Snorkeling in Hurghada: Glass-Bottom Boat & Reef Stop

You see the reef from inside the boat, then swim through it yourself.

Snorkeling in Hurghada combines a glass-bottom boat cruise over coral reefs with optional time in the water at a reef site. After hotel pickup and a warm welcome aboard, you spend 60 minutes watching marine life from the boat's transparent hull while a guide explains what you're seeing, then choose to snorkel for half an hour at one of the reef's best spots. The return sail and hotel drop-off complete the outing.

The experience

The glass-bottom boat is the setup that makes this work: you board at the marina after pickup from your Hurghada hotel, and the transparent hull lets you watch the coral and fish without entering the water. A captain and guide narrate the 60-minute drift over the reef, pointing out the creatures and explaining the ecosystem as it passes beneath you. Kids travel free on adult laps, and the boat departs every two hours, so timing fits around the rest of your day.

If you want to actually snorkel, you get a half-hour in the water at one of the reef's most colorful sections, with equipment provided. The stop includes an hour at Panorama station, which is set up for families. The sail back to the marina is the wind-down part of the day, and a transfer returns you to your hotel once you're ashore.

Book without transfer if you're staying at the marina or nearby. The hotel pickup option adds a ride from Hurghada accommodations. Transfers from Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi run EUR 5 per person, and from El Gouna or Safaga EUR 10 per person, charged at checkout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle (depending on the option selected).
• glass-bottom boat access with a 60-minute guided cruise.
• snorkeling equipment and a half-hour snorkel stop at a coral reef site.
• one hour at Panorama station.
• and a diver show.

Options for this experience

2 options

Transfer not included (ON Marina)Guide in English · 09:00, 10:30 and 15:00Includes pickup

Hurghada HotelsGuide in English · 09:00, 10:30 and 15:00Pickup is included, but only from hotels in Hurghada

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 09:00, 10:30 and 15:00, from US$ 12.53 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:30 and 15:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bella Trips

Is this one for you?Choose the glass-bottom boat if you want to see the reef without getting wet, or add the snorkel stop if you want time in the water at the same site. The boat departs every two hours, so you can fit it into a morning or afternoon without committing to a full day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What do you actually see on the glass-bottom boat?

The boat passes over coral reefs for 60 minutes, and the transparent hull shows you the reef structure, colorful fish, and other marine life below. A guide explains what you're looking at as the boat drifts, so you learn about the creatures and the ecosystem without needing to enter the water.

Do you have to snorkel, or can you skip it?

Snorkeling is optional. The glass-bottom boat experience stands on its own, and you can stay aboard for the full outing. If you do want to snorkel, you get half an hour in the water at a reef site with equipment included, plus an hour at Panorama station.

How long is the whole experience?

The outing runs about two hours from pickup to drop-off, including the 60-minute boat cruise, the optional snorkel time, and the return sail.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you book the transfer option; snorkeling equipment; and access to the glass-bottom boat and Panorama station. If you book without transfer, you meet the boat at the marina.