Water Sports in Sharm El Sheikh: The Questions Tourists Ask Before Booking — Answered (2026)

Horizon Watersports is a licensed water sports centre in Sharm El Maya, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. These are the questions tourists ask us most — on WhatsApp, in live chat and at the beach — before they book parasailing, tube rides, wakeboarding, a private speedboat or the glass boat. Every answer below uses our real prices, minimum ages and rules, checked on 19 September 2026. Prices are shown in US dollars because it is the easiest currency for international visitors to convert; you pay when you arrive — cash, card or PayPal, in EGP, USD, EUR or GBP.

Jump to: Paying and prices · Kids, ages, weight and health · Choosing the right activity · Getting there and timing · Weather and season · Jet skis · Quick-reference table

Paying and prices

Is the price per person, or for the whole banana boat, the whole flight, the whole boat?

It depends on the activity — and this is the thing that surprises people most. Tube rides are priced per ride, not per person: the banana boat is $29 for up to 6 people, the Crazy Twister $50 for up to 6, the sofa tube $29 for up to 3 and the Butterfly $29 for up to 3. Parasailing is priced per flight: $26 for one person, $29 for two flying together, $35 for three. The private speedboat is priced per boat: from $100 for one hour, up to 6 adults. Only the glass boat ($13 per adult, $9 per child) and wakeboarding or waterskiing sessions ($39 for 20 minutes with a private instructor) are priced per person.

Do I have to pay anything upfront when I book online?

No. Booking online at Horizon Watersports reserves your activity with no upfront payment. You show your confirmation at the desk when you arrive and pay there — cash, card or PayPal, in EGP, USD, EUR or GBP. The one exception is the private speedboat, which is held with a 25% refundable deposit; it is refunded if you cancel at least 24 hours before your trip.

How much is parasailing in Sharm El Sheikh — and does a double flight cost double?

Parasailing at Horizon Watersports costs $26 for a single flight, $29 for a double (two people flying together) and $35 for a triple — so a double is $3 more than a single, not twice the price. Every flight, solo or shared, has a combined weight limit of 150 kg. A private parasailing boat for your own group is $250 and covers up to six double flights, and a friend who wants to ride along on the boat without flying pays $10. You are in the air for around 7–8 minutes, on a boat trip of about 45 minutes in total, flying up to 50 metres above the Red Sea; you take off and land on the boat deck, so you stay dry. For what the flight itself feels like, read our parasailing in Sharm El Sheikh guide.

Does the Sky Splash Combo actually save money, or is it just convenience?

Mostly convenience — one booking, one check-in, and our team sequences everything for you in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Double parasailing plus a sofa tube or a banana boat is $58, which is the same as booking the two separately ($29 + $29). The three-activity option — double parasailing, banana boat and sofa tube — is $80 against $87 booked separately, so that one saves $7 and is the version we point groups of four to six at. You can split the group on the combo: two people fly, everyone rides.

Are there any extra charges when we arrive — beach fee, equipment, tips?

No. Life jackets, safety equipment, the boat and the crew are all included in the price you see. Full-day VIP beach access — sun loungers, umbrellas and beach facilities — comes with every booking, and it covers everyone who comes with you, riding or not. The only beach fee that exists is for people who book nothing at all: 200 EGP (about $4) per person, and any booking waives it for your whole party. Food and drinks at the beach café are extra. Hotel pick-up can be arranged after booking via WhatsApp.

Can we pay in Egyptian pounds — and what rate do you use? Do you take cards?

Yes to Egyptian pounds, and yes to cards. Horizon Watersports accepts EGP, USD, EUR and GBP, paid in cash, by card or by PayPal at the desk on arrival. Prices are shown in US dollars only because it is the easiest currency for international visitors to convert; if you pay in EGP, we use that day's bank rate.

Want everything in one go? See the Sky Splash Combo — parasailing plus the rides, one booking →

Kids, ages, weight and health

My daughter is 5 — what can she actually do?

More than most parents expect. At 5 she can parasail with you — the minimum age is 4, flying with a parent on a double or triple flight, combined weight within 150 kg — ride the Crazy Twister (minimum age 4) and come on the glass boat (any age — under-3s ride free, under-12s pay the $9 child rate). The Twister is the ride we point young families to: she sits inside a wide inflatable ring, not on top of anything, so there is no balancing, and you tell the captain how gentle or fast to go. Children under 12 always ride with a parent or guardian. The banana boat and sofa tube start at 8, wakeboarding and waterskiing at 10, and the Butterfly at 12.

My son is 6 — can he parasail with me?

Yes. Children can parasail at Horizon Watersports from age 4, flying with a parent on a double or triple flight — never alone. Your combined weight must stay within 150 kg. You both take off from the boat deck and land back on it, so neither of you goes in the water. A double flight is $29.

I'm 95 kg and my partner is 65 kg — can we still fly together?

