Catamaran Sailing Tour

The best part of this Hurghada cruise is the time spent away from the shore, where the Ocean Diva catamaran gives you room to stretch out, sit in the shade, or lie in the sun between swims. The route includes a coral reef stop and another area where dolphins may appear, making this more than a simple boat ride.

I like the two snorkeling stops, especially because the first focuses on coral and fish while the second may bring you close to dolphins. I also like that lunch, soft drinks, snorkel equipment, and transport are included, so you can pack fairly lightly. The main drawback is that pickup can run late, and the boat may feel fuller than the advertised limit of 25 people.

Key points to know before sailing

• Ocean Diva offers both sun and shade, so you can choose between open-air views and a cooler place to rest.
• Two water stops add variety, with coral and fish at one site and possible dolphin sightings at another.
• Lunch is simple but useful, with soup, salad, wraps, fruit, and soft drinks included.
• Bring your own towel, since one is not provided.
• Keep cash handy for alcohol, with a beer reported at about 3 euros.
• Pickup is offered, but allow some patience because one pickup ran notably late.

A five-hour escape from Hurghada’s shore

The Ocean Diva leaves from the marina at the Ocean View Hotel at 9:00 AM and spends roughly five hours on the Red Sea before arriving back at the port around 2:00 PM. That makes this a substantial half-day outing, not a quick harbor cruise squeezed between other plans.

You start with an air-conditioned vehicle if pickup is part of your booking. That matters in Hurghada, where a comfortable ride to the marina can make the morning much easier. Still, I would not plan a tight afternoon appointment. A delayed pickup has been reported, and boat excursions can run on the pace of the sea rather than the clock.

The setting changes quickly once the catamaran leaves the marina. Buildings and resort facilities become less important, and your attention shifts to open water, the coastline near El Gouna, and the movement of the boat. You are not signing up for a guided tour of monuments or a long cultural program. This is a day built around fresh air, swimming, snorkeling, and a slow ride across the Red Sea.

The advertised maximum is 25 people. That should make for a manageable group on a catamaran, though one account described the boat as carrying more than that. If personal space is a major concern, keep this point in mind. Even a comfortable boat feels different when every seat and shaded corner is occupied.

Finding your best spot on the Ocean Diva

A catamaran is a good match for this kind of outing because it offers several ways to spend the time between swim stops. You can sit in the sun, choose a shaded area, or watch the water from the deck as the crew handles the route.

That choice is important. Some people want a strong dose of sun after a cold swim, while others would rather stay covered and read, talk, or simply watch the sea. The Ocean Diva gives you both options rather than forcing everyone into one enclosed cabin.

The boat is also a practical base for a snorkeling day. You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel, since equipment is supplied. I would still pack a swimsuit, sun protection, a change of clothes, and a towel. The towel is the easy item to forget because it is not included.

The route is handled by the crew, leaving you free from navigation decisions. That sounds minor, but it changes the feel of the day. You are not watching the clock or trying to find the next reef. You can settle into the ride and wait for the next swim stop.

One small point about service: the provider’s replies were signed by Akram Abdou, but the available information does not identify him as the person who will be aboard your departure. You should therefore treat Akram as a named provider contact rather than assume he is your captain or guide.

The first snorkel stop: coral and clear water

The first water stop is the stronger choice if your main aim is to see reef life. The available description points to coral, clear water, and many fish, which gives this stop a clear purpose beyond simply cooling off.

You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment and look for colorful shoals moving around the reef. The exact visibility will depend on conditions, but clear water is one of the reasons this part of the trip carries much of the appeal. You are seeing the Red Sea in the way that makes a boat trip worthwhile, from the surface looking down into the reef rather than only from the deck looking out.

If you are new to snorkeling, this is also the place to take your time. Start close to the boat, check that the mask fits, and let yourself adjust to breathing through the snorkel. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop, but you should be comfortable participating in a boat-based swim activity. The booking information says most people can take part, without promising a special program for non-swimmers.

The coral stop also gives you a useful reason to bring an underwater camera if you already own one. Nothing in the package promises photography equipment, so do not expect that to be supplied. A waterproof phone case may help, but it is an extra rather than part of the tour.

The second stop and the chance to see dolphins

The second snorkeling stop has a different appeal. It is associated with dolphins, and one account describes seeing them while snorkeling. That is a memorable possibility, but it is not a guarantee, so you should book this for the Red Sea outing as a whole rather than for a promised dolphin encounter.

Dolphins are wild animals. Their presence, location, and behavior can change from day to day. If they appear, the moment may be brief, and you may see them from the boat rather than in the water. The account of dolphins appearing during a swim is encouraging, but it should be treated as good fortune, not a fixed part of the schedule.

The stop still works if no dolphins show up. You have another chance to swim, use the provided snorkel gear, and cool off away from the shore. That second chance is valuable because conditions at the first site may not suit everyone. Some people may prefer the second area, while others may find the coral stop more rewarding.

