Hurghada: Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet Lunch

Wild dolphins are the main draw here, but the best part is that this is not only a wildlife search. The day also gives you two snorkeling stops at coral reefs, with guides on hand and a boat equipped for both sun seekers and shade lovers.

I like the $26 price, which covers the boat, gear, lunch, drinks, and water sports. I also like the easy holiday rhythm: look for dolphins, swim, eat, rest, then swim again. The tradeoff is simple: the boat may feel busy, and no one can promise dolphins will appear on cue.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphins stay wild: You may see them more than once and may have the chance to enter the water near them, but sightings are not guaranteed.
• Two reef stops: Snorkeling gear and guided help are included at both locations.
• Lunch is already covered: A buffet meal, soft drinks, and water are served on board.
• Water sports add variety: Banana boat and sofa boat rides are included in the day.
• A practical meeting point: The trip begins and ends at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada.
• Plan for six to seven hours: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat, and expect a full day on the water.

A full Red Sea day for $26

At $26 per person, this cruise offers a lot for the money. You are not paying only for a short dolphin lookout trip. The price includes round-trip boat transport from the meeting point, snorkeling equipment, a guided session, two reef stops, lunch, soft drinks, water, and banana boat and sofa boat rides.

That matters in Hurghada, where separate add-ons can quickly turn a modest boat trip into a more expensive day. Here, the main extras are already bundled in. You still need to budget for personal spending and any photography service, but the core experience is covered.

I would think of this as a good-value introduction to the Red Sea rather than a private wildlife expedition. You share the boat with other people, and the schedule needs to work for a group. If you want a quiet, exclusive cruise, this is not the right style. If you want several activities in one day without paying resort-level prices, it makes sense.

Meeting the boat at Public Beach Number 9

The listed start and end point is Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada. This is important because the basic arrangement is not a door-to-door transfer from every Red Sea resort.

Hotel pickup is available in Hurghada, while pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga can involve an extra charge of €10 per person. Check your hotel location before booking so you know what transport applies to you.

The trip lasts about six to seven hours. That is long enough to make the boat feel like your main activity for the day, so avoid pairing it with another fixed tour. You will want a relaxed morning and enough time afterward to dry off and recover from the sun.

Looking for dolphins in open water

The first big moment is the search for dolphins in their natural habitat. The boat heads toward known dolphin areas, where the crew watches the water and tries to find active pods.

This is genuine wildlife watching, not a guaranteed performance. Dolphins move as they please, and sea conditions, timing, and luck all matter. You may see them several times, and some outings may give you the chance to swim near them, but the experience cannot promise close contact.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you go. If you need a guaranteed dolphin encounter, choose a setting designed around captive animals instead. If you prefer seeing animals in the wild, this cruise offers the more natural option, even when the search takes patience.

Keep your expectations sensible. A quick sighting can still be special, while a longer encounter may allow you to watch the animals from the boat or enter the water when the crew considers it suitable. Follow the guide’s instructions rather than trying to chase dolphins yourself.

The crew includes two to four professional guides on each boat, along with a snorkeling instructor. Their role is not only to point out wildlife. They also help organize water entry, answer questions, and provide safety support during the swimming stops.

Two snorkeling stops on the Red Sea

After the dolphin search, the day shifts toward the coral reefs. You get two snorkeling stops, which is a useful feature because the second location gives you another chance if the first stop has rougher water, lower visibility, or less marine life than expected.

Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided. A guide leads the snorkeling session and helps you make better use of your time in the water. If you are new to snorkeling, this support can make a real difference. You can focus on breathing calmly, keeping your mask clear, and staying with the group instead of trying to work everything out alone.

The reef stops are described as places with colorful corals and many fish. You should expect a view of Red Sea marine life rather than a technical scuba session. Snorkeling keeps the activity accessible to many families and casual swimmers, though you still need to be comfortable in open water.

The two stops also break up the day nicely. One long swimming period can become tiring, especially under strong sun. Two shorter sessions give you time to dry off, eat, rest, and return to the water with more energy.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and a wet swimsuit under a hot sun deck is less comfortable than it sounds. A long-sleeved swim top can also be useful for sun protection, although the required packing list specifically calls for swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel.

A boat designed for both sun and shade

Between stops, you can use the boat as a place to rest rather than treating it only as transport. There is a spacious sun deck, along with shaded areas. That choice matters because different people handle the Red Sea sun in different ways.

You might want a sunny spot after snorkeling so you can dry off. Someone in your family may prefer shade, especially during lunch or the longer cruise sections. Having both options makes the day easier for mixed groups.

