbing down a ladder. I also like that hotel pickup, drop-off, and the $5 national park fee are included in the $80 price.

The main thing to consider is the word VIP. The boat is designed for comfort, but this is not an adults-only trip, and children may be part of other groups on board. Dolphin sightings are also only possible, not promised. If you want a quiet, child-free sailing, this may not be the right fit.

• Four levels of boat space: Choose an open sun deck, shaded mid-deck seating, or one of two air-conditioned salon and dining decks.
• Three Red Sea reef stops are planned: The schedule includes guided snorkeling, a northern cruise to look for dolphins, and another water stop, though exact sites can change.
• A proper cooked lunch: The buffet includes soups, salads, sides, BBQ chicken, Egyptian kofta, shrimp, and oven-baked fish.
• Easy water access: A low platform at the stern, life jackets, and guides make the sea more approachable for less-confident swimmers.
• Drinks come to your lounger: Hot and soft drinks are served throughout the day.
• Good booking flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure and reserve without paying immediately.

Four Decks Make This Boat Different

Many Red Sea boat trips are really about getting you to the reef. This one puts unusual effort into the boat itself. The Elite VIP vessel has four floors, a wide open sun deck with loungers, shaded seats on the middle deck, and two air-conditioned salons used for sitting and dining.

That matters in Egypt. Six hours on open water can be wonderful, but strong sun gets tiring fast. You can start the morning outside, move into shade during the hottest part of the day, and use the air-conditioned salon when you want a proper break. The extra room also gives you more choice than a basic day boat, where everyone tends to gather in one crowded area.

I would treat the boat as a major reason to choose this trip. The attraction is not only the coral below you. It is the chance to enjoy the ride without spending the entire day wedged into one seat.

The description emphasizes careful maintenance and professional crew service. That is supported by the strongest feedback, which praises the staff, guides, food, and general condition of the yacht. Still, VIP should be read as a comfort level rather than a private charter. Other groups share the boat, and the presence of children is possible.

Pickup From Hurghada and the Morning Sailing

Hotel pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure. The transfer to Hurghada Marina takes around 35 minutes by bus or coach, depending on your hotel and road conditions. The boat is scheduled to leave the marina at 9:00 am.

The timing is worth noting because the published schedule gives slightly different sailing details. One outline describes about an hour of cruising before the first reef stop, while the detailed itinerary lists 1.5 hours of sailing. The full day is advertised as six hours, with return to Hurghada around 3:30 pm. In practical terms, plan on a morning pickup, a full day at sea, and an afternoon return rather than relying on the minute-by-minute figures.

The first cruise gives you time to settle in. Find a lounger, learn where the salon and dining areas are, and ask the crew about the order of the water stops. Drinks are available throughout the day, including hot and soft drinks, with waiter service to your sun spot.

Bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. You will want sun protection even if you plan to spend much of the day in the shade, since boarding areas and parts of the upper deck are exposed.

The First Reef Stop and Guided Snorkeling

After the initial cruise, the boat stops at one of the Red Sea’s better coral reef areas. A guided snorkeling session lasts about 45 minutes according to the itinerary.

The guide’s role is important here. You are not simply dropped beside a reef and left to work things out. The snorkeling guides accompany the group, help with safety, and know where to look for marine life. That is useful for beginners, but it also helps stronger swimmers avoid wasting time in an unproductive patch of water.

You may see schools of colorful fish and hard or soft corals. The available information also lists possible sightings such as seahorses, octopuses, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and many smaller reef fish. None of those animals is guaranteed. The Red Sea is a living place, not an aquarium display, so conditions, visibility, and animal movements affect every stop.

The water is said to remain above 20 degrees Celsius even in winter, but some people will still prefer extra warmth after repeated swims. Wetsuit rental is available for $10 if you want one. That extra charge is not included, so decide before leaving the marina or ask the crew early in the day.

You enter through a low platform at the rear of the boat. This is a useful design detail. Getting out of the water may be easier than climbing a tall ladder, especially after snorkeling or for anyone with limited confidence. Life jackets are available, and the guides can assist less-confident swimmers with a life buoy. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should still confirm the exact transfer arrangements with the operator if you use a wheelchair.

Looking for Dolphins in Northern Red Sea Waters

After the first snorkeling session, the boat moves north and tries to spot dolphins. The phrase if possible deserves attention. A dolphin search is an enjoyable extra, but it is not a wildlife guarantee and should not be the main reason you pay for the cruise.

The search also gives you a change of pace. Instead of spending the entire day in the water, you get a longer boat ride and a chance to watch the Red Sea coast from the deck. Keep your expectations sensible. A sighting may be brief, distant, or not happen at all.

If you do see dolphins, the moment can be special. If you do not, the cruise still includes reef snorkeling, lunch, comfortable seating, and time on the boat. That is the right way to value this part of the program.

The itinerary describes three stops at good snorkeling sites, while the timed schedule clearly details a first snorkeling stop, the dolphin-search cruise, and a second guided snorkeling tour. Exact locations can vary with sea conditions and the crew’s judgment. Ask on board how many water stops are planned that day if the distinction matters to you.

The BBQ Buffet Is a Real Part of the Day

Lunch is served on board after the snorkeling program has begun. It is described as an open buffet with soups, salads, side dishes, BBQ chicken, Egyptian kofta, grilled shrimp, and oven-baked fish. The menu may offer a choice between chicken and kofta or seafood options, depending on what is prepared that day.

This is more substantial than the usual sandwich or boxed meal found on budget boat trips. Freshly cooked food also makes sense after swimming, especially when you have been in the sun and sea for several hours.

I like the balance between familiar food and Egyptian flavor. BBQ chicken is easy for cautious eaters, while kofta gives you a local taste without requiring a full restaurant meal. Shrimp and fish suit anyone who wants seafood, though you should ask the crew about ingredients if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. The available details do not promise vegetarian, vegan, halal, or allergy-specific menus, so arrange that before booking rather than assuming.

The dining salons provide shade and air conditioning at lunchtime. That is one of the strongest practical advantages of the larger boat. You can sit down to eat properly, cool off, and return to the deck when you are ready.

Food receives some of the warmest praise in the available feedback, along with the crew and the yacht. There is one small service expectation to manage: even if you add your birthday to booking information, do not assume there will be a birthday announcement or special recognition. If that matters to you, tell the crew directly on the morning of the trip.

The Second Guided Swim and Afternoon Return

After lunch, the boat returns to the water for another snorkeling session and more cruising. The itinerary allows about two hours for the later combination of boat travel, swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and sailing.

The second stop is useful because reef conditions and marine life change from one location to another. If the first site is busy or visibility is less clear, the later stop may feel more rewarding. Guides can also point out different fish and coral areas rather than repeating the same short swim.

You should pace yourself. It is tempting to spend every minute in the water, but six hours of sun, swimming, and sea air can catch up with you. Use the shade, drink regularly, and keep sunscreen handy. The boat’s different decks allow you to make the afternoon as active or relaxed as you like.

Return to the marina is scheduled around 3:30 pm, followed by hotel drop-off. The day therefore works well as a standalone Hurghada activity rather than a rushed add-on to another excursion.

Is $80 Good Value?

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest snorkeling trip from Hurghada. The value depends on how much you care about the boat and the meal, not just the time spent looking underwater.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the $5 national park fee, the cruise, guided snorkeling, the buffet lunch, and unlimited hot and soft drinks. You also get access to a four-level boat with air-conditioned indoor spaces, waiter service, and electronic massage beds on board.

That package can be good value for anyone who dislikes basic day boats. Paying a little more for shade, indoor seating, a cooked buffet, and room to relax may make the day much more comfortable. The cruise also has a polished feel, according to the strongest feedback about its staff, food, snorkeling locations, and yacht.

The value is weaker if you mainly want the lowest possible price or a short snorkeling outing. The $10 wetsuit rental is extra, and any optional video purchase should be handled carefully. If you buy a video for €30, confirm how and when it will be delivered before leaving the boat, especially if you need it sent by email.

The phrase VIP also needs a reality check. You are paying for a more comfortable shared boat, not an adults-only sailing or necessarily a private group. One recent rating gave only three stars because children were present despite an expectation of an adult-only setting. No adult-only promise is included here, so families may be part of the atmosphere.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if comfort matters as much as snorkeling. It suits couples, families, mixed-ability groups, and anyone who wants a proper lunch and a shaded place to recover between swims.

It is also a good match for less-confident swimmers. Guides accompany you, life jackets are available, and the low rear platform is more welcoming than a high ladder. The trip is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical details of getting from your hotel to the boat and onto the swimming platform.

The cruise may suit you if you want several kinds of activity in one day: sailing, reef snorkeling, a possible dolphin sighting, marine-life viewing, lunch, and time to lie in the sun. English, German, and Russian instruction is available.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is silence, privacy, or an adults-only atmosphere. I would also avoid booking it solely for dolphins. The best reason to choose this boat is the complete day: comfortable vessel, guided water time, food, and flexible spaces.

What to Bring and What to Know Before You Go

Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Bring enough sun protection for the full day because the upper deck is designed for open-air lounging.

A few practical points can improve the day:

• Ask about the planned snorkeling sites and the number of water stops once you board.
• Take a life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer. You do not need to prove anything in the Red Sea.
• Consider the $10 wetsuit rental if you feel the cold easily, particularly after several swims.
• Keep personal items in a secure, dry place and do not leave valuables loose on a lounger.
• If you purchase a video, confirm the delivery method before disembarking.
• Tell the crew about food restrictions before lunch is served.
• Use the air-conditioned salon during the hottest part of the afternoon.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Hurghada plans depend on weather or changing hotel arrangements.

Should You Book the Elite VIP Cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a comfortable full-day Red Sea outing rather than the cheapest boat ride. The four decks, indoor salons, waiter-served drinks, cooked BBQ buffet, guided snorkeling, and included transfers give the $80 price a reasonable case.

Just set the right expectations. Dolphins may not appear, children may be on board, and the exact reef stops can change. If those limits are acceptable, the Elite VIP cruise offers a well-rounded day with strong food and service, plenty of room to relax, and easy access to the water.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada Elite VIP snorkeling cruise?

The activity is advertised as six hours. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure, the boat leaves Hurghada Marina around 9:00 am, and arrival back at the marina is scheduled for about 3:30 pm.

What is the price per person?

The price is $80 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada are included. Pickup generally begins around 45 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch is served on board. It 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 included, with waiter service available during the day.

How many snorkeling stops are planned?

The trip describes three snorkeling sites, while the detailed schedule specifically includes a first guided snorkeling stop and a second guided snorkeling tour after the dolphin-search cruise. Exact sites and timing can vary.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

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

Can I rent a wetsuit?

Yes. Wetsuits are available to rent for $10. They are not included in the tour price.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. It also has a low rear platform for entering the sea, though you should confirm the exact transfer arrangements with the provider if you use a wheelchair.