Hurghada: Empire Submarine Boat Trip with Snorkel and Drinks

The Red Sea puts on a show. Hurghada’s Empire Submarine Boat Trip lets you watch coral and fish through large underwater windows, then gives you 40 minutes in the water near a reef. I like the easy mix of sightseeing and snorkeling, and I like the low $19 price, which makes this a sensible family outing. The main thing to consider is the extra charge for onboard photos and videos.

You get hotel pickup in Hurghada, an air-conditioned vehicle, soft drinks, unlimited water, snorkeling gear, and life jackets. The boat’s observation deck sits about 3 meters below the surface, so you can see the reef without getting wet. Children as young as 5 and 6 have enjoyed the trip, but the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Key points at a glance

• Three meters below the surface: Watch fish and coral through the semi-submarine’s glass-walled observation deck without swimming.
• Forty minutes in the water: The snorkeling stop gives you a proper look at the reef, rather than a quick dip.
• A gentle family outing: Air conditioning, life jackets, soft drinks, and a calm boat format suit mixed-age groups.
• About one hour to the reef: The outward cruise follows the Hurghada coast and gives you time to settle into the Red Sea setting.
• $19 includes the basics: Hotel transfers from Hurghada, gear, drinks, and the boat trip keep the total cost easy to understand.
• Bring your own towel: Towels and food are not included, and photo packages cost extra onboard.

Why this Hurghada boat trip works for mixed-age groups

The Empire Submarine is not a submarine in the naval sense. It is a semi-submersible boat with an air-conditioned observation area below the waterline. You sit behind broad windows and look out at the reef from roughly 3 meters down.

That simple setup is the tour’s biggest strength. You can enjoy the Red Sea even if you are not a confident swimmer, do not want to spend the whole outing in the sun, or have children who tire quickly in the water. You still see the underwater setting, with colorful coral, fish, and other marine life passing the windows.

I especially like the way this combines two levels of sightseeing. The glass-walled deck gives you a dry introduction to the reef. The later snorkeling stop lets you get closer and see the water from your own mask. You do not have to choose between a boat tour and a swim.

The tour is also easy on the budget. At $19 per person, it includes several items that can push up the cost of a basic boat outing: hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, air-conditioned transport, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, and soft drinks. Food is not included, but for a half-day-style marine activity, the package offers a lot for the price.

There are limits. A window view cannot match the freedom of swimming over a reef. The quality of what you see can depend on water clarity, your position by the window, and the movement of the boat. If your main goal is serious snorkeling, you may want a longer reef trip. If you want a relaxed, low-cost introduction, this format makes good sense.

The first hour: leaving Hurghada and reaching the reef

Your day begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup time depends on where your hotel is located, so you should confirm the exact time one day before the trip. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, which is worth remembering when planning breakfast or another morning activity.

Hotels in Hurghada are covered by the standard pickup arrangement. Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga requires an extra service selected during checkout. Check this carefully before paying, since the $19 headline price does not automatically cover every resort area.

Once you reach the marina and board, the boat cruises for about 60 minutes along the Hurghada coast toward one of the area’s attractive coral reefs. This ride is not just transport. It gives you a chance to sit back, take in the open Red Sea, and get comfortable with the rhythm of the boat before the underwater viewing begins.

Bring sunglasses and a sun hat for this part. Comfortable shoes are useful around the marina and onboard. The sea may look calm, but a boat deck is not the place for loose sandals or a heavy bag full of extras.

The outward cruise also helps set expectations. This is a sightseeing trip built around one reef stop, not a full-day expedition to several distant sites. That keeps the price down and makes the schedule manageable for families, first-time snorkelers, and people fitting the activity between other Hurghada plans.

The 45-minute underwater viewing session

The boat’s main attraction is the air-conditioned observation deck below the surface. You go down to a glass-walled area around 3 meters underwater, where large panoramic windows provide a fish-eye view of the reef.

This is the most accessible part of the outing. You can remain dry while watching fish move across the windows and seeing coral formations below the boat. The air conditioning is a welcome break from the Egyptian sun, especially if you are traveling with young children or anyone who dislikes long periods in heat.

The viewing period lasts about 45 minutes. That is long enough to settle in, look through more than one window, and wait for fish to appear rather than treating the experience as a quick photo stop.

I would choose a seat with a clear view as soon as you enter the observation area. The broad windows are the reason to take this trip, and your position can affect how much of the reef you see. If the area is busy, stay patient and take turns with your family. Fish do not follow a timetable, but the boat’s slow viewing format gives you a fair chance to spot them.

The underwater scene includes colorful coral, exotic fish, and other Red Sea marine life. The information provided does not promise particular species, so you should come for the general reef setting rather than expecting a specific animal. Clear water and sunlight will have a big effect on the view.

There is also a practical difference between this experience and snorkeling. Through the windows, you see the reef as part of a moving display. You are protected from the water, and you do not need to manage a mask, fins, or waves. That makes it a strong choice for grandparents, small children, and anyone who wants to see the Red Sea without swimming.

Forty minutes of snorkeling near the coral reef

After the underwater viewing, you get a 40-minute snorkeling break at a reef site. This is a useful amount of time. You can put on the supplied gear, get used to the water, and spend a proper stretch looking beneath the surface instead of rushing in and out.

Snorkeling gives you the closer view that the windows cannot provide. You can look down at coral and fish from the water itself, change direction, and choose how long to focus on one area. For many people, this will be the most active and memorable part of the trip.

