Sindbad Submarines – Hurghada (Egypt) – 2 Hours

Submarines are rare holiday rides. Sindbad Submarines lets you sit 25 meters below the Red Sea, looking through your own round window at coral, fish, rays, and even a sunken ship. I like the easy access for families and non-swimmers, and I like that the 44-passenger vessel is air-conditioned, with a window for every seat. The main drawback is value: at about $75, it costs more than many ordinary Hurghada excursions.

The experience also works well for young children. Several families found that toddlers and children as young as four were fascinated by the fish and by the scuba divers performing outside the windows. I would allow about three and a half hours from hotel pickup to return, even though the underwater ride itself lasts roughly 45 minutes.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• 25 meters below the Red Sea: You view coral and marine life from inside a real recreational submarine.
• One window per passenger: The 44 seats each have a round viewing window, so you are not fighting for a place at the glass.
• About 45 minutes underwater: The full outing takes around three and a half hours with transfers, boat travel, waiting, and boarding.
• Good for families and non-swimmers: You stay dry and seated while still seeing the underwater world.
• Return hotel transfer included: Air-conditioned transport, soft drinks, and taxes are included in the listed price.
• Photo sales are part of the day: A photographer may offer pictures and video, so decide your budget before boarding.

Why This Hurghada Submarine Ride Is Different

Hurghada has plenty of ways to see the Red Sea. You can snorkel, take a glass-bottom boat, or sign up for a swimming activity. Sindbad offers something less common: a ride in a genuine recreational submarine rather than a boat with windows below the waterline.

The operator describes the vessels as two of only 14 real recreational submarines worldwide, and the only such submarines in North Africa and the Middle East. That claim gives the outing its unusual appeal. You are not simply looking through a panel on a regular boat. You are seated inside a submarine with two pilot seats, air conditioning, and round windows built into the passenger cabin.

I would not book this expecting a full marine biology lesson or the variety of a serious snorkel trip. The attraction is the setting itself. You get to say you went beneath the Red Sea in a submarine, then watch fish and coral pass your window without needing swimming skills.

The submarine follows about 500 meters of coral reef. The route reaches approximately 25 meters below the surface, or 82 feet. That is far enough to give the experience a real underwater feel, while the air-conditioned cabin keeps you comfortable and dry.

From Little Buddha to the Submarine Terminal

The stated meeting point is Little Buddha Hurghada in the Touristic Villages area. Hotel pickup is offered, and the operator provides point-to-point transport to the terminal. The transfer includes both land and sea transportation, so your day is not limited to the 45-minute submarine section.

In many cases, communication begins through WhatsApp after booking. That can be useful in Hurghada, where hotel entrances and pickup points are not always obvious. Confirm the pickup time, hotel name, and exact meeting place in advance, and keep the operator’s contact details handy.

The transfer record is mostly positive, with several reports of punctual drivers, smooth rides, and friendly service. One party even received help after leaving a phone behind. Still, pickup is the one area where I would stay alert. A few bookings had no vehicle arrive, and attempts to contact the local company went unanswered. One group solved the problem with a taxi, but that should not be your first plan when a transfer is included.

Give yourself a buffer before the scheduled departure. If your hotel is outside the usual pickup zone, confirm that the company has accepted the extra distance rather than assuming the standard transfer covers it.

Waiting, Boarding, and Finding Your Seat

The terminal process can include a wait before boarding. One party was asked to arrive at 10:30 for an 11:00 start but did not begin until 11:30, with little explanation. That delay is not necessarily typical, but it is worth knowing if you are planning another activity later in the day.

Once aboard, you are assigned a seat number. This matters because you remain seated for the underwater portion. The arrangement is practical and fair: each of the 44 passenger seats has a sizeable round viewing window, so no single person can dominate the best spot.

The cabin’s air conditioning is a welcome feature in Hurghada’s heat. Complimentary cold drinks, including juices, sodas, or water mentioned during the outing, also help during the transfer and waiting periods. All fees and taxes are included, so the advertised price is not followed by a standard admission surcharge.

The seating arrangement does mean you cannot wander from side to side. If you want to take pictures, you will need to work with the view from your assigned window. Bring a charged phone, but remember that reflections and low light can make underwater photography difficult.

25 Meters Below the Surface

The main event lasts about 45 minutes. The submarine moves along the reef at a steady pace while you watch through the windows. Expect coral formations, schools of small reef fish, and other marine life. Rays may appear, and a sunken ship is another feature mentioned along the route.

The view changes depending on which side of the submarine is beside the coral. On the return journey, the opposite side gets the better reef view. A scuba diver may work outside the other side, feeding fish and entertaining the passengers. The diver performances add a playful touch, and the crew members have been praised for their humor.

That detail helps explain the experience. You are not guaranteed a constant parade of unusual animals. At times, you may see plenty of fish but not many different species. The coral can be attractive, yet some people may find the underwater scenery less dramatic than expected.

I would set your expectations at a pleasant introduction, not a replacement for snorkeling or scuba. A snorkeler can cover more area and often sees the reef from a brighter, more open angle. The submarine wins on comfort, novelty, and access. You stay dry, avoid breathing equipment, and do not need to know how to swim.

Because everyone remains seated, this is a calm activity for parents with small children. A four-year-old can watch through the window without dealing with fins, masks, waves, or the fear of going underwater. The cabin also gives you a reliable escape from the sun.

