Sindbad Submarines – Hurghada (Egypt) – 2 Hours

The most unusual part of this Hurghada outing is simple: you sit inside a real recreational submarine, not a glass-bottom boat, and travel about 25 meters below the Red Sea. Through your own viewing window, you watch coral, fish, rays, and sometimes a sunken ship pass by without swimming, snorkeling, or getting wet.

I like two things here. First, it gives young children and non-swimmers a genuine look at the Red Sea’s underwater life. Second, the submarine is air-conditioned, with 44 passenger seats and a round window for each person, so you are not fighting for a view. The main drawback is value: at $75, this costs more than many local boat trips, and the underwater scenery can be less varied than you hope.

Key points to know

• 25 meters below the Red Sea: You get a proper submarine ride, not simply a viewing platform below a boat.
• About 45 minutes underwater: The full outing takes roughly three and a half hours once transfers and boat time are included.
• Made for non-swimmers: You remain seated, dry, and enclosed while watching the reef through a personal window.
• Good family choice: Children as young as four have enjoyed the novelty and the fish viewing.
• Hotel transfers are included: Pickup is offered, though confirming the time and location is wise.
• Photos cost extra: A photographer may offer pictures or video, and this has been a source of pressure for some customers.

What the Sindbad submarine trip is really like

Sindbad Submarines operates two recreational submarines in Hurghada. The company describes them as among only 14 real recreational submarines in the world, which gives this outing a certain novelty before you even reach the water.

Your day begins with a transfer from your hotel or the stated meeting point at Little Buddha Hurghada. From there, the operator provides land and sea transportation to the submarine terminal. You do not simply walk from the beach into the vessel. The boat transfer is part of the outing, and it gives you a little time on the Red Sea before the main event.

The submarine carries up to 44 passengers and has two pilot seats. Each passenger has a sizable round viewing window, while the vessel also has 18 panoramic windows listed among its features. The point is practical: you do not need to stand, lean over a rail, or push toward the front to see something.

Once seated, you remain in your assigned place for the underwater portion. That matters if you are bringing children. You can focus on helping them watch the reef instead of worrying about slippery steps, masks, fins, or open water.

The 25-meter descent and 500 meters of reef

The submarine travels to a depth of about 25 meters and follows roughly 500 meters of coral reef. The underwater section lasts about 45 minutes, based on the operating details given for the trip. The entire outing, including pickup, waiting, boat transport, and the submarine ride, takes around three and a half hours.

This is not a fast tour through a huge marine park. The submarine follows a set route, and the reef is viewed through windows on both sides. On the outward run, coral may be more visible from one side. On the return, the other side gets a better angle. That arrangement is worth knowing because your window may not face the main coral formation for the whole ride.

You might see schools of reef fish, swaying coral, rays, and other Red Sea marine life. A scuba diver also swims outside the submarine, sometimes feeding fish or entertaining the passengers. The divers have been praised for adding humor and movement to what could otherwise be a quiet ride.

The scene is best understood as a gentle introduction, not a full substitute for snorkeling or scuba. The reef section is limited, and the range of fish can vary. Some departures may offer a sunken ship or other points of interest, but you should not book this expecting a constantly changing underwater show.

Why the submarine works so well for families

I would put this near the top of the list for a family that wants to see the Red Sea but cannot agree on a water activity. One child can be nervous about snorkeling, another may be too young, and an adult may simply prefer not to swim. The submarine removes those problems.

A four-year-old has reportedly enjoyed seeing underwater life for the first time, and a toddler was fascinated by the fish and the divers. Those details make sense. The windows are low enough to create a direct connection with the water, and the unusual setting gives children something to talk about long after the ride ends.

You remain in an enclosed, air-conditioned cabin, which also helps if you dislike heat or have concerns about breathing through a mask. There is no need to learn how to clear a snorkel, tread water, or enter the sea from a boat.

The trade-off is that children must stay seated during the underwater ride. If your child needs to move constantly, the 45-minute viewing period may feel long. Still, the combination of a personal window, fish outside, and divers performing nearby gives most families plenty to watch.

What you will see, and what you may not

The Red Sea is famous for its coral and fish, but a submarine window gives you a narrower view than a mask in the water. You see the reef from one fixed position, and visibility can affect how impressive the scene looks.

Expect coral formations and many fish, with the possibility of rays and a sunken ship. The divers add a little theater, especially when they swim near the windows or interact with fish. This is one of the more entertaining parts for children.

Do not expect a huge variety of species on every trip. Some people find the marine life pleasant but not dramatic, especially compared with a good snorkeling site. If you already snorkel or scuba regularly, this may feel more like a novelty ride than a serious underwater outing.

That does not make it poor value for everyone. The appeal is the submarine itself. You can honestly say you went below the Red Sea in a submarine, which is a different memory from a standard glass-bottom cruise.

The boat ride, waiting time, and transfers

The advertised duration can be confusing. The product title refers to two hours, while the full scheduled outing is approximately three hours and thirty minutes. The actual underwater ride is about 45 minutes, with the remaining time used for hotel pickup, road transport, boat transport, boarding, and waiting.

Plan your day around the longer figure. Do not schedule a tight lunch reservation, airport transfer, or another excursion immediately afterward.

Hotel pickup is offered, and the service is intended to be point-to-point. Several people have found the transfer smooth, with friendly drivers and timely collection. Communication may take place through WhatsApp after booking, which can be useful for confirming your pickup.

But pickup is the part I would watch most closely. There have been cases of late or missed collections, including customers who had to arrange a taxi after failing to reach the operator. The tour itself can run well even when the transfer does not, so confirm your pickup time and location in advance. If your hotel is outside the usual pickup zone, ask specifically if the transfer is included or requires an extra arrangement.

The stated meeting point is Little Buddha Hurghada, in the Touristic Villages area. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Operating hours are listed as 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Sunday, for the current operating period.

Comfort, seating, and the group size

The submarine is air-conditioned and has room for 44 passengers. That is a fairly large group, but the personal windows make the arrangement more workable than a crowded open boat.

You are assigned a seat and remain seated during the underwater section. This creates a calm, orderly ride, though it also limits your ability to shift around for photographs or a better angle. If you are traveling with children, keep them close and explain the seating rule before boarding.

The submarine has two pilots, and the passenger cabin is designed for viewing rather than walking around. You will not be wandering through different compartments or climbing to a viewing deck. The attraction is the sensation of being below the surface while sitting in a stable cabin.

Soft drinks or juice are included, and the tour vehicle is air-conditioned. These are small details, but they matter in Hurghada, where a half-day outing can become tiring in the heat.

The photo and video sales pitch

Photography is not included in the $75 price. A photographer may take pictures during the transfer or an outside diver may photograph the submarine underwater. One quoted option involved paying about $50 for exterior images and waiting 24 hours to receive them, though prices and arrangements may vary.

This is the one part I would handle firmly. You may be approached more than once, and some customers have found the sales approach pushy. If you do not want photographs, say so clearly before the session begins. If you do want them, ask for the total price, delivery method, and delivery time before paying.

Do not assume that a payment for a digital link guarantees instant access. One customer paid for a link and did not receive the photographs. Keep your receipt or payment proof, and inspect any sample images before committing if that option is offered.

For many families, a few photographs from outside the submarine are appealing. Just treat them as an optional purchase, not part of the tour’s core value.

Is $75 a fair price?

At $75, this is not the cheapest way to see the Red Sea. A standard boat trip or snorkeling outing may cost less, though those activities require more time in the water and may not work for every member of your group.

The price includes air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup where available, the boat connection, the submarine ride, entry fees, taxes, and a soft drink. That makes the comparison fairer than looking only at the submarine time. You are paying for a managed half-day outing and an unusual vehicle, not just 45 minutes of fish viewing.

I think the price makes sense for families with small children, non-swimmers, older adults, or anyone who wants to try something different from a normal beach trip. It is less convincing if you already snorkel confidently and want the greatest possible variety of coral and marine life for your money.

The experience also has novelty value. Few people get to sit in a recreational submarine, and that alone can justify the extra cost for a special holiday day. Just set your expectations correctly: this is a comfortable, entertaining introduction to the Red Sea, not an expedition through untouched reefs.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families with children who are curious about the sea but cannot snorkel
• Non-swimmers who want an underwater view without entering the water
• Adults who dislike scuba equipment or the sensation of breathing underwater
• Visitors looking for a memorable activity outside the usual boat excursion
• Groups with mixed abilities, where some people cannot take part in snorkeling

I would be more cautious if you are a keen snorkeler, underwater photographer, or scuba diver. You may find the fixed seating, short reef route, and limited fish variety restrictive.

The trip is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes organized group activities. There can be waiting, assigned seats, transfers, and optional sales pitches. The submarine carries up to 44 people, so this is a shared outing rather than a private cruise.

The listing also refers to an intro dive as a possible introduction to marine life. No scuba session is specified among the included services, so do not assume an intro dive is part of the $75 submarine booking. Ask the operator before paying if you are interested in that separate activity.

Practical advice before you go

Keep your schedule flexible and allow the full three and a half hours. The underwater section is only part of the day, and delays at pickup or boarding can add time.

Confirm your hotel pickup through the contact method provided after booking. If you are staying far from the main tourist area, confirm that your hotel is covered. This simple step could prevent the biggest problem reported with the outing.

Bring a phone or camera for the transfer and surface portions, but remember that photographs sold by the operator are extra. If you are traveling with children, explain that they will have a window but must remain seated during the submarine ride.

The activity is offered every day during the stated operating period, and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 44. The trip requires suitable weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions cancel it.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Should you book Sindbad Submarines?

Book it if the idea of riding in a real submarine excites you, or if someone in your group cannot swim. The personal windows, calm cabin, friendly divers, and simple family format make this an easy way to meet the Red Sea without committing to snorkeling.

Skip it if your priority is the best possible reef viewing at the lowest price. A dedicated snorkeling or scuba outing may give you more marine variety and more time near the coral.

For most families, I would call this a fun novelty with genuine underwater viewing, not a perfect reef safari. Confirm the pickup, budget extra time, and treat the photos as optional. With those points clear, the submarine itself is a memorable Hurghada activity.

FAQ

How long does the Sindbad Submarines experience take?

The full outing takes approximately three hours and thirty minutes, including transfers, boat transportation, waiting, and the submarine ride. The underwater portion is about 45 minutes.

How deep does the submarine travel?

The submarine travels to about 25 meters below the Red Sea surface.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour includes point-to-point land and sea transportation. Confirm that your hotel is within the service area, especially if you are staying outside the main Hurghada tourist zone.

Where does the activity start and finish?

The listed meeting point is Little Buddha Hurghada in the Touristic Villages area. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can ride in the submarine?

The submarine has 44 passenger seats and two pilot seats. The maximum group size for the activity is 44 travelers.

What is included in the price?

The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, soda or pop, and all fees and taxes. Pickup and the submarine transportation are also part of the offered service.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Photo and video sessions are not included. Optional photographs or videos may be offered for an additional charge.

Is the activity suitable for children and non-swimmers?

Yes. The submarine lets you view underwater life without swimming, snorkeling, or scuba equipment. Most people can participate, and young children have enjoyed watching the fish and divers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires suitable weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.