Hurghada: Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet Lunch

The main draw is simple: you head into the Red Sea looking for wild dolphins, then stop at two reef sites for snorkeling. This is not a dolphin show or aquarium visit. The animals are free in their own waters, so sightings depend on nature and timing.

I like the two snorkeling stops and the practical all-in price. You get equipment, a guided session, lunch, water, soft drinks, and a spacious boat with sun and shade. The crew also adds banana boat and sofa boat rides, giving the day some extra fun beyond reef viewing.

The key consideration is that dolphins cannot be guaranteed, and the boat may feel busy at times. This is a shared day cruise, not a quiet private sailing trip, and the meeting point is in Hurghada unless you pay extra for pickup from nearby resort areas.

Key points at a glance

• Wild dolphin search: Look for dolphins in their natural Red Sea setting, with no promise that they will appear.
• Two reef stops: Snorkel with provided mask, fins, and snorkel while a guide and instructor assist in the water.
• A full 6 to 7 hours: The schedule gives you time for the cruise, wildlife search, swimming, lunch, and boat activities.
• Lunch included: A buffet meal, water, and soft drinks are served on board, helping keep extra costs down.
• Fun beyond snorkeling: Banana boat and sofa boat rides are included, along with time on the sun deck.
• Convenient Hurghada base: Meet at Public Beach Number 9, with paid pickup options from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga.

Setting out from Public Beach Number 9

Your day begins at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada. The tour returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the start and finish straightforward if you are staying in Hurghada proper.

The boat trip lasts about 6 to 7 hours. That is long enough to make the Red Sea feel like the main event rather than a quick add-on to a beach holiday. You will have time to sit on deck, watch the water, listen to music, and move between active and restful parts of the day.

The boat has a spacious deck with both sun and shade. I would treat that as an important feature, not a small comfort. The Red Sea sun can be strong, and you will appreciate having somewhere to cool off between snorkeling, dolphin watching, and the boat rides.

If you stay in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga, pickup is available for an additional €10 per person. Check this cost against a taxi before booking, since the tour price itself is $26 per person and the transfer fee changes the final value.

Searching for dolphins in open water

The dolphin portion is the most exciting part of the day, but also the least predictable. You cruise to areas known for dolphin activity and watch for animals moving through their natural habitat.

That distinction matters. You are not being taken to a controlled facility where dolphins perform on schedule. A sighting depends on the animals, weather, and conditions at sea. The operator works to find them, but no responsible tour can promise an encounter.

When dolphins appear, the experience can be memorable simply because it is unscripted. The supplied feedback includes an account of seeing many dolphins more than once and getting close to them in the water. Another French-language comment describes swimming with the dolphins and seeing them several times. Those accounts show what a good day can offer, but they should not be treated as a guarantee for your departure.

You may be able to enter the water near dolphins if conditions and crew instructions allow it. Follow the guide closely. Wild animals can change direction quickly, and the goal should be respectful observation rather than chasing or grabbing them.

This part suits you if you enjoy nature with some uncertainty. It may frustrate you if a dolphin encounter is the only reason you are booking. The snorkeling, lunch, reef stops, and boat activities give the day value even if the search comes up empty.

Two snorkeling stops on the Red Sea

The cruise includes two snorkeling locations, with mask, fins, and snorkel supplied. A snorkeling guide and instructor are on hand, and each boat has between two and four professional guides.

The two-stop format is useful because conditions and reef life can vary from one site to the next. One place may offer calmer water, while another may have more fish or better coral color. The supplied feedback describes both locations as beautiful, with colorful fish and attractive coral.

I like that a guided session is part of the package. If you are new to snorkeling, an instructor can help with basic equipment and water confidence. Families may also appreciate having staff available while younger swimmers get used to the sea.

You should still be comfortable in the water before booking. This is a boat and swimming day, not a glass-bottom sightseeing cruise. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues, and it is not recommended for pregnant women. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, even though the activity is built around swimming. Pack swimwear, sunscreen, and a sun hat as well. Water and soft drinks are provided, but you may want to carry any personal items you need for a long day in the sun.

Lunch, soft drinks, and time on deck

A buffet lunch is served on board, with refreshments and water available during the day. The meal gives you a proper break between water activities and means you do not need to budget for a separate restaurant stop.

The lunch has received especially strong praise in the available feedback. One Dutch-language comment specifically calls the meal very good, while another French-language account pairs the meal with a successful dolphin swim. Food quality on a boat can vary, so I would keep expectations practical, but the feedback points to lunch being more than an afterthought.

