Sharm: Pirates Sailing Boat cruise with transfers & lunch

If you love sea days, this pirate boat fits the bill. You get a themed ship, guided snorkeling, and a stop at White Island, all wrapped into one 7-hour outing.

I like the mix of real reef time plus a full onboard setup, not just a quick speedboat stop. The one big caution is that the pirate/kids part can be inconsistent, and snorkeling can be strict about masks, so plan ahead.

On the plus side, I’m a fan of the air-conditioned salon for lunch, especially when the desert heat is doing its thing. The open buffet has a solid spread, and the team gets strong marks for being professional and kind, with some people even praising leadership by Mr. Antar.

For the “pirate adventure” vibe, the boat itself is great, but it’s worth managing expectations for themed entertainment and bringing the right snorkeling gear.

Key Points Worth Knowing

• Air-conditioned lunch space so you’re not suffering in the sun while you eat
• Two guided snorkeling stops plus time to visit White Island
• Ras Mohamed National Park is your main reef showcase on this trip
• Kids get an animation set-up, but the pirate dressing-up element seems hit or miss
• Budget extra for snorkeling gear and possible wetsuit rental
• Bring a snorkel mask to avoid any last-minute rules and stress

Pirate Boat Style With Real Red Sea Snorkeling

This cruise is built for people who want the Red Sea experience, but also want the day to feel like an event. The ship is a three-masted, wooden, pirate-themed vessel with three decks, including a large upper sun deck and two salons. Your lunch happens in the main interior space, and that matters because Sharm can get hot fast.

The best part is that the day is not only about floating around. You cruise along the Sinai coastline, then you get guided snorkeling with time scheduled for both marine viewing and time in the water. If you’re chasing colorful coral and fish, you’ll appreciate the structure.

Now for reality. A couple of recent experiences pointed out that kids-focused “pirate” moments did not always happen the way the marketing suggests, and in one case a mask issue affected who could enter the water. Those two details are the difference between a relaxing family day and a stressful one.

Getting From Sharm El Sheikh to the Water (Transfers Included)

You’re picked up from Sharm El Sheikh, with pickup happening roughly 1 hour before the trip starts. The operator contacts you about 24 hours ahead via WhatsApp to confirm your exact pickup time. That early ping is helpful because it reduces the guessing game.

After pickup, you’ll ride by coach or bus for about 25 minutes. Then you’re in the marine rhythm: check-in, move to the boat, and get ready for the day’s schedule.

Why this matters for value. With hotel transfers included, you don’t need to arrange taxis or figure out meeting points. For an $80 per person day, the logistics can be the difference between feeling like a bargain and feeling like it’s not worth the hassle.

Ras Mohamed National Park, Where the Reefs Actually Have Time to Shine

Your first big destination is Ras Mohamed National Park. You’ll sail for about 2.5 hours while you’re on the water, and then you reach the park area for your first snorkeling slot.

That snorkeling stop is guided, and you get around 45 minutes in the water. You also have time for marine life viewing with guidance, which is important because Ras Mohamed is not just scenery. It’s a living reef system, and the guide helps you focus on what’s worth seeing instead of spinning in circles.

What to watch for: that first snorkeling window is long enough to get comfortable, but short enough that you’ll want to be ready to go. If you rent gear, arrive with a plan so you’re not stuck waiting while your time ticks away.

If you’re a confident swimmer, you’ll likely enjoy the free time on the boat afterward too. The trip keeps moving, but you still get the “boat day” vibe, with the upper deck offering open-air views during the cruise portions.

White Island Visit, Good Break, Short Window

After the first reef stop, you go to White Island. This is the sand-and-scenery break in the middle of the day, and you’ll have about 45 minutes there.

Here’s the trade-off. White Island is popular for a reason, but 45 minutes is not a long “linger” period. If you’re hoping for beach time, photos, and a slow soak, you might feel rushed, especially if you’re traveling with kids or you’re waiting for gear issues to get sorted.

Still, it’s a nice reset between snorkeling moments. You can stretch, take in the shoreline views, and get ready for the second marine stop without the day feeling like only water and only reefs.

If your priority is maximum time on White Island, you may consider that this cruise keeps you on a schedule rather than turning it into a long beach day.

Second Red Sea Snorkel Stop, The Part You Should Prepare For

After White Island, you head back to the Red Sea for your second snorkeling stop, again guided, again around 45 minutes.

This is where being prepared really pays off. One recent account described a situation where a person was not allowed into the water without a proper mask, even though they were not planning to actively snorkel. The end result was that they missed out on both snorkeling stops because the child was scared to go in alone.

I can’t tell you what exact rules your guide will use, but I can tell you what to do to reduce stress: bring a snorkel mask that fits well. If you don’t already have one, rent gear ahead of time when possible, and make sure it’s the right size.

Also, if you wear glasses, think about what you’re comfortable with. The day includes life jackets, but snorkeling is still a personal gear-and-confidence activity. The smoother your setup, the more you’ll enjoy the water time.

Lunch in the Air-Conditioned Salon, Where Value Comes From

One of the smartest parts of this trip is that lunch is included and served inside an air-conditioned salon. On a day where you’re in the sun outside, that relief is real, not a minor perk.

