Hurghada Pirates sailing boat to Orange bay & Buffet Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the ship itself: a twin-masted wooden sailing boat with a broad upper deck, marble-and-wood salons, and a playful pirate theme. You get a more memorable setting than a plain motorboat, while children have organized games and treasure hunts to keep them busy.

I like the family-friendly program and the fact that two guided snorkeling stops are built into the day. I also like the included buffet lunch and hotel transport, which make the $78.11 price easier to justify. The main drawback is the group size, which can reach 45 people, and the timetable changes by day, so you need to check your departure carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Twin-masted wooden ship: The pirate-style boat has a large sun deck and two air-conditioned lower salons.
• Two one-hour snorkeling stops: Guided snorkeling is planned at two Red Sea sites during the cruise.
• Orange Bay visit: You get time to relax at the island location as part of the sailing day.
• Buffet lunch on board: The meal includes seafood, chicken, kofta, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, and fruit.
• Good family setup: Kids’ games and treasure hunts give younger children something to do between water activities.
• Maximum of 45 people: This is not a small private sailing trip, so expect a shared boat atmosphere.

A pirate ship instead of a standard Hurghada cruise

Many Red Sea boat trips begin to blur together: motorboat, snorkeling stop, lunch, return. This one changes the mood from the moment you step aboard. The twin-masted wooden ship is designed to resemble a classic pirate vessel, with decorative wood and marble inside and plenty of room on the upper sun deck.

That setting matters because the journey itself becomes part of the outing. You can sit in the sun, watch the coastline recede, and enjoy the motion of a larger sailing boat instead of treating the ride as simple transport between stops. The boat also has two lower salons with air conditioning, useful when the sun becomes too strong or you want a quieter break.

The pirate theme is especially useful for families. Children are not expected to spend the whole day sitting still while adults admire the sea. Organized games and treasure hunts are included, giving the younger crowd a reason to stay engaged during the sailing portions.

Still, keep expectations sensible. This is a shared excursion, not a private yacht charter. With a maximum of 45 people, the upper deck and water-entry areas may feel active, particularly when several families are moving around at once.

The morning schedule and the later afternoon option

The main departure runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Saturday and Wednesday, the trip runs from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

That split schedule is important when planning your Hurghada days. The morning sailing gives you most of the day afterward, while the later departure may suit you if you want a slower start or have another activity planned earlier. The supplied schedule lists the morning trip as six hours and the later trip as four and a half hours, while the general duration is described as approximately five and a half hours. Confirm the exact departure and return time for your chosen date before booking.

Hotel pickup is offered in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the transfer is included. That saves you the trouble of arranging a separate ride to the marina. It also makes this a practical choice for families carrying towels, swimwear, and snorkeling gear.

The boat returns to the marina at approximately 3:00 pm on the morning schedule. For the later option, the listed return is around 5:30 pm. Departure times are local Hurghada time, and all times can be affected by sea and weather conditions.

Sailing out toward the Red Sea snorkeling sites

The first part of the cruise takes about an hour. This is not a rushed transfer. You have time to settle in, explore the boat, find a place on the sun deck, or use the air-conditioned salon.

The upper deck is the natural place for open-air views and sun. If you prefer shade or need a break from heat, the lower salons give you an indoor option. That mix is one of the boat’s practical strengths. A smaller vessel may feel more intimate, but it usually offers less shelter and fewer places to sit.

The snorkeling program includes two stops, each planned for about one hour of guided snorkeling. That gives you a good amount of time in the water rather than a quick look followed by an immediate departure. Equipment use is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate mask and snorkel rental.

The word guided matters here. You are not simply dropped into the water and left to work out the site alone. The guide-led format can help first-time snorkelers understand where to go and how to use the allotted time. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable taking part in a water-based activity.

The quality of any snorkeling stop depends on the day’s sea conditions and visibility. The Red Sea is known for clear water and colorful marine life, but no boat trip can guarantee perfect visibility. Wind, current, and weather can change the experience. The operator states that the trip requires good weather, with a different date or a full refund offered if poor conditions force cancellation.

Two snorkeling stops with room to take your time

The two-stop format is a strong point for anyone booking mainly for the water. A single stop can feel disappointing if the first site is crowded or visibility is not at its best. Two separate locations give you another chance to enjoy the sea.

Each stop is planned for one hour, which is long enough to make the effort of changing into swimwear worthwhile. You can spend time looking below the surface rather than rushing through a short photo opportunity. The guides are part of the program, but the supplied details do not provide individual guide names.

Bring realistic expectations about the pace. The excursion serves up to 45 people, and a group this size takes time to organize around water entry, equipment, and returning to the boat. If your priority is complete freedom and quiet, a private or small-group trip would be a better fit. If you want an organized family outing with equipment and lunch included, the shared format keeps the day simpler.

The boat’s facilities also help between swims. You can dry off on deck, sit in the salon, or wait for the next activity without being confined to a small speedboat. That extra space is valuable when children need a break.

