Hurghada Pirates sailing boat to Orange bay & Buffet Lunch

Pirate ships make the Red Sea feel like an adventure.

This family-friendly cruise trades a plain sightseeing boat for a twin-masted wooden ship with a broad upper sun deck, two air-conditioned salons, and a playful pirate theme. I like the organized children’s games, including treasure hunts, and I like that the day includes two guided snorkel stops, Orange Bay, lunch, equipment, and hotel transport in one package.

The main consideration is the five-and-a-half-hour schedule. The trip gives you a generous amount of time on the water, but the snorkeling is optional and the boat can carry up to 45 people, so this is a social group outing rather than a quiet private sail.

Key points to know before booking

• Twin-masted pirate ship: You sail aboard a wooden boat with a large upper sun deck and two air-conditioned lower salons decorated with marble, wood, and pirate details.
• Two one-hour snorkel stops: Guided snorkeling is offered at two Red Sea sites, with equipment included.
• Orange Bay break: You get time to relax at Orange Bay as part of the day’s sea-and-beach program.
• Buffet served onboard: The meal includes seafood soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, seafood, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.
• Family entertainment: Children can join organized activities and treasure hunts while adults enjoy the deck.
• Two departure patterns: Most listed days run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, while Wednesday and Saturday departures run from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Why this pirate boat works for families

Many Hurghada boat trips follow the same basic formula: transfer to the marina, cruise to the Red Sea, snorkel, eat, and return. This one adds a clear family angle. The pirate styling gives children something to look forward to, while organized games help break up the time between swimming, lunch, and sailing.

That matters because a five-and-a-half-hour boat day can feel long for younger children. A treasure hunt or another planned activity gives them a reason to stay involved instead of spending the whole trip asking when the next stop will arrive.

I also like that the ship has both outdoor and air-conditioned indoor spaces. The upper sun deck is the natural place to watch the sea and feel the breeze, while the lower salons offer a cooler retreat. The onboard lunch is served in one of those salons, so you are not expected to eat in full sun or balance a plate on your lap outdoors.

The pirate theme is fun without changing the basic purpose of the trip. You still get time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and Orange Bay. The decoration simply gives the day more personality.

The one thing to keep in mind is group size. With a maximum of 45 people, this is not a secluded sailing experience. If you want privacy, a silent deck, or a flexible route chosen just for your group, a private charter would suit you better. If you want a reliable shared excursion with built-in entertainment, the group format keeps the price more reasonable.

Boarding a twin-masted wooden ship

The boat itself is one of the stronger parts of the experience. It is described as a twin-masted wooden sailing vessel designed to recall the golden age of sailing. You get a spacious upper deck, which gives you room to sit, watch the coastline, and enjoy the feeling of being offshore.

Below deck, two air-conditioned salons are fitted with marble and wood. They are decorated around the pirate theme, but the practical benefit is more important: you have an indoor place to cool down, eat, and take a break from the sun.

I would choose your seat with the full day in mind. The upper deck is better for views and fresh air, but the lower salon may be more comfortable during lunch or after snorkeling. Having both options means you can adjust your day instead of being stuck in one hot outdoor area.

The boat is described as beautiful and luxurious, but I would treat those words in practical terms. This is a more polished setting than a basic transfer boat, with proper salons and a dining area. It is still a working day boat, so you should expect a shared excursion rather than a formal yacht charter.

The first hour: sailing toward the snorkel sites

The published program allows about one hour of sailing to the first snorkeling area. That travel time is part of the experience, not just dead time. You can settle in, watch the water, take in the ship’s design, and let the day move at an easy pace.

For families, the sailing period also gives the children’s activities room to begin. The boat’s organized games are meant to keep younger passengers occupied while the adults enjoy the ride.

The route heads toward local Red Sea snorkeling sites selected for the day. Exact reef names are not provided, so you should not book this expecting a visit to a particular named reef. The useful promise is two guided snorkeling periods, each listed at about one hour.

That schedule gives you a fair chance to enjoy the water without rushing through a short ten-minute stop. It also leaves room for people who want to snorkel for only part of the time and then return to the boat.

Two guided snorkeling stops, each about one hour

The two snorkeling sessions are a major part of the value. Equipment use is included, and the snorkeling is guided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins or arrange a separate water activity.

I like the way the program separates the snorkeling into two stops. One long session can become tiring, especially for children or anyone who is not used to swimming in open water. Two periods give you a chance to return to the boat, rest, and decide how much time you want to spend in the water at the second location.

The word optional is important. You can join the guided snorkeling, but you do not have to. If you prefer to remain on deck, enjoy the view, or supervise children, the boat provides other ways to spend the time.

You should still be realistic about the conditions. The trip requires good weather, and sea conditions can affect how comfortable snorkeling feels. If poor weather forces cancellation, the operator offers another date or a full refund.

The provided information does not identify the reefs, the marine life, or the exact depth at the stops. That is useful to know when setting expectations. You are booking a general Red Sea snorkeling day, not a specialist marine biology trip or a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Orange Bay offers the slower part of the day

Orange Bay gives the itinerary a change of pace. After sailing and snorkeling, you get time to relax at the bay rather than spending every minute in the water or on the move.

