Hurghada: Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet Lunch

Wild dolphins are the main draw here, and you may see them more than once as the boat searches the Red Sea. If conditions line up, you can enter the water near them, but this remains a wildlife outing, not a guaranteed dolphin swim.

I like the two separate snorkeling stops, which give you more than one chance to see colorful coral and fish. I also like the practical value: for $26, you get boat transport, equipment, lunch, drinks, guides, and extra water activities. The main consideration is that the boat can feel busy, and dolphin sightings depend on nature rather than a fixed schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Wild dolphin watching: Look for dolphins in their natural habitat, with sightings and close encounters never guaranteed.
• Two reef stops: Use the included mask, snorkel, and fins at two different snorkeling sites.
• Lunch on the Red Sea: A buffet meal, water, and soft drinks are included during the six to seven-hour outing.
• Comfort between swims: The boat has a sun deck, shaded areas, music, and room to relax.
• Extra water fun: Banana boat and sofa boat rides are included, adding a playful option beyond snorkeling.
• Useful price point: At $26 per person, the package covers the main costs, although some resort pickups cost extra.

Setting out from Public Beach Number 9

The tour begins and ends at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada. You should plan around that meeting point unless you have arranged a pickup from an eligible hotel area.

For hotels in Hurghada, pickup may be available, but extra charges can apply depending on the location. Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga are available as an add-on for €10 per person. Check this carefully before booking, since the advertised $26 price does not cover every resort transfer.

The full outing lasts about six to seven hours. That is long enough to make the boat ride feel like a proper day on the Red Sea, but not so long that the schedule becomes tiring for most people who are comfortable on the water.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a sun hat. Towels are not supplied, so this is an easy item to forget and an annoying one to lack after the first swim.

Searching for dolphins in open water

The dolphin watching takes place in the animals’ natural habitat. That matters: you are not visiting a marine park with trained dolphins and a fixed performance time. The crew looks for dolphins in known areas, but the animals choose where they go.

You may see them from the boat, and in favorable conditions you may enter the water near them. The experience can feel special precisely because it is unscripted, but you should book it with the right expectation. No responsible operator can promise a sighting, and this activity clearly states that dolphins are not guaranteed.

The crew includes a guide and snorkeling instructor, with two to four professional guides on each boat. That staffing gives you useful support when people enter the water, especially if your group includes children or less confident swimmers. Still, you should be comfortable following instructions and swimming in open sea conditions.

The most important rule is simple: treat the dolphins as wild animals. Watch their behavior, follow the crew’s directions, and do not expect the boat to control every part of the encounter. A dolphin sighting is a bonus, not the only reason to book the day.

Two snorkeling stops on the coral reefs

The two snorkeling stops are the strongest part of the tour for anyone who wants more than a short boat ride. You receive a mask, snorkel, and fins, then join a guided snorkeling session at coral reef sites.

Having two stops is useful for several reasons. You get two chances to swim if the first location is not ideal for your comfort or visibility, and you may see different fish and coral at each site. The stops also break up the dolphin search, so the day does not become hours of sitting on deck waiting for movement in the water.

The supplied equipment covers the basics, although you may prefer to bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well. Make sure sunscreen is applied before swimming, and consider a hat and a cover-up for the time spent above water.

The reefs are described as colorful and full of fish and coral. That gives you a clear idea of what to expect, but conditions can change with weather, sea movement, and visibility. The guides are there to help with the equipment and provide direction, not to guarantee perfect water conditions.

If you are a strong swimmer, the stops should give you freedom to look around at your own pace within the guide’s instructions. If you are less confident, stay close to the instructor and ask for help before entering the water. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues, and it is not suitable for pregnant women.

A buffet lunch with room to relax

Lunch is served on board, which saves you from leaving the boat and losing time between activities. The meal is described as fresh and buffet-style, with soft drinks and water also available.

I see this as good value rather than a fine-dining feature. The point is convenience: after swimming and spending time in the sun, you can eat without arranging another stop. One particularly positive detail is that the lunch has been singled out as a strong part of the day, so it should not be treated as an afterthought.

Bring only what you need. Personal expenses are not included, and photography services are separate. A waterproof pouch can be useful for small items, although the tour information does not promise storage facilities, so keep valuables to a minimum.

