Sharm: Pirates Sailing Boat cruise with transfers & lunch

Set sail for coral reefs and White Island. This seven-hour cruise gives you two guided snorkeling stops, a visit to Ras Mohammed National Park, a buffet lunch, and a striking three-masted wooden boat with three decks. I especially like the air-conditioned dining salon and the relaxed cruise along the Sinai coast. The main catch is that the advertised children’s pirate entertainment may not be available, so families should book with care.

The cruise costs about $80 per person, including hotel transfers, park entry, lunch, and life jackets. That is fair value if you want a full-day Red Sea outing with a more theatrical boat than the usual motor yacht. You should still budget for the €5 marina fee, plus €5 per piece for snorkeling equipment and €10 for a wetsuit if needed.

Key points before you book

• Three decks and a proper dining salon: The wooden pirate boat has a large sun deck plus two air-conditioned salons, with marble and wood fittings.
• Two 45-minute snorkeling stops: You get guided time in the water at coral reef sites near Ras Mohammed and the Red Sea.
• White Island is a short visit: The pale sandbar is scenic, but the transfer by speedboat can take up much of the stop.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and fruit.
• Children’s entertainment is not guaranteed: Several family bookings found little or no pirate activity despite the promotion.
• Plan for extra costs: Snorkeling gear costs €5 per item, wetsuits cost €10, and the marina fee is €5 per person.

The pirate ship gives a standard boat day more character

Most Red Sea boat trips are about the water. This one adds a bit of theater before you even reach the reef. The vessel is a three-masted wooden sailing boat with a pirate theme, three decks, and a large upper sun deck for sitting in the sun or watching the Sinai coast slide past.

The design is a real part of the experience. The lower and middle salons are air-conditioned and decorated with marble and wood. The main dining salon is where lunch is served, giving the meal a more formal setting than the usual plastic table on a smaller boat.

You should not expect an old-fashioned pirate adventure with a full cast in costume. The boat has pirate decoration and a pirate identity, but the family entertainment seems less dependable. Some bookings describe no pirate costumes and no organized children’s activities beyond pirate-themed pictures in the lower cabin.

That distinction matters. If you are booking for the boat, scenery, lunch, and snorkeling, the theme is a pleasant bonus. If you are paying extra because your children expect a full pirate show, keep expectations modest.

Transfers start early and keep the day simple

Hotel pickup is included from Sharm El Sheikh. The drive to the marina is listed at about 25 minutes, but your pickup may take place roughly an hour before the boat departs. You should receive the exact time by WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure.

The boat leaves around 9:00 a.m. and returns to the marina at approximately 4:00 p.m. That makes this a full day, not a quick morning outing. The seven-hour duration includes the boat ride, snorkeling, White Island, lunch, and time spent moving between sites.

Transfers have been praised for running smoothly, which is important in Sharm. A reliable pickup takes away the usual problem of finding the marina yourself. Still, confirm the pickup message carefully, especially if your hotel sits outside the central resort area.

Bring your passport, though a copy is accepted. Pack a towel, sunscreen, and anything you need for time in direct sun. The upper deck is the natural place to sit between stops, while the air-conditioned salon is useful during lunch or when the heat becomes too much.

Sailing toward Ras Mohammed takes about two and a half hours

The cruise heads along the Sinai coast toward Ras Mohammed National Park. The published schedule allows about two and a half hours for the sailing portion, though the exact rhythm of the day can vary with sea conditions and the transfer to White Island.

This long ride is part of the appeal if you enjoy being on a boat. You have room to sit, walk between decks, take in the coast, and settle into the day rather than rushing from one stop to the next. The boat’s size also gives you more indoor space than a small speedboat.

The trade-off is time. You are not spending all seven hours in the water. A sizeable portion goes toward reaching the park and moving between sites. If your priority is maximum snorkeling time, a smaller, water-focused trip might suit you better.

The pirate ship is most useful for people who want the journey to feel like part of the outing. I like that the boat offers both a sun deck and air-conditioned salons. That gives you a choice between open-air views and a cool retreat, a small comfort that becomes valuable in South Sinai.

