Sharm: Pirates Sailing Boat cruise with transfers & lunch

If you picture Sharm El Sheikh as just beaches and buses, this turns it into a proper day on the water. You ride a three-masted, pirate-themed wooden sailing ship, then get guided snorkeling plus a stop at White Island.

I especially like the mix of comfort and action. The boat has air-conditioned salons for lunch, and you still get the sun-deck time you want while cruising the Red Sea.

One thing to consider first is that the pirate-and-kids side does not always land as promised, especially for young kids. If your children care a lot about costumes or specific activities, go in with realistic expectations and be ready to help keep them engaged.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Three-deck pirate ship with AC so lunch and down time are actually pleasant.
• Two guided snorkeling stops with life jackets provided, so you are not figuring it out alone.
• White Island visit for photos and a quick break between reef sessions.
• Open-buffet onboard lunch with seafood, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.
• Kids program on the lower deck while adults relax upstairs, when it is running as advertised.
• Value depends on extras like snorkeling gear and any marina fee if not prepaid.

A Pirate-Themed Red Sea Day That Still Feels Practical

This is the kind of outing that looks like a theme park from the outside, but works best as a straightforward Red Sea experience. You get the fun setting of a pirate boat, then you spend the day where the real payoff is, the reefs around Ras Mohammad and the snorkel stops.

I like that the day is structured enough to feel efficient. You get two snorkeling sessions, a White Island break, and lunch without having to plan anything beyond showing up on time.

I also like the plain logistics. It starts with pickup in Sharm El-Sheikh, includes a short coach ride to the marina, and returns you to the same place in the afternoon.

The Boat Experience: Three Decks, Marble-Wood Style, and Real Shade

The ship is a full-on “pirate sailing” setup, with a three-deck layout. There is a huge upper sun deck for views, plus two air-conditioned salons where lunch and comfortable seating happen.

If you travel in warm weather, the air-conditioned space matters more than you think. You do not want to spend a long day baking in the sun between water time and lunch time.

The boat also leans into its look. You are on a wooden, three-masted vessel with marble-and-wood interior details and pirate-themed decoration, so it feels like you’re on an experience, not just a transfer to snorkeling.

One more practical note: there is a lower deck where kids are handled by an animation team. Adults generally enjoy the scenery from the upper deck while lunch is served indoors.

Getting There From Sharm: Pickup Timing and the Marina Fee Detail

Your day starts with pickup in Sharm El-Sheikh, and the pickup is roughly an hour before departure. You should expect to be contacted about your exact pickup time via WhatsApp about 24 hours prior.

From there, you ride a coach or bus for about 25 minutes to the marina area. Once you are at the water, the pace becomes much more enjoyable and you can stop thinking about schedules.

Watch one small but important cost item. There is a mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person, paid upon arrival unless it is prepaid through add-ons.

Ras Mohammad National Park: Where the Morning Snorkel Gets Real

Ras Mohammad is a big deal in this region for a reason. This is where your day shifts from “cruise day” to “reef day,” and the itinerary is built around that.

After you sail from the marina, you reach Ras Mohammad and then get your first snorkeling block. The snorkeling session is guided and lasts about 45 minutes, with a similar chunk of time spent in the park area.

This is also your chance to see why the Red Sea is famous for marine life. Coral formations and fish activity tend to be the main attraction, and a guide helps you focus rather than just drift and hope.

One more practical point: you will want to feel comfortable in the water fast. If you are nervous, take your time with buoyancy and keep breathing slow, because 45 minutes can feel short if you spend it panicking.

White Island: A Short Stop That’s Mostly About Photos and a Breather

White Island is your “change of scenery” moment. You do not get a huge amount of time, and that is the point, you are there for around 45 minutes.

Use that window well. Bring your towel or gear ready, get your photos quickly, then decide if you want a relaxed walk or just a quick wander for views.

The best way to think about this stop is as a reset between snorkel sessions. You go from reef time to island time, then back to the water again later.

If you are the type who wants long beach time, you might find this portion a bit short. But if you want variety without turning the day into a marathon, this stop fits the overall structure.

Second Snorkel Session: What 45 Minutes Means for Your Expectations

Your second snorkeling stop is again about 45 minutes and also includes guidance. By now you know the routine, so the second session usually feels easier than the first.

This is where you can benefit from experience gained earlier in the day. You can focus on fish and coral you missed during the first stop, and you can also adjust how you swim to conserve energy.

One important gear consideration comes up often in real-world conditions: masks. Snorkeling gear is not included, and you may be offered rentals at the marina, but do not assume you can just enter the water without a proper mask.

