El Gouna Lagoon, Diving with Dolphin, Snorkeling & Lunch

El Gouna’s calm canals give this Red Sea outing a pleasant start, but the real draw is the chance to see wild dolphins offshore. You’ll cruise past villas and hotels, move out to coral sites, and have time for snorkeling or a guided underwater session before lunch on the boat.

I like the generous food and drink service, which includes grilled seafood, salads, fruit, snacks, and fresh lemon with mint. I also like the attentive crew and the choice between snorkeling and a beginner-friendly underwater session with a professional PADI instructor. The main caution is simple: you may see dolphins without getting into the water with them, and some advertised water sports may not operate on every trip.

Key points to know before booking

• El Gouna by boat: Begin with a calm cruise through the town’s lagoons, a very different view from a hotel transfer or walking tour.
• Wild dolphins, not a guarantee: Dolphins are often found in the area, but the boat may only pause for sightings from the deck.
• Snorkeling and underwater session: Equipment is supplied, and a PADI instructor leads the optional session. The quality of the reef stop can vary.
• Strong food package: Expect grilled shrimp, calamari, fried fish, rice, pasta, potatoes, salads, fruit, snacks, and unlimited nonalcoholic drinks.
• Transfers included in the main area: Pickup and return are available from hotels in Hurghada and El Gouna. Several farther resorts require an extra fee.
• Good value at $56: The price covers transport, boat trips, equipment, lunch, drinks, and instruction, though dolphin access is never promised.

A lagoon cruise before the open Red Sea

The trip begins with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada or El Gouna. The exact time arrives by WhatsApp or email the evening before, so keep your phone available and do not plan a tight morning appointment.

The first boat ride takes you through El Gouna’s lagoons. This planned resort town is known for its channels, low-rise villas, hotels, and calm turquoise water. From a boat, you get a better sense of how the town is built around the water rather than simply beside it.

I like this opening because it gives the day some variety. You are not rushed straight from the hotel to a reef. Instead, you get a gentle city tour first, with time to look at the waterfront buildings and enjoy the quieter side of El Gouna.

The lagoon cruise is scenic rather than historic. You should book it for views and atmosphere, not for detailed commentary about the town. The information provided does not name a guide, and the tour is offered in English, German, and Arabic, although English communication may not always be as strong as expected.

Moving from sheltered water to coral sites

After the lagoon portion, the boat heads toward snorkeling and underwater sites in the Red Sea near El Gouna. These locations are known for coral, fish, and regular dolphin activity.

The day combines a large boat trip with the earlier lagoon ride. That makes the outing feel fuller than a simple transfer to one reef. You get time on the water, a change of scenery, and an onboard base where you can return between activities.

The exact quality of the snorkeling stop is not guaranteed. Some people find the sites excellent, with plenty of fish and good conditions for seeing the reef. Others find the snorkeling less impressive than expected. Sea conditions, visibility, and the chosen site will affect your view, so I would not book this purely as a top-tier reef excursion.

You receive fins, a mask, and a life jacket. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and camera. A wetsuit is often available for underwater activities, but confirm what is supplied if you need a particular size or type.

How the dolphin encounter really works

Dolphins are the emotional high point of the day, but it is important to set your expectations correctly. The animals are wild, and their movements cannot be controlled. You may see them near the boat, yet still not swim with them.

The boat visits areas where dolphins are often found. If a pod appears, the crew may stop so you can watch from the boat, and conditions may allow people to enter the water. On some outings, the dolphins remain nearby only briefly. On others, they may not appear at all.

This distinction matters because the wording can suggest a guaranteed swim. It is not. You are paying for a chance to encounter dolphins in their natural surroundings, not a scheduled animal show.

I consider that a good thing from an animal-welfare point of view, but it also means the day can feel uneven if dolphin access is your main reason for booking. If you would be disappointed by a sighting from the deck, choose a different Red Sea trip that focuses on reefs rather than wildlife.

When dolphins are present, follow the crew’s instructions closely. Do not chase them, surround them, or expect them to remain in one place. The crew’s job is to keep the group safe and manage the encounter responsibly.

Snorkeling and the guided underwater session

Snorkeling is the easier option and suits anyone who wants to see the reef without formal instruction. You can float at the surface with a mask and fins, using a life jacket if needed. A guide stays nearby, and the crew pays attention to people in the water.

The guided underwater session is available for those who want more than surface views. A professional PADI instructor provides a briefing and takes participants in turn. The minimum age for this activity is 10, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Do not confuse this with a full certification course. It is a supervised introduction, designed to let you try an underwater experience during the day. A short session may feel modest if you already have substantial experience, but it can be a useful first taste for someone who has never gone below the surface.

Depth and duration may not match every expectation. One account described the activity as staying close to the surface rather than reaching the advertised depth. That is worth keeping in mind, especially if you are booking because you want a serious underwater outing rather than a gentle introduction.

The crew’s close supervision is generally helpful. It can also feel intrusive if you want to explore independently, since guides may repeatedly check on you from below. For a first-timer, I would see this as reassurance. For an experienced swimmer, it may feel restrictive.