Bring realistic expectations about wildlife. The trip gives you an opportunity to look for dolphins and fish, not a guarantee of a close encounter. That honest expectation will make the day easier to enjoy.

Lunch, drinks, and what to pack

The included meal is a light lunch rather than a full restaurant spread. It includes soup, salad, several kinds of wraps, and fruit. Soft drinks are also included, giving you something to drink during the hours in the sun and after swimming.

This menu suits the pace of the trip. You can eat without turning the cruise into a long meal break, then return to the deck or settle into the ride. If you need a large meal, have specific dietary requirements, or dislike simple buffet-style food, you may want to eat breakfast beforehand and keep your expectations modest.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. Cash is useful if you want to buy one, with a beer reported at about 3 euros. The information does not specify whether card payment is available, so cash is the safer choice.

Your packing list can stay short:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Towel
• Sunscreen and sun protection
• Cash for optional drinks
• Phone or camera, if you want photos
• Any personal medication you need during a five-hour outing

The supplied snorkeling equipment means you can leave your own mask and snorkel at the hotel. If you have a personal mask that fits especially well, you may still prefer to bring it, but it is not required.

How the $64.79 price holds up

At $64.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Hurghada, but the price covers several items that can add up separately. You get transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a catamaran ride, two snorkeling opportunities, equipment, lunch, and soft drinks.

The value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange. If you already have a boat, snorkel gear, transport, and lunch sorted out, the price may feel high. If you want one simple booking that brings those pieces together, it is easier to justify.

The catamaran itself is part of the value. You are paying for more than a transfer to a reef. You have a shaded and sunny place to spend the time between swims, plus the chance to watch for dolphins and fish while moving along the coast. The boat experience matters most if you enjoy being at sea, not just reaching a snorkeling site.

A group larger than expected could affect that value. The stated maximum is 25, but one account described more than 25 aboard. That does not automatically make the trip poor, yet it can mean more competition for shade, seats, and room around the swim entry points. If the operator keeps to the stated limit, the outing should feel easier. If not, your experience may depend on how crowded the departure is.

Transport can shape the whole morning

Pickup is offered, and the air-conditioned vehicle is a practical inclusion in Hurghada’s heat. It removes the need to arrange your own ride to the marina at the Ocean View Hotel.

The weak point is timing. A delayed pickup was specifically acknowledged by the provider, which tells you to allow extra time in the morning. I would be ready before the scheduled pickup and avoid booking a paid activity immediately after the planned 2:00 PM return.

The boat departure is listed for 9:00 AM, with the port arrival around 2:00 PM. That five-hour window gives you enough time for the cruise, meal, and water stops, but the exact rhythm may shift with sea conditions and crew decisions. You are better off viewing the stated times as a useful framework rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

The meeting details center on the marina at the Ocean View Hotel. If you are arranging your own way there, confirm the exact pickup and meeting instructions at booking. The available information confirms pickup is offered, but it does not provide a detailed list of hotel zones or pickup times for each area.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed Red Sea day with some activity built in. The balance is good: you can snorkel at two sites, then rest in the shade, sit in the sun, eat lunch, and watch the water.

It suits couples, families, and small groups who want a shared outing rather than a private boat. Most people can participate, and the provided equipment reduces the amount you need to organize before leaving the hotel.

It is less suitable if you want a private sailing experience, a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or a highly structured marine biology tour. It may also disappoint you if you need strict transport timing or dislike crowded boats.

The experience works best for people who see the boat itself as part of the day. If you only care about reaching a reef as quickly as possible, a shorter transfer may be more efficient. If you want five hours of sea air with swimming, food, and room to rest, the catamaran format makes sense.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the activity is typically booked about 31 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve early if your dates are fixed, especially during a busy holiday period.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same basic choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

These rules are reasonable for a boat outing, but check the local start time carefully. The 24-hour cutoff is based on local time, not necessarily the time zone you used when booking.

Should you book the Ocean Diva?

Book it if you want an easy half-day Red Sea escape with two snorkeling stops, basic food, supplied equipment, and a comfortable catamaran where you can choose sun or shade. The chance of seeing dolphins adds excitement, while the coral and fish stop gives the day a solid purpose even if no dolphins appear.

I would hesitate only if you need a private boat, guaranteed wildlife, a strict schedule, or certainty that the group will stay under 25 people. Bring a towel, keep cash for drinks, and leave room in your schedule in case pickup or the return runs late.

For most people looking for a straightforward Hurghada sea day, the $64.79 price is fair because it combines transport, boat time, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks in one outing. Just book it for the whole experience, not for one guaranteed animal sighting.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts about five to six hours. The Ocean Diva is scheduled to leave the marina at 9:00 AM and arrive back at the port around 2:00 PM.

Where does the Ocean Diva leave from?

The boat leaves from the marina at the Ocean View Hotel near Hurghada and the El Gouna area.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and an air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Are snorkeling equipment and lunch included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a light lunch, and soft drinks are included. Lunch consists of soup, salad, wraps, and fruit.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. Cash is recommended if you want to buy drinks during the cruise.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.