Hurghada: Elite vip snorkeling cruise with BBQ buffet lunch

The Red Sea is the main event. This six-hour Hurghada cruise pairs guided snorkeling with an unusually spacious four-floor boat, two air-conditioned salons, waiter service, and a BBQ buffet. I especially like the room to spread out on the sun deck and the strong food offering, which includes chicken, Egyptian kofta, shrimp, and baked fish. The main thing to consider is that VIP does not mean adults-only, and the dolphin sighting is only an attempt, not a promise.

At $80 per person, this is priced above a basic snorkeling boat, but the extra space, hotel transfers, national park fee, drinks, lunch, and onboard comfort make the difference easier to understand. You get a polished day at sea rather than a simple ride to one reef, though the quality of the marine life still depends on weather, water conditions, and luck.

Key points to know before booking

• Four floors give you real breathing room: You can choose between an open sun deck, shaded mid-deck seating, and two air-conditioned salon and dining levels.
• Two guided snorkeling sessions are clearly scheduled: The day includes a reef stop after the outward cruise, then a second stop farther north after the dolphin search.
• The BBQ lunch is more than a token meal: The buffet includes soups, salads, side dishes, chicken, Egyptian kofta, shrimp, and oven-baked fish.
• Dolphins are possible, not guaranteed: The boat heads north to look for them, but no operator can control where wild dolphins appear.
• Water access is designed for mixed abilities: You enter from a low rear platform, and life jackets are available. Guides can assist less-confident swimmers.
• A wetsuit costs $10 extra: Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, and decide in advance if you will want more warmth.

Why this Hurghada cruise feels different from a basic boat trip

Many Red Sea excursions are built around getting you to the water as quickly as possible. This one puts almost as much attention on the boat as on the snorkeling. That matters during a six-hour outing, because you will spend plenty of time cruising, eating, changing, waiting between stops, and looking for marine life.

The Elite VIP boats have four floors. The top level is an open sun deck with loungers, useful if you want a full dose of sun and a clear view while the boat is moving. The middle deck offers shade and seats, while the two air-conditioned salon and dining decks give you a cooler place to escape the heat.

I like that range of choices. You are not forced to sit in one crowded area all day. If the sun gets too strong, you can retreat indoors. If you want the classic Red Sea feeling, you can stretch out above the water with a drink.

The boat is described as new, clean, and well maintained, with professional crew service. Waiters bring unlimited hot and soft drinks during the day, so you do not have to keep walking below deck for water or refreshments. That is a small convenience, but it becomes valuable when you are settled into a good sun lounger.

The word VIP can be used loosely in Hurghada, so keep your expectations sensible. This is a more comfortable boat-based snorkeling day, not a private yacht charter. Other groups can be onboard, and one recent booking specifically expected an adult-only setting but found children with other groups. If quiet adult surroundings are essential, ask before paying.

From your hotel to Hurghada Marina

Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure. The transfer from the Hurghada pickup area to the marina is listed at about 35 minutes by bus or coach, though the exact time depends on your hotel and road conditions.

The boat leaves the marina around 9:00 in the morning. That early start gives you a useful full day on the water without pushing the return too late. The planned arrival back in Hurghada is about 3:30 pm.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with the $5 national park fee. That helps the $80 price make more sense. You are not adding a separate transfer bill or park charge after booking.

Still, this is not a short morning outing. With pickup, transfer, boarding, cruising, snorkeling, lunch, and the ride home, you should keep most of the day free. Bring only what you need for the water and protect your phone and other valuables from spray.

The first cruise and your first reef stop

After leaving Hurghada Marina, the boat cruises for roughly an hour to an hour and a half. The different timing descriptions likely reflect the full route and the way the schedule is divided, so do not expect to reach the first snorkeling area immediately after boarding.

This first stretch is part of the experience. The Red Sea coast is best enjoyed from the water, where the view opens up and the boat itself becomes your base for the day. You can settle into a lounger, sit in the shade, or use one of the air-conditioned salons before getting wet.

The first reef stop lasts about 45 minutes in the listed schedule. A snorkeling guide accompanies you in the water, pointing out the coral and marine life while helping you stay safe. Life jackets are available, and access is through a low platform at the back of the boat.

That setup should suit a wide range of swimmers. You do not need to be an expert snorkeler to take part, and the guides can assist people who lack confidence. The description even says they can use a life buoy to help pull someone along. I would still be honest about your swimming ability before entering the water. A life jacket adds security, but it does not remove the need to listen to the guide.

The Red Sea is known for clear, warm water and colorful coral, but conditions change. The boat cannot promise a particular fish, turtle, octopus, or seahorse. You might see small reef fish in large numbers, unusual creatures hiding among coral, or larger marine life. The appeal is the possibility and the variety, not a fixed wildlife checklist.

Searching for dolphins, then snorkeling again

After the first water stop, the boat heads north and tries to find dolphins. This is a pleasant change of pace, but it is important to read the wording carefully: dolphins are spotted if possible. They are wild animals, not part of a timed show.

If you see them, the moment can be the highlight of the day. If you do not, the dolphin search still gives the cruise another purpose between reef stops. Just do not book this excursion solely for a guaranteed dolphin encounter.

The program then calls for a second guided snorkeling session. This lets you see another section of reef rather than spending the whole day at one location. The trip description also refers to three stops at prime snorkeling sites, while the detailed daily program clearly lays out a first reef stop, a dolphin search, and a second guided snorkeling stop.

For that reason, I would ask the crew on the morning of departure how many water entries are planned that day. Weather, sea conditions, and local operating decisions can change the exact sequence. The important point is that the published schedule includes two guided snorkeling sessions, with the possibility of additional cruising or stopping.

A second session is useful because you may feel more comfortable after the first one. You will already know how to use the equipment and where to enter the water. It also gives you another chance to see marine life if the first reef is less active than hoped.

A BBQ buffet served at sea

Lunch is served onboard for about an hour. The menu is designed to feel like a proper buffet rather than a basic packed lunch. You can expect soups, salads, side dishes, BBQ chicken, and Egyptian kofta. Depending on the menu selection, there may also be freshly cooked shrimp and oven-baked fish.

That variety is one of the strongest parts of the day. A morning in the sun and water leaves you hungry, and a hot meal makes the long return cruise more comfortable. The crew prepares the food onboard, with stated attention to hygiene and fresh ingredients.

The menu also gives you choices if you do not want seafood. Chicken and kofta provide familiar options, while shrimp and fish suit anyone looking for a meal that matches the setting.

Drinks are included throughout the day, with unlimited hot and soft drinks served by the crew. Keep drinking water even when you are swimming in cool water, because the sun and sea air can catch up with you.

One small service point is worth noting. A birthday was recorded during one booking, but no special acknowledgment followed. If you are planning the cruise around a birthday or celebration, tell the crew directly rather than assuming the note will lead to an announcement or surprise.

What the boat offers between water stops

The boat’s main advantage is space. The sun deck has loungers for people who want to rest, read, or dry off. Shaded seating is available on the mid-deck, and the air-conditioned salons offer relief when the heat becomes too much.

Two salon and dining decks are especially practical at lunchtime. They give the meal a more comfortable setting than eating beside wet equipment on a narrow outdoor deck. You can also use them when you want a quiet break from the glare.

Electronic massage beds are available onboard. This is an unusual extra, though the supplied details do not explain the cost, booking process, or length of a session. Ask the crew before using them so you know what is included and what may cost extra.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is important for anyone who needs step-free or assisted access. Because a snorkeling platform and water entry are involved, ask the provider in advance about the exact help available for your needs. Accessibility to the boat does not automatically mean every water activity is suitable for every passenger.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80, this is not the cheapest way to see the Red Sea from Hurghada. A lower-cost trip may offer transport, a boat ride, and one or two snorkeling stops without the same amount of deck space or service.

Here, the price includes hotel pickup and return, the national park fee, the cruise, guided snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. You also get a large boat with indoor cooling, shaded seats, loungers, and waiter service. If you value comfort and plan to spend the whole day onboard, the upgrade has a clear purpose.

The price is less convincing if you mainly want a quick swim and do not care about where you sit, what you eat, or how much room you have. It also does not include the optional wetsuit, which costs $10.

Extra photo or video services may be offered during the cruise, but do not assume a purchased video will arrive without checking your email details and delivery arrangements. One booking involved a €30 video that had not arrived at the time of the feedback. Get a receipt and confirm the email address before leaving the boat.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. I would also bring a hat, sunglasses, and a light cover-up for the boat, though only the first three items are specifically required.

A wetsuit can be rented for $10 if you want extra warmth. The Red Sea can remain above 20 degrees Celsius even in winter, but some people feel cold after repeated swims or when sitting in the wind. If you are sensitive to cool water, the rental may be worthwhile.

Use reef-safe sunscreen if available, and apply it before boarding so it has time to settle. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch. You will want photos of the boat and sea, but wet hands and a moving deck are a poor combination for unprotected electronics.

The guides speak English, German, and Russian. That helps if you need safety instructions or want to ask about the reef, but the service language available to you depends on the staff assigned that day.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want snorkeling without giving up comfort. It suits couples, families, mixed-age groups, and less-confident swimmers who would appreciate guides, life jackets, and a low water-entry platform.

It is also a good match for anyone who finds standard excursion boats tiring. The air-conditioned salons, shaded seating, loungers, drinks, and hot buffet reduce the rough edges of a full day at sea.

Families should note that the boat is not presented as adults-only. Children may be part of other groups, and the atmosphere can change depending on the day’s mix of passengers.

Strong swimmers may enjoy it too, especially if they want several reef stops and a substantial meal. But if your priority is a private outing, a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or a silent luxury setting, this may not be the right choice.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 28 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew, food, boat, and snorkeling locations. The positive pattern is useful: this experience succeeds most clearly as a comfortable, well-fed snorkeling day, not as a promise of rare animal sightings.

Should you book the Elite VIP snorkeling cruise?

Book it if you want a polished six-hour Red Sea outing with a large boat, guided reef swims, a generous BBQ lunch, hotel transport, and plenty of places to sit. The crew service and food give this trip more value than a bare-bones snorkeling transfer.

Before booking, accept three limits. Dolphins may not appear, the exact number of water stops can vary, and VIP does not mean adults-only. If those points are fine with you, $80 is a sensible price for the comfort and inclusions.

I would ask about the day’s exact snorkeling schedule and any photo or video charge before departure. Then bring your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and a little patience for the long cruise. The Red Sea is worth seeing from the water, and this boat gives you a comfortable base for doing it.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada snorkeling cruise last?

The activity lasts six hours. The boat departs around 9:00 am and is scheduled to return to the marina at about 3:30 pm, with hotel pickup beginning roughly 45 minutes before departure.

What is included in the $80 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat cruise, guided snorkeling, the $5 national park fee, onboard lunch, and unlimited hot and soft drinks.

How many snorkeling stops are planned?

The daily program describes a first guided snorkeling stop and a second guided snorkeling stop after the dolphin search. The wider description refers to three snorkeling sites, so ask the crew for the exact schedule on your departure day.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The boat moves north and tries to spot dolphins if possible, but sightings depend on the animals and sea conditions.

Is a wetsuit included?

No. Wetsuits are available to rent for $10 if you want one.

What languages are spoken, and is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The listed languages are English, German, and Russian. The boat is described as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm the practical details of boarding and water access for your specific needs.