Sharm: Pirates Sailing Boat cruise with transfers & lunch

The best part of this day is the boat itself: a three-masted wooden sailing ship with marble and wood salons, a broad sun deck, and a playful pirate theme. You cruise from Sharm El Sheikh toward Ras Muhammad National Park, stop twice for guided snorkeling, visit White Island, and eat a buffet lunch indoors.

I like the air-conditioned dining salon, especially after time in the sun, and I like that the price includes hotel pickup, park entry, lunch, and life jackets. The main caution is for families: the advertised children’s entertainment has not always been available, and the pirate character can feel more decorative than theatrical.

Key points to know before booking

• Three decks give you choices: Use the upper deck for sun and views, or retreat to one of two air-conditioned salons.
• Two snorkeling stops last about 45 minutes each: Bring your own mask and snorkel, or budget €5 per piece for rental.
• White Island is a short visit: The stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes, with transfers by smaller boat mentioned in one account.
• Lunch is more substantial than a snack: Expect soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, seafood, chicken, kofta, and fruit.
• Children’s programming is uncertain: Some families found no pirate activities or organized entertainment.
• Allow for the marina fee: A mandatory €5 per-person entrance charge may be paid on arrival or added in advance.

A pirate ship with a proper Red Sea setting

This is not a standard white motor yacht. The vessel is designed as a pirate ship, with three masts, wooden fittings, marble details, and three decks. That gives the day a bit more character than a plain snorkeling transfer.

The upper deck is the place for sun, sea views, and fresh air. The two lower salons are fully air-conditioned, which matters in South Sinai. After snorkeling, the cool interior and shaded seating can be a welcome break rather than a minor luxury.

The pirate theme is strongest in the ship’s decoration. Do not book this expecting a full theatrical performance. Several families found that there were no pirate costumes, treasure games, or organized children’s activities, despite the family-focused description.

That difference matters if you are choosing this mainly for young children. For adults and older children, the ship itself may be enough of a novelty. For a five-year-old expecting a pirate show, it may disappoint.

Pickup from Sharm El Sheikh and the morning schedule

Hotel pickup is included, with the transfer from Sharm El Sheikh taking about 25 minutes by bus or coach. Your pickup usually happens roughly one hour before the boat departure, and the exact time is sent through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

The boat is scheduled to leave the marina at about 9:00 in the morning and return around 4:00 in the afternoon. That makes this a full-day outing, not a quick half-day swim.

The published timing includes a long sailing period, listed as about 2.5 hours in the detailed schedule. Another description says the cruise to Ras Muhammad takes about an hour. In practice, allow for the full seven-hour program, including transfers, boarding, snorkeling, the White Island visit, lunch, and movement between sites.

The exact rhythm can change with sea conditions and harbor operations. You should arrive ready for a day on the water rather than expecting every activity to run to the minute.

Sailing toward Ras Muhammad National Park

Ras Muhammad is the main natural attraction on this trip. It is one of the best-known marine areas near Sharm El Sheikh, and the boat takes you along the Sinai coast before reaching the snorkeling area.

The cruise gives you time to settle into the ship. I like this part because the boat is not just a floating platform for getting from one reef to another. You can sit upstairs in the sun, find shade in the salons, and watch the coast pass by.

The national park entry fee is included. That helps the $80 price feel more reasonable, since you are paying for transport, access, food, equipment in part, and a full day aboard a large themed vessel.

The sea crossing can be tiring for anyone prone to motion sickness. If that is you, choose a stable seat, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid spending the entire journey below deck. The information provided does not specify the group size or whether the ship uses its sails for every part of the route, so expect a sailing-themed cruise rather than a guaranteed traditional sailing passage.

Two 45-minute snorkeling sessions

The snorkeling is the practical heart of the day. You get two guided stops, each scheduled for about 45 minutes, with time to see coral reefs and Red Sea marine life.

Two sessions are useful because you get a second chance if the first entry feels awkward. You can also compare conditions at two locations instead of spending the entire day at one reef.

A professional guide is included, and instruction is available in English, German, and Russian. Life jackets are supplied. Snorkeling gear is not included, however. The stated rental price is €5 per piece, so a mask and snorkel could cost €10 if charged separately. Wetsuits cost €10 each.

Bring your own mask if you have one. This is more than a money-saving tip. One family reported that an adult was not allowed into the water without a mask, even when intending only to supervise a child. The exact handling of that situation may vary, but you should assume that anyone entering the water needs suitable snorkeling equipment.

For a young child, this rule can affect the whole stop. A nervous five-year-old may not want to enter alone, even with a buoy. If your child needs an adult beside them, bring matching equipment for both of you.

The 45-minute sessions are long enough to make the equipment cost worthwhile. Still, you should not expect a private reef tour. You will be snorkeling as part of the boat group, following the guide and the conditions of the day.

White Island: beautiful, but keep expectations in check

White Island is the most unusual stop. It is a pale sandbar in the Red Sea, reached as part of the Ras Muhammad outing. The contrast between shallow water and bright sand makes it an appealing place for photographs and a short swim.

The scheduled visit lasts about 45 minutes. That sounds generous on paper, but time can be reduced by transfers between the large ship and a smaller boat. One family felt that getting on and off the speedboat took more time than the actual stay on the island.

I would treat White Island as a scenic interlude, not the main reason to book the trip. The snorkeling reefs offer more substance, while the island provides a memorable change of setting.

