City Tours & Family Activities

Semi-Submarine & Glass-Bottom Boat Trip

The gentlest way to see a coral reef — big windows, no swimming required.

  • 2.5–3 hours
  • About 40 minutes of underwater viewing
  • Shared
  • Daily
  • No payment to request
  • Free cancellation
  • Reply within hours
Free cancellationUp to 24h before · pay on the day

Semi-Submarine & Glass-Bottom Boat Trip: trip overview

The semi-submarine looks like a boat above the water, but its lower deck is a glass-walled viewing cabin just below the surface. You sit comfortably and watch the reef, fish and sometimes turtles glide past the windows.

Most departures include a short snorkel stop for those who want to get in the water, making it an easy half-day trip for mixed-age families.

Duration2.5–3 hours
Real activity timeAbout 40 minutes of underwater viewing
RunsDaily
Trip typeShared

Highlights

  • Underwater viewing cabin with big windows
  • Coral reef and fish feeding area
  • Optional snorkel stop
  • Great for all ages
  • Short and affordable

Your day, as it feels

Step down into the viewing cabin and suddenly you're at eye level with the reef. Fish dart past the windows, coral glows in the sunlight and children press their noses to the glass.

Afterwards, anyone who wants can snorkel at a shallow stop, while others relax on the top deck. It's short, affordable and ideal for mixed-age families.

Why guests choose this trip with Hurghada Day Trips

Perfect for little ones

Dry, shaded and short.

Optional snorkelling

Something for everyone in the family.

Great value

One of the most affordable sea trips.

Honest description

A semi-submarine, not a real submarine — and still great fun.

Itinerary, hour by hour

  1. Flexible

    Hotel pickup

    Transfer to the marina.

  2. +30 min

    Sail to the reef

    Watch from the top deck.

  3. +45 min

    Underwater viewing

    About 40 minutes below deck.

  4. +1h 30

    Snorkel stop

    Optional.

  5. +2h 30

    Return

    Transfer back to your hotel.

Times are approximate and confirmed with your booking. Pickup times vary by hotel area — you receive yours the evening before.

What's included

  • Hotel transfers
  • Semi-submarine trip
  • Snorkel equipment
  • Soft drink

Not included

  • Towels
  • Tips (optional)

Optional extras — told to you before you book

Optional extraCost
Towelsbring your own

Your safety on this trip

  • Licensed boat and crew
  • Life jackets for the snorkel stop
  • Short trip with calm-water departures

What other travellers complain about — and what we do instead

We read public reviews of Hurghada excursions so you don't have to learn the hard way. Here is what goes wrong on some trips of this kind, and the standard we hold ourselves to.

What reviewers report elsewhereGlass-bottom trips are sometimes sold as submarines.
How we do itThis is a semi-submarine that stays just below the surface — great, but not a submarine dive.

Is this trip right for you?

Perfect for

  • Toddlers and young children
  • Non-swimmers
  • Older travellers

Maybe not for you if…

  • Guests wanting a deep submarine dive (choose Sindbad)

Insider tips from our team

  • Morning trips have the clearest water.
  • Bring swimwear if you want to snorkel.

What to bring

  • Swimwear if you want to snorkel
  • Sunscreen

Good to know

  • Great first activity for young children.

Hotel pickup areas

Pickup and drop-off are arranged from hotels in central Hurghada and from El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga. Read our pickup areas guide for typical transfer times.

Semi-Submarine & Glass-Bottom Boat Trip: questions & answers

Do we get wet?

Only if you choose to snorkel. The viewing cabin is completely dry.

Do we get wet?

Only if you choose to snorkel.

Our guarantees

Book with complete confidence

Six simple commitments that remove the risk from booking a holiday excursion.

Read our full promise

Free cancellation

Cancel most day trips up to 24 hours before pickup at no cost.

Pay on the day

No prepayment for most day trips — pay in cash on the day of your excursion.

Weather guarantee

If the port closes or a trip can't run safely, choose a new date or a full refund.

One clear price

Confirmed in writing before you pay. No surprise fees at the marina.

Hotel pickup included

From Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh — Soma Bay and Safaga on request.

Registered company

A UK-registered company working with licensed local operators in Egypt.

Ready for your Semi-Submarine & Glass-Bottom Boat Trip?

Send your dates and hotel — we'll confirm availability, the final price and pickup time, usually within a few hours.

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