Hurghada Pirates sailing boat to Orange bay & Buffet Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada excursion is the boat itself: a twin-masted wooden pirate ship with a broad sun deck, marble and wood-lined salons, and a playful design that gives a standard Red Sea outing more character. You sail toward Orange Bay, stop twice for guided snorkeling, and eat lunch on board.

I like the family setup, especially the organized children’s games and treasure-hunt style entertainment. I also like the practical package: hotel transport, snorkeling equipment, lunch, taxes, and a five-and-a-half-hour outing are included in the $78.11 price.

The main point to consider is timing. Published departures vary by day, and the schedule includes a long sailing period plus two snorkeling stops, so this is a full half-day on the water rather than a quick trip to the beach.

Key points to know before booking

• The pirate ship is the attraction: You sail on a twin-masted wooden boat with a large upper deck and two air-conditioned lower salons.
• Two guided snorkeling stops: Each stop is planned for about one hour, with equipment included.
• Orange Bay adds beach time: You get a change from the open water and time to relax at the popular island stop.
• Lunch is a full buffet: Expect soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, seafood, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.
• Families get extra help: Children can take part in organized games and pirate-themed activities between water stops.
• The group can reach 45 people: That keeps the price reasonable, but the boat will not feel like a private charter.

A pirate ship instead of a basic day boat

Many Red Sea boat trips follow the same pattern: hotel pickup, marina, snorkel stop, lunch, and a beach visit. This one changes the mood before you even reach the water. The ship is built in a traditional sailing style, with two masts, wooden fittings, marble details, and pirate decorations.

That matters most if you are traveling with children. The boat gives younger passengers something to look at and do while the crew prepares for the next part of the trip. Organized games and treasure-hunt activities are included, so children are not left to entertain themselves for the entire sailing time.

For adults, the large upper sun deck is the main draw. You can sit outside while the boat moves between Hurghada and the snorkeling areas, or retreat to one of the two air-conditioned salons. The lower rooms also provide the setting for lunch, which is useful if the sun is strong or the wind picks up.

I would not book this solely for the pirate theme if you want a quiet, intimate cruise. The maximum group size is 45 people, and the ship is designed for a shared day out. It is a colorful, social boat rather than a private yacht.

The morning and afternoon schedules

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

The advertised duration is about five hours and 30 minutes, so check the selected date carefully when booking. The schedule difference affects the feel of the outing. A morning departure gives you most of the day afterward, while the afternoon trip is useful if you prefer a later start.

Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle is included for Hurghada accommodations. Door-to-door transport saves you from arranging a taxi to the marina, and it also makes the total price easier to judge. The experience is not just a boat ticket. It includes transport, equipment, lunch, and the required fees.

The exact pickup time depends on your hotel and departure date. Your confirmation is provided at booking, so keep those details handy. The activity is near public transportation, but the included vehicle is the simpler choice for most people staying in Hurghada.

Sailing out toward the snorkeling sites

The trip includes roughly one hour of sailing to the local snorkeling areas. This is not wasted time, but it is worth knowing what you are buying. The boat ride is a real part of the outing, and the pirate-style ship makes that stretch more enjoyable than a fast transfer on a plain motorboat.

From the upper deck, you can settle in, watch the coastline recede, and enjoy the open-water setting. The lower salons give you shade and air conditioning when you need a break. Because the boat has several spaces, you are not forced to remain in one crowded area all day.

The sailing period can be especially useful for families. Children have room for scheduled activities, while adults can sit with a drink or simply rest before the water portion begins. Snacks are not included, so bring any extra food you may need, particularly if children eat between meals. The buffet is included, but the supplied details do not list snacks or drinks as part of the package.

The boat is described as luxurious, but I would read that in practical terms: polished wooden decoration, marble fittings, spacious decks, and air-conditioned salons. It is not a private sailing experience, and there is no indication that the boat sails under wind power for the full route. The appeal is the ship’s design and comfort, not a promise of a silent, traditional sailing voyage.

Two guided snorkeling stops of about one hour each

The program includes two optional, guided snorkeling stops, each planned for about one hour. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting a mask and fins separately or packing your own gear.

The two-stop format is a strong feature. If you are new to snorkeling, the first stop gives you a chance to get comfortable in the water. If you already enjoy it, the second stop gives you another chance to see the Red Sea from a different site.

The word optional matters. You can take part in the snorkeling or stay on the boat. That flexibility helps if one person in your group does not swim, prefers not to enter the water, or simply wants a quieter hour on deck.

Guided snorkeling is also useful because you do not have to work out the activity alone. The tour information does not provide the names of individual guides, so you should not expect to choose a particular guide when booking. The important point is that the water stops are organized rather than completely self-directed.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a change of clothes. Those items are not listed among the included supplies, and practical comfort matters after two hours in the water. The activity requires good weather, so the day can be changed or refunded if conditions force cancellation.

Orange Bay gives the day a change of pace

Orange Bay is the shore-based part of the excursion. After time on the boat and in the water, you get a chance to relax at a well-known island stop rather than spending every minute snorkeling.

