Hurghada: Elite vip snorkeling cruise with BBQ buffet lunch

The best part of this Hurghada day cruise is the boat itself. You get four levels, two air-conditioned salons, a shaded mid-deck, and a wide sun deck lined with loungers. I like the comfortable space and the freshly cooked BBQ lunch, two details that make six hours at sea much easier. The possible drawback is that this is not an adults-only trip, despite one booking expecting it to be.

I also like the guided snorkeling and the low rear platform, which makes getting into the water less awkward. The crew serves unlimited hot and soft drinks, and life jackets are available. Just keep your expectations sensible: dolphin sightings are only an attempt, and the exact marine life and sea conditions can change.

Key points to know before booking

• Four-level boat: Choose between open sun, shaded seating, or two air-conditioned salon and dining decks.
• Three Red Sea snorkeling stops: The advertised program includes several reef areas, with guides in the water to help with safety and spotting marine life.
• BBQ buffet at sea: Expect soups, salads, sides, BBQ chicken, Egyptian kofta, shrimp, and oven-baked fish.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: The boat moves north to search, but no sighting can be guaranteed.
• Good access for less-confident swimmers: Life jackets are provided, and the sea entry point is a low platform at the stern.
• $80 includes useful extras: Hotel transfers, national park fees, waiter-served hot and soft drinks, and onboard facilities are included. Wetsuits cost $10 more.

Why the Elite VIP boat matters more than the name

Many Red Sea boat days are judged by the reef, but the boat can make or break the outing. Six hours under strong Egyptian sun feels very different on a crowded craft with nowhere quiet to sit than it does on a vessel with four decks and indoor rooms.

Here, you can claim a lounger on the open upper deck, move into shade on the mid-deck, or use one of the two air-conditioned salons. The salons also serve as dining areas, so lunch does not have to be a hurried plate eaten while balancing against the rail.

I would think of the boat as a floating day resort rather than simple transport. That is useful if you do not want to spend every minute snorkeling. Some people will want to be in the water at every stop. Others will be happy with a drink, a sea view, and a cool place to rest.

The description presents the boats as new, clean, and professionally maintained. While you cannot judge maintenance before boarding, the setup is clearly aimed at comfort rather than bare-bones transport. Waiter service for unlimited hot and soft drinks is another small luxury. You can stay in your chosen spot instead of repeatedly walking to a serving station.

There is an electronic massage bed available onboard. That is an unusual extra, though it should be treated as a bonus rather than a reason to book the trip. The main value remains the boat, food, guided water stops, and included transport.

From Hurghada hotel to the marina

Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure. The transfer from the pickup area to Hurghada Marina is listed at roughly 35 minutes by bus or coach, though the total door-to-boat time depends on where your hotel sits and how many pickups are made.

The cruise departs at 9:00 am. That morning start gives you a full day on the Red Sea without pushing the return late into the evening. The planned arrival back in Hurghada is around 3:30 pm, making this manageable if you have dinner plans or another evening activity.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Apply sunscreen before boarding and keep reapplying, especially after swimming. The sun deck offers the classic Red Sea experience, but it also offers very little shade unless you move to the covered areas.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The boat also has a low platform at the back for entering the sea. Still, access to the water and movement between decks are practical matters worth confirming for your specific needs before booking, since the published details do not explain how every part of the vessel is arranged.

Cruising out for the first reef

The sailing portion lasts about an hour in the main program, while the timed itinerary lists 1.5 hours. Treat that as an approximate range rather than a precise promise. The ride is part of the day, not just dead time between activities.

As Hurghada falls behind, you get open Red Sea views and time to settle into the boat. This is when the four-deck design starts to pay off. You can sit in the breeze, find a shaded chair, or cool down indoors before entering the water.

The first stop is selected for coral and marine life. A snorkeling guide accompanies you, explains the water activity, and helps direct you toward the reef. That matters because a guide can point out smaller creatures that are easy to miss when you are simply swimming in a straight line.

The water is said to stay above 20 degrees Celsius even in winter, but that does not mean every swimmer will feel warm for a long session. A wetsuit is available to rent for $10. If you tend to get cold, or if you plan to spend a lot of time in the water, add that cost before comparing this tour with other cruise options.

Life jackets are available for anyone who feels uncertain in open water. The rear platform keeps entry simpler than climbing down a tall ladder, although getting back onboard still requires enough strength and mobility to use the boat’s access point.

What you may see below the surface

The Red Sea is the real reason to book this day. The snorkeling areas can show hard corals, colorful fish, and other marine life close to the boat. The possible sightings listed for the trip range from seahorses and octopuses to turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and fish from tiny species to much larger ones.

That list should not be read as a checklist. Marine life changes from stop to stop, and no guide can place a turtle or seahorse in front of your mask on demand. The honest promise is access to coral reefs and the chance to see a changing mix of sea life.

I like that the guides remain with the group and focus on both safety and enjoyment. This is especially useful if you have snorkeled before but are not fully comfortable in open water. The description even allows for a less-confident swimmer to use a life buoy with assistance from the guide.

You should still be comfortable getting into the sea and wearing a mask and snorkel. This is not a glass-bottom sightseeing cruise where you stay dry. The main activity involves swimming, floating, and looking down into the reef.

The first water stop is listed as about 45 minutes. That is long enough to see a fair section of reef without making the session feel endless. If conditions, current, or group pace affect the timing, listen to the guide rather than trying to extend your own swim.

Dolphin spotting, then another guided snorkel

After the first snorkeling session, the boat moves north in an effort to spot dolphins. This is a pleasant change of pace and gives you another reason to stay on deck between swims.

