Hurghada: Giftun Islands with Snorkeling & Semi-Submarine

The best part of this $28 day is the combination of Giftun Island beach time and Red Sea snorkeling. You are not choosing between a lazy beach outing and a boat trip: you get both, plus an optional semi-submarine ride for a look below the water without getting wet. At Paradise Island, the mood is calm. Hula Hula brings more activity, including a short massage and banana boat or sofa rides.

I like the strong help in the water, especially for first-time snorkelers and children. Guides including Ali, Fady, Oscar, and Youssef Jr. are singled out for keeping an eye on swimmers, explaining the rules, and helping tired or nervous people with life buoys. I also like the price, which covers transfers, lunch, equipment, soft drinks on the boat, and a full day at sea.

The main drawback is the timing. Shared pickups can run late, and the trip may include waiting before the yacht or semi-submarine departs. You get one main snorkeling stop, so if reef time is your top priority, the island beach schedule can feel too long.

Key points to know before booking

• Two island moods: Paradise Island is quieter and focused on beach time, while Hula Hula adds a short massage and optional water sports.
• One guided snorkeling stop: The session lasts about an hour, with mask, fins, life jacket, and an instructor included.
• Semi-submarine option: You can watch fish and coral through underwater windows without swimming, but this costs extra unless selected.
• Long day on the water: Allow about nine hours, including hotel transfers, a roughly 1.5-hour cruise each way, and time at the island.
• Good support for beginners: Guides assist non-swimmers and tired swimmers, though children must stay with an adult.
• Bring beach basics only: Pack swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Why Giftun Island makes a good day from Hurghada

Hurghada is built around the Red Sea, but you do not need a private boat or a costly diving package to reach its best-known island beaches. This outing gives you a simple route to white sand, clear water, coral, and open sea views in one day.

The trip begins with hotel pickup from Hurghada and nearby resort areas. Transfers are also offered from Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga. The shared van may take longer if you are staying farther from the marina, but pickup removes the hassle of finding the harbor yourself.

At about 9:30 AM on the morning departure, the yacht heads out after pickup between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. The cruise takes roughly an hour in the stated schedule, though the full description places the journey at about 1.5 hours. Either way, this is not a quick hop. You get a real stretch of open-water cruising, with time to settle in, enjoy the views, and listen to the crew explain the day.

The sunset option starts later, with pickup between 10:00 and 11:00 AM and departure around 11:30 AM. You return to your hotel near 5:30 PM, while the morning version usually finishes around 4:30 PM. The sunset schedule suits you if you dislike early starts, but the late return leaves less flexibility for an evening meal or another activity.

Paradise Island or Hula Hula Island?

The island choice matters more than the name on the booking page. Ask which beach your boat is visiting and what is included before you pay, since the two options offer different kinds of fun.

Paradise Island is the better choice if you want a gentle beach day. You can sit on soft sand, swim in clear water, and take in the setting without a long list of add-ons. The island has a restaurant and an open buffet lunch for this package. Inflatable beach features may be available, but the main attraction is simple: time to relax beside the sea.

Paradise does not include the short massage or water sports. That makes it less suitable if you want banana boat action, but it also keeps the day calmer. I would choose it for couples, families who want an easy pace, or anyone who has already spent enough time being pulled from one activity to another.

Hula Hula Island has a livelier plan. Along with beach time and snorkeling, you get a short massage and can take part in a banana boat or sofa ride. The massage lasts only about five minutes, so think of it as a pleasant extra, not a spa treatment. The water sports suit you if you want a little noise and movement between swimming and lunch.

Lunch arrangements also differ. Paradise uses an open buffet at the island restaurant. Hula Hula serves a set meal. Both formats include lunch, but they are not identical, so check the island and meal plan when comparing options.

One practical point: the provided itinerary repeatedly names Paradise Beach, even though the tour can also run to Hula Hula. Treat that as a sample schedule rather than a guarantee. Your exact beach, lunch setup, and activity order can change with the package and boat schedule.

