Snorkeling in Marsa Alam: Pirates Sailing Boat to Turtle Bay

Two 45-minute snorkeling stops on the same boat, with lunch and drinks between them.

Snorkel at Marsa Mubarak and Marsa Shona from the Pirates sailing boat in Marsa Alam, with two guided reef dives, lunch, and pickup from your hotel. The boat runs two daily programs (morning 9am–1:30pm, afternoon 2pm–7pm) and carries a professional guide, chef and waiters aboard. Lunch and unlimited cold drinks are included; snorkeling equipment is not.

The Experience

The Pirates boat departs Port Ghalib Marina and heads to Marsa Mubarak, home to turtles, rays and dugongs alongside the coral. A 45-minute guided snorkel with a professional guide gets you into the water while the boat crew prepares lunch below deck. After a short cruise to Marsa Shona — another major reef site — you get a second 45-minute snorkel among the world-famous corals. The boat has three large decks with comfortable seating, so there's room to spread out between dives.

Lunch is a full buffet served on board, with unlimited cold drinks (cola, sprite, fanta, water) and tea throughout the day. The guides speak English, Czech or Polish and know the reefs well enough to point out what's moving in the coral. A slow return cruise brings you back to Port Ghalib Marina with 30 minutes of free time before heading back to your hotel.

Hotel pickup is included, and the boat is wheelchair accessible with accessible surfaces throughout. The whole outing runs 4.5 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• two 45-minute guided snorkeling stops at Marsa Mubarak and Marsa Shona.
• professional English-, Czech- or Polish-speaking guide.
• full buffet lunch prepared on board.
• unlimited cold drinks and tea.
• three spacious decks with comfortable seating and facilities.
• 30 minutes free time at Port Ghalib Marina at the end of the trip.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Egypt Sunmarine Fleet

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want the afternoon free, or the afternoon trip if you're arriving later in the day — both visit the same reefs and include the same lunch, so the choice is just about when you want to be on the water. The boat carries enough people that you're never alone, but three decks mean you're not crowded either.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the morning and afternoon snorkeling trips on the Pirates boat?

The Pirates boat runs two daily programs: morning departure at 9am returning at 1:30pm, and afternoon departure at 2pm returning at 7pm. Both visit the same two snorkeling sites (Marsa Mubarak and Marsa Shona) with the same 45-minute guided stops and full lunch service; the only difference is the time of day.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear, or is it provided on the boat?

Snorkeling equipment is not included with the Pirates boat cruise, so you'll need to bring your own mask, fins and snorkel, or arrange rental separately before boarding.

What marine life will I see when snorkeling at Marsa Mubarak and Marsa Shona?

Marsa Mubarak is known for turtles, rays, dugongs and a wide variety of other marine life among the coral. Marsa Shona is famous for its world-class coral reefs; both sites are guided by professional snorkeling guides who know what to look for.

Is hotel pickup included in the Pirates boat snorkeling trip?

Yes, hotel pickup from your accommodation in Marsa Alam is included in the booking, and the boat is wheelchair accessible with an air-conditioned vehicle for transport.

How much time do I actually spend snorkeling versus on the boat?

You get two 45-minute snorkeling stops — one at Marsa Mubarak and one at Marsa Shona — with a short cruise between them and a relaxing return journey. The full outing is 4.5 hours, which includes the cruises, lunch service and the two guided reef dives.