The details supplied do not specify exactly how long you remain at Orange Bay, so I would not plan around a precise beach schedule. Think of it as a planned relaxation stop within the larger sailing day.

This part will appeal to you if you want a mix of activities. You can snorkel during the guided stops, enjoy the boat itself, and then have time connected with Orange Bay. That variety is especially useful for families with different interests.

If your main goal is a long, quiet beach stay, this may feel too brief. The tour is built around several experiences in one day, rather than giving you an entire afternoon at Orange Bay.

Lunch in the air-conditioned salon

The included meal is more substantial than a simple sandwich. The buffet menu lists seafood soup, three types of fresh salad, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

That variety is useful on a family boat trip because it gives you several choices. A child who does not want seafood can choose chicken, pasta, potatoes, or rice. Adults can build a fuller plate with seafood, salad, and hot dishes.

Lunch is served in the onboard salon, which is a welcome detail in a warm climate. After time on the upper deck and in the water, sitting in an air-conditioned room can make the meal more comfortable.

The menu is described as a brunch in the included services, while the itinerary calls it a buffet lunch. Either way, you should treat it as the main included meal of the cruise. Snacks are not included, so bring extra food if someone in your group tends to eat between meals.

Drinks and specific dietary arrangements are not detailed in the information provided. If you have food restrictions, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the buffet will meet your needs.

The afternoon and morning schedules

The standard schedule runs from 9:00 am to about 3:00 pm on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday and Saturday use a later departure, from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

The morning departure gives you most of the day after returning. That can be useful if you have evening plans in Hurghada or want time at your hotel later. The afternoon departure may suit you better if you prefer a slower morning or want to combine the cruise with another morning activity.

Check the day carefully before booking. The duration is listed as approximately five hours and 30 minutes, but the exact pattern depends on the departure time. The return is described as approximately 3:00 pm for the morning version.

Hotel pickup is offered, and an air-conditioned vehicle is included. Door-to-door transport is a real advantage in Hurghada, where reaching the marina on your own can add cost and hassle. Pickup details can vary by hotel, so confirm the meeting time when your booking is confirmed.

What $78.11 per person gets you

At $78.11 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the full package. You are paying for transport, the boat ride, two guided snorkeling sessions, snorkeling equipment, Orange Bay time, the buffet meal, and the ship’s family entertainment.

Booking each part separately would make the day harder to organize. You would need to arrange marina transport, find a boat with suitable snorkeling equipment, pay for food, and make sure the schedule works for everyone in your group.

The price is less compelling if you do not want to snorkel, do not care about Orange Bay, or prefer a small boat. Much of the value comes from combining several activities into one day. Someone seeking only a short scenic cruise may find the outing longer than necessary.

The rating is 4.7 from 78 reviews, with 91 percent recommending the experience. One particularly positive account praises the beauty of the sailing boat, the staff, the snorkeling area, and the smooth running of the day. That matches the tour’s main strengths: a well-presented ship, a broad set of inclusions, and a program designed to keep the day moving.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named guide-led experience. The available information does indicate guided snorkeling and organized children’s entertainment, which are the staff-led parts most likely to shape your day.

Who should book this Hurghada boat trip?

I would put this near the top of the list for families who want one easy Red Sea outing. The pirate ship gives children a theme and activities, while adults get a proper deck, indoor seating, a full meal, and time to relax.

It also suits first-time visitors to Hurghada who want to combine snorkeling and Orange Bay without arranging separate bookings. The included transfer and equipment remove several small decisions from the day.

Couples and groups of friends may enjoy it too, especially if they like a social boat atmosphere and want an attractive vessel rather than a basic fishing-style boat. The large ship gives you several places to sit and spend time.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group excursions, need a very quiet boat, or want a guaranteed visit to a particular reef. The maximum group size is 45, and the precise snorkeling locations are not listed.

The schedule may also be a poor match for anyone with limited time in Hurghada. Since the day takes approximately five and a half hours, allow extra flexibility around hotel pickup and return.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. The experience is near public transportation, although pickup is offered for Hurghada hotels.

Most people can take part, but the information does not give detailed accessibility specifications. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, ask the operator about boarding and movement between the upper deck, lower salons, and snorkeling areas before reserving.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

Because the trip depends on good weather, a weather cancellation leads to an alternative date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a snorkeling and sailing day, where conditions affect both comfort and safety.

Should you book the Pirates sailing boat?

Book it if you want a well-organized family day that combines a distinctive boat, two snorkeling sessions, Orange Bay, buffet lunch, and transport for one price. The pirate theme is more than decoration because children also get organized games and treasure hunts.

Skip it if you want a private cruise, a small group, or a long uninterrupted stay at Orange Bay. For most families and first-time Hurghada visitors, though, the strong rating, useful inclusions, attractive ship, and broad menu make $78.11 a fair price for a full half-day on the Red Sea.

FAQ

How long is the Pirates sailing boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes. Morning trips generally run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, while Wednesday and Saturday trips run from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Hurghada?

Yes. Hurghada hotel transfers are offered, and an air-conditioned vehicle is included.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes two guided snorkeling stops. Each snorkeling period is listed at approximately one hour.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included on the boat?

Yes. The onboard buffet includes seafood soup, three types of fresh salad, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

What days does the tour operate?

Trips run on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Wednesday and Saturday departures run from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, while weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.