Hurghada Pirates sailing boat to Orange bay & Buffet Lunch

Set sail for a family day on the Red Sea. This Hurghada pirate boat trip combines a handsome twin-masted wooden ship, two guided snorkeling stops, a visit to Orange Bay, and a buffet lunch in one five-and-a-half-hour outing. I like the pirate-themed design because it gives children something to enjoy beyond simply sitting on a boat, and I like that snorkeling equipment, lunch, and hotel transfers are included. The main point to weigh is the schedule: departures vary by day, and the exact amount of time spent at Orange Bay is not clearly stated.

This is a practical choice for families who want a more memorable boat than a standard motorized cruise. The ship has a large upper sun deck, two air-conditioned salons, and a dining area finished in marble and wood. The possible drawback is the group size, which can reach 45 people, so this is not a quiet private sailing trip.

The details that shape your day

• A twin-masted wooden pirate ship gives the trip a storybook feel without giving up air-conditioned indoor space.
• Two guided snorkeling stops are planned, with about one hour at each site.
• Orange Bay is included as part of the outing, though the exact time there is not specified.
• The buffet includes seafood, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, potatoes, salads, and fruit, making lunch more substantial than a basic boat snack.
• Children get organized activities, including treasure hunts and other games.
• Hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, fees, and lunch are included in the $78.11 price per person.
• The group may contain up to 45 people, which matters if you prefer plenty of personal space.

Why the pirate ship changes the experience

Many Red Sea boat trips are built around the same formula: transfer to a marina, cruise to the reef, snorkel, eat, and return. This one uses the ship itself as part of the attraction. The twin masts and wooden construction give you something pleasant to look at while you are sailing between stops, and the pirate decoration adds a little theater for children.

The ship is described as luxurious rather than bare-bones. You get a spacious upper sun deck for sitting in the open air, plus two lower salons with air conditioning. Those indoor rooms matter in Hurghada, especially during the hottest part of the day or when you want a break from direct sun.

I would think of the boat as a floating base for the outing rather than only a means of transport. You can spread out on the upper deck, retreat indoors, and return to the salon for the meal. The marble and wood finish gives lunch a more polished setting than the usual plastic-table arrangement on a small excursion boat.

There is still a practical limit to the experience. With up to 45 people, the boat can feel active rather than intimate. The pirate theme and children’s games suit a social family outing, but couples looking for silence or a private sailing atmosphere may find the mood too lively.

Leaving Hurghada and settling into the day

Hotel pickup is included in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you do not need to arrange your own way to the marina. Door-to-door transport is particularly useful if you are staying in Hurghada and want a simple morning without negotiating taxis.

The sailing portion to the first snorkeling area takes about one hour. That is enough time to get familiar with the ship, find a place on the sun deck, and let children begin the organized activities. It also means the tour is not a rushed dash straight from the marina to the water.

The departure time depends on the day:

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: approximately 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Wednesday and Saturday: approximately 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm

That difference is important when planning your hotel day. The morning departure is a full daytime outing and includes lunch during the trip. The later departure gives you the morning free, but the supplied information does not explain whether the meal timing or menu changes on those departures. Check the confirmed schedule before booking if your plans depend on an early return.

The full duration is about five hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough for a proper sea outing, but short enough to fit into a wider Hurghada itinerary.

Two snorkeling stops, each with real water time

The strongest part of the program for many people will be the two snorkeling stops. Each is planned for about one hour of guided snorkeling, giving you roughly two hours in the water altogether. That is much better than a single brief swim stop where you barely have time to adjust your mask.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The activity is guided, which can help first-time snorkelers understand where to go and how the stop works. The supplied information does not name the reef sites or promise particular marine animals, so you should book this for the Red Sea snorkeling experience rather than a guaranteed wildlife sighting.

The split into two stops also gives the day a useful rhythm. After the first hour in the water, you return to the ship, rest, and prepare for a second location. If the first site is crowded or conditions are not ideal, the second stop gives you another chance to enjoy the sea.

I would bring a towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes, since the tour includes water time but does not list towels or personal snacks among the inclusions. Snacks are specifically not included. Lunch is provided, but a small personal snack may be useful for children or for anyone who gets hungry between activities.

The tour is described as suitable for most people, but the available details do not give a specific swimming skill requirement or explain how non-swimmers are accommodated. If someone in your group is not comfortable in open water, ask the operator about the arrangements before booking.

Orange Bay adds a land-based break

Orange Bay gives the outing a change of pace. After sailing and snorkeling, you get time away from the main ship environment at a popular Red Sea stop. The appeal is simple: you can relax, enjoy the setting, and let children move around instead of spending the entire day in the water or on deck.

The exact length of the Orange Bay visit is not stated. That is worth keeping in mind because the published program emphasizes one hour for each of the two snorkeling stops, plus sailing and lunch. You should not assume that Orange Bay receives a long beach stay unless the operator confirms it.

This stop is best viewed as part of the overall variety. The day is not only a snorkeling excursion, and it is not only a beach transfer. You get sailing, organized children’s activities, reef time, a meal, and a stop at Orange Bay. That variety is a major reason the tour works well for families with mixed interests.