Between stops, you can sit on the sun deck or find shade. The boat also has music, giving the cruise a social holiday feel rather than a quiet nature expedition. If you prefer peace and quiet, choose a shaded or less central place on deck when possible.

Banana boat, sofa boat, and the social mood

The included banana boat and sofa boat activities add a different kind of fun. They are a good fit for couples, families with eligible children, and groups who want a little more action after snorkeling.

These extras also help explain the lively atmosphere. This is not a small private wildlife charter. The boat can have a number of people on board, and one of the available comments specifically notes that it may feel crowded, even though the dolphin encounter and swimming remained enjoyable.

That trade-off is worth weighing before you book. A larger boat usually means more guides, more facilities, and a lower price per person. It also means less space and less quiet than you would get on a private trip.

The crew’s friendliness is another strength. The available feedback repeatedly points to a kind, funny, attentive team and smooth coordination between staff. That matters on a boat day because good instructions and quick assistance make the water activities feel easier.

The operating languages are English, German, and Arabic. If you need guidance in one of those languages, this should make communication more straightforward.

What $26 really covers

At $26 per person, this is a strong-value Red Sea outing if you plan to use the included features. You are paying for round-trip boat transportation from the meeting point, dolphin watching, two snorkeling stops, equipment, instruction, lunch, water, soft drinks, and the banana boat and sofa boat activities.

Many boat trips advertise a low starting price and then add costs for equipment, lunch, or drinks. Here, the main daytime expenses are bundled together. That makes the price easier to judge and reduces surprises once you are on the water.

The value is less convincing if you only want a short dolphin search and do not plan to snorkel or use the extra water activities. The tour lasts six to seven hours, so it works best when you want a full day on the Red Sea rather than a quick outing.

You should also add the €10 per person resort pickup fee if you are staying in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga. Depending on your location, reaching Public Beach Number 9 without that service may require your own transport.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this cruise for nature enthusiasts who want a reasonable chance to see dolphins plus time in the water. The two reef stops make the experience worthwhile even if the dolphins stay out of sight.

Families can also find plenty to do, provided everyone meets the safety and age requirements. Children under three join free, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues.

Couples may enjoy the mix of open water, shared lunch, and wildlife watching. Just remember that the mood is social and the boat may not feel private. If you want silence, personal service, or complete control over the route, a private boat would be a better match, though it would not offer this same low price.

This is less suitable if you dislike swimming, get uncomfortable on boats, or need guaranteed wildlife sightings. You should also think twice if you want a very quiet reef experience, since the boat may carry a lively group and includes music and tow-behind activities.

Practical tips before you go

Arrive prepared for a full day outdoors. Use sunscreen before departure and reapply it after swimming, bring a towel, and wear swimwear under light clothing. A sun hat is useful during the boat ride, although you may want to secure it in windy conditions.

Keep expectations flexible. The schedule includes dolphin watching and two snorkeling stops, but the exact timing can depend on sea conditions and where dolphins are found. Think of the outing as a day combining wildlife search, reef swimming, lunch, and deck time, not as a guaranteed dolphin performance.

Pay attention to the crew’s instructions before each water activity. Two to four professional guides are assigned to each boat, and the snorkeling instructor can help you with the equipment and water entry. Their support is most useful when you ask early rather than waiting until you feel unsure.

The activity can be booked with pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That flexibility is helpful when your Hurghada plans depend on weather or hotel timing.

Should you book the Hurghada dolphin cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, activity-filled day on the Red Sea. The combination of two snorkeling stops, lunch, drinks, equipment, and dolphin watching gives you several worthwhile parts to the day, even if wildlife does not cooperate.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to couples, families, and first-time snorkelers who appreciate guides and included equipment. The crew support, multiple guides, and friendly atmosphere add real value.

Skip it if you need a private boat, guaranteed dolphins, or a quiet and uncrowded setting. For everyone else, $26 is a sensible price for a full day that combines reef time, open-water wildlife watching, food, and simple water-sports fun.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin cruise start and finish?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six to seven hours.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

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 for the two snorkeling stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A fresh buffet lunch is served on board, with water and soft drinks available.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup may be available from hotels in Hurghada, but additional charges can apply. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga is available as an add-on for €10 per person.

Who should not join the tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, while children under three can join free.