A submarine ride beats snorkel goggles. In Hurghada, Sindbad Submarines takes you down about 25 meters to watch the Red Sea from real panoramic windows. It is a simple way to see fish and coral without the stress of swimming gear.
I especially like that it is a real recreational submarine (not a themed boat) with allocated seats and wide viewing windows for every passenger. I also love the practicality: air-conditioned transfers, soda/juice, and a tour length that fits families.
One thing to consider is that photo packages are a big part of the experience. If you dislike on-board upsells, go in knowing you can say no, and ask prices clearly before paying.
In This Review
- Key things I’d circle first
- A Real Submarine Ride 25 Meters Down in Hurghada
- Pickup, Timing, and What to Expect on Arrival
- The Submarine Portion: About 45 Minutes of Underwater Watching
- What You’ll See: Coral Reef, Fish, and a Sunken Surprise
- The Coral-Side Trick and Why Divers Do Their Thing
- Price and Value: What $75 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)
- Photo Sales: How to Avoid Getting Swayed
- Who This Trip Suits Best in Hurghada
- Should You Book Sindbad Submarines in Hurghada?
- FAQ
- How deep does the submarine go?
- How long is the submarine experience?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Are photo and video sessions included?
- What’s included in the price?
- How many people are on the submarine?
- Where do I meet the tour?
- What are the operating hours?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key things I’d circle first
- Real submarine status: One of very few recreational subs in the region
- Easy for non-swimmers: You watch from inside; no swimming skills needed
- Seat-by-seat viewing: You stay seated while the coral area is shown from different sides
- Coral reef route: About 500 meters of reef and marine life during the trip
- Family-friendly pace: Quick, organized segments with a total visit around a few hours
A Real Submarine Ride 25 Meters Down in Hurghada
This is one of the simplest ways to experience the Red Sea underwater world. You do not need to snorkel, and you do not need to put your face in water. You simply sit inside a modern submarine and look out through the big panoramic windows.
The “why this works” is simple. The Red Sea is famous, but many people feel intimidated by snorkeling or scuba. A submarine side-steps that entirely. You get a front-row view of corals and fish while staying comfortable and dry.
Sindbad Submarines has a modern setup built around passenger viewing. The sub seats up to 44 passengers, with two pilots up front, and it is designed so each passenger has a solid, round viewing area. That matters because you are not doing the usual scramble for the best spot on deck.
Also, this is not some one-off stunt. The provider notes there are only 14 real recreational submarines worldwide, and two operate right in Hurghada. If you’re the type who hates repeating the same boat excursion everywhere, this angle is a real differentiator.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hurghada.
Pickup, Timing, and What to Expect on Arrival
Plan for a day that feels organized but not rigidly fast. The overall experience is listed around 3.5 hours total, and many parts of the trip are designed to keep waits manageable.
Pickup is offered. Several guests praised door-to-door service and smooth transfers, including on-time drivers and good communication after booking. That said, a small number of people reported missed hotel pickup or trouble getting through by message and phone. It seems uncommon, but it is not imaginary.
My practical advice: confirm your pickup time shortly before the tour date (and again on the morning of), and save the meeting point details. If your hotel is outside a regular pickup zone, build in a little extra buffer and consider having a backup transport option ready.
The meeting point is listed at Little Buddha Hurghada in Hurghada’s Touristic Villages area. Even if you have pickup, knowing where the terminal area is helps you feel calm if anything shifts.
Another detail that helps you plan: the tour runs during opening hours listed as 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, daily. That wide window gives flexibility, but it also means your exact start may vary by schedule and availability.
The Submarine Portion: About 45 Minutes of Underwater Watching
Once you board, the experience is straightforward. You will be assigned a seat number, and you stay seated for the full submarine portion. This is not a wandering-through type of ride, so pick a spot you like and settle in.
From the information you’re given on-site and what guests report, the submarine trip itself is about 45 minutes. That’s a sweet spot. Long enough to feel like you did something special, short enough that kids and first-timers do not lose patience.
Inside, every passenger gets a good view of the underwater area. The windows are panoramic, and the sub is designed so you can see the reef and marine life without having to lean or fight for angles. This is especially helpful for families, because you can handle snacks, strollers, and attention spans without constantly moving people around.
What You’ll See: Coral Reef, Fish, and a Sunken Surprise
The goal is the Red Sea reef ecosystem near Hurghada. The tour information says you explore about 500 meters of coral reef and its marine inhabitants during the journey.
So what does that look like in real life? Expect swaying coral shapes and fish that keep moving. Guests specifically mention seeing lots of different fish, and at least one guest called out rays. The reef area you see is on a set route, not a random scan of the entire sea.
A fun bonus: some passengers mention a sunken ship being visible as part of the underwater scenes. That kind of “wait, that’s down there” moment is why people feel this is more than just looking at fish tanks.
