Hurghada: Empire Submarine Boat Trip with Snorkel and Drinks

The Red Sea has a window seat. This Hurghada excursion gives you two easy ways to see the reef: from an air-conditioned observation deck three meters below the surface, and in the water during a 40-minute snorkeling stop. I like the large glass windows and the fact that you can enjoy the marine life without being a confident swimmer. I also like the low price, which makes this a sensible family outing.

The main drawback is that the experience is shared and fairly structured. You have a set cruise, a set viewing period, and one snorkeling stop, so it is less personal than a small private boat trip. Bring patience for the pickup, and remember that the crew’s onboard photos and videos cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Three meters below the sea: Sit in an air-conditioned glass-walled cabin and watch fish and coral through large windows.
• Forty minutes in the water: The snorkeling stop gives you a proper chance to see the reef firsthand, not just through glass.
• About $19 per person: The price covers transport, drinks, gear, life jackets, and both parts of the marine experience.
• Good for young children: Children aged five and six enjoyed the outing, making it a practical choice for families.
• Drinks are included: Soft drinks and unlimited water are available onboard, but food is not.
• Simple hotel pickup: Transport is included from Hurghada, with extra charges for several outlying resort areas.

Why this Hurghada trip works for mixed-age groups

A Red Sea boat trip can be tricky when everyone in your party has different comfort levels. One person wants to snorkel, another does not swim, and a child may lose interest after ten minutes in the water. The Empire Submarine trip handles that problem reasonably well.

The underwater viewing cabin lets you see the reef while staying dry. You sit below the surface in an air-conditioned space, looking through broad windows at fish, coral, and other sea life. You do not need snorkeling skills for this part, and you can still take part if you prefer not to enter the water.

Then comes the snorkeling stop. The 40-minute break is long enough to make the water portion feel worthwhile rather than like a quick photo opportunity. You receive snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, so you do not need to pack your own gear.

This combination is the strongest feature of the trip. Children can watch the reef from the cabin before deciding how much time they want to spend snorkeling. Adults who want a relaxed outing can stay on board, while more active members of the family can use the stop properly.

The trip is family-friendly, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you have mobility concerns, check the boat access before booking.

The 60-minute cruise along Hurghada’s coast

Pickup from your Hurghada hotel is included in an air-conditioned vehicle. The exact pickup time depends on where you are staying, so confirm it one day before the trip. A delay of up to 10 minutes can happen, which is normal for a hotel collection involving several stops.

Once you reach the marina and board, the first part is a cruise of about 60 minutes along the Hurghada coastline. This gives you time to settle in, enjoy the sea views, and have a drink before the underwater viewing begins.

The cruise itself is not the main attraction, but it sets the pace for the outing. You are heading toward one of the area’s coral reef sites, rather than spending the whole trip close to the marina. If you like boat rides, this part adds value. If your only goal is snorkeling, the hour on the way out may feel long.

Bring sunglasses and a sun hat for the time spent above deck. Comfortable shoes are also useful, especially around the boat and marina. The Red Sea sun can be strong, even when the breeze makes the temperature feel pleasant.

Three meters below the surface

The semi-submarine’s best feature is the air-conditioned observation deck. You descend to a viewing area around three meters below the surface, where glass walls and large windows give you a fish-eye view of the reef.

This is not a full submarine with a long underwater journey. Think of it as a boat with a lower viewing cabin. That distinction matters because the experience is short, simple, and accessible to people who want to see marine life without getting wet.

The glass windows let you watch colorful coral formations and fish moving around the reef. Conditions can affect what you see. Clear water and good light will give you the strongest views, while glare or a busy viewing area can make photography more difficult.

The observation period is listed as about 45 minutes. That is enough time to look carefully, take photos, and let children enjoy the novelty of being below the waterline. I would not expect a scientific presentation or a quiet private viewing session. This is a straightforward sightseeing activity, designed to show you the reef in an easy format.

The air conditioning is an important detail. You are out on a sunny boat, then inside a cooler cabin below the surface. Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to air conditioning, though you will probably appreciate it after time in the sun.

Families have found the setup especially useful. Children aged five and six enjoyed the trip, and the underwater cabin gives young children something to watch even if they are not ready for snorkeling.

What you see through the underwater windows

The Red Sea is known for its coral reefs and warm-water marine life, and this trip gives you a quick introduction rather than an in-depth marine tour. You may see colorful fish, coral structures, and smaller sea creatures around the reef.

The windows are the key. Instead of trying to keep your face underwater or manage a mask, you can sit and watch the scene unfold outside. That makes the experience useful for older family members, nervous swimmers, and anyone who simply wants a break from the sun.

I would keep expectations sensible. The windows show you a broad section of the reef, but you are not guaranteed a particular species or a dramatic close-up. Sea conditions, visibility, and the position of the boat all affect the view.