If you do not have a mask that fits, you may lose snorkeling time. I strongly recommend bringing your own mask if you have one, or at least renting the full set you need ahead of time so you are not stuck waiting.

Lunch on Board: Air-Conditioned Comfort Plus a Proper Open Buffet

Lunch is served onboard in the salon, and the boat is air-conditioned for this part. If you have ever done “boat lunch” before, you know it can be either good or sad. This one is designed to be a real buffet.

The menu includes sea food soup, several salads, rice and pasta and potatoes, plus hot dishes like shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, and kofta. You also get seasonal fresh fruit, and soft drinks are included.

This is a good time to refuel and cool down. It also helps that life jackets are provided, so you can keep your mind focused on the snorkeling rather than scrambling for safety gear.

If you care about food quality, the open-buffet setup on a proper ship is a plus. It is not just a token sandwich stop before you hop back in the water.

Kids on the Pirate Ship: When It Works and What to Watch

The plan is for a kids entertainment programme, with kids spending time in the lower deck with the animation team. The idea is simple: parents enjoy the ride and the scenery, while kids get something going onboard.

In practice, the pirate-themed side can feel lighter than the photos suggest for some families. Some parents find that costumes and themed entertainment are not as consistent as they hoped, even when the ship is clearly pirate-themed.

I would treat it like this: the setting is fun, but you should not build your entire family day around a guaranteed costume show. If your child is very specific about pirate games, pack a small backup activity that does not require much space.

Still, the concept of having dedicated staff for kids is a real help. If your child is flexible, the lower-deck entertainment angle can make the day easier for everyone.

Also keep your kid’s snorkeling readiness in mind. Snorkeling gear comes with extra fees if you need to rent it, and the right mask matters for water time.

Price and Extras: What $80 Buys, and What It Does Not

At about $80 per person for a roughly 7-hour outing, this is positioned as a full package. You get transfers in Sharm, park entry fees, lunch, life jackets, and the guided snorkeling plan.

That said, you should factor in extras that can change the final cost. Snorkeling gear rentals are listed at about 5 euros per piece, and wetsuits are about 10 euros per item.

You might also pay the marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person unless it is covered via add-ons. If you are comparing options, those details can be the difference between a good value and a “maybe not” deal.

In value terms, this is strongest if you will actually use both snorkeling stops and enjoy the boat ride enough to feel it was worth the day. If snorkeling is a must, planning your mask and gear matters.

Who This Trip Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Plan)

This works well for couples and friends who want a day that mixes sailing, snorkeling, and a solid meal. The guided stops are a big plus if you want reef time without guessing where to look.

It also fits families who want a structured half-day on the water. The kids programme and the lower-deck setup are designed to give adults a real break, not just watch kids on their own.

It may be less ideal for families whose kids get restless easily and whose expectations are very tied to pirate-themed activities. The boat is pirate-themed, but the kids entertainment can be inconsistent in the way some families expect.

If you are picky about snorkeling time, bring your own mask or be ready to rent immediately. Anything that delays getting into the water can shrink the payoff of two snorkel sessions.

Should You Book This Sharm Pirates Sailing Cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, guided Red Sea day with lunch and two snorkeling sessions, wrapped in a fun pirate ship setting. The air-conditioned lunch space, the structure of the itinerary, and the Ras Mohammad reef focus make it a good “show up and enjoy” choice.

Hold off or ask more questions first if your trip depends on kids pirate costumes and specific activities every time. Also, plan ahead for snorkeling gear, especially masks, since you should not assume entry and water time are flexible.

If you do go, I would make your priorities simple: arrive ready for the water, eat well at lunch, and treat White Island as a quick scenic break rather than a long beach day. Done this way, this pirate boat cruise is the kind of outing that feels fun, efficient, and worth the money.

FAQ

How long is the Pirates Sailing Boat cruise with transfers and lunch?

The total duration is about 7 hours, with pickup roughly 1 hour before departure and return to Sharm El-Sheikh at around 4 pm.

What are the main stops during the day?

You sail along the Sinai coastline to Ras Mohammad National Park, have snorkeling stops there, visit White Island, and then do another snorkeling stop before returning to the marina.

Is lunch included, and what’s typically served?

Yes, lunch is included. It is an open-buffet served onboard with items such as sea food soup, salads, rice and pasta and potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear or wetsuits?

Snorkeling gear is not included. You can rent snorkeling gear (listed at about 5 euros per piece) and wetsuits (listed at about 10 euros per item). Life jackets are provided.

Do I have to pay any fees while at the marina?

There is a mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person if it is not already covered by your add-ons. It is paid upon arrival unless prepaid.

What should I bring with me on the tour?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and your passport (a copy is accepted). You may also want to have your own snorkel mask if you know you need one that fits well.