Music is part of the atmosphere, and the boat has a social, holiday feel. This is not a silent nature cruise. The setting suits couples, families, and groups who like a little energy between swimming sessions. If you are looking for calm birdwatching-style quiet, the music and shared boat atmosphere may feel less appealing.

The boat also offers banana boat and sofa boat rides. These give the day a playful extra, especially for families and anyone who wants more than snorkeling. Ask the crew about the timing and safety instructions, since the exact order of activities can depend on the day’s conditions.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical comfort factor

A fresh buffet lunch is served on board, with soft drinks and water available. Having food included is more useful than it may first appear. Six or seven hours on the water, mixed with swimming and sun, can leave you hungry well before the trip ends.

The buffet format also works for a group because people can eat at their own pace. You do not need to leave the boat or arrange a separate restaurant stop. Soft drinks and water help keep the day simple, though you should still bring any personal items or snacks you specifically need.

Do not expect a fine-dining meal. This is a boat lunch supporting an active day, not the reason to book the cruise. The important value is convenience: you can eat, drink, and return to the deck without losing time from the Red Sea activities.

A hat and high-factor sunscreen are essential. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, and keep your hat secure on the boat. Sunglasses may also help, although they are not listed among the required items.

How the crew shapes the day

The experience includes an expert crew, a guide, and a snorkeling instructor, with two to four professional guides on each boat. That is a strong staffing level for a water-based group activity because the crew has several jobs to manage at once.

They need to watch the sea for dolphins, coordinate the snorkeling stops, help people with equipment, supervise water activities, and keep lunch service moving. You are not left to manage the whole day on your own.

The guide language options are English, German, and Arabic. This makes the trip more useful for a mixed group, though you should choose the language that best suits your needs when booking.

The strongest part of the atmosphere is the crew’s friendly, upbeat approach. The boat is intended to feel social and enjoyable, not formal. That works well when the group is in a good mood and everyone is happy to share the space.

The same setup can feel crowded at busy times. Several people may be waiting for equipment, moving between the deck and the water, or gathering near the dolphin lookout. Think of this as a lively group cruise, not a small yacht charter.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this trip to couples who want an easy day away from the resort, families with children old enough to follow water instructions, and nature lovers who are happy to accept some uncertainty around dolphin sightings.

It also suits first-time visitors to Hurghada. You get a broad taste of the Red Sea in one outing: wildlife watching, reef snorkeling, a boat ride, lunch, and simple water sports.

Children under three join free. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, so children need to be with a responsible adult. Parents should also remember that snorkeling and boat movement require close attention, even with guides present.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues. That restriction makes sense given the boat access, swimming stops, and water sports. If you have any concern about boarding, swimming, or moving around the boat, ask before booking rather than hoping the crew can solve it on the day.

The main drawbacks to keep in mind

The biggest uncertainty is the dolphins. You might see them several times, and you may be able to swim near them, but nature sets the schedule. Do not book this if your entire holiday plan depends on a guaranteed encounter.

The second issue is space. A spacious boat can still feel busy when a full group gathers for lunch, snorkeling, or dolphin watching. If you dislike shared activities, a private boat would be more comfortable, though it would not match this price.

The public meeting point can also be less convenient than a hotel pickup. If you are staying outside Hurghada, the €10 per-person transfer supplement from listed resort areas should be included in your comparison.

Finally, this is a sun-heavy day. Even with shade, you spend many hours around reflective water. A hat, towel, swimsuit, and sunscreen are not minor extras. They make the difference between a pleasant outing and an exhausting one.

Should you book this Hurghada dolphin cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced Red Sea day with several activities included and you are comfortable sharing a boat. The combination of dolphin watching, two snorkeling stops, buffet lunch, drinks, and banana boat and sofa boat rides gives you plenty to do for $26.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to first-time snorkelers and families who want guides nearby. The crew support, provided equipment, shaded deck, and included meal remove many of the small hassles that can spoil a boat day.

Skip it if you need guaranteed dolphins, private space, or a quiet cruise. The best reason to choose this trip is not certainty. It is the chance to spend a full day on the Red Sea, with wild nature as the bonus and coral reefs, food, and water activities filling out the experience.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. For the right kind of visitor, this is an affordable and active way to see more of Hurghada than the hotel pool.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin cruise start?

The tour starts at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada.

Where does the activity finish?

It ends back at the same meeting point, Public Beach Number 9.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately six to seven hours.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew works to find dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The tour includes two snorkeling stops at coral reef locations.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided, along with a guided snorkeling session.

Is lunch included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is the cruise suitable for young children?

Children under three years old can join for free, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues.