Sindbad Submarine Hurghada: How the Trip Works

Not everyone wants to put on a mask and fins, and plenty of visitors would still like to see the Red Sea reefs up close. The Sindbad Submarine in Hurghada is built for exactly that: you go down inside a submarine, sit by a window and watch the reef pass by.

This guide explains how the Sindbad Submarine trip works, using the details from our own trip page: the departure times, what happens underwater, what is included and what is not. If you have a question that is not covered here, message us on WhatsApp and we will answer it before you book.

How the Sindbad Submarine trip works

The trip is available daily with three departure slots: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. We pick you up from your hotel by air-conditioned vehicle and take you to Sindbad Pier, where you wait in the lounge until it is your turn to board.

The submarine descends to 22 meters (72 feet) below sea level and spends about 45 to 50 minutes underwater. The cabin is fully air-conditioned and every seat has an individual viewing window, so you watch coral reefs and Red Sea fish at close range without getting into the water. The submarine is operated by professional pilots who keep constant contact with the surface.

• Departures: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
• Depth: 22 meters (72 feet)
• Time underwater: about 45 to 50 minutes
• Cabin: air-conditioned, individual viewing windows
• Price: EUR 22 per person

Photo: Mosbatho, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What you can expect to see

Through the windows you get close-up views of coral reefs and the colorful fish that live around them. Marine life is never scripted, so what you see depends on the day, the light and where the fish are, and we cannot promise a particular species.

One part of the program is planned, though. A professional diver performs a fish-feeding show outside the submarine, which brings fish right up to the windows. It is a good moment to have your camera or phone ready, but remember that photos taken by the onboard crew are not included.

What is included and what is not

The price covers the transport and the experience itself. A museum visit at the pier is part of the ticket, and the departure pier has restrooms and a waiting lounge. Anything extra, such as food and drinks, is bought separately.

• Included: round-trip hotel transfers by air-conditioned vehicle to Sindbad Pier
• Included: the submarine dive, with professional pilots, and the diver fish-feeding show
• Included: museum entry at the pier and access to the waiting lounge
• Not included: professional photography by the onboard crew
• Not included: meals during the submarine activity, and sodas or snacks at the marina café
• Optional: tips for the submarine pilots or the driver

Who the submarine suits

The submarine is a good fit if you prefer to stay out of the water, if your group has mixed comfort levels with swimming, or if you want a shorter outing that fits into a half day. Because there are three departures, it is also easy to combine with another plan: an early slot leaves the afternoon free, and a late slot lets you sleep in.

If you would like a longer day on the sea with snorkeling, a boat trip is the better match, and the submarine works well as a second activity on another day of your holiday. Small groups who want to set their own route can look at a private boat instead.

Photo: Hatem Moushir, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tips before you go

Message us your hotel and the departure slot you prefer, and we will confirm the pickup time for your area. We serve Hurghada city, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Makadi, Soma Bay and Safaga. Check the program on the day for any change caused by sea conditions.

• Choose your slot: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM
• Bring your phone or camera for the diver show
• Bring a little cash for snacks at the marina café and optional tips
• Tell us your hotel when you book so we can confirm the pickup time