Ras Mohammed brings the first 45-minute snorkeling stop

Ras Mohammed National Park is the main natural attraction on this route. The park is known for its coral reefs and marine life, and the first water stop lasts about 45 minutes.

A professional guide leads the snorkeling, which helps you understand where to look and keeps the stop organized. You can expect coral formations and Red Sea fish rather than a casual swim beside the boat. Life jackets are included, and wearing one is sensible even if you are a confident swimmer.

There is an important equipment point here. Snorkeling gear is not included in the base price. Masks, snorkels, and related equipment are listed at €5 per piece, while a wetsuit costs €10. If you already own a mask, bring it. More than one family booking found the water rules and equipment issue confusing, particularly when a parent wanted to enter the water only to supervise a child.

For that reason, I would not assume that a child can simply swim beside a parent without a mask. Ask the operator before departure if a young child needs an accompanying adult in the water, and confirm what equipment is required. This is especially important for a five-year-old or any child who is nervous in open water.

The 45-minute limit is enough for a good look at the reef, but it is not a long snorkeling session. Getting ready, entering the water, and returning to the boat will reduce the actual time spent looking below the surface.

White Island is beautiful, but the visit is brief

White Island is the scenic postcard stop. The pale sand and shallow water create a sharp contrast with the surrounding Red Sea. You get about 45 minutes here, making it a good chance to take photographs, wade, and enjoy a change from reef snorkeling.

The visit involves a speedboat transfer from the main vessel. This is practical because the large pirate boat cannot simply pull onto a shallow sandbar. It also creates a drawback: getting on and off the speedboat can consume a noticeable portion of the stop.

If White Island is your main reason for booking, you may find the time too short. One family booking specifically wished for a longer stay there. The island is best treated as a scenic interlude, not a half-day beach visit.

Pay attention to the instructions when moving between the pirate ship, the speedboat, and the island. Keep your belongings secure and avoid bringing more than you need. The stop is short, so a towel, sunscreen, and a small waterproof pouch are more useful than a large beach bag.

The second snorkeling stop adds variety

After White Island, the cruise includes another snorkeling stop in the Red Sea, also scheduled for about 45 minutes. Two separate water stops are a strong feature of the day because you get another chance to see marine life and coral after the first site.

The second stop also gives less confident swimmers a chance to settle in. You can use the first visit to get comfortable with the mask, fins, and water temperature, then enjoy the next stop with less fuss.

The same practical limits apply. You need suitable equipment, and you should listen closely to the guide’s instructions. If your children are not comfortable entering the water, the promise of two stops may not translate into two enjoyable swims.

There is no need to force it. The boat provides a place to rest, and the crew can direct you to the safer areas. Still, families should ask questions before boarding rather than discovering the rules at the reef.

Lunch is a genuine strength of this cruise

Lunch is served as an open buffet in the air-conditioned salon. That is one of the better features of the boat. You can get out of the sun, sit at a proper table, and eat a full meal rather than relying on a wrapped sandwich between swims.

The menu includes:

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

The food has received strong praise, especially considering that it is prepared aboard a leisure boat. The seafood gives the meal a local Red Sea feel, while chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, and potatoes provide familiar choices for children or anyone who does not want seafood.

Soft drinks are included. The timing of lunch is listed as about one hour, giving you enough time to eat without rushing. After sun, salt water, and boat motion, that indoor break is welcome.

You should not treat the meal as a luxury restaurant experience. It is a buffet for a large excursion, and the exact selection or presentation may vary. But the combination of variety, seating, air conditioning, and a full menu makes lunch a meaningful part of the $80 price.

Families need to look past the pirate promise

The tour is marketed as family-friendly and includes a children’s entertainment program. In practice, this is the least reliable part of the experience.

Some family bookings found no organized activities and no staff dressed as pirates. One booking described pirate pictures in the lower cabin as the only clear link to the advertised children’s theme. Another reported that two young children received no pirate activities at all.

