Hurghada: Elite vip snorkeling cruise with BBQ buffet lunch

This VIP yacht turns snorkeling into an easy day. I love the air-conditioned salons that give you a cool break, and I also like the waiter-served drinks that stay with you all day. One heads-up though: it is not marketed as adult-only, so you may share the boat with families and kids.

You get guided snorkeling plus a real attempt to spot dolphins if they feel like showing up. Expect help in the water even if you are not a confident swimmer, because the guides stay close and can assist you using life jackets and a safety buoy system.

Key highlights at a glance

• Four floors plus two air-conditioned salons so you can switch between sun and shade fast
• Unlimited hot and soft drinks delivered to your sunspot meaning fewer trips back and forth
• Three snorkeling stops with guides at all times for safer, smoother time in the water
• Low platform access at the back of the boat helps make getting in and out simpler
• BBQ buffet lunch on board with chicken, Egyptian kofta, shrimp, and fish options
• Electronic massage beds for the post-snorkel reset

VIP comfort on the Red Sea, four floors of space

This is a day trip that feels designed for relaxation first, snorkeling second, which is a nice change. The boat runs across four floors, with open sun space on top and two air-conditioned salon dining decks below. That layout matters in the Red Sea sun, because you can float for a while, then cool down without feeling like you are constantly rushing.

Even the vibe is practical. The crew is organized, and the boat is kept clean and well maintained, so you are not spending your energy thinking about logistics. You bring your towel, you bring your sunscreen, and you use the boat like a comfortable base camp.

If you are sensitive to heat, the air-conditioned rooms are the real win. On a long day, shade is not a luxury, it is survival.

Getting to the marina without turning it into a hassle

Your day starts with hotel pickup in Hurghada, with pickup timing that begins around 45 minutes before departure. There is a transfer portion by bus or coach, listed at about 35 minutes, before you reach the marina area. Then it is time to settle in on the boat and enjoy the ride to the snorkeling zone.

The schedule is built around a full morning at sea and a return in the afternoon. You depart around 9:00 am, cruise for roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, snorkel, break for lunch, then spend the later part of the trip cruising and snorkeling again before coming back around 3:30 pm.

The timing is also forgiving. You get your snorkeling before lunch and again after, so you are not stuck with just one short water session if you miss something.

First reef stop: guided snorkeling that keeps you calm

Your morning includes a guided snorkeling stop at one of the Red Sea’s coral sites. The snorkeling window is listed at about 45 minutes, and the guides accompany you at all times. That means you are not left to figure it out solo while dealing with currents, fins, and your own nerves.

The guide assistance is a big deal for first-timers. Life jackets are available, and access to the sea is via a low platform at the back of the boat. If you need extra support, the guide may attach you to a life buoy and pull you, so you are not just hoping you can keep your balance.

What you should expect to see is exactly why people come here. The Red Sea marine life ranges from tiny fish to larger animals like turtles, and there is a lot of coral structure to explore. The water is described as staying seldom below 20C even in winter, so you are usually not fighting through freezing temps.

Practical tip: bring swimwear that dries fast and gives you secure comfort. You will likely be rinsing off and going back on deck more than once.

Dolphins northbound, spotting them is part of the fun

After the first snorkeling stop, the boat moves north and you try for dolphins, if they are around. The experience literally frames it as if possible, and that is the correct mindset. Wildlife viewing is never guaranteed, so the value is in the search and the chance to enjoy the boat ride while everyone keeps an eye on the water.

If dolphins appear, the guide experience does not turn chaotic. You are still part of the group, and the focus stays on safe viewing. Even if you do not see them, you still get a second guided snorkeling session later, so you are not left feeling like half the day evaporated.

For photographers, this is the kind of moment where being ready matters. Sun deck seating makes it easier to scan the horizon and follow the boat’s direction.

BBQ buffet lunch on board: the part you will actually look forward to

Lunch is served on board, with an open buffet format and a planned lunch period of about 1 hour. This is not a sad sandwich situation. The menu includes soups, salads, and sides, plus hot entrées that include BBQ chicken and Egyptian kofta, along with grilled shrimp and oven-baked fish options.

A quiet detail I really like: the food is prepared with hygiene standards in mind, and it is described as using market-fresh ingredients. You are also eating in a floating environment with staff support, so you are not standing in line thinking about whether you should risk it.

Best part for your snorkeling day: this lunch timing keeps you energized without eating so heavy that you feel slow in the water later. If you pace yourself on deck shade after lunch, you can usually jump back in without that afternoon energy crash.

Also, unlimited hot and soft drinks are included, and waiter service delivers them to your sun spot. That is one of those small comforts that makes the whole day feel smoother.

Second snorkeling session: more reefs, more animals

Later in the cruise, you get another guided snorkeling stop. Your total on-water time is spread out so you do not feel like you are doing the same loop twice in one breath. The later session also overlaps with the cruising stretch where the crew keeps moving between the best areas for marine life.

This is where the variety shows up. One stop can feature lots of colorful reef fish and coral textures. Another can bring different shapes and behaviors, because the marine world changes constantly. The description also includes the possibility of seeing creatures like octopuses and seahorses.

Safety stays front and center. You have life jackets available again, and the guide structure remains hands-on. This helps you focus on what you are seeing rather than managing your body position the whole time.

If you are a strong swimmer, you may feel more freedom. If you are not, the buoy and guide support help you still enjoy the reef without panic.

The Red Sea boat life: drinks, massage beds, and where to sit

This cruise adds comfort extras that are easy to overlook until you are on board. There are electronic massage beds available, which is a fun, slightly luxurious way to recover after snorkeling. Even if you do not use them much, they signal that the boat is geared toward comfort.

There are also two different ways to enjoy time between swims:

• Sun deck lounging with sun loungers
• Shaded and air-conditioned spaces below

That choice matters because the Red Sea sun can wear you down fast. A lot of people underestimate how tiring snorkeling can be, even when you are not swimming hard.

The waiter service for unlimited hot and soft drinks is another quality-of-life feature. You can actually stay in your spot, dry off, and reapply sunscreen without constantly walking for refills.

If you like your day to feel organized and low effort, this is where the value shows up.

Price and value: why $80 can work, if you want guided reefs

At $80 per person for a 6-hour outing, you are paying for a package, not just access to water. The included value stack looks like this: hotel pickup and drop-off, national park fees included, guided snorkeling, and a full BBQ buffet lunch on board. Add unlimited drinks and the VIP-style boat setup with air-conditioned rooms, and you can see why it can feel fair.

Where it becomes a better deal is if you care about structure. Guided snorkeling plus safety support can save you time figuring things out. The boat also gives you a comfortable base, which reduces the cost in energy and stress even if you are not paying attention to it while you book.

Where to watch for value mismatch: if you already know snorkeling gear and logistics so well that you feel confident on your own, you may feel like the guided aspect is just extra. For many people, though, that guidance is the difference between a stressful day and an easy one.

Think of it this way: you are buying a smoother day. The snorkel sites are the headline, but the comfort and organization are the reason the price does not feel random.

Small problems worth planning for: video add-ons and adult-only expectations

No trip is perfect, so I suggest you plan for the most common real-world hiccups.

First, video add-ons can be tricky. If you buy any on-board video package, double check that your email delivery details are correct right then, not later. Keep your confirmation info and be proactive, because nothing ruins the day like realizing something did not send.

Second, birthday perks are not guaranteed. If you are celebrating, tell the crew early and ask what they can do. One traveler was hoping for recognition and did not get any response, so do not assume birthdays are automatically handled.

Third, adult-only expectations should be treated lightly. Even though this feels VIP, it is not described as adults-only. If you really want quiet, kid-free time, you might find you are sharing the boat with families.

The upside is that despite these issues, the overall service level and snorkeling value remain strong.

Who should book this Hurghada VIP snorkeling cruise

This cruise is a great fit if you want:

• Guided snorkeling with safety support
• A more comfortable boat day, with air-conditioned spaces
• A real lunch that does not feel like an afterthought
• A plan that includes multiple water sessions and cruising time

It is also a good choice for mixed abilities. Life jackets and guide assistance make it possible for people who are not advanced swimmers to still participate.

If you are the type who wants zero structure, maximum independence, and total quiet, you might prefer a smaller, less organized outing. But if you want an easy day with good comfort and staff attention, this format is hard to beat.

Quick checklist before you go

What to bring is straightforward:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

Wetsuits are not included. If you fancy renting one, it is listed at $10. Since water temperature is described as staying seldom below 20C, you may not need one, but if you feel cold easily, the rental option can help.

Also, wear something you can change out of quickly and pack anything you want dry, because you will be moving between decks and sea access.

Should you book the Elite vip snorkeling cruise with BBQ lunch?

Book it if you want a VIP-style Red Sea day with real structure: guided snorkeling, multiple stops, unlimited drinks, and a proper BBQ lunch on board. The boat layout with four floors and air-conditioned salons makes the day feel more comfortable than the typical long, hot group tour.

Skip or rethink it if you are strongly against sharing time with kids, if you need guaranteed adult-only quiet, or if you are expecting a very specific personal add-on like birthday recognition without asking the crew first.

If you approach it as a well-run, comfort-first snorkeling cruise with a fair price for the full package, it is a solid choice for Hurghada.

FAQ

How long is the Elite vip snorkeling cruise in Hurghada?

The total duration is 6 hours. You depart around 9:00 am and return to the marina area around 3:30 pm.

How many times do we snorkel during the day?

You get snorkeling at multiple Red Sea sites with three snorkeling stops mentioned in the experience details, including a second guided snorkeling tour after the attempt to spot dolphins.

What food and drinks are included?

The lunch is an open buffet on board with soups, salads, sides, and BBQ chicken and Egyptian kofta, plus grilled shrimp and oven-baked fish options. Unlimited hot and soft drinks are included with waiter service.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and pickup starts around 45 minutes before the departure time.

Do I need to rent a wetsuit?

A wetsuit is not included. If you want one, wetsuit rental is listed at $10.

Is it an adult-only experience?

It is not advertised as adult-only in the information provided. You may share the boat with other groups, including families with children.