One more realism check: you might not see massive whales or constant dramatic action. This is reef viewing. You will see fish, coral structures, and marine life at the pace of the underwater world. If you want a wildlife safari vibe, adjust expectations. If you want calm, close-up viewing, you’ll get it.
The Coral-Side Trick and Why Divers Do Their Thing
Here is a clever part of the design that you’ll feel during the ride. Guests describe that the coral area is on one side of the submarine for the outward portion, and on the return portion it can be on the other side. That means your viewing experience changes as the trip progresses.
While the submarine is underwater and the coral side is being shown, there is also entertainment from divers on the non-coral side. One review specifically notes a scuba diver feeding fish and entertaining. The exact details can vary, but the purpose is consistent: keep the underwater “show” going even if you’re not locked onto the coral view the whole time.
This matters for families. Kids often get bored with long, quiet stretches. The diver interaction adds energy without requiring anyone to get wet or learn a skill.
Also, because your seat is assigned and you remain seated, this side-switching approach is a good way to keep everyone from complaining that they chose the wrong window.
Price and Value: What $75 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)
At $75, you are paying for a rare access angle: a real submarine ride with passenger windows, a planned reef route, and hotel transfers. You’re also paying for convenience.
If you compare to typical Hurghada excursions, this can feel pricey at first. But think about the components:
- A vehicle transfer to and from your hotel area
- An air-conditioned submarine environment
- A scheduled underwater viewing experience
- Soda/pop included
When you break it down, it becomes more reasonable, especially if you are traveling as a family. Two adults and a couple of kids might struggle to piece together snorkeling or scuba costs without adding private guides, gear rentals, and constant supervision. Here, the experience is built for non-swimmers and families.
What you don’t get included is the photo and video session shooting. That is where extra spending can happen fast. The submarine experience can be great even if you skip the photos, but the provider’s sales push is strong enough that it can affect how people feel about the overall value.
So, the real value tip is this: decide in advance whether you want photos. If yes, set a budget. If no, keep your boundary clear and stick to it.
Photo Sales: How to Avoid Getting Swayed
Photo and video are handled as an upsell. Some guests said photo-taking can feel eager or even pushy, and there are reports of problems with links to digital photos.
One guest described an outside-the-submarine photo option costing around $50, then receiving images later (they mentioned waiting about 24 hours). Another guest reported being disappointed by paying for a photo link and not receiving the expected results.
I cannot fix the sales process, but I can help you protect your time and money:
- If a photographer offers a package, ask for the total price and how delivery works before paying.
- If you do not want it, say no early, not after photos are already taken.
- Treat the photo system as optional, not part of the core value.
If you’re the type who loves a souvenir, this can be worth it. If you dislike upsells, you may prefer to rely on your own phone photos where possible and skip the rest.
Who This Trip Suits Best in Hurghada
This is a “yes” for a wide range of people, and I think the best match is anyone who wants the underwater views without the underwater skills.
It’s especially good for:
- Families with kids. One guest described a 4-year-old having their first underwater experience and being amazed.
- Non-swimmers or anyone who feels uneasy about snorkeling or scuba.
- Older travelers who want comfort and stability without gear.
- People short on time who still want something genuinely different from the usual beach day.
On the other hand, if you want the most marine life variety possible, you may find the reef route limits your sightings. A couple of reviews mention that there were not as many wow moments as hoped. Reef viewing is real life: sometimes it’s lots of fish and coral detail, and sometimes it’s calmer than you expected.
Also, if you are sensitive to sales pressure, you’ll want to plan your photo stance ahead of time.
Should You Book Sindbad Submarines in Hurghada?
I’d book it if you want an easy, family-friendly, dry way to see the Red Sea from a real submarine. The 25-meter depth, the dedicated viewing setup for 44 passengers, and the planned reef route make it feel like a true attraction, not just another boat ride.
I wouldn’t book it if you hate photo upsells and you need a no-pressure experience. You can still enjoy the ride, but you may have to manage the sales moment.
If your priority is “authentic and different” in Hurghada—something you can only do by getting on this kind of vehicle—Sindbad Submarines earns its place. Just go in with eyes open about photos, and confirm pickup timing so your day stays smooth.
FAQ
How deep does the submarine go?
The tour information says you travel to about 25 meters (82 feet) beneath the sea.
How long is the submarine experience?
The overall experience is listed around 3.5 hours, and one review notes the submarine trip itself is about 45 minutes.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, return hotel transfers are included, and pickup is offered.
Are photo and video sessions included?
No. Photo & video session shooting is not included.
What’s included in the price?
Included items list air-conditioned vehicle, soda/pop, and all fees and taxes.
How many people are on the submarine?
The submarine is described as having 44 passenger seats, and the maximum group size for the experience is also listed as 44 travelers.
Where do I meet the tour?
The meeting point is listed as Little Buddha Hurghada in Hurghada’s Touristic Villages area.
What are the operating hours?
Operating hours are listed as Monday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
What happens if weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
