Hurghada: Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet Lunch

Dolphins make a good day at sea better. This Hurghada cruise combines wild dolphin watching with two snorkeling stops, a buffet lunch, and time to stretch out on a boat with both sun and shade. I like the mix of activity and downtime, and I also like the price: at $26 per person, it packs a lot into six to seven hours.

The strongest part is the crew. The boat carries two to four professional guides, including snorkeling instructors, and the experience is offered in English, German, and Arabic. You should keep one point in mind, though: dolphins are wild, so sightings and close encounters cannot be guaranteed. The boat may also feel busy at times.

Key points at a glance

• Wild dolphins, not a dolphin park: You search for dolphins in their natural Red Sea setting, with no guaranteed sighting.
• Two reef stops: The snorkeling includes colorful coral, fish, and guided help in the water.
• Lunch is built into the day: A fresh buffet, soft drinks, and water are served on board.
• Boat time is part of the appeal: Use the sun deck, find shade, listen to music, and enjoy the open sea between stops.
• Extra water fun included: Banana boat and sofa boat rides add a playful change of pace.
• Simple starting point: Meet at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada, then return to the same place.

Setting out from Public Beach Number 9

The day begins at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada. This is also where the boat returns, so you do not need to arrange a separate end point. If you are staying in Hurghada, the meeting point is the straightforward choice.

Hotel pickup is available from Hurghada, though extra charges may apply depending on the arrangement. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga is available as an add-on for €10 per person. Check this carefully before booking, since the advertised $26 price does not include that additional service.

The cruise lasts about six to seven hours. That is long enough to make the Red Sea the main event rather than a quick boat ride, but it is also a full day in the sun. Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not supplied, and forgetting one is a small mistake that can become irritating after the second swim.

The boat has a spacious layout with a sun deck and shaded areas. You can move between sun and cover as the day goes on, which matters in Egypt’s strong heat. Music is also part of the atmosphere, so this is not a silent wildlife expedition. It is a social day out with time for nature, swimming, food, and a little onboard fun.

Searching for dolphins in the open Red Sea

The first major aim is finding dolphins in their natural habitat. The crew takes you toward known dolphin areas and watches for signs of activity. This is the real appeal of the trip: the animals are wild, and their behavior is not arranged for a show.

That freedom also brings uncertainty. You may see dolphins several times, and some people have been able to enter the water near them, but no operator can promise a sighting or a close swim. A good mindset is to treat the dolphins as a possible highlight rather than the only reason to book.

When dolphins appear, follow the crew’s instructions. The guides are there to help with safety and to organize activity around the animals. The experience is at its best when you allow the dolphins to set the pace instead of expecting a guaranteed performance.

The strongest feedback about this part of the day centers on repeated sightings and close views from the water. That is encouraging, but it should not change the basic rule: wild animals are unpredictable. A day with fewer dolphin sightings can still offer two reef stops, food, boat time, and water sports.

Two snorkeling stops on coral reefs

After the dolphin search, the cruise includes two snorkeling locations. This gives the day useful variety. You are not relying on one short swim, and if conditions or visibility are better at one location than the other, you get a second chance to enjoy the Red Sea.

Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided. A snorkeling instructor and additional guides help with the session, which is useful if you are new to snorkeling or need a little support in the water. The exact coral sites are not named, so you should not book this expecting a particular famous reef.

The stops are described as places with colorful coral and plenty of fish. That makes them the more dependable nature experience on the itinerary, since snorkeling does not depend on an animal choosing to appear. You can look down through clear water, watch fish move around the reef, and get a closer view of the Red Sea’s underwater life.

Take your time at the first stop, but save some energy for the second. Two swims can be more tiring than they sound, especially after time in the sun. Use the boat’s shaded areas between stops and drink water regularly.

The snorkeling is guided, but this is not presented as a technical or specialist excursion. You do not need advanced experience. You do need to be comfortable in the water, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues. Pregnant women should not book it.

Lunch, soft drinks, and a break from the sun

A fresh buffet lunch is served on board. This is one of the practical strengths of the trip. You do not lose time returning to shore, and you can eat while remaining part of the day’s boat setting.

Soft drinks and water are also available. The meal has received especially warm praise, which makes it more than a basic afterthought. Still, you should think of it as a boat buffet, not a restaurant meal with a long menu. The value comes from convenience, freshness, and the fact that lunch is already included in the $26 price.