Lunch is a major part of the value

Lunch is served buffet-style on board, and this is one of the strongest features of the package. The spread includes grilled shrimp, calamari, fried fish fillet, white rice, macaroni, oven-baked potatoes, seven kinds of salad, and three seasonal Egyptian fruits.

That is a substantial meal after time in the water. You also get unlimited water, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Nescafe, black tea, milk, fresh lemon with mint, and karkadeh.

The open snack bar adds crackers, stuffed dates or malban, chips, popcorn, mini pizza, canapés, and oriental sweets. This means you are not relying only on lunch to get through a full day at sea.

Tell the operator about dietary restrictions in advance. The food is seafood-heavy, so this is particularly important if you have allergies or avoid fish. The available information does not promise a separate specialist menu.

The meal also helps explain the $56 price. A cheaper snorkeling boat may offer only basic drinks or a simple packed lunch. Here, you are paying for a fuller day with a broad buffet, snacks, and drinks included.

Boat comfort, service, and atmosphere

The boat is described as a luxury vessel, with the crew handling the day’s activities and food service. The strongest praise centers on the crew’s helpful attitude and smooth organization. You can expect staff to assist with equipment, watch people in the water, and guide the underwater session.

The overall mood is relaxed rather than formal. There is no promise of a particular music program, and a lack of music disappointed at least one person. If you want a party boat with a strong soundtrack, this may feel quiet.

That quiet can also be a plus. After a morning of transfers and water activities, you may prefer space to sit, eat, and watch the coast without constant entertainment.

A photographer may be on board, with photographs and videos sold separately. Bring your own camera if you want to avoid an added purchase, but protect it carefully around salt water.

The experience is offered in English, German, and Arabic. English support may vary, so ask clear questions before entering the water. This matters most if you are nervous, have little swimming experience, or need detailed instructions.

Water sports and the fine print

A water-sport round is included in the program, but its availability appears inconsistent. Some outings do not include activities such as a banana boat or other water equipment, despite that expectation.

If water sports are essential to your day, ask FTS Travels to confirm exactly what will operate on your date. Do not treat the phrase water-sport round as a guarantee of a particular ride.

The same practical caution applies to dolphin swimming. The boat can search known areas, but wildlife and sea conditions decide what happens. The trip may be rescheduled if weather or the sea is unsafe.

The tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people with serious health conditions. Children need an adult with them, and the minimum age for the dolphin underwater activity is 10. Baby strollers, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

What the $56 price covers

At $56 per person, the package offers good value if you want several elements in one day. The price includes hotel pickup and return in Hurghada and El Gouna, the lagoon cruise, the larger boat trip, snorkeling equipment, a PADI instructor, lunch, snacks, and soft and hot drinks.

It also removes several small costs that can add up on a boat day. You do not need to buy water, lunch, or basic equipment separately.

The price does not include VAT, cash expenses, photography, or anything not listed. Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, and Safaga costs an additional €15 per person. Pickup from Sharm Naga and Viva Blue costs €20 per person.

For someone staying in Hurghada or El Gouna, the included transfer makes the price more attractive. For someone staying farther away, add the transfer charge before comparing it with other excursions.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the trip. That gives you some flexibility if weather conditions look uncertain.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad, easy Red Sea outing rather than a specialist snorkeling trip. It suits families with older children, first-time snorkelers, couples who want scenery and food, and anyone who likes having several activities in one package.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in El Gouna and want to see the town’s lagoons from the water. The lagoon cruise adds a local touch that a standard reef transfer lacks.

I would hesitate if your top priorities are guaranteed dolphin swimming, a specific water sport, or advanced underwater time. Those parts depend on conditions and may not happen as you imagine.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, and some cash. Avoid a tightly scheduled evening plan, since sea conditions and the number of water activities can affect the pace of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value variety, food, and friendly supervision more than a guaranteed dolphin swim. The lagoon cruise, reef stops, buffet, drinks, and included transfers make $56 a fair package for a full day.

Skip it if you want a precise, high-level reef itinerary or a guaranteed close encounter with dolphins. The honest way to book is to treat dolphin swimming and water sports as possible extras, while viewing the boat cruise, snorkeling, guided underwater session, and lunch as the dependable core of the experience.

FAQ

Where does this tour take place?

The experience takes place in El Gouna and the Red Sea near El Gouna, in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return are included from hotels in Hurghada and El Gouna. The exact pickup time is confirmed by WhatsApp or email the evening before.

Is pickup available from other resort areas?

Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, and Safaga costs €15 per person. Pickup from Sharm Naga and Viva Blue costs €20 per person, and these services can be added when booking.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins are wild animals, so sightings and the chance to enter the water with them are not guaranteed.

What water activities are included?

The program includes snorkeling, a guided underwater session with a professional PADI instructor, and a water-sport round. The exact water sport may vary, so confirm what is operating if this is important to you.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment includes fins, a mask, and a life jacket. A professional PADI instructor is provided for the guided underwater activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The onboard open buffet includes seafood, rice, pasta, potatoes, salads, and seasonal fruit. Snacks and unlimited soft and hot drinks are also included.

Can children join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age for the dolphin underwater activity is 10 years.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, and cash. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and baby strollers are not permitted.