If you prefer to spend nearly all your time underwater, the Orange Bay portion may feel like time taken away from snorkeling. If your group includes children or adults who want to alternate between activity and rest, it helps keep the day from becoming repetitive.

The buffet lunch in the lower salon

Lunch is served as an open buffet in one of the air-conditioned salons. The menu is notably broad for a half-day boat tour:

• Seafood soup
• Three types of fresh salad
• Rice, pasta, and potatoes
• Shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, and kofta
• Seasonal fresh fruit

That range makes the meal a good fit for a mixed group. Seafood fans have several choices, while anyone who prefers chicken or kofta is not limited to fish. Rice, pasta, and potatoes also give children familiar options.

The indoor salon is a practical setting for lunch. You can get out of the sun, sit at a proper table, and eat before returning to the deck or the water. Since the tour lasts until around 3:00 pm on the morning schedule, the meal is more than a minor convenience. It removes the need to plan lunch separately during an active day.

There are a few limits. Snacks are not included, and the supplied details do not list drinks, so you should confirm what beverages are available or bring money for extras if allowed. The menu also does not provide information about vegetarian, allergy-friendly, or special dietary meals. Ask before booking if that matters to you.

Children get more than a view from the rail

The organized children’s entertainment is one of the clearest reasons to choose this trip over a standard cruise. Treasure hunts and other games give younger children a role in the day, rather than asking them to sit quietly while adults enjoy the scenery.

The pirate setting supports those activities naturally. Kids can connect the ship, treasure hunt, and sailing theme into one simple story, which may make the trip feel like an event rather than a long transfer between snorkeling sites.

Of course, organized games do not mean every child will be occupied every minute. Activities are part of the program, but the details do not specify the exact schedule, age range, or language used by the staff. Parents should still bring sun protection, spare clothes, and a small personal snack.

The family focus also explains the strong overall response to the trip. It has a 4.7 rating from 78 reviews and a 91 percent recommendation rate. The most praised features are the beauty of the sailing boat, the staff, and the snorkeling areas. One especially positive account describes the boat as beautiful, the staff as excellent, and the snorkeling area as magical, with the whole day running smoothly. That matches the tour’s main selling point: the experience depends as much on the ship and crew as it does on the stops.

Is $78.11 good value?

At $78.11 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the Red Sea. Its value comes from how many separate costs are bundled together: air-conditioned transport, the boat trip, two guided snorkeling sessions, use of equipment, Orange Bay, lunch, and tour fees.

If you arranged a transfer, boat trip, snorkeling gear, and meal separately, the price comparison could look different. The included hotel pickup is especially useful because it makes the experience easier to plan and reduces the risk of paying extra for transport to the marina.

You are also paying for the style of the boat. A basic day boat may offer similar water time at a lower price, but it will not necessarily provide the same pirate theme, sun deck, air-conditioned salons, or organized children’s games.

The price makes the most sense for a family that will use the full package. If only one person in your group cares about snorkeling and everyone else would rather stay on shore, a simpler excursion may be better value. For a family wanting a shared day with food, transport, water activities, and entertainment, the package is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it first to families with children, especially those who want a boat with some character. The games and treasure hunts give younger children something to look forward to, while adults get comfortable seating, snorkeling, and a proper meal.

It also suits first-time visitors to Hurghada who want a single organized Red Sea day. The schedule includes the main pieces most people hope to experience: sailing, snorkeling, Orange Bay, and lunch.

It may suit you less if you want a small private group, a quiet sailing trip, or a long stay at one beach. The maximum group size is 45, and the program is built around several activities rather than one slow, peaceful stop.

The trip is also weather-dependent. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a full refund after a change of plans, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Practical planning before you book

Confirm the departure time carefully, since Wednesday and Saturday use the later 1:00 pm schedule while the other listed days begin at 9:00 am. This affects hotel plans, meals, and any evening reservation you may have.

Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, a towel, and dry clothes. Snorkeling equipment is included, but personal comfort items are not listed. Snacks are not included, so plan accordingly, especially for children.

Also confirm the exact Orange Bay timing and beverage arrangements if those details matter to you. The published schedule clearly gives two one-hour snorkeling stops and a buffet lunch, but it does not specify the length of the island visit or list drinks in the included items.

Should you book the Hurghada Pirates sailing boat?

Book this trip if you want a family-friendly Red Sea outing with a memorable ship, two substantial snorkeling stops, Orange Bay, a varied buffet, and hotel pickup. The strongest reasons to choose it are the ship itself, the children’s entertainment, and the broad mix of included services.

Think twice if you prefer a private boat, a small group, or a very quiet day. The 45-person maximum and family program create a social atmosphere, not a secluded one.

For most families, the $78.11 price is reasonable because it covers transport, equipment, food, and several activities in one booking. I would confirm the Orange Bay stop and drink arrangements before paying, then choose the departure day that fits your schedule best.

FAQ

How long does the Pirates sailing boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

What are the departure times?

The tour runs from about 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesday and Saturday, it runs from approximately 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Air-conditioned transportation and Hurghada hotel transfers are included.

Are snorkeling stops included?

Yes. The program includes two guided snorkeling stops, with about one hour planned at each location.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch is served onboard in an air-conditioned salon.

What food is served at lunch?

The menu includes seafood soup, three fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour can have a maximum of 45 participants.