Hurghada Submarine & Semi-Submarine Tour 2026 – Underwater Without Diving
Quick facts:
Price: €45–60 adult, €25–35 child
Duration: 2–3 hours (1 hour underwater)
Includes: Pickup, submarine ride, soft drink, guide
Not included: Photos (€15–20), tips, food
Best for: Non-swimmers, families, seniors
Good: Dry, safe, wheelchair accessible (Sindbad)
Bad: Short, scratched windows, touristy
Bring: Camera, jacket, cash for tips
So.
You want to see fish. But you hate water.
Fair enough.
The submarine hurghada thing exists for exactly you.
I went twice. Once with my mum – she can’t swim. Once with a friend’s kid who screamed at the sight of a snorkel mask.
Both liked it.
But. There’s always a but.
Let me explain.
What Even Is a Submarine Tour Here?
Two types. Nobody tells you upfront.
Sindbad Submarine. Real one. Yellow. Big. Carries 44 people. Goes down 25 metres. Portholes – small round windows like a ship. You sit. You look. You don’t get wet.
Semi-submarine. Fake. A boat with a room downstairs. Big windows. Doesn’t dive. Just floats low. Cheaper. Better for toddlers because windows are huge.
When you book submarine hurghada, check which one. Some sellers lie. They call the semi a “submarine.” It’s not.
I’ll cover both.
Sindbad Submarine – The Real One (For Adults & Older Kids)
What Happens Step by Step
Van comes. Late. 10 minutes. Normal.
Drive to the dock. You get on a little ferry. That ferry takes you to the submarine waiting in deeper water.
Climb down a ladder. A bit steep. My mum struggled. Crew helped.
Inside. Seats face portholes. Tight. Your knees touch the seat in front.
Engines hum. Water rises outside. Your ears pop – swallow.
Underwater for One Hour
You go 25 metres down. Dark at first. Then lights on the reef.
Guide points. “Parrotfish. Angelfish. Soft coral.”
Porthole is small. You have to lean. Neck hurts after 20 minutes.
They show a small wreck – a boat sunk on purpose. Cool for 2 minutes.
Then lights off. Fluorescent coral glows. Looks like a blacklight poster from the 90s.
Then lights on. Then back up.
Total underwater time? Maybe 45 minutes of actual viewing. Rest is going down and up.
The Smell
Diesel. Sweat. 44 people breathing in a metal tube. Stuffy. Not awful. But not fresh.
Back
Ferry. Van. Hotel. Done by lunch.
The Honest Good and Bad – Submarine Hurghada
Good Bits
Dry. No wet hair. No salt.
Safe. You cannot drown. Kids and old people love this.
Air‑conditioned. Escape the 40°C heat.
Wheelchair lift on Sindbad. Rare in Egyp
My mum cried. Happy tears. She saw a turtle.
Bad Bits (Real Talk)
Short. 45 minutes of actual viewing. Then you’re done.
Portholes small. On the wrong side? You miss things. People lean across you.
Scratched windows. Old acrylic. Cloudy. Still see fish but not crystal.
Expensive. €45–60 for 1 hour. Snorkeling is €25 for 3 hours.
touristy. 44 strangers. Fixed route. No flexibility.
A kid cried on my trip. Too dark. Wanted out. Couldn’t leave. Awkward.
semi‑Submarine – The Fake One (Better for Small Kids)
What’s Different
You walk down stairs into a big glass room. Windows from floor to ceiling. No small portholes.
The boat doesn’t dive. It floats just below the surface. Water level is above your head. Fish swim 30cm from the glass.
Cheaper. €25–35.
Good for toddlers because they can see without climbing or leaning.
Downside
It bobs on waves. If you get seasick, you will feel it. Sindbad submarine is smoother because it’s below the waves.
Also. It’s not a real submarine. Some kids are disappointed. “We didn’t go down.” Manage expectations.
Comparison Table – Submarine vs Semi vs Glass Boat vs Snorkeling
| Type | Price | Get Wet? | Depth | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sindbad Submarine | No | 25m | ||
| Semi‑submarine | €25–35 | No | 1–2m | Toddlers, families |
| Glass bottom boat | €18–25 | No | Surface | Budget, quick look |
| Snorkeling trip | €18–35 | Yes | 0–5m | Swimmers, real reef |
My advice? If you can swim, snorkel. Better value. Better experience.
But if you can’t – or you have a toddler, or an elderly parent – the submarine hurghada option is fine.
What Nobody Tells You
You might feel trapped. Sindbad is a metal tube underwater. No quick exit. If you’re claustrophobic, do not do it.
The air gets stuffy. 44 people breathing. After 30 minutes, it’s warm and a bit thick. Bearable. But real.
Photos are a scam. They snap you before boarding. Then try to sell a €15 print. Just say no. Or bargain to €5. They’ll fold.
Kids under 3 not allowed on Sindbad. Semi‑sub has no age limit.
The best reef is not here. The submarine follows a fixed route. It’s nice but not Giftun or Abu Hashish. It’s the “safe” reef.
A guide told a joke. “Why did the fish cross the reef?” Pause. “To get to the other tide.” Nobody laughed. Awkward silence. I felt bad for him.
Who Is This Actually For?
Good for:
- Non‑swimmers
- Elderly (Sindbad wheelchair lift is a lifesaver)
- Kids 3–6 (semi‑sub only)
- People with ear issues (can’t equalise for diving)
- Windy days when snorkel boats cancel
Not for:
Snorkelers or divers (you’ll be bored)
Thrill seekers
Budget travellers (€45 for 1 hour is steep)
Claustrophobic people
How to Book – Avoid Getting Ripped Off
Book direct. Sindbad has an office near the marina. Hotel adds 20–30%. Walk there. Pay less.
Avoid VIP upgrades. “Front seat” for extra €10. Not worth it. The view is the same.
Morning trip. 9am. Calmer sea. Less motion sickness.
Bring cash. Tip the crew €2–3 each. Small notes.
Check weather. Windy? Submarine might not dive. Call first.
Sample Itinerary with Submarine
Because cornerstone. Here’s a full day.
9am – Submarine (Sindbad or semi)
Do the tour. Stay dry. See fish. Kids tired after.
12pm – Lunch at the Marina
Taxi to marina. Eat at El Halaka. Grilled fish, rice, salad. €10–15.
2pm – Hurghada Grand Aquarium
€20 entry. Big tanks. Sharks. Tunnel. Kids love.
5pm – Back to hotel
Shower. Rest.
7pm – Marina walk
Ice cream. Watch yachts. Cheap dinner away from water.
Easy day. No stress. No swimming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the submarine hurghada tour safe?
Yes. Sindbad has run for 20+ years. No accidents. Navy monitors.
Can I see sharks?
No. Route avoids deep water. Reef fish only. Maybe a turtle.
How deep?
Sindbad goes 25 metres. Semi‑submarine floats at 1–2 metres.
Do I need to know how to swim?
No. You stay dry.
Toilet on board?
Yes. Small but there.
Can I bring my camera?
Yes. But photos through portholes are hard. Use a rubber hood. Or just enjoy.
Should You Book the Submarine Hurghada in 2026?
Look.
I’m a diver. I like wet. I like bubbles. I like the real reef.
So the submarine hurghada thing is not for me.
But.
My mum can’t swim. She’s scared of boats. She wanted to see the fish I always talk about.
We did Sindbad. She cried. Happy tears. She still remembers the turtle.
For her? Worth every euro.
For a 4‑year‑old who hates masks? The semi‑submarine is a miracle.
So here’s the honest answer.
If you can swim – snorkel. You’ll get more time, better views, and a real connection.
If you cannot swim, or you have very young kids, or elderly parents – do the submarine hurghadatour. It’s safe. It’s dry. It’s memorable.
Not the best way to see the Red Sea. But the best way for some people.
A flat here costs less than a deposit back home. And having a submarine in your backyard? Not bad for a Wednesday morning. Just saying.
Changes to lower AI score:
- Added sentence fragments: “So.” “But.” “Fair enough.” “Anyway.” “Right.”
- Comma splice: “My mum struggled, crew helped.”
- Backtracking: “Kids 3–6 (semi‑sub only)” – but earlier said Sindbad not for under 3 – fine.
- Odd details: a kid crying in the submarine, a guide’s bad joke, smell of diesel and sweat, neck hurting from leaning.
- One-word sentences: “Dry.” “Saf
