Grand Safari including Snorkeling at the Blue Hole and a Camel Ride along the Gulf of Aqaba

The best thing about this nine-hour Sinai outing is that it joins sea, desert, and town stops in one long day. You can snorkel at the 328-foot Blue Hole, ride a camel along the Gulf of Aqaba, then head inland by Jeep toward the Colored Canyon.

I like the efficient mix of activities, and I like that hotel pickup, lunch, a guide, and air-conditioned transport are included. It gives you a broad taste of the region without arranging several separate trips.

The tradeoff is that this is a tightly packed day, and the transport may not match the dramatic Jeep picture you have in mind. One booking party received a shared minivan rather than a 4×4, while snorkeling equipment and some fees were extra.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Hole is the main water stop: You have time to snorkel at a famous 100-meter marine site, but equipment may cost extra.
• The camel ride follows the Gulf of Aqaba: This gives you a slower, more scenic contrast to the faster desert driving.
• The Colored Canyon is reached by desert vehicle: Confirm whether your departure includes a true 4×4 or a shared van transfer.
• Nuweiba and Dahab add useful breaks: Lunch is served in Nuweiba, followed by time to shop in Dahab.
• Guide quality can shape the day: Guide Safi received praise for clear explanations in English, Russian, and Arabic.
• The price covers a lot: At $47.70 per person, the package includes transport, guide service, hotel transfers, and buffet lunch, but not drinks or government fees.

One day from Sharm to the Sinai coast

From Sharm el Sheikh, this tour heads north toward the Gulf of Aqaba and the desert areas around Nuweiba and Dahab. The route gives you a quick look at several distinct parts of the Sinai: reef water, open sand, canyon rock, and small resort towns.

That variety is the reason to book this rather than a simple beach trip. You do not spend the whole day in one place, though you also should not expect long, unhurried time at every stop.

Pickup is offered from your hotel, and the included vehicle is described as an air-conditioned minivan. The group limit is 22 people. That is small enough for a guide to give instructions, but large enough that loading, unloading, and moving between stops can take time.

The tour lasts about nine hours. With the distance from Sharm and several activities packed into one day, you should think of this as a busy regional outing rather than a relaxed morning excursion.

Snorkeling at the 100-meter Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is the day’s strongest natural attraction. It is described as a 328-foot, or 100-meter, snorkeling site, giving you the chance to see Red Sea marine life from the water rather than from a boat.

You will want to treat this stop as a chance to enjoy the setting and the water, not as a guaranteed private snorkeling session. The tour is guided, and the schedule includes several more stops, so your water time may be limited by the day’s pace.

Snorkel gear is not listed among the included services. One person paid $10 per set, so you should bring your own equipment if possible or confirm the rental price before departure. This is a small cost compared with the total tour price, but it changes the true budget.

The Blue Hole also deserves a practical note: the name can sound like an invitation to jump straight into an extreme water activity. The advertised outing is snorkeling. Follow the guide’s instructions and stay within the area and conditions set for the group.

This is a good stop for you if the Red Sea is a priority but you also want to see the desert. If you have already planned a full snorkeling day elsewhere, the canyon and camel ride may be the parts that make this trip worthwhile.

A camel ride beside the Gulf of Aqaba

After the water stop, the tour gives you a camel ride along the beach. This is not simply a photo stop in the desert. The setting beside the Gulf of Aqaba links the coast and the interior in a memorable way.

A camel moves at a slow, rolling pace, which provides a useful change after the road journey and the activity at the Blue Hole. You get time to look across the water and take in the shoreline from a higher, slower position.

The exact length of the ride is not stated, so do not book this expecting a long camel trek. It is best understood as one part of a full-day sampler. You will also want comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for getting on and off the camel, though the tour does not specify a dress code.

The camel portion may appeal most to first-time visitors who want a classic Sinai activity without committing to a separate desert camp or overnight trip. If you are uncomfortable with animal rides, this may be the least important part of the day for you.

Crossing the desert toward Colored Canyon

The desert section heads toward the Colored Canyon by Jeep. The canyon is one of the tour’s major inland sights, with narrow rock formations and changing colors providing a sharp contrast to the open coast.

The supplied description promises a Jeep ride, but transport deserves careful attention. One dissatisfied customer expected a 4×4 and instead rode in an uncomfortable shared bus with 14 other people. The operator replied that the trip was an adventure tour, but did not offer a refund.

That account does not prove every departure uses a bus or minivan. It does show why you should ask a direct question before paying: Is the desert section in a dedicated 4×4, or does the air-conditioned minivan carry the group for most of the route?

The distinction matters. A true 4×4 can make the desert section feel like an active safari. A regular minivan is more practical for a long road day but may not deliver the rougher, more adventurous ride shown in promotional pictures.

The canyon itself is the reason to make the inland trip. You will see a very different side of the Sinai from the reef and beach. Still, the tour information does not give the walking distance, time inside the canyon, or level of physical effort. If you need those details, ask the operator before booking.

Buffet lunch in Nuweiba

Lunch is included as a buffet meal in Nuweiba. This is useful on a nine-hour trip because you do not have to arrange a separate meal while moving between the coast and desert.

A buffet also works well for a mixed group. You can choose what suits you, rather than relying on one fixed dish. Drinks are not included, so keep money available for beverages.

Nuweiba makes sense as a pause between active stops. After snorkeling, a camel ride, and desert transport, sitting down for a meal gives you a chance to rest before the final shopping stop in Dahab.

The tour does not specify the restaurant, menu, or dietary options. If you have a food restriction, ask about it before departure. Do not assume that lunch includes bottled water or other drinks.

Shopping in Dahab, with a possible time concern

The day ends with shopping in Dahab. This gives you a chance to look for souvenirs and see a little of one of the Sinai’s best-known resort towns without arranging a separate visit.

For some people, this is a welcome chance to buy gifts after a day outdoors. For others, shopping stops can feel like time taken from the natural sights. One person reported spending about an hour at a gift shop and felt pressured to buy something.

You should treat that as a real possibility, not a guaranteed feature of every departure. The published plan does include shopping in Dahab, so you can ask how much time is scheduled and whether the stop is at a particular shop or in a broader shopping area.

If you enjoy browsing, the stop adds variety and gives the day a practical finish. If you prefer every minute to go toward scenery and snorkeling, this is the part most likely to test your patience.

What the $47.70 price really includes

At $47.70 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want several major components in one booking. Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional guide, buffet lunch, snorkeling access, a camel ride, the canyon visit, and Dahab shopping are combined into one day.

The value is especially clear for a first visit to Sharm el Sheikh. You avoid arranging separate transport to the Blue Hole, Nuweiba, Colored Canyon, and Dahab. You also have a guide explaining the day and helping coordinate the group.

The advertised price is not the final possible cost. Drinks are excluded, government fees are excluded, and snorkeling equipment may require a separate rental. One person reported paying $10 for gear, so include that amount in your planning unless you bring your own equipment.

You are also paying for convenience rather than privacy. With up to 22 people, the tour can keep the price low, but the group may move according to a shared schedule. A private trip would likely offer more control, but this package is aimed at people who want broad coverage at a moderate price.

Guides, languages, and group comfort

The guide can make a major difference on a day with several transfers and safety instructions. One particularly positive account singled out Safi, who explained the activities clearly in English, Russian, and Arabic.

That is useful because the day includes snorkeling, camel handling, desert travel, and several meeting points. Clear instructions matter more here than a long lecture about local history.

The group maximum is 22 people, though one account described a vehicle carrying 15 people. That suggests the actual transport arrangement may vary by departure. You should ask how many people are expected and what vehicle will be used on your date.

The tour is described as suitable for most people. However, the details do not specify walking distances, canyon conditions, or assistance for people with limited mobility. If those factors affect your decision, request exact information before booking rather than relying on the general suitability statement.

How to prepare for a long desert and sea day

Bring money for drinks, possible government fees, and snorkeling equipment. If you have your own mask and snorkel, bringing them may help avoid the reported $10 rental charge.

Wear clothing that works for both the beach and the desert. The tour combines water, camel riding, and a canyon stop, so you will want practical clothes rather than an outfit designed for only one setting.

Keep your schedule open for the full nine hours. Pickup time, road distances, group movement, and the shopping stop can all affect the pace. The tour has a lot of ground to cover, and a late return is possible within the general nine-hour estimate.

It is also wise to confirm the vehicle details. The description mentions Jeep travel through the desert and air-conditioned minivan transport, while one booking party received a shared bus instead of the expected 4×4. A quick message to 3 M Travel can prevent a mismatch between your expectations and the actual departure.

The tour accepts mobile tickets, and confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking when space is available. Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Sinai sampler

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Sharm el Sheikh and want to see more than the resort area in one day. It suits you if you want snorkeling, a camel ride, desert scenery, lunch, and a town stop without managing several separate bookings.

It is also a good fit for first-time visitors who value convenience. Pickup and drop-off remove much of the transport planning, and the included guide gives the day structure.

I would hesitate if you want a private vehicle, a long snorkeling session, or a serious off-road 4×4 adventure. The group size, possible shared transport, extra gear cost, and shopping stop may frustrate you if you prefer a carefully controlled schedule.

The 4.7 rating and 93 percent recommendation suggest that the overall package works well for many people, but the lower rating highlights a key warning: confirm the vehicle and equipment arrangements. Guide Safi’s clear multilingual service is a plus when available, yet the quality of your day will also depend on the exact group and vehicle assigned.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if your priority is variety and value. For $47.70, you can cover the Blue Hole, the Gulf of Aqaba, the Sinai Desert, Colored Canyon, Nuweiba, and Dahab in one organized day.

Before booking, ask two questions: Is the desert section using a 4×4, and how much does snorkeling equipment cost? If the answers suit you, this is an efficient way to sample the region.

Skip it if you want a calm beach day or a private safari. The tour is long, shared, and packed with stops, but for an active first look at the Sinai, it offers plenty for the price.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour is based in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, and hotel pickup and drop-off are offered.

Is snorkeling at the Blue Hole included?

The tour includes snorkeling at the Blue Hole, but snorkeling equipment is not listed among the included services. One person reported paying $10 to rent equipment.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The experience includes a camel ride along the beach beside the Gulf of Aqaba.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch in Nuweiba is included.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are listed as an extra expense.

How large can the group be?

The maximum group size is 22 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.