The lunch is an open buffet, and the menu includes:

• Seafood soup
• Three types of fresh salad, plus rice and pasta, potatoes
• Shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, and kofta
• Seasonal fresh fruit

Soft drinks are included as part of the onboard food setup.

I like that the menu covers both seafood lovers and people who want less adventurous options. It’s not a “snack and hope” lunch either. You get about an hour to eat, which is plenty of time to refuel before the last sailing and snorkeling segment.

There’s also a practical side for families. If you have kids, you can rotate through supervision while adults enjoy the scenery on the upper deck. That ship layout helps break the day into manageable chunks.

Kid Entertainment and the Pirate Theme: Expect Fun, but Verify

The marketing promises a full entertainment programme for kids, and the setup described on the boat includes an animation team on the lower deck. The idea is that kids can get attention while adults enjoy the upper deck and the view.

Here’s where I urge caution. Some recent experiences said kids entertainment did not happen as expected, and some people reported that staff were not dressed as pirates the way the photos suggest. Those are not tiny details if you’re booking this as a “pirate day” for children.

So what should you do? Set a simple expectation: the boat is pirate themed and the crew runs kids animation in principle, but plan to bring your own backup entertainment. Download games on your phone, pack small activities, and keep snacks if you can do so within the day’s rules.

If your child’s main goal is pirate characters and structured activities, you might still enjoy the trip, but I’d go in with flexibility rather than assuming a full costume show.

What’s Included, What Costs Extra, and How to Budget

Let’s talk money in a way that actually helps you decide.

Included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• National park entry fees
• Life jackets
• Buffet lunch
• Kids entertainment programme

Costs to plan for:

• Snorkeling gear rental is listed at €5 per piece
• Wetsuits are €10 per item

And then there’s the mandatory marina entrance fee. It’s 5 euros per person, paid on arrival unless you prepay via add-ons. That fee can surprise people if they don’t read the fine print, so factor it in.

How this affects value for $80:

• If you already have your snorkeling mask and basic gear, this can be a solid deal because lunch and transfers are included and you’re getting real guided reef time.
• If you need gear rentals, add-ons add up quickly, especially for families.

My practical advice: price your trip in one single number in your head. Add the marina fee plus gear rental for everyone who needs it.

The Real Logistics: Timing, Guides, and the Small Rules

This cruise runs as a single coordinated day. Departure is at 9:00 am, and you return to the marina at around 4:00 pm. Pickup is about 1 hour before departure, and you’ll get a Whatsapp message 24 hours before with your exact pickup time.

You’ll have bilingual support with instructors speaking English, German, and Russian. You’ll also get guided snorkeling at both reef and marine-life segments.

Two other small rules matter more than they sound:

• Bring a towel and sunscreen
• Bring your passport, and a copy is accepted

For some people, the biggest “gotcha” is gear related. If you’re even slightly uncertain about snorkeling masks, take control. Bring your mask if you can. If you rent, make sure it fits and works immediately, not after you’re already on the boat and the schedule is moving.

Who This Cruise Fits Best

I’d recommend this pirate sailing cruise if you want:

• A guided Red Sea snorkeling day that doesn’t require hiring separate gear or dealing with private tours
• Lunch included in a place you can cool down
• A fun day on a themed boat that feels more special than a basic boat transfer

It’s especially good for couples and first-time snorkelers who want structure and guidance. The reef stops with time blocks make it easier to feel like you actually did something, not just sat on a boat.

It might be less ideal if:

• Your kids are expecting a full pirate performance with costumes and active activities throughout
• You’re booking for families who will be upset if snorkeling entry is delayed by mask or gear issues
• Your main priority is long time on White Island rather than reef time

Should You Book This Pirates Sailing Boat Cruise?

I think it’s worth booking if you want a scheduled, guided snorkeling day with lunch and transfers handled, and if you can handle the small gear details like masks. The onboard lunch setup and the air-conditioned salon are real quality-of-life wins. The professionalism of the crew is also a strong theme, and when the day clicks, it’s the kind of “do it again” trip people plan around.

But if you’re booking mainly for a guaranteed pirate-themed kids show, I’d treat that as uncertain. Add a backup plan for kids entertainment, and bring your own snorkel mask if you can.

If you want one clear decision checklist:

• Bring or rent a proper snorkeling mask for everyone
• Budget for snorkeling gear plus the marina entrance fee
• Go in expecting reef time first, pirate theme second

FAQ

How long is the Pirates Sailing Boat cruise with transfers and lunch?

The tour lasts about 7 hours, with departure at 9:00 am and return to the marina at around 4:00 pm.

Does this include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and pickup happens roughly 1 hour before the trip.

Is snorkeling gear included?

No. Snorkeling gear rental is listed as €5 per piece. Wetsuits are listed as €10 per item, and they are also not included.

Is lunch included, and what does it include?

Yes. Lunch is an onboard open buffet served in the air-conditioned salon. It includes seafood soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

Are park fees included?

Yes. National park entry fees are included. There is also a mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person, paid upon arrival unless you prepay from add-ons.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instructors speak English, German, and Russian.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and your passport (a copy is accepted).