The crew also takes photos and videos during the trip. Several customers enjoyed the finished images, but the onboard charges were considered high by at least one person. If you want the pictures, ask about the price before agreeing. Your own phone may be useful, but underwater glass, reflections, and movement can make personal photography hit or miss.

The 40-minute snorkeling stop

After the viewing session, you get about 40 minutes to snorkel near the reef. This is where you can see the water more directly and get closer to the fish and coral than you can from the cabin.

Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included. You should still bring your own towel, since towels are not provided. Pack swimwear under your clothes if that makes changing easier, and keep sunglasses and other small items secure while you are in the water.

Forty minutes is a useful amount of time. You can get comfortable with the mask, look around the reef, and spend enough time in the water to make the stop feel like a real part of the tour. One of the strongest comments about the trip praised the amount of snorkeling time, which is important because some boat excursions offer only a rushed swim.

You do not need to snorkel if you do not want to. The life jacket gives you support, but you should still be comfortable following the crew’s safety instructions and entering the water. Anyone who prefers to stay dry can remain on the boat and enjoy the drinks and sea views.

The snorkeling stop is also the part most affected by conditions. Water clarity, wind, and the number of people in the area can change how enjoyable it feels. The trip heads to a noted reef location, but it is still a shared outing rather than a private guide-led exploration.

Drinks, gear, and what is not included

The package includes unlimited water and soft drinks onboard. That is a useful touch on a sunny sea trip, especially for families. Food is not included, so eat before pickup or bring suitable expectations for a trip built around drinks rather than a meal.

You also receive:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada
• Air-conditioned ground transportation
• Semi-submarine access
• Snorkeling equipment
• A snorkeling stop
• Life jackets

Towels are not supplied. Bring one, along with swimwear, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Personal expenses are also extra, including the optional CD or DVD sold onboard.

The photo service is worth treating as an optional purchase, not part of the value calculation. The trip itself is inexpensive, but the extra media can change your final cost if you buy without checking the price first.

Is $19 good value?

At about $19 per person, this is a strong-value introduction to Hurghada’s Red Sea. You are getting transport, a boat ride, an underwater viewing session, snorkeling gear, a 40-minute water stop, life jackets, and drinks.

The price is especially attractive for a family. A more specialized snorkeling trip may offer longer time at sea or smaller groups, but it will normally cost more. Here, you get both a dry viewing option and a chance to snorkel, which reduces the risk of paying for an activity that only half your party can enjoy.

The value is less clear if you want a quiet, private, or highly personal marine excursion. The schedule is fixed, and the boat experience is designed for a broad group. You are paying for convenience and variety, not exclusivity.

I would also count the included hotel transfer as part of the savings. Hiring separate transport to the marina would add cost and hassle. Pickup from Hurghada is included, but resorts in Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga require an additional pickup selection and charge at checkout.

Practical timing and pickup advice

Confirm your exact pickup time one day before the trip. Hotel collection times vary by location, and a delay of up to 10 minutes is possible.

The stated program includes roughly 60 minutes of cruising, about 45 minutes in the underwater cabin, and 40 minutes of snorkeling. The actual day also includes hotel transfers, boarding, and the return to the marina, so do not plan another tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

The available languages are English, Arabic, and German. That gives you a useful choice of communication for instructions and general information.

Pets are not allowed. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, so contact the provider before paying if anyone in your group needs step-free access or special boarding help.

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

Who should book the Empire Submarine trip?

I would choose this tour for families, first-time visitors to Hurghada, and anyone who wants a gentle introduction to the Red Sea. It works particularly well when some people want to snorkel and others prefer to stay dry.

It also suits budget-conscious visitors. At $19, the inclusion of transport, drinks, equipment, and two different ways to view the reef gives you a lot for the money.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is serious snorkeling, a very small group, long time in the water, or a quiet private boat. This is a popular, structured excursion, and the underwater cabin is the main reason to book it.

Should you book it?

Book the Empire Submarine Boat Trip if you want an affordable, family-friendly taste of Hurghada’s reef with no need to be a strong swimmer. The air-conditioned underwater cabin, 40-minute snorkeling stop, friendly service, clean boat, and included drinks make it easy to recommend for a first Red Sea outing.

Go in knowing that the trip is simple and shared. Check the pickup time, bring a towel, and ask about photo prices before buying anything onboard. For around $19, it offers a good balance of comfort, sightseeing, and water time.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada Empire Submarine trip?

The program includes a 60-minute cruise along the Hurghada coastline, about 45 minutes in the underwater observation deck, and a 40-minute snorkeling stop. Hotel transfers and boarding time are additional.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga requires an additional selection at checkout.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No specific swimming ability is stated as a requirement. The tour provides life jackets, and you can watch the reef from the underwater cabin without entering the water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, but towels are not provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water and soft drinks are available onboard. Food is not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is described as family-friendly and suitable for all ages, but children must follow the crew’s safety instructions.