The yacht ride and what the day feels like

The yacht is your base for most of the day. You can sit on deck during the cruise, watch the water, and return aboard for drinks, equipment, and instructions. Soft drinks are included on the boat, although drinks sold on the island may cost extra. One visitor found beach drinks overpriced, so bring water if you prefer not to buy additional refreshments.

The boat ride is scenic, but it is also where delays become most noticeable. The crew may need to coordinate several boats, groups, and activities. A semi-submarine departure can wait for another group, and one schedule included about an hour of waiting before that part began. If you need a tightly timed day, this is not the right sort of excursion.

The atmosphere can vary by boat. Some boats offer music and dancing, while the main focus is safety and activity instructions rather than entertainment. Expect a group outing, not a private sailing trip. Professional photographers may also be present, taking pictures that you can buy later. You are not required to purchase them, but be prepared for a sales offer near the end.

Snorkeling in the Red Sea

The snorkeling stop is the heart of the day. You receive a mask, fins, and life jacket, then enter the water with a guide for about an hour. The reefs bring the color and movement: fish, coral, and, if conditions cooperate, larger creatures such as a moray eel.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer. Guides have helped non-swimmers with life buoys and stayed close to people who became tired. That is useful, but it does not remove the need for basic caution. You should tell the guide if you are nervous, stay within the marked group, and avoid touching coral or marine life.

For a first snorkeling experience, this setup is more reassuring than jumping into open water alone. Guides such as Fady and Ali have been praised for explaining safety rules, checking on people, and making the session feel manageable. Oscar is also noted for keeping the group informed and checking that everyone was comfortable.

The tradeoff is time. You get one principal snorkeling stop, not a series of separate reefs. One hour can be enough for a first attempt, but strong snorkelers may wish for a second site. If the sea is calm and visibility is good, this hour may become your favorite part of the day. If the water is rough, you may spend more time holding position and following the guide than exploring at your own pace.

The equipment is included, though you may prefer to bring your own mask if you already have one. Take sunscreen that you can apply well before entering the water, and avoid getting lotion on the mask seal. A towel, hat, and sunglasses are also worth packing.

The semi-submarine: useful for non-swimmers

The semi-submarine is not a true submarine expedition. It is a glass-sided viewing cabin below the waterline, allowing you to sit dry while fish and coral pass outside the windows. That makes it a valuable addition for anyone who cannot swim, dislikes open water, or simply wants a different view after snorkeling.

The ride can take place before or after the island stop. The order depends on boat and group logistics, so do not plan around a fixed sequence. One guest used it as a way for a spouse with health restrictions to see some of the underwater world while the other person snorkeled.

I would select this option if your group includes mixed abilities. A confident swimmer may see more detail by snorkeling, but a non-swimmer can still take part in the Red Sea portion of the day. Children may also find the glass-bottom viewing easy and exciting, though adults who have already snorkeled may find it less impressive.

The semi-submarine is not included in the base price unless you choose that package. Check the final total carefully. At $28, the core trip is inexpensive, but the add-on changes the value calculation.

Lunch, beach time, and the pace of the island stop

The island portion lasts about three hours in the sample schedule, followed by about an hour of snorkeling and an hour for the glass-bottom ride. That sounds generous, but the time is divided between boarding, instructions, eating, swimming, and moving between sites.

Lunch is a practical part of the package rather than a reason to book the trip on its own. Paradise serves a buffet, and the food has been described as plentiful and good. Hula Hula provides a set lunch. Soft drinks keep you refreshed on the boat, while the exact drink arrangements on the beach may differ.

Do not expect a completely empty beach. Giftun Island is a popular day stop, and several boats may use the same area. Still, the white sand and clear water give the outing its sense of escape from Hurghada. The simple pleasure is having a few hours when your only decisions are swim, eat, sit in the sun, or take pictures.

Some people will wish for more island time. One schedule allowed roughly two hours before lunch and snorkeling, and that can pass quickly. If you love lying on the beach, Paradise may leave you wanting another hour. If you prefer continuous activity, Hula Hula gives you more to do.