The Scuba Divers and the Sunken Ship

The divers outside the submarine are part of the entertainment. They may wave, feed fish, or perform for the people inside. Their antics help hold children’s attention during slower stretches of the reef route.

I like this extra element because the submarine ride itself can become quiet and repetitive. You are looking through a fixed window, and the reef does not always change quickly. The divers give you something close-up to watch and create a clear sense of connection between the people inside and the sea outside.

The sunken ship provides another point of interest. It is not described as a full wreck exploration, so you should not expect a long technical look at a famous shipwreck. Treat it as one memorable sight along a reef circuit.

Is $75 Good Value?

At $75, Sindbad Submarines is not the cheapest way to see Red Sea marine life. A simple boat outing may cost less, and snorkeling can offer more time in the water for a lower price. You are paying for the rare submarine setting, the organized transport, the controlled cabin, and the chance to bring non-swimmers into the underwater world.

For a family with mixed interests, that can be good value. One child may be too young to snorkel, one adult may dislike swimming, and another person may simply want the novelty of a submarine. The activity allows everyone to share the same view without special equipment or physical effort.

For an experienced snorkeler, the calculation is different. If you already know you love open-water reef trips, the limited viewing time and fixed seat may feel restrictive. I would choose this for the unusual vehicle and family convenience, not for the greatest variety of fish.

Soft drinks, air-conditioned transport, and included taxes make the price easier to understand. Photo and video purchases are not included, though. Set aside money only if you want the souvenir, and do not feel obliged to buy it.

Photos, Videos, and Extra Costs

Photography is the main extra-cost issue. A photographer may take pictures during the boat transfer or arrange images of your group from outside the submarine. One option mentioned was a diver taking underwater photographs, with delivery after about 24 hours and a quoted price of $50.

The sales approach can feel too strong. Some people were happy with the family pictures, while others felt the prices were high or found the sales pitch pushy after saying no. I would decide before boarding if you want photos, ask the full price and delivery method, and make it clear if you do not want a session.

Do not assume that paying guarantees instant access. One person paid for a photo link and received nothing. If you buy images, keep your receipt, confirm how the link will be sent, and check the delivery time.

Your own phone is fine for casual snapshots, but the glass, lighting, and fixed seat may limit results. The best reason to buy the official photos is the unusual angle: a diver outside the submarine can capture the vehicle underwater, something you cannot easily photograph from your seat.

Timing, Comfort, and Practical Limits

The advertised schedule runs from about 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday, during the listed 2025 operating period. Your exact departure depends on pickup arrangements and the day’s boat schedule.

Plan on roughly three and a half hours in total. That includes hotel pickup, the ride to the terminal, any waiting, the boat transfer, submarine boarding, the underwater route, and the return journey. The submarine portion is only part of the outing, so do not book a tight afternoon connection.

Most people can participate, and the activity does not require swimming. You remain seated throughout the submarine ride. The supplied information does not give detailed wheelchair or mobility guidance, so anyone needing specific assistance should ask the operator before paying.

The maximum group size is 44 people, matching the submarine’s passenger capacity. That is not an intimate private tour, but the individual windows make the larger group less troublesome. You still get a personal viewing point rather than having to cluster around one shared panel.

Weather can affect the trip. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants, with the same general choice of a new date, another activity, or a refund if that minimum is not met.

Who Will Enjoy Sindbad Submarines Most?

I would recommend this outing to:

• Families with young children
• People who cannot swim or do not want to snorkel
• Anyone curious about riding in a real submarine
• Couples looking for an easy, unusual Hurghada activity
• Visitors who prefer a seated, air-conditioned experience
• First-time visitors who want a simple look at Red Sea marine life

I would think twice if your main goal is extensive reef viewing or a wide range of species. The route is short, you cannot change seats, and the underwater scenery may be modest in places. A dedicated snorkel trip may give you more active time in the sea.

The strongest reason to book is not the promise of rare animals. It is the combination of comfort and novelty. You get a genuine submarine ride, a coral reef route, divers outside the windows, and a family-friendly outing that does not require swimming.

Booking, Cancellations, and Final Advice

The experience offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund. Confirmation is provided at booking, but I would still reconfirm pickup, especially if your hotel is far from the main tourist area.

Should you book it? Yes, if the submarine itself is the point. The 4.9 rating from nearly 4,000 ratings and the 97 percent recommendation reflect the activity’s broad appeal, especially for families and non-swimmers. Just allow extra time, prepare for possible photo sales, and confirm the transfer before departure.

Choose Sindbad for the story you will tell afterward: you went 25 meters beneath the Red Sea in a submarine. Choose snorkeling instead if your priority is the widest underwater view or the most varied marine life for your money.

FAQ

How long does the Sindbad Submarines experience take?

The full outing takes approximately three and a half hours, including transfers and boat transportation. The submarine ride itself lasts about 45 minutes.

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine reaches approximately 25 meters below the surface, which is about 82 feet.

Is hotel pickup included?

Return hotel transfers are offered, with point-to-point land and sea transportation included. You should confirm your pickup details in advance, particularly if your hotel is outside the usual service area.

Can non-swimmers and children participate?

Yes. The experience is designed as an introduction to the underwater world without swimming, and most people can participate. Children and toddlers have taken part, though the supplied information does not specify a minimum age.

What is included in the price?

The listed inclusions are an air-conditioned vehicle, soda or pop, and all fees and taxes. Photo and video sessions are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and poor weather or insufficient participants may lead to a new date or a full refund.