Sharm: Pirates Sailing Boat cruise with transfers & lunch

The main appeal here is the boat itself: a large, three-masted wooden sailing ship with three decks, marble and wood interiors, and a pirate theme. You cruise from Sharm El Sheikh toward Ras Mohammed National Park, then stop at two Red Sea snorkeling sites and White Island.

I like the spacious upper sun deck and the cool, air-conditioned lunch salon. I also like the clear structure of the day: hotel pickup, sailing, two guided swims, island time, lunch, and a return to the marina. The main caution is for families: the advertised pirate costumes and children’s activities may not be available, so I would not book this trip mainly for the kids’ program.

Key points to know before booking

• Three decks and two air-conditioned salons: You can sit in the sun, enjoy the sea views, or eat lunch in a cooler indoor setting.
• Two snorkeling stops of about 45 minutes each: A guide helps you see coral and Red Sea marine life.
• White Island is included: You reach the island by smaller boat, so expect transfers on and off the main ship.
• Lunch is a full buffet: The menu includes seafood soup, salads, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, potatoes, and fruit.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Masks, snorkels, and other pieces are listed at €5 each, while wetsuits cost €10.
• Children’s entertainment is uncertain: The lower deck is intended for animation, but several families found little or no organized pirate activity.

A pirate ship with real room to move

Many Red Sea boat trips use compact motorboats or basic day boats. This one takes a different route. The vessel is designed to look like a sailing ship from the age of pirates, with three masts, wooden fittings, marble details, and three separate levels.

That size matters. You are not confined to one small deck for seven hours. The upper sun deck gives you space to sit outside and watch the Sinai coast. The two salons provide shade and air conditioning, which becomes especially useful during lunch and on a hot day.

The pirate styling is more about the boat’s design than a full theatrical show. You will see pirate decoration, including pictures in the lower cabin, but you should not assume that staff will dress in costume or run a constant pirate performance.

For adults, couples, and families who mainly want a comfortable day on the water, the ship is a strong part of the experience. For children expecting treasure hunts, costumes, and games, the theme may feel thinner than the advertising suggests.

From Sharm El Sheikh to Ras Mohammed

Hotel pickup takes place roughly an hour before the boat leaves. The road transfer itself is listed at about 25 minutes, though your total pickup window depends on where your hotel is located and how many stops are made.

The ship is scheduled to leave the marina around 9:00 in the morning. The first major destination is Ras Mohammed National Park, one of the best-known marine areas near Sharm El Sheikh. The route allows you to see the Sinai coast from the water instead of spending the morning on a crowded beach or in a bus.

The published itinerary gives about 2.5 hours to the sailing portion before the Ras Mohammed stop. That is a substantial amount of time at sea, so the boat itself becomes part of the attraction. If you enjoy sitting in the breeze, taking photos, and watching the coastline, this pace should suit you.

If you prefer fast sightseeing with little time between stops, the sailing may feel long. Bring sunscreen, water, and something light to cover your shoulders. The ship has indoor areas, but you will likely want to spend at least part of the route outside.

Two guided snorkeling stops of 45 minutes

The heart of the day is the pair of snorkeling stops. Each is scheduled for about 45 minutes, giving you enough time to enter the water, get comfortable, and look around without rushing straight back aboard.

A professional guide leads the snorkeling. That is useful at a reef site because the guide can point out marine life and help direct the group toward the most interesting coral areas. You should expect views of the Red Sea’s coral reefs and fish rather than a private, quiet swim. The exact visibility and marine life will depend on the sea and weather on the day.

Life jackets are included. They are helpful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer, although wearing one can make it harder to position yourself comfortably while snorkeling.

The equipment is not included in the basic price. The listed charge is €5 per piece for snorkeling gear and €10 for a wetsuit. If you already own a mask and snorkel, bring them. This is also wise if you are particular about fit, or if you are visiting with a child who needs a familiar mask.

One practical point deserves attention. A family reported trouble when a parent entered the water without a mask to supervise a young child. The safest plan is for every person who intends to enter the water to have a mask, even if that person does not plan to look underwater. Ask about the equipment rule before the boat leaves rather than trying to sort it out at the swim stop.

White Island and the small-boat transfer

White Island is the photogenic stop of the day. The pale sand and shallow water create a sharp contrast with the deeper Red Sea around it, and the visit gives you a break from the ship.

The stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes. That is enough for photographs, a walk, and a short swim if conditions allow, but it is not a long beach stay. One useful warning is that reaching the island involves getting on and off a smaller boat. Depending on the day’s loading process, you may spend a noticeable part of the stop transferring rather than standing on the island.

If White Island is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations in check. The snorkeling stops receive more structured time, and the island visit is fairly short. Still, it adds variety. You are not spending the entire day looking at coral from the same platform.

Parents should also consider the transfers. Moving between the large boat, a smaller craft, and the island can be less convenient with very young children, especially if the sea is moving. The supplied life jackets help, but the trip is not a private family outing with a flexible schedule.

Lunch in the air-conditioned salon

Lunch is served buffet-style in one of the ship’s indoor salons. This is one of the better features of the boat because you can get out of the sun, cool down, and eat at a proper table rather than balancing a plate on an open deck.

The advertised menu includes:

• Seafood soup
• Three types of fresh salad
• Rice, pasta, and potatoes
• Shrimp, calamari, and fish
• Chicken and Egyptian kofta
• Seasonal fresh fruit

The meal is included in the $80 price, along with soft drinks. The menu has enough range for people who do not want seafood, while the Red Sea shrimp, calamari, and fish give seafood lovers a reason to look forward to lunch.

