Hurghada Pirates sailing boat to Orange bay & Buffet Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada trip is the boat itself. You sail on a twin-masted wooden ship styled like an old pirate vessel, with a large sun deck, marble and wood interiors, and air-conditioned lower salons. It gives a family day on the Red Sea more character than a standard motorboat outing.

I like the organized children’s games, which give parents a little breathing room, and I like the practical all-in-one plan: two guided snorkel stops, Orange Bay, lunch, equipment, and hotel transport. The main drawback is the group size, up to 45 people, so this is not the choice for a quiet, private sailing day.

Key points to know before booking

• Twin-masted pirate-style boat: You get a large wooden sailing vessel with an upper sun deck and two air-conditioned lower salons.
• Two one-hour snorkel stops: The snorkeling is guided, and equipment is included.
• Orange Bay visit: You have time to relax at one of the Red Sea’s popular island beaches.
• Family-focused entertainment: Treasure hunts and other organized activities are planned for children.
• Buffet lunch onboard: The meal includes seafood, chicken, kofta, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, and seasonal fruit.
• Half-day schedule: Morning departures run from 9 am to 3 pm, while Wednesday and Saturday departures run from 1 pm to 5:30 pm.

Sailing from Hurghada on a pirate-style ship

This excursion replaces the usual plain white tour boat with something more memorable. The Pirates sailing boats are twin-masted wooden vessels designed to recall the golden age of sailing, though you should think of the pirate theme as family entertainment rather than a serious historical sailing experience.

The boat has a wide upper sun deck where you can sit in the open air, watch the coast recede, and find a place in the sun or shade. Below, two salons are fully air-conditioned and finished with marble, wood, and pirate-themed decoration. That lower space matters in Hurghada, especially when the sun is strong or you simply need a cool break.

The first part of the journey takes about an hour to reach the snorkeling sites. This is not dead time. It gives you a chance to settle in, take photographs, and choose where you want to spend the day: on the upper deck with the views, or inside where the temperature is more comfortable.

You should not expect a silent sailing experience. This is a family cruise with planned activities and a maximum of 45 people. That number is manageable for a boat of this size, but the atmosphere will be social rather than private.

Two guided snorkeling stops in the Red Sea

The tour includes two snorkeling stops, each lasting about an hour. That is a useful amount of time in the water, particularly for families who want more than a quick look over the side of the boat.

Having a guide at each stop is helpful if you are new to snorkeling or want a clear introduction to the local sites. You can use the included snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you strongly prefer your personal gear.

The two-stop format also gives you a second chance if the first site does not suit you. You might find that one stop has calmer water, better visibility, or a more comfortable pace for younger swimmers. The supplied details do not identify the exact reef locations or promise particular marine species, so I would book this for the time in the water and the Red Sea setting, not for a guaranteed wildlife sighting.

Each stop lasts one hour, but the full water time will also depend on boarding and group instructions. Listen carefully to the guide before entering the water, especially if children are joining you. The tour is designed so most people can participate, but you should still be comfortable in the water.

Orange Bay offers a change of pace

Orange Bay gives the day a second setting beyond the boat. After time at sea, a stop at the island beach lets you slow down, sit back, and enjoy a more relaxed stretch of the outing.

The appeal is simple: you get time away from the deck and the snorkeling routine. You can enjoy the beach atmosphere, take a break from the water, and let children shift from swimming to playing. The supplied information does not list specific beach facilities or water activities at Orange Bay, so I would treat it as a relaxing stop rather than arrive with a long list of planned attractions.

The combination of reef stops and Orange Bay is a good reason to choose this trip over a basic beach transfer. You are not spending the entire day in one place, and the change in pace keeps the five-and-a-half-hour schedule from feeling repetitive.

Keep your expectations sensible. Orange Bay is part of a shared day trip, not a private island escape. The boat’s schedule, the other people onboard, and the time needed to move between stops all shape how long you actually have to relax.

A buffet lunch served inside the boat

Lunch is served in one of the lower salons, where the boat’s air conditioning and seating make a welcome break from the sun. The meal is described as an open buffet, so you can choose from several dishes rather than receiving one fixed plate.

The menu includes seafood soup, three types of fresh salad, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit. That range is useful for a mixed family group. Seafood fans have several choices, while anyone who prefers familiar meat or vegetable-based dishes should also find something suitable.

Calling the meal a banquet may set the bar a little high, but it is clearly more substantial than a snack. The food covers the main needs of a half-day boat trip and is included in the listed price.

Snacks are not included. If you need something between breakfast and lunch, plan accordingly, though the tour information does not specify what outside food or drink can be brought onboard. The included meal is described as brunch in one part of the booking details and as lunch in the itinerary. In practical terms, it is the main onboard meal.

Children get more than a seat on the boat

The family focus is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. Children can take part in treasure hunts and other organized activities while the boat is underway. That gives younger passengers a reason to stay involved instead of becoming restless during the sailing sections.

For parents, this can make a real difference. A day on a boat often sounds easy until children begin asking how much longer remains before the next stop. Planned games help fill that time and give adults a chance to enjoy the deck or have a quiet meal.

The activity is not only for families with young children. Adults can use the sun deck, join the snorkeling sessions, or simply enjoy the ride. Still, the pirate theme and organized games mean the mood is likely to be livelier than on a small adult-focused sailing trip.

The boat’s spacious design helps here. The upper deck gives you room to sit outdoors, while the two lower salons provide indoor space. You have more options than you would on a compact boat, though the maximum group size means you should not expect every area to feel empty.

The schedule depends on the day you choose

The morning program runs from 9 am to about 3 pm on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday and Saturday departures run from 1 pm to 5:30 pm.

That split is important when planning your Hurghada days. A morning departure uses most of the day but leaves your evening free. The afternoon option may suit you better if you want a slow morning, have a late checkout, or prefer to be on the water later in the day.

The advertised trip program allows about one hour to reach the snorkeling sites, two snorkeling stops of one hour each, lunch, time at Orange Bay, and the return to the marina. The exact order of the stops may vary, so use the published departure and return times as your main planning guide.

Hotel pickup is offered in an air-conditioned vehicle, and door-to-door Hurghada transport is included in the tour description. The pickup details should be checked at booking, since the supplied information does not specify a single pickup time for each hotel.

The boat returns to the marina at approximately 3 pm on the morning schedule. The afternoon program ends around 5:30 pm. Since this is a shared transfer and shared boat excursion, allow some flexibility around those times.

What the $78.11 price includes

At $78.11 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea, but the price covers a full package. You are paying for the boat experience, transport, equipment, guided snorkeling, entrance and service fees, lunch, and the Orange Bay stop.

I see the value in the number of pieces included. If you arranged transport, boat access, snorkeling gear, and food separately, the day could become more complicated and possibly cost more. Here, the main decisions are handled in advance.

The pirate-style boat also gives the price a little extra appeal. You are not simply buying a transfer to snorkeling sites. You are choosing a themed vessel with indoor and outdoor spaces, family activities, and a more memorable setting for the journey.

The value is weaker if you want a private boat, a small group, or a highly flexible schedule. With up to 45 people onboard, this works best when you are comfortable sharing the day. You also need to remember that snacks are extra.

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 78 reviews, with 91 percent recommending it. One particularly strong account praised the beauty of the boat, the staff, the snorkeling areas, and the smooth running of the day. That matches the tour’s main strengths: the vessel, the crew-led activities, and the balance between time in the water and time relaxing.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada boat trip

I would choose this excursion for families who want a full Red Sea day without arranging several separate activities. The children’s games are a practical bonus, and the boat’s air-conditioned salons give you somewhere to cool down between outdoor activities.

It also suits first-time snorkelers. The equipment is included, and the two stops are guided. You can try the water without needing to plan your own route or find a separate rental shop.

Couples and adult groups can enjoy it too, particularly if they like a social boat atmosphere and want a good mixture of sailing, snorkeling, lunch, and beach time. The pirate design adds some fun without changing the basic appeal of a Red Sea cruise.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is silence, privacy, or a very small group. The boat carries up to 45 people, and the children’s entertainment is a central part of the experience. That is a strength for families, but it may not suit someone seeking a calm, intimate sailing day.

You should also consider the weather. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Pirates sailing boat?

Book it if you want a family-friendly Red Sea day with plenty included. The large themed boat, two guided snorkeling sessions, Orange Bay, buffet lunch, equipment, and Hurghada transfers create a well-rounded half-day plan.

I especially like that the vessel offers both a sun deck and air-conditioned salons. That small detail makes the boat more usable for a mixed group, since you can move indoors when the heat becomes tiring.

Skip it if you want a private charter or a quiet boat with very few people. For everyone else, the $78.11 price is reasonable for the number of inclusions, and the 4.7 rating suggests the experience generally delivers what it promises. Choose your departure day carefully, pack for both sun and water, and expect a lively shared outing rather than a secluded cruise.

FAQ

How long does the Pirates sailing boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. Morning trips run from 9 am to 3 pm, while Wednesday and Saturday trips run from 1 pm to 5:30 pm.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two guided snorkeling stops are included. Each stop is planned for about one hour.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. An onboard buffet lunch is included. The menu lists seafood soup, three salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Air-conditioned transport and Hurghada hotel transfers are included.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 45 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather can also lead to a different date or a full refund.