Discovery Tours Egypt
Day TourHurghada

Hurghada Semi-Submarine & Glass-Bottom Boat – Reef Viewing

3 hours, shared boat of up to 40, two hours on the water, mask and snorkel for the swim stop, drink and transfers included.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 3-hour semi-submarine trip from Hurghada: 2 hours on the water, a glass-walled cabin below the waterline, and an optional 30-minute snorkeling stop.
  • New

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Hurghada · Red Sea reefs
Includes
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay · Two-hour semi-submarine trip shared with other guests · Mask and snorkel for the swim stop · Soft drink and water on board
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

All year. Calm mornings give the clearest water through the glass, and midday sun lights the reef well. In winter the water is cooler if you snorkel.

  • Egyptian tour operator working since 1988; our Hurghada office organizes this trip
  • ETAA Licence 718, Category A, and an IATA member

02Overview

A first look

This is a three-hour reef trip from Hurghada on a semi-submarine, a boat with a glass-walled cabin below the waterline. A vehicle collects you for the sailing you choose (09:00, 11:30 or 14:00), takes you to the marina and sails to the reef. You sit in the underwater cabin as the boat follows the reef wall, then have an optional snorkeling stop of about 30 minutes. A soft drink and water are included, as are the mask and snorkel. It is a gentle option for young children, non-swimmers and anyone who would rather stay dry.

Background

The facts

The trip leaves from the marina in Hurghada and sails a short way to a Red Sea reef. The sailing lasts two hours, and the whole outing takes about three hours with the hotel transfers.

Named in this entry

Hurghada·Semi-submarine·Glass-bottom boat·Red Sea reef·Hurghada marina·Snorkeling

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Families with young children, non-swimmers and anyone who wants to see the reef without getting wet.

Maybe not, if

  • Not for travelers who want a full day of active snorkeling or diving.

What lingers

  • 01A glass-walled cabin below the waterline, so you see coral and fish and stay dry
  • 02The boat follows the reef wall slowly, with time to look at each section
  • 03An optional 30-minute snorkeling stop, with mask and snorkel provided
  • 04Three sailings to choose from, at 09:00, 11:30 or 14:00, with hotel transfers
  • 05A soft drink and water on board, and hotel transfers from the main resort areas

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • Stay dry and still see the reef
  • Three sailings a day to choose from
  • Gentle for young children and non-swimmers

Things to Consider

  • Less time on the water than a full boat day
  • What you see depends on the day's light and visibility

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay
  • Two-hour semi-submarine trip shared with other guests
  • Mask and snorkel for the swim stop
  • Soft drink and water on board

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Towels
  • Photos
  • Personal expenses

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Sit by a window early, because the seats by the glass fill quickly

  2. 02

    Bring a hat for the upper deck, where there is little shade

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and guests 12 and over pay the adult price. There is no minimum age, and the trip suits young children well because they can watch the reef from a dry cabin.

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How does the price work for the semi-submarine trip?
    The price is per person for a shared boat of up to 40 guests. Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half and 12 and over pay the adult price. It covers the two-hour trip, mask and snorkel, a soft drink and water, and transfers. Prices are provisional until we confirm.
  2. 02Do I have to get in the water?
    No. You can stay dry in the glass-walled cabin the whole time and watch the reef through the windows. The snorkeling stop of about 30 minutes is optional. Non-swimmers and small children often stay on deck while others snorkel, and the crew keeps an eye on everyone.
  3. 03What can we see through the glass?
    You see the reef wall from below the waterline, with coral formations and reef fish. What you see depends on the day, the light and the visibility, so we cannot promise any particular species. The semi-submarine moves slowly so that everyone has time to look.
  4. 04Which sailing should I choose?
    Choose 09:00 for calmer seas and cooler weather, 11:30 for good overhead light that shows more color through the glass, and 14:00 if you prefer to sleep in. All three follow the same program. Tell us your preference in your request and we confirm availability.
  5. 05What is the cancellation policy?
    More than 72 hours ahead, keep 100% as credit toward future travel or take a 100% refund, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours, keep 100% as credit or take a 50% refund. Within 24 hours, or if you don't show up, there is no refund or credit. If we have to cancel, you lose nothing.
  6. 06Is it suitable for very young children?
    Yes, it is one of the gentlest sea trips from Hurghada. Children under 2 travel free, and the glass cabin keeps them dry. Keep them close on deck, because the boat moves. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a towel, in case they join the snorkeling stop.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-HRG-315483

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