Submarine vs Snorkeling Boat in Hurghada: Which Red Sea Trip Should You Book?

Hurghada - General

Egypt Sunmarine - 6 days

Submarine vs Snorkeling Boat in Hurghada: Which Red Sea Trip Should You Book?

Quick answer: If you can't swim, are traveling with young children or elderly family members, or simply want to see the reef without getting wet, book the Royal Seascope Submarine — it's the only Hurghada trip that doesn't involve snorkeling. Every other Egypt Sunmarine boat trip in Hurghada — Pirates Sailing Boat, Elite VIP Cruise, Nefertari Cruise, the private yacht, and the snorkeling and diving day trips — includes snorkeling as standard. Many travelers book the submarine and a snorkeling boat on separate days.

Two very different ways to see the same reef

Hurghada's reefs are the reason most visitors come here, but not everyone wants — or is able — to get in the water to see them. Egypt Sunmarine's Hurghada lineup has exactly one non-snorkeling option, the Royal Seascope Submarine, and several snorkeling boat trips that differ from each other by vessel and what's included — not by whether snorkeling is part of the trip.

The Royal Seascope Submarine

The Royal Seascope is a semi-submarine: a boat with a glass-walled lower deck that sits below the waterline, so you view the coral reef and marine life through large windows without swimming, diving, or even getting wet.

This is the trip we recommend most often for:

Non-swimmers and anyone uneasy in open water
Young children and elderly travelers
Pregnant travelers
Anyone who gets seasick on smaller boats and wants a steadier ride
Travelers who want a short, easy activity rather than a full day on the water

Hurghada's snorkeling boat trips

Every other Hurghada trip includes snorkeling — the difference between them is the boat and what's served on board, not whether you'll be in the water.

Pirates Sailing Boat is a twin-masted wooden sailing ship that sails to two snorkeling sites for guided snorkeling stops, with lunch served on board.

What's included on the Pirates trip: open buffet lunch (seafood soup, fresh salads, rice, pasta, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit), soft drinks, and a snorkel guide. What's not included: transfer, personal snorkeling equipment, and national park fees.

Elite VIP Cruise, Nefertari Cruise, the private yacht, and Hurghada's other snorkeling day trips each run their own guided snorkeling stops as part of the day. Inclusions and timing vary by trip, so check the specific trip page for schedule, lunch, drinks, and equipment details.

These snorkeling trips are the right choice for:

Confident swimmers who want to snorkel the reef, not just view it
Groups and families with older children who enjoy the water
Travelers who want a full day out, including food on board, rather than a short activity
Anyone who wants the on-deck, social experience of a boat trip

Submarine vs snorkeling boats: side-by-side

	Royal Seascope Submarine	Hurghada snorkeling boats
Getting wet	No	Yes — snorkeling included
Food on board	No	Varies by trip — check trip page
Best for	Non-swimmers, kids, elderly	Swimmers, snorkelers, groups
Swimming ability needed	None	Basic comfort in water

Can you do both?

Yes — and many Hurghada visitors do, on two separate days. The submarine works well as a shorter, lower-effort activity early in your stay, with a snorkeling boat trip as a full day out later in the week. If you're traveling as a mixed group — some snorkelers, some non-swimmers — booking both trips on different days often works better than trying to force one trip to suit everyone.