Hurghada: Empire Submarine Boat Trip with Snorkel and Drinks

Hurghada’s Empire Submarine gives you two ways to see the Red Sea: through broad underwater windows and from the water itself. The boat reaches about 3 meters below the surface, so you can watch coral and fish without needing to swim or put your head underwater.

I like the easy mix of sightseeing and activity, plus the practical value: hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, water, and soft drinks are included for $19. I also like that children and non-swimmers can enjoy the reef views from the air-conditioned observation deck. The main drawback is that the boat’s underwater viewing time and snorkeling stop may feel brief if you want a full day on the sea, and onboard photos can cost more than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Three meters below the surface: Watch the reef through panoramic windows from an air-conditioned cabin.
• Forty minutes in the water: The snorkeling stop gives you a useful amount of time to see the reef for yourself.
• Good value at $19: Transfers from Hurghada, drinks, life jackets, and equipment are included.
• Helpful for families: Children as young as 5 and 6 have enjoyed the trip, and no snorkeling skill is needed to use the submarine.
• Allow for pickup variation: Your hotel location sets the pickup time, and a delay of up to 10 minutes can happen.
• Bring your own towel: Towels and food are not included, while drinks and unlimited water are provided.

Seeing the Red Sea without committing to a full boat day

This trip works well when you want a taste of Hurghada’s marine life without paying for a long sailing excursion. You get a boat ride, a proper underwater viewing session, and a snorkeling break in one outing.

That combination matters. A standard snorkeling trip asks everyone to get into the water, which is not ideal for small children, nervous swimmers, or anyone who simply wants to stay dry. Here, you can remain inside the glass-walled cabin and still see fish and coral at close range.

The underwater cabin is air-conditioned and sits about 3 meters below the surface. Large panoramic windows give you a wide view rather than the narrow look you might get through a small porthole. The exact quality of your view will depend on water conditions, light, and how crowded the viewing area becomes, but the setup is designed to make the reef accessible to nearly everyone.

I would treat this as a gentle introduction to the Red Sea, not as a serious marine expedition. The attraction is ease. You do not need previous snorkeling experience, strong swimming skills, or a full day free.

The first 60 minutes along Hurghada’s coast

The outing begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup time depends on your hotel, so confirm the exact time one day before departure. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, which is normal enough for a shared transfer but worth allowing for if you have another appointment later.

Once aboard, the boat cruises for about 60 minutes along the Hurghada coastline toward a coral reef area. This first stretch gives you time to settle in, enjoy the sea air, and take in the coast from the water.

The cruise is not just a transfer to the reef. It helps pace the outing, especially for families. Young children can enjoy the boat ride before deciding if they want to try snorkeling. Adults who are not keen on swimming still get a scenic part of the trip.

You receive unlimited water and complimentary soft drinks onboard. Food is not included, so do not expect a meal or a substantial snack. For a short excursion, that is not a serious problem, but you should eat beforehand if you tend to get hungry on the water.

Inside the air-conditioned viewing cabin

At the reef, you head down into the semi-submarine’s observation deck. The cabin is below the surface but not a fully enclosed submarine in the deep-sea sense. You remain in an air-conditioned space with glass walls, looking out at the Red Sea from roughly 3 meters down.

The scheduled underwater viewing time is about 45 minutes. That is long enough to study the reef, watch fish pass the windows, and give children a close look at sea life without asking them to stay still for too long.

The large windows are the main reason to choose this trip over a simple glass-bottom boat. You get a more direct, eye-level view of the water around you. Look for changes in the coral shapes, fish moving in groups, and the small creatures that can be easy to miss from above.

Keep your expectations sensible. The reef is a natural setting, not an aquarium with guaranteed displays. Fish may be plentiful, or they may move away from the viewing area. Water clarity and sunlight also affect how much color reaches the windows. A bright day should help, but no short boat trip can promise the same view every time.

The cabin also gives you a break from the sun. That is useful in Hurghada, where a boat outing can become tiring quickly if you spend the whole time outdoors. You can enjoy the scenery from inside, then choose how much time to spend on deck before and after the water stop.

Forty minutes of snorkeling near the reef

After the underwater viewing session, you get about 40 minutes to snorkel near the reef. This is the part of the trip that lets you move beyond the windows and see the water at your own pace.

Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included. The life jacket is useful even for confident swimmers because it lets you float while looking down instead of spending energy staying up. If you are new to snorkeling, use the first few minutes to get comfortable with the mask and breathing rhythm.

Forty minutes is a practical amount of time for a family outing. You can see the area, take a break, and return to the boat without the stop taking over your entire day. It is also enough time for a more active swimmer to get a real look at the reef rather than only making a quick dip.