The phrase if possible is important. Dolphin sightings depend on where the animals are and how the sea behaves that day. Book this for the reef and the boat experience, with dolphins as a welcome extra. If seeing dolphins is your main goal, you may finish disappointed even when the crew makes a serious attempt.

The program then includes a second guided snorkeling tour. The published schedule refers to three stops at some of the best snorkeling sites, while the detailed sequence clearly describes an initial reef stop and a second guided snorkeling session after the dolphin search. The exact number and order of water stops may vary with conditions and operations.

This variation is normal for a sea excursion. A reef can look excellent in one set of conditions and less clear in another. The crew’s choice of site matters more than a rigid promise about minutes at one location.

For you, the practical advantage is variety. You are not confined to one patch of coral for the entire day. The second stop gives you another chance to see different fish, corals, or underwater formations, even if the first site was already good.

Lunch on the Red Sea

Lunch is served onboard as an open buffet. The menu includes soups, salads, side dishes, BBQ chicken, and Egyptian kofta. Depending on the menu selection, you may also find grilled shrimp and oven-baked fish.

That is a stronger meal offering than the basic sandwiches often associated with a boat trip. The food is prepared onboard, and the stated approach emphasizes fresh ingredients and hygiene. A hot meal also makes sense after swimming, when you are ready for something more filling than fruit or biscuits.

The meal lasts about an hour in the timed plan. You can eat in the dining area rather than balancing a plate on the sun deck, then return outside for the sea view.

A small point about service expectations: the trip includes waiter-served hot and soft drinks, but the available details do not specify every beverage or whether alcoholic drinks are offered. Plan around the listed drinks rather than assuming a full bar service.

The food received especially strong praise in the supplied feedback. One person even noted that the meal was very good, but felt disappointed that a birthday mentioned during booking received no recognition. If you are marking a special occasion, tell the crew directly on the day instead of relying on a note in the booking details.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea. It is also not just a boat transfer with a snorkeling stop.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the national park fee listed at $5, the cruise, guided snorkeling, life jackets, lunch, and unlimited hot and soft drinks. The four-level boat and air-conditioned salons add comfort that may matter to you if you dislike cramped day trips.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a full-service outing. You pay once for transport, food, access to several reef areas, and a boat with indoor and outdoor seating. If you would otherwise need to arrange a transfer, buy lunch, and rent a boat separately, the package becomes easier to justify.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short snorkeling session or if you plan to spend the whole day in the water and do not care about the boat’s extra space. In that case, a simpler trip might meet your needs for less money.

Remember the $10 wetsuit rental if you want one. That brings the practical cost to $90 per person before any optional extras such as paid photos or video.

One booking also had trouble receiving a video after paying 30 euros for it. If you purchase a video or another optional product onboard, confirm how and when it will be delivered before leaving the boat. That is a small but useful safeguard.

The adult-only question

This cruise should not be booked as an adults-only experience. Children may be part of other groups, and one person specifically felt that this changed the mood of the day.

That does not mean the trip is unsuitable for adults. The roomy layout, air-conditioned salons, sun loungers, and food service can still create a more polished feel than a basic family boat. But the published details do not promise an age restriction or a child-free atmosphere.

If quiet is central to your plans, ask the provider to confirm the expected group makeup before paying. If you are happy with a mixed-age cruise, the children issue is less important.

The languages listed are English, German, and Russian. That gives you a useful guide-language choice, especially for safety instructions and snorkeling tips. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular instructor.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a comfortable full-day Red Sea outing with a proper meal and several ways to spend your time. It suits confident swimmers, first-time snorkelers who want guidance, couples, families, and anyone who values space between water sessions.

It is also a sensible choice for less-confident swimmers because life jackets are available and guides stay with the group. You still need to be willing to enter the sea, but you do not have to be an expert swimmer.

The trip may not suit you if you want an adults-only setting, guaranteed dolphin sightings, or a very small and quiet boat. It may also feel too long if you are not interested in swimming, since the day is built around reef stops.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 28 reviews, with especially good marks for the crew, snorkeling locations, boat, and food. The main cautions are straightforward: children may be onboard, optional video service needs checking, and special birthday requests may not receive attention unless you speak up.

Should you book the Hurghada Elite VIP cruise?

Book it if you want comfort as much as coral. The four-level boat, air-conditioned lounges, waiter service, guided snorkeling, and substantial buffet give this outing more polish than a basic Red Sea boat day.

The $80 price is reasonable when you use the included pickup, lunch, park fee, drinks, and several water stops. Just budget another $10 if you want a wetsuit, and treat dolphins as a possibility rather than a promise.

For the best experience, bring a towel and sunscreen, choose your preferred deck early, listen closely to the snorkeling guide, and confirm any paid video arrangement before leaving. If you can accept a mixed-age group and changing marine conditions, this is a strong choice for a relaxed, well-serviced day on the Red Sea.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada Elite VIP snorkeling cruise last?

The cruise lasts about six hours. Departure is scheduled for 9:00 am, with arrival back at the marina around 3:30 pm. Hotel pickup usually begins about 45 minutes before departure.

What is included in the $80 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, national park fees, the boat cruise, guided snorkeling, life jackets, an open buffet lunch, and unlimited hot and soft drinks served onboard.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program advertises three snorkeling stops at Red Sea reef sites. The detailed schedule describes an initial guided snorkeling session and a second guided session after the boat searches for dolphins. The exact timing and number of stops may vary.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

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

Is a wetsuit included?

No. Wetsuits can be rented for $10 if you want one.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A wetsuit is optional and costs extra.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Sea entry is through a low platform at the back of the boat, and life jackets are available. The published details do not explain every access point between decks, so confirm your specific requirements before booking.