That does not mean children cannot enjoy the trip. The boat itself is unusual, the coast is attractive, and the water stops can be exciting for children who already like swimming and snorkeling. But I would book it for the boat and Red Sea outing, not for guaranteed supervised entertainment.

The description also says children may be left with the animation team on the lower deck while adults enjoy the upper deck. Do not assume this means formal childcare. Ask exactly what staff will do, how long activities last, and whether children must have an accompanying adult nearby.

For families with very young children, the water-access question matters just as much as entertainment. Bring a properly fitting mask for each child who plans to snorkel, and confirm the supervision policy before the trip.

Is $80 good value for a seven-hour day?

At $80 per person, the price is reasonable for a package that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, Ras Mohammed entry, lunch, soft drinks, life jackets, and a full boat outing. The three-deck vessel also gives you more space and indoor comfort than a basic snorkeling boat.

The value is strongest if you want several things in one day:

• A distinctive sailing boat
• A trip to Ras Mohammed
• Two guided snorkeling stops
• White Island
• A full buffet lunch
• Transport from your hotel

The extra charges slightly change the calculation. Add €5 per snorkeling item, €10 for a wetsuit, and the €5 marina entrance fee per person. The marina charge may be prepaid through an add-on or paid when you arrive.

For two adults who already own snorkeling equipment, the package looks better. For a family needing several masks, snorkels, and wetsuits, the total rises quickly. Ask for the full cost before paying, especially if you are also considering special food for children. One booking reported a high charge for chopped melon and yogurt ordered separately for children, so avoid assuming that extra food is covered by the buffet.

The activity has an overall rating of 4.4 from 26 ratings, with strong praise for the crew, the boat, transfers, scenery, food, and general organization. The lower scores focus mainly on missing children’s entertainment, equipment rules, the short White Island stop, and value for families.

Who will enjoy this Red Sea cruise most?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who can swim or snorkel independently. It is also a good match for anyone who wants a comfortable boat with indoor seating and a proper meal, not just a fast ride to the reef.

It suits you if the boat matters almost as much as the snorkeling. The wooden pirate styling, upper sun deck, marble and wood salons, and air-conditioned lunch room create a more memorable setting than a plain transfer boat.

I would be cautious if your main goal is long snorkeling sessions. Each stop is around 45 minutes, and the sailing and transfers take much of the day. I would also think twice if you are booking mainly for pirate costumes, games, or supervised children’s activities.

The excursion is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the day includes movement between the main boat, a speedboat, and White Island. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical transfer arrangements directly before booking.

Final verdict: book it for the boat, reefs, and food

Book this cruise if you want a full Red Sea day with a distinctive vessel, two guided snorkeling stops, White Island, hotel transfers, and a substantial buffet lunch. The crew, scenery, onboard food, and boat design are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it, or choose another option, if your children need a guaranteed pirate program or if you want the longest possible time in the water. Bring your own snorkeling gear when possible, confirm the marina fee, and ask about child supervision before departure.

My call: good value for adults and older children, with one important warning. The pirate theme is more about the ship’s decoration and design than a dependable entertainment program.

FAQ

How long does the Pirates Sailing Boat cruise last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. It generally departs around 9:00 a.m. and returns to the marina at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, followed by transport to the marina.

How long is the transfer to the marina?

The bus or coach ride is listed at about 25 minutes. Your pickup time may be roughly one hour before the boat departure.

Which destinations does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island, with two snorkeling stops in the Red Sea.

How long is each snorkeling stop?

Each guided snorkeling stop lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment costs €5 per piece. Wetsuits are also not included and cost €10 per item.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch is served in the air-conditioned salon. The menu includes soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 per person applies. It can be paid upon arrival or prepaid through the available add-on.

Are children’s activities included?

A children’s entertainment program is advertised, but organized pirate activities and costumes may not be available. Ask the operator to confirm what will run on your date.

What languages are available?

Instruction and service are available in English, German, and Russian.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and your passport. A copy of your passport is accepted.