The water is described as clear, and the reef area offers views of coral and fish. You should bring swimwear, sunglasses, a sun hat, comfortable shoes, and a towel. Towels are not supplied, so this is an easy item to forget and an annoying one to lack after snorkeling.

No specific snorkeling route or marine species list is provided. That is helpful to remember when deciding how much this outing can offer. You are booking access to a reef stop, not a specialist wildlife tour led around fixed animal sightings.

Why the $19 price makes sense

At $19 per person, this is priced as an accessible introduction to Hurghada’s Red Sea. The value is strongest because several costs are bundled together: hotel pickup and return, air-conditioned transport, the semi-submarine ride, underwater viewing, snorkeling gear, life jackets, water, and soft drinks.

A separate boat transfer alone can add to the cost of a day at sea. Here, you get the ride to the marina and back without arranging a taxi. That makes the tour especially practical if you are staying in Hurghada and want a simple half-day-style activity.

The price also works for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another stays in the cabin. Children can watch the reef without needing to swim, and adults can choose whether to join the water stop. You are not paying for an activity that only suits the strongest swimmer in the group.

There are limits. Food is not included, and hotel pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga costs extra or requires a different selection at checkout. If you are staying outside Hurghada, check that detail carefully before paying.

The boat may also offer photos or a CD/DVD for purchase. The photos can be a pleasant record of the day, but the fee has been described as high. I would decide in advance how much you want to spend on souvenir images so you are not pressured at the end.

How family-friendly is the trip?

This is one of the better Red Sea choices for a family with mixed comfort levels. The air-conditioned cabin gives young children a dry way to see the reef, while older children and adults can try snorkeling.

Children aged 5 and 6 have enjoyed the outing, which suggests the pace can work for younger families. Still, you know your own children best. A child who dislikes boats, confined spaces, or wearing a life jacket may not enjoy every part of the trip.

The activity is also useful for non-swimmers. You can watch the reef from the windows and skip the snorkeling stop if you prefer. The crew provides life jackets, but the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, so mobility needs should be considered before booking.

Pets are not allowed. Languages offered are English, Arabic, and German, giving you a useful choice if you need instructions in one of those languages.

What the crew and boat service add

The practical side of this trip has received strong marks. Pickup is intended to be organized, and the staff are described as friendly and helpful. Clear explanations matter here, especially when a group is moving between the boat, the observation deck, and the water.

The boat itself has been described as clean. That makes a real difference on an excursion involving masks, life jackets, wet swimwear, and children. Cleanliness cannot improve the reef view, but it can make the whole outing more comfortable.

I would not book this expecting a private, quiet cruise. The experience is designed for a group, and the underwater cabin may have several people trying to view the reef at once. Families and first-time snorkelers will likely find that social, organized setup reassuring. Anyone seeking solitude should look at a private charter instead.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

The stated schedule includes about 60 minutes of cruising, 45 minutes at the underwater viewing deck, and 40 minutes of snorkeling. These are the key activity blocks, but the full outing also includes hotel transfers, boarding, and the return to the marina.

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothes. Pack a towel, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Comfortable shoes are recommended for moving around the boat and the marina.

Bring sunscreen as well, although it is not specifically listed among the required items. Keep your valuables simple. You will be moving between a vehicle, boat, cabin, and water, so a small bag is easier than a large one.

Because drinks are included, you do not need to buy water onboard. Food is different, so have a meal before pickup or bring only what the operator permits. The supplied information does not confirm a meal service.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you have mobility concerns that are not related to wheelchair use, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the boat layout will be easy to manage.

Who should book the Empire Submarine trip?

I would recommend this for families, couples, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants a low-cost introduction to Hurghada’s reef life. It is also a good choice for a group where not everyone wants to get wet.

You should consider another type of outing if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, remote reef sites, scuba instruction, or a full day on the water. The Empire Submarine trip gives you a compact sample of the Red Sea, not an intensive marine program.

The current score is 4.5 out of 5 from 35 ratings, with especially strong praise for the organization, friendly staff, clean boat, reef views, and family appeal. The most useful caution is the extra cost of onboard photos and the possibility that the schedule may feel short for experienced snorkelers.

For $19, I think the tour earns its place as a sensible Hurghada activity. Book it if you want convenience, dry underwater viewing, and a manageable snorkeling stop. Skip it only if you already have a longer reef trip planned or want a quieter, more personal boat experience.

FAQ

How much does the Empire Submarine boat trip cost?

The listed price is $19 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada are included. Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga is not included in the standard service and must be selected at checkout.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling stop lasts about 40 minutes.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No specific swimming skill is required for the semi-submarine viewing. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are provided, but you can stay in the underwater observation cabin if you do not want to snorkel.

Are drinks and food included?

Unlimited water and complimentary soft drinks are included. Food is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel. Towels are not provided.