Between stops, you can use the sun deck, sit in the shade, enjoy music, and take in views across the Red Sea. This mix matters. A day with repeated water activities can become tiring, especially for children or anyone who does not swim often. The boat gives you room to slow down.

Soft drinks are included, which is another small value point. You still need sun protection and sensible hydration habits. Keep your hat and sunscreen handy rather than leaving them buried in a bag below deck.

Banana boat and sofa boat rides

The tour includes banana boat and sofa boat rides. These add a more playful, active element to a day that might otherwise focus only on wildlife and snorkeling.

For families and couples, these rides can break up the reef stops. They are also useful if one person in your group is less interested in looking for fish. You will not all need to spend the entire day in the water with a mask and fins.

The exact timing of these rides is not provided, so expect the crew to fit them into the day around sea conditions and the main stops. As with all water activities, listen to the crew and use the safety equipment provided.

The crew and onboard organization

FTS Travels supplies a guide, snorkeling instructor, and an expert crew. Each boat has two to four professional guides, so you are not left with a single staff member trying to manage every part of a full boat.

The crew receives some of the strongest praise in the feedback. One comment describes the staff as very kind and funny, while another calls the organization excellent and says the team worked closely together. That combination matters on a boat day, where timing, water entry, lunch service, and safety all need attention.

You should expect a friendly, social atmosphere rather than a silent nature expedition. Music is part of the day, and one comment notes that the boat had a good overall atmosphere. Another points out that there were quite a few people on board, although the group still managed to swim with dolphins and enjoy the stops.

That is the fair trade-off at this price. A shared boat keeps the cost low and creates a lively mood, but it also means less personal space and less control over the schedule.

What $26 gets you

At $26 per person, this is a strong value if you want several Red Sea activities in one outing. The price includes round-trip boat transportation from the meeting point, dolphin watching, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guided snorkeling session, lunch, water, soft drinks, the two tow-boat rides, and crew support.

Many marine excursions charge separately for gear, food, and drinks. Here, those basics are bundled together. That makes it easier to estimate your spending before the day begins.

The price is less attractive if you need paid transfers from outside Hurghada. The €10 per-person pickup charge from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga is reasonable for convenience, but it should be included in your comparison with other cruises.

Photography is not included, and personal expenses are your responsibility. If you want photos, ask about the available photography service and its price before committing. Do not assume it is part of the $26 package.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for couples who want a full day on the water without paying for a private charter. The mix of wildlife, reef stops, lunch, and light adventure gives you more variety than a simple snorkeling transfer.

It also suits families with children who are comfortable around boats and in the water. The included lunch and soft drinks help, and the banana boat and sofa boat rides offer an alternative to snorkeling. Children under three join for free, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Nature enthusiasts should book with realistic expectations. The reef stops and open-water setting are worthwhile even if dolphins stay out of sight. The strongest reason to book is the combination of activities, not a guaranteed animal encounter.

I would hesitate if you are pregnant, have mobility issues, or dislike shared boat outings. The tour involves swimming, moving around a boat, and spending many hours at sea. It is also not the right choice if you want a private guide, a quiet luxury boat, or a fixed wildlife sighting.

Languages, planning, and cancellation

The tour is available in English, German, and Arabic. Guides and instructors are included, and the operator says there are two to four professional guides on each boat.

You can reserve and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still changing. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. The company provides masks, snorkels, and fins, but you may bring personal snorkeling equipment if you prefer your own fit. Since towels are not supplied, that item is easy to forget and worth packing the night before.

Should you book the Hurghada dolphin cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, active Red Sea day with several included extras. The best parts are the chance to see wild dolphins, two reef stops, a well-liked buffet lunch, and a crew that appears to keep the day friendly and organized.

Go in knowing that the boat can be busy and dolphin sightings are never certain. If you accept that natural wildlife does not run on a timetable, the $26 price gives you a lot: transport by boat, gear, food, drinks, guides, and tow-boat rides in one package.

I would make this a good choice for first-time Hurghada visitors, families with water-confident children, and anyone who wants more than a standard beach day. For a quieter or more private outing, look elsewhere. For a lively full-day cruise with a fair list of inclusions, this is easy to recommend.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin cruise start?

The tour starts at Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are snorkeling masks, fins, and snorkels included?

Yes. The tour provides masks, snorkels, and fins for the two snorkeling stops.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

You will have two snorkeling stops at Red Sea coral reef locations, with a guided snorkeling session.

Is lunch included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from hotels in Hurghada, with extra charges possible for Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga. Pickup from those areas is listed as an add-on for €10 per person.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not included.

Can children join the cruise?

Children under three years old join for free. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility issues.