Orange Bay adds a slower island stop

The trip includes time at Orange Bay, giving the day a change of pace after sailing and snorkeling. Instead of spending every minute in the water or aboard the ship, you get a chance to relax at a popular Red Sea island stop.

The supplied information does not specify the exact amount of time at Orange Bay or list detailed beach facilities, so do not build a tight independent schedule around this part of the excursion. Treat it as a planned stop within a group day, with the boat’s timetable controlling your visit.

Orange Bay is useful for people who want more than snorkeling. You can enjoy a break from the equipment, take in the setting, and let children move around on land. For a family, that balance can be more comfortable than a full day of repeated water activities.

The tradeoff is that island stops can feel less private than the photographs suggest. This is a shared excursion, and the appeal comes from combining Orange Bay with the sailing boat, snorkeling, and lunch. If your main goal is a quiet beach with no schedule, this will not be the right type of outing.

What arrives on the buffet table

Lunch is served in the boat’s air-conditioned salon. The menu is substantial rather than a small snack, with seafood, meat, salads, starches, soup, and fruit.

The listed buffet includes:

• Seafood soup
• Three types of fresh salad
• Rice, pasta, and potatoes
• Shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, and kofta
• Seasonal fresh fruit

That range helps explain the price. You are paying for a full shared excursion, not just a boat ride and a few hours of snorkeling. The meal also means you do not need to return to Hurghada hungry after the water activities.

The indoor salon is a sensible place for lunch. After time in the sun and sea, air conditioning is welcome, especially for children and anyone who tires quickly in hot weather. You can eat away from the strongest midday heat, then return to the deck afterward.

Snacks are not included, so bring extra food only if you know you will want something between lunch and the return. The provided details do not specify drinks, so check the arrangements before departure rather than assuming every beverage is covered.

Is $78.11 a fair price?

At $78.11 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the Red Sea. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: air-conditioned hotel transport, the boat, snorkeling equipment, two guided water stops, Orange Bay, a buffet meal, and taxes and fees.

The large wooden boat is also part of the value. If you simply want to reach a snorkeling site as quickly as possible, a basic boat or smaller craft may cost less. You are paying extra here for the themed vessel, multiple indoor and outdoor areas, the family program, and a full meal.

I would see this as good value for a family or mixed-age group. Parents can enjoy the sailing and snorkeling while children have planned activities. The lunch reduces extra spending, and hotel pickup removes a common source of hassle.

For a solo visitor focused only on snorkeling, the calculation is less clear. You may prefer a smaller trip with fewer people, even if it offers less space and no pirate theme. The 4.7 rating from 78 reviews and 91 percent recommendation support the idea that the package works well for its intended audience, but the group format remains worth considering.

Who will enjoy this boat most?

This experience suits you best if you want a full half-day outing with several elements rather than one narrow activity. It is especially practical for:

• Families with children who enjoy organized games
• First-time snorkelers who like guided stops
• People who want lunch included
• Visitors who prefer hotel pickup
• Couples or friends who enjoy a themed boat and open-air sailing
• Anyone who wants both an island stop and time in the water

It may be less suitable if you want a private boat, a very small group, a long beach stay, or a tightly controlled personal schedule. The boat can carry up to 45 people, and the program follows a set route and timetable.

The day also requires reasonable comfort with sea travel and snorkeling. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but the operator does not describe specialized support for people with limited mobility. If that affects your decision, ask the provider directly before booking.

Booking details worth checking before you go

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is available near public transportation as well as with offered pickup. Hotel transfer is the easier choice if you are staying within the covered Hurghada pickup area, but confirm your exact pickup point and time.

The trip operates only on the listed days. Morning departures are available Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday and Saturday use the afternoon schedule. That makes date selection important, especially if you are fitting this around a flight, another tour, or a hotel checkout.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since the trip depends on good weather, a weather cancellation brings the option of another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Hurghada pirate boat?

Book it if you want a cheerful, well-organized family day with a distinctive boat, two proper snorkeling periods, an Orange Bay stop, and lunch already handled. The highly praised parts are clear: the ship is attractive, the staff are described as excellent, and the snorkeling sites can be memorable when conditions cooperate.

Think twice if your ideal Red Sea outing means a quiet private deck or a small group. The maximum of 45 people and fixed schedule are the main compromises.

For most families and first-time Hurghada visitors, I think the package offers a sensible mix of comfort, water time, food, and entertainment. Just confirm the departure schedule, understand that Orange Bay is one part of a wider program, and book at least 24 hours ahead if you want to keep the full-refund option.

FAQ

How long is the pirate boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately five and a half hours. The listed morning schedule runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, while Wednesday and Saturday departures run from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered using an air-conditioned vehicle, and Hurghada hotel transfers are included in the experience.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes two guided snorkeling stops, with approximately one hour planned at each stop.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An onboard buffet lunch is included. The listed menu includes soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.