Discovery Tours Egypt
Day TourSharm

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.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

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

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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

  1. 01

    Hold your phone against the glass to cut reflections

  2. 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.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 05How do I cancel, and what if the sea is rough?
    A full refund applies if you cancel at least 3 days ahead. Cancel between 3 days and 24 hours before and we refund half. Closer than 24 hours, or a no-show, is not refundable. Tell us as early as you can, because the refund depends on how many days remain before the trip starts. A trip the port authority stops for weather is moved to another day or refunded.
  6. 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

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit toward future travel with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours: keep the full amount as credit, or take a partial refund.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't show up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • If we ever have to cancel, for weather or anything beyond our control, you lose nothing.

Credit is valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can be used on any tour, cruise or stay with us.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-SHM-852280

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