Hurghada Red Sea Half-Day Submarine Adventure

The unusual part of this Hurghada trip is that you get two very different views of the Red Sea: from a submarine cabin about 5 meters below the surface, then from the water with a mask and snorkel. Fish, coral, and sometimes stingrays are part of the appeal, though wildlife is never on a schedule.

I like the short, two-part format: you can see the seabed without being a confident swimmer, then try snorkeling if you want a closer look. I also like that hotel transfers, gear, water, and a soft drink are included, which keeps the outing simple to plan.

The trade-off is time. The scheduled outing runs from 11:00 to 13:15, so this is a sampler, not a full day at sea. Transfers are shared, and pickup may run early or late. Check your pickup details and the exact price before booking.

• The submarine descends about 5 meters, giving you an underwater view without requiring you to swim.
• Snorkeling follows the submarine trip, with gear included and a guided stop in the Red Sea.
• The outing starts from Hurghada Marina, with a short cruise and coastline views.
• Hotel transfers are included, but some resort areas have an added transfer charge.
• Fish and coral are the main draw, and a guest reported seeing stingrays and fish attracted by divers using food.
• Bring swimwear and an underwater camera if you want to take photos while snorkeling.

From your hotel to Hurghada Marina

1 / 5

2 / 5

3 / 5

4 / 5

5 / 5

1 / 5

The day starts with a shared car transfer from your hotel or agreed pickup point. The listed departure time is 11:00, but that is not a promise that the van will arrive at your door at exactly 11. Shared pickup times can shift, so be ready a little early and keep your phone available for the operator’s confirmation.

The vehicle option is a group van for up to 12 people. That is a manageable group size, but the ride may include several hotel stops. Round-trip transfers are included for the standard pickup area. If you are staying in Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh, budget an extra US$5 or €5; from El Gouna or Soma Bay, the stated transfer charge is US$10 or €10.

There is a small location detail worth checking before you pay. The activity is in Hurghada, Egypt, but one booking-related account described confusion over a platform location that appeared to point to Saudi Arabia. Confirm that your selected activity, pickup address, and travel date all say Hurghada, Egypt. The operator is listed as Egyptra Travel Services, and pickup details are re-confirmed in advance.

At the marina, you board a boat for the trip out to the Red Sea viewing and snorkeling area. The outing includes a scenic passage through the New Marina, where you get a look at Hurghada’s waterfront from the water. This short cruise is part of the outing rather than a separate sightseeing trip, so think of it as a pleasant transition between town and sea.

👉 See our pick of the 23 Best Shopping Tours In Hurghada

Five meters below the surface

The submarine portion is the main reason to choose this trip over a standard boat-and-snorkel outing. The vessel takes you about 5 meters below the surface, where you can look out at the seabed and passing sea life without having to swim or hold your breath. That makes it a useful option for families or anyone curious about the Red Sea but unsure about snorkeling.

The appeal is not only the fish. From below, you get a different sense of the water and reef than you do from the deck. In clear conditions, coral shapes and fish can be visible at a distance. One person who took the trip described exceptionally clear water and close views of coral and stingrays in a shallower area. Those are possible highlights, not a guarantee: the exact wildlife and visibility depend on the conditions that day.

It helps to set expectations. This is a short submarine visit, not a long expedition through a deep underwater world. The stated depth is about 5 meters, and the activity is designed as an accessible look at marine life before you return to the surface. If you are expecting a full-scale submarine voyage, you may find the format modest. If you want an easy introduction to the sea, it makes more sense.

The boat crew provides explanations before the trip, and the guide is available in English, Spanish, Russian, German, French, or Polish. No individual guide names are provided. The multilingual setup can be helpful if you want instructions in a language you understand, especially before the snorkeling stop.

Snorkeling over coral and fish

After the submarine portion, you have time to swim and snorkel in the Red Sea. Snorkeling gear is included, and the stop is presented as one of the area’s attractive coral reef spots. You can use this part of the tour to look for fish and coral from the surface, or simply enjoy time in clear water.

One useful detail: fish may be drawn closer by divers using food near the boat. That can make it easier to see fish and take photographs, but it is not quite the same as watching them in an undisturbed setting. A guest also described reaching a shallower seabed area where coral and stingrays could be seen up close. The exact stop can vary, so treat these sightings as possibilities rather than promises.

Bring your own underwater camera if you have one. A phone is not a safe substitute unless it is in a proper waterproof case, and no camera is included. Swimwear is the listed item to bring. The trip supplies snorkeling gear, but the information does not specify what type of flotation equipment is available, so ask the crew about safety gear if you need it.

You do not have to snorkel to get something from the outing. The submarine cabin is the central attraction for people who prefer to stay dry, while the surface stop gives keen swimmers more to do. Still, the trip is best for you if you are happy spending some time around the water and following the crew’s instructions.

A soft drink, a short cruise, and the return

A soft drink and a bottle of water are included. Meals and other beverages are not, so eat beforehand if you need a substantial meal. This is a short morning outing, not a lunch cruise, and the scheduled return is 13:15.

The return transfer takes you back to your hotel or personal address. If you want to be dropped somewhere else, arrange it with the operator in advance rather than assuming the driver can change the route. One person was able to request a stop at Carrefour and was connected to a different bus, but that should be treated as an arrangement to confirm, not a standard service.

The timing is convenient if you want to leave the afternoon open for the beach, a meal, or another activity. It is also vulnerable to ordinary delays: the schedule can change with traffic and weather. Keep any later plans flexible, particularly if you have a separate booking soon after the stated return time.

Is the price good value?

The listed starting prices are not completely consistent: the experience summary gives a price from US$20.70, while a package option shows a starting price of US$18. The amount you pay can change with the date, package, and pickup location, so check the final price at checkout rather than relying on the lowest advertised figure.

For the price, the outing combines hotel transport, a marina cruise, the submarine trip, snorkeling gear, a multilingual guide, and two drinks. That is good value if you want both a dry underwater view and a chance to snorkel without arranging transport or equipment yourself. The included transfers matter especially in Hurghada, where getting to the marina can add cost and planning if you go independently.

The calculation changes if you are staying in one of the areas with a transfer surcharge, or if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. You are paying for a compact combination of activities, not hours in the water. Food, extra drinks, and personal expenses are separate. Compare the final price with a longer boat trip if you want a full day on the sea.

The activity has a 4.0 out of 5 rating from five submitted ratings, a small sample. The positive themes are clear water, coral and fish, a new-feeling boat, helpful pre-trip explanations, and strong value for the price. One low rating described a serious location mix-up, which is why checking the destination and pickup details matters.

Who should book this Hurghada trip?

I would consider this a good fit if you want a simple introduction to Red Sea marine life, have limited time, or are traveling with someone who would rather view the seabed from a cabin than snorkel. The submarine and snorkeling combination gives you options, and the short schedule leaves much of the day free.

It may be less satisfying if you want a long reef excursion, a meal on board, or a guaranteed sighting of a particular animal. The wildlife is wild, and the underwater stop is brief. You should also be comfortable with a shared transfer and a schedule that can shift with traffic or weather.

Before booking, confirm that the destination is Hurghada, Egypt, enter your hotel name and address accurately, and check whether your resort has an extra transfer charge. Bring swimwear, consider an underwater camera, and leave room in your schedule after the planned 13:15 return. If those details suit you, this is a practical, fairly priced way to see the Red Sea from below and above.

FAQ

How long is the submarine and snorkeling trip?

The listed schedule runs from 11:00 to 13:15, or about two hours and 15 minutes. Transfers and weather or traffic can affect the timing.

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine descends about 5 meters below the surface.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The trip includes a snorkeling stop, and snorkeling gear is included.

Are hotel transfers included?

Round-trip transfers to and from your hotel or pickup location are included. Transfers from Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional US$5 or €5, while El Gouna and Soma Bay have a stated US$10 or €10 surcharge.

What languages can the guide speak?

The guide is listed as speaking English, Spanish, Russian, German, French, and Polish.

Are food and drinks included?

A soft drink and a bottle of water are included. Meals and other beverages are not.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear. An underwater camera is also useful if you want to photograph the water, fish, or coral.

Where does the activity take place?

The activity takes place in Hurghada, Egypt, with departure from the Hurghada Marina area and time on the Red Sea.

What time does the tour return?

The stated return time is 13:15, with a transfer back to your hotel or personal address.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.