Hurghada: Elite vip snorkeling cruise with BBQ buffet lunch

Hurghada’s Elite VIP snorkeling cruise is built around one simple idea: make a day on the Red Sea feel comfortable as well as adventurous. You get three guided snorkeling stops, a four-floor boat with plenty of room, and a BBQ lunch served on board rather than a rushed meal back on shore.

I like the large sun deck and the two air-conditioned dining salons, especially because they give you a choice between full sun, shade, and cool indoor seating. I also like that the crew provides life jackets and uses a low platform at the rear of the boat, making the water easier to reach for less-confident swimmers.

The main point to check before booking is your expectation of VIP. This is a polished boat trip, but it is not advertised as adults-only. One recent booking found that children were part of several groups, so anyone seeking a quiet, child-free cruise should ask before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Four floors of space: Use the open sun deck, shaded mid-deck, or two air-conditioned salon and dining decks.
• Three snorkeling stops: Guides accompany you in the water, with life jackets and a low rear platform available.
• BBQ buffet on board: Expect soups, salads, sides, BBQ chicken, Egyptian kofta, grilled shrimp, and oven-baked fish.
• Waiter service: Hot and soft drinks are available throughout the day, delivered to your seating area.
• Dolphin spotting is possible, not promised: The boat heads north to look for dolphins, but wildlife sightings cannot be fixed in advance.
• Practical value: At $80 per person, the price covers hotel transfers, national park fees, lunch, drinks, guided snorkeling, and a full day on the water.

A spacious Red Sea boat rather than a crowded day out

The boat is the heart of this excursion. It has four levels, a broad open deck with sun loungers, shaded seating, and two air-conditioned salons that also serve as dining areas. That matters on a six-hour trip. You are not forced to sit in one place, and you can move indoors when the sun becomes too strong.

I would treat the boat as part of the experience, not merely transport between snorkeling sites. The open deck is the place for views and sun, while the mid-deck gives you shade without shutting you away from the sea. The air-conditioned salons are useful at lunch and during the longer sailing periods.

The operator presents the boat as new and well maintained, with a professional crew and waiter service. The supplied information does not give a maximum group size, so you should not assume a private cruise. The useful distinction is that the boat offers more personal space than a basic snorkeling vessel, even if other groups are sharing the day.

One small extra is the availability of electronic massage beds. That is unusual on a snorkeling boat, though the information does not say how the beds are booked or whether they cost extra. Ask on board if this feature matters to you.

Morning pickup and the run from Hurghada Marina

Hotel pickup begins around 45 minutes before departure. The road transfer is listed at about 35 minutes, followed by boarding at Hurghada Marina. The published program gives a 9:00 am departure and a return to the marina at about 3:30 pm, while the detailed timing describes roughly 1.5 hours of sailing before the first main water activity.

That timing makes this a proper full morning and afternoon outing, not a quick two-hour swim. Keep your morning free, and do not plan a tight afternoon appointment after returning to Hurghada. Pickup times can vary by hotel, so be ready before the stated collection time.

The first hour or so on the water lets you settle into the boat. Find your preferred spot early if you want a sun lounger, then keep your towel and sunscreen close. The Red Sea can look calm and inviting from shore, but a long boat ride still means wind, glare, and spray.

The cruise is conducted in English, German, and Russian. That language range is useful for safety instructions and snorkeling guidance, especially when the group includes people with different swimming abilities.

Three reef stops, with guides in the water

The main reason to book this outing is the sequence of snorkeling stops. The program describes three stops at some of the Red Sea’s better coral reef areas, with guided swimming and marine life viewing. The exact reef names are not supplied, and the crew selects the sites as part of the day’s operation.

At the first stop, you can expect time to get used to the water, equipment, and current. The guides show you where to go and remain with the group. This is valuable if you have snorkeled before but do not know the local reef, and it is even more useful if you are new to snorkeling.

Life jackets are available for anyone who wants extra support. Entry to the sea is through a low platform at the rear of the boat, rather than a high jump. The information also says a guide can assist a less-confident swimmer with a life buoy, even pulling that person through the water if needed. That does not make the activity risk-free, but it does make the setup more approachable for mixed groups.

You should still be comfortable getting into the sea and following the guide’s instructions. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but the information does not explain how wheelchair users transfer from the boat into the water. If you need that detail, confirm it before booking.

The second stop follows the northbound search for dolphins. You may see dolphins if conditions and luck cooperate, but this is not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The honest way to view it is as a bonus between snorkeling sessions, not the central promise of the tour.

The program describes another guided snorkeling tour after the dolphin search, followed by additional time for swimming, snorkeling, and marine life viewing. In practice, the appeal is variety: you are not relying on one reef or one short swim to carry the whole day.

The third stop is included in the overall program, though the supplied schedule gives more detail about the first two guided sessions than the exact order of every water stop. Conditions at sea can affect the timing and location. That flexibility is normal for a marine excursion, and it can help the crew choose a more suitable site on the day.

What you might see beneath the surface

The Red Sea is known for warm water and coral reefs filled with small, brightly colored fish. The supplied information lists possible sightings including seahorses, octopuses, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and fish ranging from tiny species to much larger animals.

Those sightings are possibilities, not a checklist. You should book this for time in clear, warm water and access to coral sites, not because you expect a turtle or dolphin. The marine life changes from one stop to the next, and the guides may know where to look, but nature does not take reservations.

Water temperatures are said to rarely fall below 20 C, even in winter. That is pleasant for many swimmers, though some people will still prefer a wetsuit during a long snorkeling day. Wetsuit rental is available for $10 if you want one. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, and consider a rash guard if you burn easily.

The three-stop format also helps if one site feels less interesting than another. You get more than one chance to find good coral and fish, rather than spending the whole excursion at a single anchorage.

A BBQ lunch that adds real value

Lunch is served on the boat during the day, with an open buffet built around soups, salads, side dishes, BBQ chicken, and Egyptian kofta. Another part of the menu lists grilled shrimp and oven-baked fish. Exact choices may vary, so do not assume every meat and seafood item will appear in equal quantities on your departure.

This is one of the strongest parts of the package for me. A meal at sea saves you from buying food separately and lets you stay with the group between water activities. The chefs prepare the food on board, and the operator describes its hygiene standards and use of fresh ingredients.

A German booking from December included a birthday request, but no birthday acknowledgment took place. That is a small detail, yet it is worth noting if you are planning a celebration. Write any special request clearly and confirm it with the operator rather than assuming the crew will act on information entered during booking.

Hot and soft drinks are available without an extra charge throughout the day, with waiter service to your seating area. That is more convenient than queuing at a small boat bar, particularly after snorkeling. The information does not specify the full drink list, so bring your own preferences only if you need something beyond standard hot and soft drinks.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea. It can still be good value if you want a full-service day rather than a basic boat and a short swim.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the national park fee of $5, the cruise, guided snorkeling, lunch, and hot and soft drinks. It also includes the comfort of a large vessel with air-conditioned areas and waiter service. Adding those costs separately to a cheaper-looking trip can narrow the gap.

The value is strongest for couples, families, and mixed groups where people want different levels of activity. One person can use the sun deck, another can sit in air conditioning, and a less-confident swimmer can use a life jacket and the low platform. The three water stops also give active swimmers more time than a short introductory cruise.

The value is weaker if you mainly want an adults-only setting, a private boat, or a guaranteed dolphin sighting. None of those is promised here. Wetsuit rental costs another $10, and a paid video was reported at €30 by one booking, with a complaint that it had not arrived by email. If you buy a video, keep your receipt and confirm the delivery address before leaving the boat.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to you if comfort matters almost as much as snorkeling. The four levels give you room to spread out, and the air-conditioned salons make a big difference during a long day under the Egyptian sun.

It also suits groups with mixed swimming skills. Experienced snorkelers can spend time at several reef sites, while beginners have guides, flotation support, and an easier water entry. The boat’s layout means non-swimmers can still enjoy the views, lunch, and sea air without taking part in every activity.

Families may like the space and flexible seating, but the trip should not be sold to you as a child-free experience. The published material does not set an adults-only rule, and one booking specifically found the presence of children disappointing.

If you want a quiet, intimate cruise, the unknown group size may be a concern. If you want a comfortable shared excursion with food and service included, that same larger-boat setup can be a benefit.

The rating supplied for the experience is 4.6 from 28 reviews. The strongest praise centers on the crew, food, boat, and snorkeling stops. One German booking called the staff and guides attentive, praised the meal, and found the sites good without feeling too crowded. A French booking also praised the yacht, BBQ buffet, and snorkeling day as a complete package.

Those comments match the practical strengths of the trip: good facilities, a meal that is already arranged, and several chances to get into the water. The weaker points are not about the core snorkeling plan. They concern expectations around adults-only travel, birthday attention, and delivery of optional video purchases.

Booking details worth checking before you go

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility when weather, hotel plans, or family schedules are uncertain.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but water access may require a transfer. Ask the operator for the exact arrangement if you use a wheelchair.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. I would also pack a dry change of clothes, though that is not specifically required in the supplied instructions. Keep valuables to a minimum and protect any phone or camera from splashes.

The tour lasts about six hours, with pickup before departure and return to Hurghada after the boat comes back to the marina. The published departure is 9:00 am, with arrival at the marina around 3:30 pm. Allow extra time for the road transfer back to your hotel.

Should you book the Elite VIP cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, food-inclusive day with several reef stops and enough space to escape the sun. The large boat, air-conditioned salons, guided snorkeling, life jackets, waiter service, and BBQ buffet give the $80 price a solid case.

Choose another option if you need an adults-only boat, a private group, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. Also keep your expectations realistic about optional extras, such as the €30 video, and confirm delivery details before you leave.

For most people comparing Hurghada snorkeling trips, this is a sensible middle ground: more comfortable than a basic boat outing, but still focused on the sea rather than luxury for its own sake.

FAQ

How long does the Elite VIP snorkeling cruise last?

The activity lasts about six hours. The published program departs around 9:00 am and returns to Hurghada Marina around 3:30 pm, with hotel pickup before departure.

What is included in the $80 price?

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

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes three stops at Red Sea snorkeling sites. Guides accompany the snorkeling sessions.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed?

No. The boat moves north and tries to spot dolphins if possible, but a sighting is not guaranteed.

What food is served at lunch?

The buffet includes soups, salads, side dishes, BBQ chicken, and Egyptian kofta. The menu also lists grilled shrimp and oven-baked fish.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited hot and soft drinks are included, with waiter service throughout the day.

Is snorkeling suitable for beginners?

The trip provides snorkeling guides, life jackets, and access to the sea through a low rear platform. These features help less-confident swimmers, but you still need to follow the guides’ instructions and be able to enter the water.

Can I rent a wetsuit?

Yes. Wetsuits are available to rent for $10.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. These are the items specifically listed for the excursion.

Is the boat adults-only?

No adults-only rule is provided. Children may be part of other groups on the boat, so confirm the atmosphere with the operator if an adults-only setting matters to you.

What languages are available?

The stated languages are English, German, and Russian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.