Hurghada: Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet Lunch

Dolphins make the Red Sea feel wonderfully close. This full-day cruise from Hurghada combines wild dolphin watching, two reef snorkeling stops, a buffet lunch, and playful boat rides for $26 per person. I especially like the chance to see dolphins in their natural setting and the fact that the price includes gear, food, soft drinks, and several guides on board. The main catch is simple: dolphins are wild animals, so a sighting cannot be promised.

The boat offers a useful mix of open sun deck and shaded seating. I also like that the day is not built around one short wildlife sighting. If the dolphins keep their distance, you still have two reef stops, lunch, sea views, and banana boat and sofa boat rides to enjoy. The likely drawback is a busy boat, as one comment described some crowding even though the overall atmosphere remained good.

Key points at a glance

• Two reef stops: You get two separate chances to see colorful coral and fish, rather than spending the whole day waiting for dolphins.
• Wild dolphin watching: The crew searches known areas, but sightings and close encounters are never guaranteed.
• Good value at $26: Boat transport, snorkeling equipment, lunch, soft drinks, water, guides, and towable rides are included.
• Comfortable boat setup: Use the sun deck for open views, or move into the shaded area when the Egyptian sun gets strong.
• Helpful crew: Two to four professional guides work on each boat, including snorkeling instructors and safety support.
• Easy planning: The tour lasts about six to seven hours and returns to Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada.

Setting out from Public Beach Number 9

Your day begins at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada. The trip returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate way back after the cruise.

The listed price is $26 per person, which is strong value for a six to seven-hour outing. The fee covers round-trip boat transport, masks, snorkels, fins, a guided snorkeling session, lunch, water, soft drinks, and the banana boat and sofa boat activities. Many boat excursions charge extra for equipment or drinks, so the all-in structure makes this easier to budget.

Pickup is available from Hurghada hotels, though extra charges may apply. If you are staying in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga, pickup is available as an add-on for €10 per person. Check this point carefully before booking, because the meeting point is not the same as hotel pickup.

Bring a towel, since one is not supplied. You should also pack swimwear, a hat, and sunscreen. A small waterproof bag could be useful for personal items, though that specific item is not included.

The boat ride and the search for dolphins

Once out on the Red Sea, the cruise turns toward known dolphin areas. This is the part of the day with the greatest excitement and the least certainty. You may see dolphins swimming near the boat, and some people have been able to enter the water close to them, but the crew cannot control where wild dolphins go.

That limitation matters. You should book this as a Red Sea day with dolphin watching, not as a guaranteed swim-with-dolphins appointment. If you see them several times, as some participants have, the experience can feel remarkable. If the animals stay away, the snorkeling and time on the boat still form the main value of the trip.

The crew includes two to four professional guides on each boat. A snorkeling instructor is also included, so you are not left to work out the water activity alone. The staff has been praised for being friendly, funny, attentive, and well organized. That practical care makes a difference when several people need help with masks, fins, boarding, and water safety.

Expect music and open sea views between stops. You can stretch out on the sun deck or choose the shaded part of the boat. The open deck is best for watching the sea and feeling the breeze, while shade is the wiser choice once the sun becomes intense.

Two snorkeling stops on the Red Sea

The tour includes two snorkeling stops at coral reef sites. This is one of the strongest parts of the schedule because it gives you more than one chance to see underwater life and compare two locations.

At the reef, you can use the provided mask, snorkel, and fins. A guide leads the snorkeling session and offers assistance, which is helpful for first-time snorkelers and families. The underwater scenery includes colorful coral and many fish, according to the detailed experiences shared about the trip.

I like the two-stop format because it prevents one poor water stop from defining the entire day. Sea conditions can affect visibility, comfort, and how much time you want to spend in the water. With two locations, you have another opportunity to see coral and fish in a different setting.

You should still be realistic about the word colorful. This is a sea excursion, not a private reef visit. Boats can carry a number of people, and one account noted that the vessel felt somewhat crowded. The crew can make the activity run well, but you may not have a quiet patch of reef to yourself.

The water stops are also not suitable for everyone. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people with mobility issues. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Families should confirm that children can follow the crew’s instructions and manage the water activity safely.

Lunch, drinks, and time between swims

A fresh buffet lunch is served on board, with soft drinks and water available during the day. This is a valuable inclusion because a boat trip of six to seven hours needs a proper meal, not just a snack.

The lunch has received particularly warm praise, and it helps give the day a relaxed middle section. After time in the water, you can eat, sit in the shade, and let the crew handle the next part of the route. You do not have to return to Hurghada for lunch or spend time looking for food between stops.

Keep your expectations sensible. The supplied information describes a fresh buffet, but it does not provide a detailed menu. If you have special dietary needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet will meet them.

Soft drinks and water are included, but personal expenses are not. Carry money only if you expect to buy something extra or use a separate photography service. Towels and photography are not included, so these are easy costs to overlook when packing.

Banana boat and sofa boat rides

The cruise also includes banana boat and sofa boat rides. These add a more playful side to the day, especially for families, couples, and anyone who wants more than a quiet snorkeling trip.

The activities are included in the listed fare, which adds to the value. They also break up the pace. The day moves from dolphin searching to snorkeling, then lunch and boat activities, rather than repeating one type of excursion for hours.

Still, these rides may not suit every person. If you prefer a calm wildlife trip, you can focus on the dolphin search, reef stops, and shaded seating. If you have mobility concerns, remember that the tour is not recommended for people with mobility issues.

How the guides shape the experience

The guide team is a major strength here. Each boat has two to four professional guides, including a snorkeling instructor, and the crew is responsible for safety, assistance, and keeping the schedule moving.

The strongest praise focuses on the staff’s friendly attitude and teamwork. Several comments describe the crew as kind, funny, attentive, and well organized. One particularly detailed account praised the way the team worked together throughout the day. That is the sort of thing you notice when a boat has many moving parts.

Tours run in English, German, and Arabic. If you need instructions in one of these languages, the listed language options should make the snorkeling briefing and safety guidance easier to follow.

The crew cannot guarantee dolphins, calm water, or an uncrowded boat. What it can do is search suitable areas, guide the snorkeling stops, provide equipment, and help you enjoy the day safely. That is the right standard to use when judging this excursion.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada cruise most

I would recommend this trip most strongly to:

• Couples looking for a low-cost day on the Red Sea
• Families with children who enjoy swimming and boat activities
• First-time snorkelers who want equipment and guidance included
• Nature lovers who understand that wild dolphin sightings are uncertain
• Visitors who want lunch and drinks included in the upfront price
• Anyone staying in Hurghada who can easily reach Public Beach Number 9

It may be less suitable if you want a private boat, a quiet reef with very few people, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. The comments describe a good atmosphere, but also indicate that the boat can feel crowded at times.

Children under three years old join free. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women. If you have limited mobility, consider a different Hurghada excursion with easier boarding and less time in the water.

The value of $26 per person

At $26, this is a strong package for a full day at sea. You receive boat transport, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guide, lunch, soft drinks, water, and two towable rides. Even if you treat the dolphin watching as a bonus rather than a promise, the included activities give the price real substance.

The value is best for someone staying in Hurghada, where the meeting point is convenient. If you are based farther away, the €10 pickup add-on from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga changes the calculation slightly. It is still reasonable, but you should add the transfer cost before comparing it with other excursions.

The tour is also flexible at booking. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That is useful when your Red Sea plans depend on weather, hotel arrangements, or a changing holiday schedule.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive prepared for sun, salt water, and a long day outdoors. Pack your hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen, and apply sunscreen before boarding. Reapply it after snorkeling, especially if you spend time on the open deck.

Choose your seating with the schedule in mind. The sun deck gives you the best open views, while shaded areas are more comfortable during the hottest part of the day. You may want to move between both rather than stay in direct sun throughout the cruise.

Treat the dolphin search patiently. Keep your expectations flexible, and enjoy the boat ride even if the animals do not appear right away. The best memories may come from a combination of dolphins, coral, fish, lunch, and the easy rhythm of a day at sea.

If you are bringing children, explain that the dolphins are wild and may not come close. That helps prevent disappointment and makes the reef stops feel like part of the main adventure, not a backup plan.

Should you book this dolphin cruise?

I would book it if you want a reasonably priced Red Sea day with several activities included. The combination of wild dolphin watching, two coral reef stops, a buffet lunch, friendly guides, and banana boat and sofa boat rides gives you plenty to do for six to seven hours.

I would skip it if your top priority is privacy, guaranteed dolphin contact, or a very quiet boat. For most people staying in Hurghada, though, the price is hard to argue with. Just bring a towel, prepare for possible crowds, and think of the dolphins as a lucky part of the day rather than the only reason to go.

FAQ

How much does the Hurghada dolphin cruise cost?

The tour costs $26 per person.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately six to seven hours.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point in Hurghada.

Are dolphins guaranteed during the cruise?

No. The crew searches for dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are snorkeling masks and fins provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided, and a snorkeling instructor guides the reef session.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The cruise includes two snorkeling stops at coral reef locations.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A fresh buffet lunch is served on board, and soft drinks and water are available.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from hotels in Hurghada, though extra charges may apply. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga is available for €10 per person.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under three years old join free, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues.