Semi Submarine Tour 2 Hours With Transfer – Sharm El Sheikh

The best part of this Sharm el Sheikh excursion happens below the waterline. From a personal seat beside one of 20 panoramic windows, you can watch Red Sea coral and fish without snorkeling, changing clothes, or getting wet. It is an easy way to see marine life when your holiday schedule is tight.

I like the air-conditioned hotel transfer, which removes the hassle of finding the marina yourself. I also like the boat’s deep hull and underwater viewing area, since everyone is promised a downstairs seat rather than having to crowd around a single glass panel.

The main caution is that this is essentially a glass-bottom boat with a semi-submarine design, not a full underwater submarine ride. The reef can look less impressive on a poor day, and service has not been perfectly consistent, so clear pickup arrangements matter.

Key points to know before booking

• Twenty panoramic underwater windows: Your seat gives you a direct view of coral and fish below the waterline.
• Two hours on the boat: The sea portion is longer than a quick harbor ride, though the complete outing takes about three hours with transfers.
• Hotel pickup is included: You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel and return there afterward.
• A practical choice for non-swimmers: You can see the Red Sea without entering the water, making this suitable for many families and mixed-ability groups.
• Bring cash for the five-euro national park fee: This charge is not included and is paid on the spot.
• Prepare for a busy departure point: Expensive drinks and sales activity have caused frustration, so check prices before accepting anything.

Looking through the semi-submarine windows

The boat is designed with a deep hull and 20 panoramic windows below the waterline. You sit in an individual chair and look outward at the reef, rather than standing on deck and trying to spot fish through glare.

That setup is the real reason to choose this trip. A normal boat ride may show you the coast and open water, but this one gives you a fixed viewing position beneath the surface. For a family with young children, an older relative, or anyone who does not want to snorkel, that can be the difference between seeing the Red Sea and simply riding over it.

The underwater section is not private. The maximum group size is 30, and the lower cabin is arranged so that people have seats. That is useful because you do not need to fight for a place at a single viewing panel. Still, the experience can become noisy when children are excited, and one account found the cabin divided into two groups with little explanation.

The guide is included, but the information provided does not name a specific guide. Language arrangements also deserve attention. One booking selected English but received commentary in Russian, so I would confirm the operating language before departure if guided explanation is important to you.

The hotel pickup and ride to the marina

After breakfast, pickup takes place at your Sharm el Sheikh hotel. The transfer is in an air-conditioned vehicle, with return transportation included. At a listed price of $38 per person, this is a useful part of the package, particularly if you do not have a car or want to avoid arranging a taxi to the departure point.

The complete outing takes about three hours, while the semi-submarine trip itself lasts two hours. The extra time covers hotel collection, the ride to the boat, boarding, and the return journey. Do not plan another tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

Pickup performance has been uneven. Some bookings had prompt collection and a friendly driver, while another person was left waiting in the heat after repeated promises that the vehicle would arrive in five minutes. The supplied information identifies the provider as Delight Trips, but one complaint named Egypt Delight in connection with a missed pickup. I would keep the confirmed pickup details handy and ask your hotel reception to help if the vehicle is late.

The transfer may be a taxi rather than a clearly branded tour vehicle. That does not automatically mean something is wrong, but it can be confusing if nobody explains who is collecting you. Confirm the driver’s name, your hotel, and the activity before setting off.

Two hours over Sharm el Sheikh’s coral reefs

Once aboard, the vessel travels to reef areas described as among the most attractive in the region. The point is not speed or sightseeing along the coast. You spend the main part of the trip looking downward through the windows for fish, coral, and other marine life.

The Red Sea is known for clear water, and several accounts found the visibility good enough to see more fish and coral than expected. Fish appear in different shapes and sizes, and the appeal comes from watching the reef at close range while staying dry.

But coral conditions can vary. One account found much of the coral dead and felt the description had promised too much. Another found the variety of fish disappointing. You should book this as a convenient introduction to Red Sea marine life, not as a guarantee of a spectacular reef encounter every time.

Water clarity, weather, sunlight, boat location, and the condition of each reef all affect what you see. A semi-submarine also limits you to the route chosen by the crew. If your main aim is healthy coral, close contact with marine life, or a serious marine experience, snorkeling or a dedicated reef trip may suit you better. Those options are not included here, but the comparison is important.

What makes this a good family activity

The tour requires no swimming and no special equipment. That makes it easier for children and adults to share the same outing, even if some people in your party are not comfortable in the sea.

The view is immediate and easy to understand. Children can sit by the window and watch fish pass below them, while adults avoid the work of snorkeling. The trip has also been described as suitable for children, with friendly staff and enough time to look around.

There is a tradeoff. A cabin full of excited children can be loud, and one account suggested a quieter adults-only option. If your family wants a calm, instructional experience, ask how groups are arranged and how commentary is delivered. If your children enjoy noise and movement, the same atmosphere may feel fun rather than annoying.