Not on one flight: 95 + 65 = 160 kg, and the limit for any parasailing flight — solo, double or triple — is 150 kg combined. Book two single flights instead ($26 each, $52 in total) and fly one after the other; you will be on the same boat watching each other. The same 150 kg limit applies to a single rider.

Do you have life jackets in children's sizes?

Yes — every size from XXXS to XXL. Every rider, adult or child, wears a certified life jacket that our crew fits before the ride begins, so a small child gets a jacket that actually fits, not an adult one cinched tight.

Is there an upper age limit? Can my 60-year-old mum do it?

There is no upper age limit at Horizon Watersports — only minimum ages. A 60-, 70- or 80-year-old in reasonable health can parasail: you are strapped into a harness, lifted straight off the boat deck with no running or jumping, and the flight is smooth and stable once you are up. If anyone in your group has a health condition, tell us when you book or at check-in and the crew takes the necessary precautions. The glass boat is the fully relaxed option — a calm one-hour trip with shaded seating, no getting wet.

I've got a bad back, or I'm pregnant — which activities should I skip?

Skip the towable rides. The banana boat, sofa tube, Twister and Butterfly all involve sharp turns, wave jumps and sudden movement — none of them suits a bad back or pregnancy. Parasailing and the glass boat are the two we are comfortable with: for parasailing we have a special harness for pregnancy, and the lift from the deck has no impact; the glass boat is a calm hour in a seat. Tell us about any condition when you book so the crew can take precautions, and read our safety rules — the short waiver you accept at checkout is the same one.

Can someone with limited mobility get on the glass boat?

Yes. Guests board from our dock straight onto the glass boat — no wading, no scramble down the beach — and the boat is wheelchair-accessible. There is no dress code either: wear whatever you like, you will not get wet. It is the easiest activity we run: a one-hour trip in calm water close to shore, covered shaded seating, and you never leave your seat. Missed the 11:00 or 15:00 departure? For $5 per person we can run you out by boat to join it mid-trip.

Choosing the right activity

I can't swim — what can I still do?

Most of it. Parasailing (you take off from and land on the boat and stay dry), the glass boat (you never leave the boat), and the banana boat, sofa tube and Twister (you are seated and wearing a certified life jacket the whole time) all work for non-swimmers. Basic swimming ability is recommended for the Butterfly, wakeboarding and waterskiing, because falling into the water is a normal part of those — you would still be wearing a life jacket, with the crew right beside you.

Which is the roughest ride, and which is the gentlest?

Roughest: the Butterfly. Its shape catches wind and water, so it lifts off the surface and whips through turns — which is why it is 12+ and 1 to 3 riders. Next is the sofa tube (sharper turns and more lift than the banana), then the banana boat (fast and splashy but less intense, up to 6). Gentlest: the Crazy Twister. You sit low inside a ring with no balancing to do, and the captain goes at whatever pace you ask for — a family spin or a full-speed run. Zero adrenaline: the glass boat.

There are 8 of us — what can we do together?

The biggest single rides take 6: the banana boat ($29) and the Crazy Twister ($50). With 8, split 6 + 2 — the extra pair on a sofa tube, $29 for up to 3 — or run two rounds back to back; rides are priced per round, so two banana rounds for all 8 is $58. For parasailing, every boat takes up to 12 people, and each flight is private anyway; a fully private boat for your group is $250 and covers up to six double flights. On the Sky Splash Combo you can split the group: two people fly while the rest wait on the beach, then everyone joins the banana boat. The private speedboat takes 6 adults per boat.

Are the rides shared with strangers, or is it just our group?

Tube rides are just your group: they are priced per round and the round is yours — on the Twister we never mix groups, and the banana, sofa and Butterfly work the same way. Parasailing works differently: every flight is private — your double or triple goes up alone, nobody is strapped in with you — but the boat is shared with other parasailers, up to 12 people per departure. Five doubles and two singles on one boat means seven separate flights, one after the other. If you want the boat to yourselves as well, book the private parasailing boat ($250, up to six double flights, even if there are only two of you). The private speedboat is exactly that: your boat, your captain, nobody else.

What's the best time of day to come?

Morning, or late afternoon as the sun starts to set. The sea off Sharm El Maya is calmest early in the day and the light is best for photos; the last hour before sunset is the other beautiful window. The beach is busiest from 11:00 to 14:00, so arriving before 11 or after 2 means the shortest waits. The glass boat departs at 11:00 and 15:00.

Still comparing? See every activity with prices, ages and durations side by side →

Getting there and timing

Where exactly are you, and how far from Naama Bay, Nabq or Hadaba?

Horizon Watersports is on the beach in Sharm El Maya, about a five-minute walk from the Old Market in Sharm El Sheikh. By taxi: from Naama Bay about 10 minutes, around 150 EGP ($3); from Hadaba about 10 minutes, 100–150 EGP ($2–3); from Nabq Bay about 20 minutes, around 300 EGP ($6). The exact pin is on our meeting point page and in your booking confirmation, and a hotel transfer can be arranged with us on WhatsApp after you book.

