The right Hurghada boat day depends on three things: how much you want to swim, whether dolphins matter to you, and how long you want to be at sea. If swimming and dolphins both matter, go to Dolphin House. If you want a beach, go to Paradise Island. If you want to stay dry, take the semi-submarine. If you want control, charter a boat.
There are four boat days from Hurghada, and they are not interchangeable. Two are full shared days at sea, one is private, and one is short and does not require a swimsuit. The comparison below uses each trip's real hours and inclusions so you can decide before you open the booking page.
Dolphin House: the wildlife day
The Dolphin House day is an eight-hour shared boat trip with up to 30 guests. After a 08:00 pick-up the boat sails north for about 90 minutes to the reef area known as Dolphin House. If wild spinner dolphins are present, you watch from the boat, and you may snorkel with the guide if they come close and the crew judges the water calm.
Dolphins are wild animals, so sightings are common but never guaranteed, and nobody chases, feeds or touches them. The day is still worthwhile without them, with a second snorkeling stop on a coral reef, a third stop or free swim depending on the sea, and lunch on board. It is the best choice for real snorkelers.
Paradise Island: the beach day
Paradise Island is an eight-hour shared day with up to 40 guests. The boat sails about an hour to the Giftun islands, stops for a snorkel on a coral reef with the guide, then lands on the island at 11:15. You get a sunbed and parasol, shallow swimming and about three hours on white sand before lunch on board at 14:00.
This suits families, groups with mixed abilities and anyone who wants the sea without having to spend all day in it. Non-snorkelers can stay on the beach. Drinks and snacks bought on the island, banana boat rides and other water sports cost extra, so bring a little cash.
Private charter: your own boat
The private charter is a seven-hour day for your party only, with a captain, crew and snorkeling guide. A transfer takes you to the marina at 08:30, you board at 09:00, and the crew chooses a reef for the day's sea conditions. Expect two or three snorkeling stops, usually including one near the Giftun islands, and lunch cooked on board.
You set the pace. If one reef is excellent, stay longer; if a child tires, head for calmer water. Landing on an island beach such as Orange Bay, Paradise or Mahmya is optional, and the beach entrance is not included in the charter. The price per person falls as your party grows, so check the trip page for your numbers.
Semi-submarine: the dry option
The semi-submarine is the shortest boat day, about three hours door to door, with sailings at 09:00, 11:30 or 14:00 from your hotel. For about two hours on the water you sit in a glass-walled cabin below the waterline as the boat follows the reef wall. An optional snorkeling stop of about 30 minutes follows for those who want it.
It is the right pick for toddlers, grandparents, non-swimmers and anyone nervous about open water. It also fits a half day, so you can still use the afternoon. Water clarity decides how good the view is, so the morning sailing often looks best.
Choosing by situation
A couple who snorkel and want wildlife should take Dolphin House. A family with mixed ages, including grandparents who prefer the shade, will probably enjoy Paradise Island most, because everyone finds something to do. A group of friends or an extended family of ten or more will often prefer the private charter, where nobody waits for strangers.
If you have only a morning free, or the weather turned your plans upside down, the semi-submarine is the one to book. It also makes a sensible first boat day for anyone who has never been to sea, because it shows you how you cope with the motion before you commit to eight hours.
Quick comparison
- Dolphin House: 8 hours, shared, up to 30 guests, two or three snorkeling stops, lunch on board.
- Paradise Island: 8 hours, shared, up to 40 guests, about 3 hours on the beach, sunbed and parasol included.
- Private charter: 7 hours, your party only, up to 15 guests, own captain and crew, lunch on board.
- Semi-submarine: about 3 hours, shared, up to 40 guests, glass-walled cabin, snorkeling optional.
On the shared trips children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price and anyone aged 12 or over pays the adult price. Marine park fees are included on all of them. Booking is online up to 48 hours before departure, and our team handles requests inside that window.
Plan with us
Hurghada boat trips compared: which boat day suits you?
Dolphin House, Paradise Island, private charter or semi-submarine? Compare the four Hurghada boat days by length, swimming and who they suit.