Use lunch as a proper pause. The schedule includes several active parts, from watching for dolphins to swimming at two sites and trying the towable rides. Eating on board gives you a chance to sit down, dry off, and enjoy the view before the next activity.

If you have specific dietary needs, the provided information does not confirm special meal arrangements. Ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet will meet those needs.

Banana boat, sofa boat, and time on deck

The cruise includes a banana boat and sofa boat ride. These activities add a light, playful side to the trip and may appeal especially to families with older children and couples looking for more than snorkeling.

They also make the day feel less repetitive. A long stretch of swimming can tire you out, while a boat-only trip can feel too passive. The towable rides fill the middle ground with a short burst of fun.

Between activities, the boat itself becomes part of the experience. You can sit in the shade, stretch out on the sun deck, listen to music, and watch the sea. The spacious setup is helpful because not everyone wants the same thing at the same time. Some people can chase sun, while others can cool off under cover.

One practical caution: the activity is not suitable for unaccompanied minors. Children under three join free, but the supplied information does not say that every activity is suitable for very young children. Parents should use their judgment and ask the crew for guidance on the day.

The crew and the feel of the day

The crew is one of the most praised elements of this excursion. The boat has two to four professional guides, along with an expert crew and a snorkeling instructor. That gives the day a better safety net than a bare-bones boat transfer.

The strongest descriptions focus on a friendly, funny, attentive team that works well together. That matters when several things happen at once: passengers need equipment, swimmers need help, food is being served, and the boat is moving between stops.

Guide names are not provided, so I cannot point you to one particular crew member. The experience is offered in English, German, and Arabic, which is useful for mixed-language groups.

Keep your expectations realistic about group size. The boat is described as spacious, but one account notes that it can feel crowded. You may have plenty of room at one moment and less personal space when everyone gathers for a swim or meal. If you want a quiet, private charter, this is not that kind of trip.

Is $26 a good value?

At $26 per person, this is a strong-value day on the Red Sea. The price includes round-trip boat transportation from Hurghada, dolphin watching, two snorkeling stops, equipment, guided water time, lunch, soft drinks, water, professional guides, and the banana boat and sofa boat rides.

You would normally pay more if you arranged these pieces separately, especially once boat transport, food, equipment, and instruction are added. The main value comes from having a complete day planned for you without needing to bring snorkeling gear or find lunch on shore.

There are extra costs to watch for. Hotel pickup from several resort areas costs €10 per person, and towels, personal expenses, and photography are not included. Photography services are available, but the price is not provided, so treat them as optional rather than part of the package.

The low price also explains why you should accept a few compromises. This is a shared boat experience, not a private cruise. The dolphin search can take time, the boat may feel busy, and the wildlife encounter is never certain. For many people, that is a fair trade for a full day at sea at a modest price.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples who want a relaxed day with a little adventure, families with children who can manage a boat and water activities, and nature lovers who care more about seeing animals in the wild than watching a controlled show.

It suits you particularly well if you want several experiences in one booking: wildlife watching, reef snorkeling, lunch, music, sunbathing, and towable rides. You also benefit if you are staying in Hurghada and can reach Public Beach Number 9 easily.

Think twice if you dislike shared activities or need a quiet, carefully paced outing. The day can involve a fair amount of waiting, movement, sun, and social noise. It is also a poor fit if you are pregnant, have mobility issues, or are looking for a guaranteed dolphin swim.

The cancellation policy is friendly for flexible plans: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule is still changing.

Final call: should you book it?

Book this Hurghada dolphin cruise if you want a low-cost full day on the Red Sea with several chances for fun. The best reasons are the two snorkeling stops, included lunch and drinks, helpful crew, and the possibility of seeing wild dolphins more than once.

Do not book it solely for a guaranteed swim with dolphins. No responsible wildlife trip can promise that. Book it because the complete day still works if the animals stay out of reach: you have coral reefs, fish, food, music, deck time, and boat rides to fill the hours.

For $26, that is a fair and practical deal. Bring your own towel, protect yourself from the sun, and expect a lively shared boat rather than a private escape.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin cruise start and finish?

The cruise 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 to appear?

No. The crew searches for dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are snorkeling masks, fins, and snorkels included?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided, and a snorkeling instructor helps during the guided snorkeling sessions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A fresh buffet lunch, soft drinks, and water are included on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from hotels in Hurghada, with extra charges possibly applying. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga is available for €10 per person.

Who should not take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Children under three can join free.