If we arrive at 3 pm, is that too late to parasail and do a ride?

No — 3 pm is fine in any season. In summer (March to late November), the last parasailing check-ins are taken between 16:00 and 17:00 and the last tube-ride check-ins between 17:00 and 18:00; in winter (late November to February) it is an hour earlier — parasailing 15:00–16:00, tube rides 16:00–17:00. Your name goes on the list when you check in and the usual wait is 15–20 minutes per activity, so a 3 pm arrival gets you a flight and a ride. If you are arriving in the final hour, message us first so we can hold your place.

Do we need to book a time slot?

No. There are no fixed time slots for parasailing or the tube rides at Horizon Watersports — that is deliberate, to give every visitor maximum flexibility and availability. Come any time during opening hours, check in, your name goes on the ride list, and activities run continuously through the day; the usual wait is 15–20 minutes. Two exceptions: the glass boat departs at 11:00 and 15:00 (confirm your preferred time on WhatsApp), and the private speedboat is scheduled by appointment.

We booked for Tuesday but want to come Thursday — do we need to tell you?

For parasailing and the tube rides, no — your booking is valid for 30 days from the day you reserved it, rescheduling is free, and you simply turn up on the new day with your confirmation. A quick message is appreciated but not required. For the glass boat and the private speedboat, yes: both are scheduled, so send us the new day. Reach us on WhatsApp at +20 104 177 1611, on Instagram at @horizon_watersport, or by email at horizonwatersport@gmail.com.

Can we just walk in without booking?

Yes, walk-ins are welcome. If you book an activity — online or at the desk — there is no entry fee for you or anyone with you. If you only want the beach and no activity, entry is 200 EGP (about $4) per person. Booking online still makes sense: it costs nothing upfront, has its own entrance and check-in, and puts you on the ride list with your price locked in.

Where do we leave phones, wallets and passports while we're on the water?

In our safety locker at the beach. Phones are the one exception worth knowing about: on parasailing you can take your phone on the boat and hand it to the captain while you fly, then take it back when you land. On the tube rides, leave it on shore — if you flip into the water, a phone that goes in is not coming back. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a change of clothes.

Can the rest of the family use the beach while two of us ride — and do they pay?

They do not pay. Book any activity and everyone who comes with you gets full-day VIP beach access — sun loungers, umbrellas and beach facilities from 08:00 until sunset — at no charge, riding or not. The only time a beach fee applies is when nobody in the party books anything: then it is 200 EGP (about $4) per person. On parasailing, a companion can also ride along on the boat without flying for $10.

Is there food, or can we bring our own?

Both. There is a beach café for food and drinks — they are not included in activity prices — and you are welcome to bring your own onto the beach as long as it is not messy. On the private speedboat, bring whatever you like; an ice box is provided on board.

Weather and season

It's windy today — will you be running, and how do we find out?

Message us on WhatsApp or live chat — we are available 24/7 and will tell you straight. Horizon Watersports does not fly or run rides in unsafe wind or sea conditions. If the weather stops your activity, you choose: reschedule for free (bookings are valid for 30 days) or take a full refund.

Do you operate in December and January? Is the water cold?

Yes — Horizon Watersports is open every day, all year round, weather permitting. In practice the tube rides have never been stopped by the weather; parasailing is the one activity that waits for the wind to drop, and occasionally the private speedboat. Winter hours (late November to February) are about an hour shorter than summer (parasailing check-in until about 16:00, tube rides until about 17:00). The Red Sea at Sharm stays around 21–23 °C in December and January, the rides are 8–12 minutes long, and you come out onto a sunny beach.

The question we get every week

Can we rent a jet ski in Sharm El Sheikh?

No. Jet skis are banned along Egypt's entire Red Sea coast, including Sharm El Sheikh, and the ban has been actively enforced since August 2022 — anyone found using one has it confiscated (The National, 2 August 2022). No legitimate operator rents them, in Naama Bay or anywhere else. The closest thing here is our private speedboat: your own boat and captain from $100 an hour for up to six people, and on the one-hour coastline cruise the captain may hand you the wheel, conditions permitting.

Quick reference: prices, ages and group sizes

All prices in US dollars, as listed on our booking pages on 19 September 2026. Pay on arrival — cash, card or PayPal.

Still got a question?

Ask us — we answer around the clock: WhatsApp +20 104 177 1611, live chat on this site, Instagram @horizon_watersport, or horizonwatersport@gmail.com. Arrival details (entrance, check-in, waiting times) are on our first-time visitor FAQ and the map is on the meeting point page.

See all activities and prices — reserve now, pay on arrival →

Written by the Horizon Watersports team in Sharm El Maya — the people who answer these questions every day. Prices, ages and rules were checked on 19 September 2026; if anything changes, this page is updated first.