The boat provides snorkeling equipment and life jackets. You should still bring your swimwear and towel, since neither is supplied for you. A life jacket can make the stop more comfortable if you are not a strong swimmer, and it is sensible to use the equipment as instructed.

The snorkeling time is also a good reason to bring sun protection. Sunglasses and a hat help before and after the swim, while swimwear is essential for the water stop. Keep personal items secure and bring only what you need onboard.

You should not expect the same experience as a dedicated snorkeling or scuba trip. The stop is one part of a mixed sightseeing program, and the schedule gives you 40 minutes rather than several reef sessions. Still, that is plenty of time for a first look and a satisfying swim, especially after the dry observation period.

The best way to approach it is to treat the two activities as different views of the same reef. The semi-submarine is comfortable and easy. Snorkeling is closer, more active, and more dependent on your own confidence in the water.

Drinks, boat comfort, and the extra-cost photo issue

Unlimited water and complimentary soft drinks are included onboard. That matters in Hurghada, where sun, heat, and salt water can leave you thirsty quickly. You do not need to budget for basic drinks during the cruise.

Food is not included, so bring a snack if you need one between meals. Do not assume that the boat serves lunch. The available information only confirms drinks and water, not a meal service.

The boat has been described as clean, and the crew is friendly and helpful. That fits the needs of a simple family excursion, where clear instructions and tidy shared spaces matter as much as the reef itself. The tour is offered in English, Arabic, and German, which can make basic directions easier to follow for many passengers.

One point deserves a clear warning: photos and videos taken onboard cost extra, and the price has been considered high. You can decide if the souvenir is worth it, but do not feel pressured to buy it just because a camera crew records parts of the outing. Bring your own phone only if it is protected for the marine setting, and remember that personal expenses are not included.

The atmosphere is likely to feel more organized than private. You are joining a scheduled boat with a set route, viewing time, and snorkeling stop. That is part of why the price is low, but it also means you will not control every part of the day.

Who will get the most from the $19 price

The value is strongest for people who want several easy experiences in one package. You get transport, the coastal cruise, underwater viewing, snorkeling gear, a reef stop, water, soft drinks, and life jackets without arranging each piece separately.

I would recommend it for:

• Families with children who want to see marine life without committing to a full water sports day
• First-time snorkelers who like the security of a boat and life jacket
• Adults who want reef views but prefer an air-conditioned setting for part of the trip
• Budget-conscious visitors staying in Hurghada
• Groups with different comfort levels, including swimmers and non-swimmers
• Anyone with only a limited amount of time for a Red Sea activity

Children have enjoyed the trip, including two young children aged 5 and 6. That does not mean every child will react the same way. You know your child’s tolerance for boat rides, heat, waiting, and water better than any tour description can. The dry observation deck is helpful, but the trip still includes a long cruise and a snorkeling period.

I would look elsewhere if you want advanced snorkeling, scuba instruction, a quiet private boat, or several reef locations. This is an introduction to Red Sea scenery, not a specialist marine expedition.

Wheelchair users should also note that the tour is not suitable for them. The boat, observation deck, and water access may involve movement that is not adapted for wheelchair access.

A practical packing list for the Red Sea

Keep your bag simple. You will want:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Comfortable shoes
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Any personal snacks you need
• Personal spending money for optional photos or other expenses

The operator supplies snorkeling gear and life jackets, so you do not need to bring those. Water and soft drinks are also included.

A towel is easy to forget because the first part of the tour is dry. You will want one after the 40-minute snorkeling stop, especially if you plan to stay on deck during the return sail.

Pets are not allowed. The tour is family-friendly, but that label should not be read as a promise of full accessibility or a private family setting. It means the activity is designed for a broad age range and mixed skill levels.

Timing, cancellations, and the trip back to Hurghada

The exact pickup time depends on your hotel, so confirm it a day before departure. Allow a little patience for the possible 10-minute delay, and avoid booking another activity too tightly against this one.

The main schedule includes about 60 minutes cruising out, 45 minutes viewing from the underwater deck, and 40 minutes snorkeling before returning to the marina. The information does not give a precise total duration for transfers and boarding, so leave room around the listed activity times.

After snorkeling, you sail back to the marina. The return ride gives you a quieter finish, with time to dry off, have another drink, and think about the reef views you have just seen. Hotel drop-off in Hurghada is included.

If your plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Hurghada schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Empire Submarine?

Book this trip if you want an inexpensive, easy introduction to the Red Sea with both dry viewing and a real snorkeling stop. The clean boat, helpful staff, family-friendly format, and 40 minutes in the water make the $19 price appealing.

Skip it if you are seeking a long snorkeling day or a private reef experience. Also keep the optional photo fee in mind, and arrange an extra pickup if you are staying outside Hurghada.

For families, first-time snorkelers, and budget-minded visitors, I think this is a sensible choice. You get a comfortable look at the reef, a chance to swim among the fish, and transport handled from the start.

FAQ

How much does the Empire Submarine Boat Trip cost?

The listed price is $19 per person.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, the semi-submarine cruise, underwater viewing, snorkeling gear, a snorkeling stop, life jackets, unlimited water, and complimentary soft drinks.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling stop lasts 40 minutes.

How deep is the underwater observation deck?

The air-conditioned observation deck is located about 3 meters below the surface.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, although water and soft drinks are provided onboard.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided, so bring your own, especially for the snorkeling stop.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. It is described as family-friendly and suitable for all ages and skill levels. Children aged 5 and 6 have enjoyed the experience.

Is hotel pickup available outside Hurghada?

Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga is not included in the standard service. You need to select the appropriate pickup option at checkout.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.