If White Island is your top priority, ask the crew how the transfer will work when you board. Conditions, water level, and harbor procedures may affect how much usable time you have on the sandbar.

Lunch in the cool lower salon

Lunch is served as an open buffet in one of the air-conditioned salons. The menu includes seafood soup, three types of fresh salad, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

That is a solid meal for a day at sea. I especially like the mix of Egyptian-style kofta and chicken with seafood, since it gives you choices if you do not care for fish or shellfish.

The dining room is decorated with marble and wood, and it offers a needed change from direct sun. Soft drinks are included in the onboard service description, though the provided details do not specify every drink available or whether all options are included.

A buffet is also practical for families. You can choose a small portion first, then return for more. If you have specific dietary needs, the available information does not promise special meals, so ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet can accommodate you.

One point deserves attention: extra children’s food may cost more. A family was charged a high amount for chopped melon and yogurt ordered separately. I would rely on the listed buffet and check prices before requesting additional items.

What the pirate theme means for children

The lower deck is described as an area where an animation team can entertain children while adults enjoy the upper deck. That sounds useful, but the service has been inconsistent.

Several families found no organized children’s activities. There were no pirate costumes, treasure games, or clear entertainment program during their trip. The lower cabin did have pirate-themed decoration and picture opportunities, but that is not the same as supervised activity.

For this reason, I would book the cruise for the boat, reefs, White Island, and lunch. Consider children’s entertainment a possible extra, not a guaranteed part of the day.

Older children who can swim or snorkel with their parents may enjoy the ship and the stops without a formal program. Younger children who need constant supervision may find the seven-hour schedule long, especially if they do not enter the water.

The activity is described as wheelchair accessible, which is useful information, but the supplied details do not explain how boarding, the smaller boat transfer, or access to the snorkeling areas are handled. If those points matter to you, confirm the arrangements before paying.

Is $80 good value?

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip from Sharm El Sheikh. You are paying extra for the themed vessel, the larger indoor spaces, hotel transfers, national park entry, lunch, and the full seven-hour schedule.

The value is strongest if you want a polished day with several parts already arranged. You do not need to organize transport to the marina, find a separate boat to Ras Muhammad, arrange lunch, or pay the park entry fee yourself.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want quick access to a reef. A simpler snorkeling boat may cost less, and the pirate styling will not matter to everyone.

Remember the possible extras. The marina entrance fee is listed as a mandatory €5 per person, payable on arrival or available as an add-on. Snorkeling equipment costs €5 per piece, and a wetsuit costs €10. Those charges can push the total above the advertised price.

For two adults who bring their own equipment, the package is easier to judge. For a family of four needing masks, snorkels, and the marina fee, calculate the final cost before booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to adults, couples, and families with older children who want a full Red Sea day with a more distinctive boat than the usual motor vessel.

It suits you if you value:

• A spacious ship with indoor air conditioning
• Two guided snorkeling stops
• A proper buffet lunch
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A visit to Ras Muhammad and White Island
• A relaxed day where most arrangements are handled for you

I would be more cautious if your priority is a reliable children’s program, a long stay on White Island, or a low-cost snorkeling trip.

Families should bring towels, sunscreen, and passports. A copy of your passport is accepted. If you have your own snorkeling gear, pack it. That avoids both the rental charge and any uncertainty over entering the water without a mask.

The staff have earned praise for being kind, prepared, and hardworking. One particularly positive account credited Mr. Antar and the wider team with making the day feel special. Service can still vary by departure, but the strongest part of the experience appears to be the crew’s general attitude and the organization of the cruise.

Booking advice and cancellation flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still changing.

The activity is offered with English, German, and Russian instruction. Starting times should be checked for your date, since pickup details are confirmed closer to departure.

I would make three checks before finalizing:

• Confirm the exact pickup time through WhatsApp.
• Confirm whether the €5 marina fee has already been added.
• Ask what snorkeling equipment is available and what children’s activity is planned that day.

Those questions take little effort and address the main points that can affect your satisfaction.

Should you book the Pirates Sailing Boat cruise?

Book it if the ship, the full-day format, and the combination of Ras Muhammad, White Island, snorkeling, and lunch appeal to you. The air-conditioned salon is a real advantage, the food selection is generous for a boat excursion, and two 45-minute snorkeling stops give you meaningful time in the water.

I would not book it solely because of the promise of pirate entertainment for children. That part has not been dependable. For a family, bring your own masks, plan to supervise younger swimmers, and treat the pirate theme as decoration plus atmosphere.

At $80, this is a reasonable choice for a comfortable, organized day on the Red Sea, provided you include the marina fee and equipment in your budget. It offers more character and comfort than a basic snorkeling boat, but the added cost makes sense only if you will use the ship, the lunch, and the full program.

FAQ

How long does the Pirates Sailing Boat cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. Pickup usually takes place roughly one hour before departure, and the boat is scheduled to return to the marina at about 4:00 pm.

What locations does the cruise visit?

The cruise sails to Ras Muhammad National Park, includes two snorkeling stops, and visits White Island. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh are included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear costs €5 per piece, and wetsuits cost €10 per item. Life jackets are included.

Is lunch included, and what is served?

Yes. The buffet includes seafood soup, three salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

Is children’s entertainment guaranteed?

No. A children’s entertainment program is advertised, but it has not been available on every departure. Pirate costumes and organized pirate activities should not be assumed.

What extra fee may I need to pay?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 per person may be payable on arrival or prepaid through the available add-on. This is separate from the listed tour price unless already included in your booking.