Sharm El Sheikh Semi-Submarine & Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Trip
3 hours, shared boat for up to 40. About 90 minutes on a semi-submarine, soft drink and water, hotel transfers included.
The short answer
A 3-hour shared semi-submarine trip from Sharm El Sheikh with about 90 minutes along the reef, watched through the glass walls of an underwater cabin, with no swimming needed.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Sharm El Sheikh · Red Sea reefs
- Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba, Old Market) · Semi-submarine trip of about 90 minutes, shared with other guests · Soft drink and water on board
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
Year round. Calm mornings give the clearest views, and the choice of 09:00, 11:30 or 14:00 lets you pick the light and the heat.
- Egyptian tour operator working since 1988
- ETAA Licence 718, Category A, and IATA member
02Overview
A first look
This is a 3-hour reef trip from Sharm El Sheikh on a semi-submarine, shared with up to 40 guests. You sit in a cabin below the waterline with glass walls and watch the reef pass by while the boat follows the reef wall for about 90 minutes. Nobody needs to swim or get wet. A soft drink and water on board and hotel transfers are included, and you choose a 09:00, 11:30 or 14:00 sailing. It suits young children, grandparents and non-swimmers.
Background
The facts
The semi-submarine sails from a jetty at Sharm El Sheikh, on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, along the reefs just off the coast. The trip with transfers takes about 3 hours.
Named in this entry
semi-submarine·Red Sea reef·Sharm El Sheikh·glass cabin·Sinai
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Young children, grandparents and non-swimmers who want to see the reef and stay dry.
Maybe not, if
- Anyone who wants to snorkel or dive, or who dislikes enclosed cabins.
What lingers
- 01A glass-walled cabin below the waterline, so you see the reef without getting wet
- 02About 90 minutes on a semi-submarine along the reef wall off Sharm
- 03Choice of 09:00, 11:30 or 14:00 sailings, picked when you book
- 04A soft drink and a bottle of water are served on board during the trip
- 05Works well for young children, grandparents and non-swimmers alike
- 06Hotel pickup and drop-off, with a maximum of 40 guests on board
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Dry and easy for all ages
- Three sailing times
- Soft drink and transfers included
Things to Consider
- Less close than snorkeling
- Photos through glass can show reflections
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
The minibus collects you from your hotel in Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba or the Old Market for the sailing you chose: 09:00, 11:30 or 14:00. Our team confirms the pickup time once your request is accepted. Bring your passport or a copy, as it is needed at the jetty.
- 2
About 40 minutes after pickup you board at the jetty and the semi-submarine sails out to the reef. The crew greet you at the gangway and explain where to sit and how the trip works. The boat is shared with other guests, up to 40, so arriving on time helps everyone.
- 3
Once at the reef you go down into the cabin below the waterline. Glass windows let you look out at coral and fish as the boat follows the reef wall, for about 90 minutes in all. What you see depends on the day and the light. A soft drink and water are served on board.
- 4
The semi-submarine heads back to the jetty after the reef section. The total time on the boat is about 90 minutes. Bring a camera, but remember that photos through glass can show reflections, so hold your phone close to the window and avoid the flash.
- 5
A minibus takes you from the jetty back to your hotel, about three hours after your pickup. The timing varies a little with the number of hotels on the route. Drop-off is at the same hotel where you were collected, unless you tell our team otherwise.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba, Old Market)
- Semi-submarine trip of about 90 minutes, shared with other guests
- Soft drink and water on board
Not included
- Gratuities
- Photos
- Personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Hold your phone against the glass to cut reflections
- 02
Pick a sailing around midday if you can, when the sun is high and the reef is brighter
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. There is no minimum age, and the trip suits young children because they stay dry. Please enter each child's age in your request.
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On the ground
Where it is
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How does the price work for the semi-submarine trip?
The price is per person for a seat on a shared boat of up to 40 guests, and it covers the trip of about 90 minutes, a soft drink and water, and hotel transfers. Prices are provisional until our team confirms your request. Photos and gratuities are extra.02Which sailing times can I choose from?
There are three sailings, at 09:00, 11:30 and 14:00, and you pick one in your request. Pickup is from hotels in Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba and the Old Market, and our team confirms the exact pickup time and meeting point after accepting.03Is this trip good for babies and young children?
Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. There is no minimum age stated, and the cabin is dry, so young children and grandparents often enjoy it.04Do I need to swim or get wet?
No. You watch the reef through glass from inside the boat, so you stay dry and nobody needs to swim. That is why it works for non-swimmers. If you want to snorkel or dive instead, look at our Ras Mohammed, Tiran or intro scuba day trips.05How do I cancel, and what if the sea is rough?
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.06Is the boat shared with other guests?
Yes, it is shared with other guests, up to 40 on board. Everyone follows the same route and the same timetable, and the crew look after the whole group. Arrive at the jetty on time so that you can choose where to sit.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated Product ID: EXC-SHM-852280
At a glance
- Departs
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