Transfers, timing, and group comfort

Hotel pickup is included from Hurghada and several nearby resort zones. Be ready at the lobby or main entrance at least 10 minutes before the confirmed time. The operator sends the final pickup details by WhatsApp or email, usually the day before, so check both.

Shared transfer times depend on your hotel. A late van can push back the marina arrival, and there have been cases where a return pickup was missed and a replacement bus took much longer. Keep your phone charged and carry the provider’s messages with you. If you value a faster, quieter ride, private transfers are available for an added fee.

You can also choose to reach the marina without a transfer. That may suit you if you are already near the harbor, but arrive on time. Missing the boat because you are late is not covered by a refund.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, yet it is also marked unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Those two notes do not fit neatly together. If you use a wheelchair or have trouble with steps, boarding a yacht and moving between boat, beach, and semi-submarine may be difficult. Ask the provider for a precise arrangement before booking.

Value at $28 per person

At $28, this is strong value if you want a full day rather than a short boat ride. The price covers hotel transfer from Hurghada, the yacht, island access, lunch, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and soft drinks on the boat. You also get a beach stop that would be difficult to arrange independently without hiring transport and a boat.

The semi-submarine is extra unless selected, as are personal purchases and optional photo or video packages. The five-minute massage and water sports belong to the Hula Hula format and are not available on Paradise Island.

You should compare the package by asking three questions: Which island is included? Is the semi-submarine part of the price? Does the transfer cover your hotel? Those details can change the value more than a small difference in headline price.

The 4.5 rating from 194 bookings points to a dependable experience overall, but the pattern is clear: the sea, guides, island, and food earn the strongest praise, while waiting and return transfers cause the most frustration. That is a fair trade at this price if you keep the day flexible.

Who should book this Giftun Island trip?

I would choose this for a first Red Sea outing, a family group, or a mixed group where some people want to snorkel and others prefer to stay dry. The guides provide the kind of hands-on support that helps beginners relax, and the semi-submarine gives non-swimmers a way to take part.

It also suits you if you want a broad sample of Hurghada’s sea activities without paying for separate excursions. You get a cruise, island beach, lunch, snorkeling, and optional underwater viewing in one long day.

I would skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet reef session with very few people, or several snorkeling sites. You should also think twice if you dislike waiting, shared transfers, or fixed group schedules. For a beach-first day, choose Paradise. For a livelier plan with a massage and water sports, choose Hula Hula.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want good access to Giftun Island at a modest price and you are happy to trade a little schedule flexibility for a full day of activities. The best reasons are the helpful snorkeling crew, the calm option for non-swimmers, and the chance to pair a white-sand beach with Red Sea reef time.

Before paying, confirm your island, pickup point, semi-submarine inclusion, and lunch format. Pack lightly, arrive early, and keep the afternoon open. If you do that, this is an easy way to add a bright day on the water to a Hurghada stay.

FAQ

How long does the Giftun Islands tour last?

The activity lasts about nine hours, including hotel transfers, the yacht ride, island time, snorkeling, and the optional semi-submarine ride.

What is the price of the tour?

The listed price is $28 per person. The semi-submarine costs extra unless you select a package that includes it.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup is included from Hurghada. Pickup options are also available from Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga.

Which island will I visit?

The tour visits either Paradise Island or Hula Hula Island. Paradise focuses on a peaceful beach visit, while Hula Hula includes a short massage and optional banana boat or sofa rides.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Paradise tours include an open buffet lunch at the island restaurant. Hula Hula tours include a set lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Mask, fins, and a life jacket are provided, along with a professional snorkeling guide.

Can I join if I do not know how to swim?

You can join the snorkeling activity with assistance from the guide and a life buoy, but children must be accompanied by an adult. You should tell the guide about your swimming ability before entering the water.

Is the semi-submarine included?

It is included only if you choose the relevant package. The ride lets you see fish and coral through underwater windows while staying dry.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, and a hat. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve-now-pay-later booking is also available.