This is not a restaurant cruise built around a long, formal meal. It is a practical buffet during an active day. You will probably be hungry after the first swim, so the timing works well. Eat, rest in the air conditioning, then return to the deck for the ride back.

The quality of any buffet can vary with timing and supply, so I would judge the meal as useful value rather than the main reason to book. The boat, marine stops, and included transfers carry more weight in the overall price.

What the $80 price really covers

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea. Lower-priced boat trips may offer similar snorkeling stops with simpler boats and fewer indoor comforts.

Here, your price includes hotel pickup and return, national park entry, the boat trip, two guided snorkeling stops, White Island, life jackets, buffet lunch, and soft drinks. That package can be fair value if you want a full-day outing with transport handled for you.

You should add the mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 per person unless it has been prepaid as an add-on. Snorkeling gear and wetsuits cost extra. These additional charges are not large compared with the total fare, but they matter when you are comparing this trip with another boat excursion.

The strongest value comes from the ship’s space and the air-conditioned dining areas. If you want a fast, basic snorkeling transfer, the price may feel high. If you want a more comfortable vessel, a full meal, and a themed setting, the difference is easier to justify.

How the family experience measures up

The lower deck is meant to host a children’s animation program while adults relax upstairs. That sounds useful on paper, especially on a seven-hour outing with two swimming stops.

In practice, the children’s program is the most uncertain part of the experience. Families have reported no organized activities, no pirate costumes, and no meaningful entertainment beyond pirate-themed pictures in the lower cabin. One family also found that the children’s activities described in the promotion were not available at all.

I would treat the program as a bonus, not a feature you can count on. Bring quiet activities for children and explain that the trip is mainly a boat ride, island visit, lunch, and snorkeling day.

The cruise may still work well for families if the children are comfortable on boats and enjoy swimming. It is a weaker choice for parents booking specifically because they expect staff-led games or a pirate show.

Timing, comfort, and the return to Sharm

The full activity lasts about seven hours, with arrival back at the marina around 4:00 in the afternoon. Pickup is generally about an hour before departure, so you should expect much of the day to be committed to this one outing.

That is a good fit if you want one complete Red Sea day without planning separate transport, park admission, meals, and boat tickets. It is less suitable if you have evening plans, a flight, or a short stay in Sharm El Sheikh.

The three decks let you change your setting during the day. Use the upper deck for sun and views, the salons for shade and lunch, and the lower area if you want to check the pirate-themed interior. The air conditioning is especially valuable after swimming, when you may want a cool place to dry off and rest.

The listed instruction languages are English, German, and Russian. The snorkeling itself is guided, which should help you understand where to look and how the stops will run.

Wheelchair access is listed, but the day still includes boat movement, water access, and transfers to White Island. If you need detailed assistance, confirm how the smaller-boat transfer works before booking.

What to bring and what to clarify

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a boat day easier:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Passport or a copy
• Swimwear
• Personal snorkeling mask and snorkel, if you have them
• A light cover-up for the boat ride

Your passport or a copy is required. The operator contacts you through WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure with the exact pickup time, so keep the phone number used for booking active.

I would also confirm three points before the morning of the cruise. Ask if the €5 marina fee is already paid, check the current charge for gear, and ask if the children’s animation program will actually operate on your date.

The boat departs from a marina, and the exact pickup time can vary by hotel. Do not rely only on the general 9:00 departure time. Wait for the WhatsApp message with your assigned pickup details.

Who should book this Red Sea cruise?

I think this outing suits you if you want a comfortable, organized day at sea and like the idea of a large themed ship rather than a plain snorkeling boat. It is especially appealing to adults, couples, and families with older children who can manage swimming and boat transfers.

The experience is less suitable if you want a quiet private trip, a long stay on White Island, or guaranteed children’s entertainment. It also may not suit you if you dislike long sailing periods or want all equipment included in the upfront price.

The best parts are consistent and easy to understand: the boat is attractive, the staff are generally described as courteous and hardworking, the food is broad enough for mixed tastes, and the snorkeling schedule gives you two proper water stops. Mr. Antar is singled out for making the experience feel especially well handled, though guide assignments can vary.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if the boat’s comfort, buffet lunch, and complete day plan matter as much to you as the snorkeling. At $80, it offers more than a bare-bones boat transfer, but you should budget for the marina fee and equipment.

For families, book only if you are happy treating the pirate theme as decoration rather than a guaranteed show. Bring your own masks and do not count on the animation team. If your priority is a pleasant Red Sea cruise with Ras Mohammed, White Island, two guided swims, and a cool indoor lunch space, this is a sensible choice. If White Island time or children’s entertainment is the deciding factor, choose a different trip.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven hours, with return to the marina at approximately 4:00 pm.

Where does pickup take place?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are provided in Sharm El Sheikh. The exact pickup time is sent through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat is scheduled to depart the marina at about 9:00 am.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Ras Mohammed National Park, two Red Sea snorkeling stops, and White Island.

How long are the snorkeling stops?

There are two guided snorkeling stops, each scheduled for approximately 45 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is listed at €5 per piece. Wetsuits are listed at €10 per item.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch is served in an air-conditioned salon, with seafood, chicken, kofta, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, soup, and seasonal fruit.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 per person applies. It can be paid on arrival or prepaid through the available add-ons.

Are life jackets provided?

Yes. Life jackets are included.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Children are allowed, and a kids’ entertainment program is advertised. However, organized activities and pirate costumes may not be available, so families should not rely on the program.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Russian.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Because the day includes boat and White Island transfers, you should confirm the assistance available for your specific needs.