The boat’s capacity of up to 30 people is modest compared with a large sightseeing vessel, but it is not an intimate private cruise. You will share the lower cabin and may sit close to other parties.

Value at $38 per person

At $38, the tour offers a fairly simple value calculation. You receive round-trip hotel transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional guide, a two-hour semi-submarine ride, and the underwater viewing area. For a short holiday in Sharm el Sheikh, that combination can be worthwhile because it fits marine sightseeing into half a day.

The price is less attractive if you are staying close to the marina and could arrange a cheaper boat ride yourself. It is also less compelling if you expect a fully narrated submarine expedition or a guaranteed reef full of bright coral. The product is best understood as a comfortable viewing trip with transport, not as a specialist wildlife tour.

Remember the extra five-euro national park fee per person. It is paid in cash on the spot and is not included in the advertised price. Carry the correct sort of cash if possible, since this avoids a last-minute search for money.

Also watch your spending before boarding. One person was charged about £25 for two pineapple drinks during a wait before departure. You are free to ask the price before accepting drinks, snacks, photographs, or other extras. A pleasant sales approach can still lead to an unpleasant bill if you do not check first.

Staff, boarding, and the overall feel

The strongest accounts describe prompt pickup, a good boat crew, clean facilities, and enough time to watch the sea. Staff have also been described as pleasant and not overly forceful about photographs or CDs. Those details matter because the trip includes waiting and boarding, not just the time spent at the windows.

The weaker experiences concern organization rather than the concept of the boat. Complaints include long waits, unclear communication, rude coordination, and a vehicle that did not arrive. I would not ignore those concerns, especially if you are traveling with children or have limited time.

The departure area can also include vendors selling goods. One account found them pleasant, while another found the pre-boarding sales atmosphere tiring. You can treat this as part of the local excursion setting, but keep your plans and wallet under control.

Language is another variable. The guide is listed as professional, but no guide name or fixed language schedule is supplied. If you need English commentary, confirm it before booking and again at pickup. Seeing the reef does not depend on the narration, but the quality of the explanation can change the feel of the trip.

Who should choose this Red Sea excursion

I would consider this tour for:

• First-time visitors with only a few days in Sharm el Sheikh
• Families who want a shared sea activity without snorkeling
• Non-swimmers and people who prefer to stay dry
• Older adults who want coral views without strenuous activity
• Couples or small groups seeking a straightforward half-day outing
• Anyone who values hotel pickup more than a highly specialized boat experience

I would think twice if you are an experienced snorkeler, underwater photographer, or keen reef enthusiast. You may find the fixed viewing cabin limiting, especially if coral variety is your main concern.

It may also be a poor fit if you dislike group outings, sales pitches, uncertain commentary languages, or waiting around at a departure point. The boat holds up to 30 people, and the outing is shared rather than private.

Practical ways to make the trip better

Confirm your hotel pickup time and keep the provider’s contact details available. Since some pickup problems have involved long waits and poor replies, tell your hotel reception where you are going and ask for help if communication breaks down.

Bring cash for the five-euro national park fee. Do not assume drinks at the departure area are complimentary, and ask the price before ordering anything.

Sit where you can comfortably see through the lower windows. The boat is arranged to provide downstairs seats, but your view may still depend on where you are placed and how many people are looking at the same section of reef.

If you are traveling with children, explain that the trip lasts two hours on the water. The underwater cabin can be exciting at first, but young children may become restless. A small amount of patience and a simple plan for the ride can help.

Do not judge the Red Sea only by one outing. A semi-submarine gives you a useful, low-effort look, but it cannot promise that every reef will have perfect coral or a constant parade of fish.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Semi Submarine Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, dry view of Sharm el Sheikh’s underwater world and you value hotel transportation. The two-hour boat ride, individual seats, 20 panoramic windows, and modest group size make it a sensible introduction for families and people who do not swim.

Do not book it expecting a full submarine voyage, expert marine instruction, or guaranteed perfect coral. Confirm the pickup and language details, carry cash for the national park charge, and refuse any unpriced drinks or extras.

At $38, I see it as a convenient sightseeing choice with good potential, but not a sure thing. Your best reason to go is simple: you can see Red Sea fish and coral without getting wet or spending a full day at sea.

FAQ

How long does the Semi Submarine Tour take?

The full experience takes approximately three hours, including hotel pickup and return transportation. The semi-submarine trip itself lasts two hours.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Air-conditioned pickup and drop-off at your Sharm el Sheikh hotel are included.

What can I see from the semi-submarine?

You can view Red Sea coral and tropical fish through 20 panoramic underwater windows in the boat’s deep hull.

Do I need to swim or snorkel?

No. The underwater viewing takes place from seats inside the semi-submarine, so swimming and snorkeling are not required.

Is the national park fee included?

No. A five-euro national park fee per person is paid in cash on the spot.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 30 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time using the local time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.