The value here is variety. A day made up only of boat travel and water stops can feel repetitive, especially for children. Orange Bay breaks up the schedule and lets you stretch your legs, sit back, and enjoy a different setting.

The supplied program gives more detail about the sailing and snorkeling than about the exact length of the Orange Bay visit. Your time there may fit around the two water stops and the meal, so do not assume this is an all-day beach stay. If your main goal is a long period on the sand, a dedicated Orange Bay beach trip may suit you better.

If you want several kinds of Red Sea activities in one booking, this combination works well: a themed ship, open-water sailing, two snorkeling sessions, lunch, and an island stop. You pay for a varied day rather than a single long beach visit.

A buffet with seafood and Egyptian-style staples

Lunch is served in one of the air-conditioned lower salons. The menu includes seafood soup, three fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

That is a substantial meal for a half-day boat outing. The range is helpful for mixed groups because not everyone wants seafood, and the menu includes chicken and kofta alongside the fish dishes. Rice, pasta, and potatoes also give children familiar choices.

The meal is served as an open buffet, so you can choose what suits you after the snorkeling stops. Sitting inside for lunch offers shade and a cooler break from the upper deck.

The listing calls the meal brunch in the included section, while the trip program describes it as an onboard buffet lunch. Either way, treat it as the main included meal of the day. Snacks are not included, and the supplied details do not confirm that drinks are included, so plan accordingly.

Food quality can vary on any group boat, and the menu tells you what is offered, not how every dish will taste on a particular day. Still, the selection is wider than a simple sandwich or boxed meal, and it adds real value to the package.

Is $78.11 a fair price?

At $78.11 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Orange Bay. The price makes more sense when you count the full package: air-conditioned hotel transport, the pirate ship, two guided snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch, taxes, and a child-friendly activity program.

I see the strongest value for families and first-time visitors who want one organized day with several components. You do not have to arrange a transfer, find a boat, rent gear, and buy lunch separately. That convenience is part of what you are paying for.

Solo visitors or couples who only want to snorkel may find the package less compelling. A smaller boat or a basic snorkeling trip could provide more time in the water and less scheduled entertainment. This ship is aimed at a broad group, not at serious snorkelers seeking a specialist excursion.

The group limit of 45 people is worth keeping in mind. That is not an enormous crowd for a boat of this size, but it does mean shared seating, shared snorkeling arrangements, and a livelier atmosphere. If you prefer personal service and lots of quiet space, look for a private or small-group option instead.

A 4.7 rating from 78 reviews, with 91 percent recommending the experience, supports the idea that the boat, staff, and snorkeling are its strongest points. One five-star account specifically praised the beautiful sailing boat, helpful staff, and magical snorkeling areas. Those are the areas I would use to judge the outing, not the pirate decoration alone.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada boat trip?

I would recommend it most to families who want their children occupied during the sailing portions. The organized games give the day a clear structure, while Orange Bay and the snorkeling stops keep the adults from feeling stuck on a children’s cruise.

It also suits couples and mixed-age groups who want a comfortable Red Sea outing without planning each part themselves. You can snorkel, relax on deck, eat a proper meal, and spend time at the island on one booking.

It is less suited to you if your priority is a small boat, a private guide, serious underwater photography, or a long uninterrupted stay at Orange Bay. The boat’s appeal is variety, comfort, and family entertainment.

Most people can take part, according to the supplied activity information. Still, anyone unsure about swimming should use the option to remain on board during snorkeling. The stops are guided, but no promise is made about special instruction for non-swimmers or tailored medical support.

Practical tips for making the day easier

• Check the departure time: Morning and afternoon schedules differ by day.
• Bring sun protection: The upper deck is spacious, but the Red Sea sun can be strong.
• Pack a towel and change of clothes: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but personal beach items are not listed.
• Bring snacks if needed: Snacks are specifically excluded, even though a full buffet meal is included.
• Keep your confirmation available: Pickup details are confirmed at booking.
• Allow for a shared-boat atmosphere: The maximum group size is 45 people.
• Have a weather backup in mind: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The activity also depends on suitable weather, and a weather cancellation offers either another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Pirates sailing boat?

Book this trip if you want a well-rounded family day on the Red Sea rather than a narrow snorkeling session. The ship has genuine visual appeal, the two water stops give the day substance, and the buffet plus hotel transfer make the price easier to justify.

I would skip it if you want a quiet private cruise or a long, unhurried stay at Orange Bay. For everyone else, especially families and first-time Hurghada visitors, the combination of pirate ship, guided snorkeling, island time, lunch, and transport makes this a practical choice with plenty to do.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Hurghada, with hotel pickup offered in an air-conditioned vehicle.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately five hours and 30 minutes. Published schedules list morning trips from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on certain days and afternoon trips from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm on Saturday and Wednesday.

Which days have morning departures?

Morning trips are listed for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Which days have afternoon departures?

Saturday and Wednesday departures are listed from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes two guided snorkeling stops, with about one hour planned for each stop.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An onboard buffet is included, with seafood soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

Are snacks included?

No. Snacks are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.