Hurghada: Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada cruise is the chance to see wild dolphins in the Red Sea, not animals kept in a pool. You’ll also get two snorkeling stops, so the day is not riding on one dolphin sighting alone. If the dolphins keep their distance, colorful reefs and a boat full of sea time still make up the day.

I like the $26 price, which covers transport by boat, gear, lunch, drinks, guides, and water activities. I also like the practical setup: a sun deck, shaded areas, two to four crew members on each boat, and snorkeling help in several languages. The main catch is simple: dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed, and the boat may feel busy at times.

• Wild dolphin watching: Search for dolphins in their natural Red Sea habitat, with no promise of a sighting.
• Two reef stops: Use the included mask, snorkel, and fins to see fish and coral at two separate sites.
• Lunch at sea: Eat a fresh buffet meal with soft drinks and water included.
• Six to seven hours on the water: Allow most of a day, including the cruise and water stops.
• Banana boat and sofa boat rides: Add some playful action between snorkeling and dolphin searches.
• Public Beach Number 9 departure: Meet in Hurghada, with paid pickup options from several resort areas.

A Red Sea day built around dolphins

This is a full-day boat outing from Hurghada, but it has three different moods. First comes the search for dolphins. Then the pace shifts to swimming and snorkeling over coral reefs. Between those stops, you can sit under shade, stretch out on the sun deck, listen to music, and watch the Red Sea pass by.

That mix matters. A dolphin trip can feel disappointing if the animals do not appear, but this one includes two reef visits, lunch, and boat activities. You get a full day at sea rather than a short wildlife chase.

The dolphin encounter is kept in the wild, which is the right setting for this kind of experience. The crew will take you to areas where dolphins are known to appear, but dolphins choose the timing and distance. You may see them from the boat, and some outings allow people to enter the water when conditions and the animals make that possible. Treat any close swim as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Leaving from Public Beach Number 9

The listed meeting point is Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada. The cruise ends at the same place, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in Hurghada proper.

Pickup is available from Hurghada hotels, though extra charges may apply outside the main resort area. Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga are offered as an add-on for €10 per person. Check your hotel area before booking, since that extra transfer cost changes the total value.

The tour lasts about six to seven hours. That is long enough for a proper day on the water, but you should not treat it as a quick morning activity. Bring a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not included, and the Red Sea sun is not shy.

Searching for dolphins in the open Red Sea

The first major aim is dolphin watching. You cruise toward known dolphin areas while the crew scans the water. This is more natural than visiting a dolphin show, but it also means nature sets the rules.

The important advice is to keep expectations flexible. A five-star day is possible, and the available feedback includes reports of seeing many dolphins several times and getting close to them in the water. But the operator clearly states that sightings cannot be guaranteed. No responsible wildlife trip should promise otherwise.

If dolphins appear, the crew and guides help organize the experience. The boat has two to four professional guides, including snorkeling instructors, so you are not left to manage every water activity alone. The staff is described as friendly, funny, attentive, and well organized, which is especially useful when several people want to enter the water at once.

Still, this is not a private wildlife charter. One French-language comment praised the chance to see and swim near dolphins but also noted that there were quite a few people on the boat. If you want silence, privacy, and long uninterrupted time with wildlife, this is probably not the right format. If you are happy sharing a boat for a low price, the trade-off is reasonable.

Two snorkeling stops over coral reefs

The snorkeling portion gives the day its strongest backup plan. You stop at two reef locations, and the guides provide masks, snorkels, and fins. A guided session helps if you are new to snorkeling or want someone to point out the best areas.

The underwater sights described from the outing include colorful coral and plenty of fish. The two stops also add variety. One reef may suit slow viewing, while the second gives you another chance if the first location has poor visibility or feels too crowded.

You do not need to bring your own equipment unless you prefer your personal mask or fins. Supplied gear is included, along with assistance from the snorkeling instructors. Bring your own towel, however, and remember that sunscreen should be applied before you board and reapplied during the day.

I would not book this trip if you dislike swimming or feel uneasy in open water. The main attractions involve entering the sea, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues. Pregnant women should not join, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

A boat with shade, music, and room to pause

Not every part of the day requires activity. The boat includes a sun deck and shaded areas, so you can choose between sitting in the sun and getting out of it. Music plays during the cruise, adding a holiday feel, though it may not suit someone hoping for a quiet nature outing.

The boat setup is useful for families and mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another rests in the shade. Couples can spend time together on deck, and children who meet the age and supervision rules can enjoy the water activities.

There is a possible crowding issue. The boat is described as spacious, but one account still found it somewhat busy. Space on a shared boat is always relative, especially when everyone gathers for dolphin watching or prepares for a swim. Arrive ready for a social excursion rather than a private yacht day.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical value of $26

At $26 per person, this is priced as an easy-access Red Sea day rather than a luxury cruise. The price includes round-trip boat transport from the meeting point, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, a guide, instructors, lunch, soft drinks, and water. Banana-boat and sofa-boat rides are also included.

That package gives the price real weight. Paying separately for a boat, reef access, equipment, meal, and water activities would usually make a similar day more expensive, although no separate local prices are provided here. You should still budget for personal expenses and any photography service, since those are not included.

Lunch is served as a buffet on board. The available comments specifically praise the food, with one Dutch-language note calling the lunch very good. Soft drinks and water are available throughout the outing, which saves you from having to carry a full supply, though bringing a small personal bottle is still sensible.

Do not expect a restaurant meal with a long menu. This is an onboard buffet designed to feed people during an active day. Its value comes from convenience: you eat without leaving the boat or losing time from the sea.

Banana boats and sofa boats add a playful break

The cruise is not limited to dolphin watching and reef snorkeling. Banana-boat and sofa-boat rides are included, giving the day a more playful edge.

These activities may appeal most to families, couples, and groups of friends who want a little speed and laughter between the quieter parts of the trip. They are less important if your main goal is coral photography or calm wildlife observation.

Because the tour already includes several water activities, the day can feel full. You should pace yourself, especially in the sun. Take breaks in the shaded area, drink water, and do not feel obliged to join every activity.

Guides, languages, and safety support

The crew includes two to four professional guides per boat, plus an expert crew that provides safety assistance. Guides speak English, German, and Arabic. That language range can make instructions easier to follow, especially before snorkeling and boat rides.

The strongest praise is aimed at the staff. The crew is described as very friendly and funny, while another account highlights careful organization and a team that worked well together. Those details matter more here than on a simple sightseeing cruise because the day involves swimming, equipment, wildlife, and several group activities.

You should still listen closely to safety instructions. Wildlife encounters can become exciting quickly, and open-water swimming requires sensible judgment. The crew can assist, but each person needs to be honest about their swimming ability and comfort in the sea.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada cruise most

I would recommend this for people who want several Red Sea experiences in one affordable day. It works particularly well for:

• Couples who want a shared day on the water without paying for a private boat
• Families looking for snorkeling, lunch, and simple water activities
• Nature enthusiasts who understand that wild dolphins cannot be scheduled
• First-time visitors who want gear and guidance included
• Budget-minded visitors staying in Hurghada

It is less suitable for anyone who wants guaranteed dolphin contact, a quiet private boat, or a short activity. It is also unsuitable for pregnant women, people with mobility issues, and unaccompanied minors.

Children under three join free, which can improve the value for families. The safety rules still matter, and the provided information does not specify other child age limits, so confirm any family details before booking.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack lightly, but pack the right things:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Personal money for expenses not included

Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided. Lunch, soft drinks, and water are included, so you do not need to plan around buying a full meal on board.

Photography services cost extra. If you want your dolphin or snorkeling moments photographed, ask about that before the trip rather than assuming it is part of the price.

The sun can make a six to seven-hour boat day feel longer than expected. A hat and sunscreen are not optional extras here. A towel is especially easy to forget because the activity feels like a beach outing, but it is not supplied.

A fair take on the crowded-boat question

The strongest positive pattern is clear: people praise the crew, the organization, the dolphins, the two reef stops, and the lunch. Those are the parts that make the cruise worth considering.

The only caution that comes through is boat capacity. You may find the atmosphere lively and social, but you may also have to share space during the most popular moments. That is a fair compromise at this price, yet it is worth knowing before you book.

If you value service, the staff feedback is encouraging. If you value solitude, look for a smaller private or semi-private cruise instead, even though it will likely cost more.

Should you book the Dolphin Cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value Red Sea day with several chances to enjoy the water. The combination of wild dolphin watching, two coral-reef stops, lunch, drinks, equipment, guides, and boat rides gives you more than a single-purpose cruise.

Just book with realistic expectations. Dolphins may appear repeatedly, and you may get a close look or chance to swim near them, but no sighting is guaranteed. The boat can feel busy, and this is not a luxury or private experience.

For most couples, families, and first-time Hurghada visitors, I think the $26 price is persuasive. Bring your towel, protect yourself from the sun, and choose this trip for the whole day at sea, not only for the dolphins.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and end?

The activity starts at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six to seven hours.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew works to find dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included at coral-reef locations.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided on board.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with soft drinks and water.

Are hotel transfers included?

Availability depends on your hotel location. Transfers are available from Hurghada hotels, while pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga may cost an additional €10 per person.

What languages are spoken by the guides?

The available guide languages are English, German, and Arabic.

Can children join the cruise?

Children under three years old join for free. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Is the activity suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues.