Hurghada: Giftun Islands with Snorkeling & Semi-Submarine

Giftun Island’s best feature is the mix: you get a white-sand beach, colorful Red Sea coral, and an underwater view from a semi-submarine in one long day. You do not need to choose between a boat outing and a beach break.

I like the careful snorkeling support, especially for first-timers and weak swimmers, and I like the low price. At $28, lunch, soft drinks, equipment, transfers, and several water activities add up to a strong deal. The main catch is timing: shared pickups can run late, and some people find the island stop longer than needed while the snorkeling time feels short.

Key points

• Choose your island mood: Paradise Island is quiet and beach-focused, while Hula Hula adds a five-minute massage and banana or sofa boat rides.
• See the reef two ways: Snorkel with a guide, or watch fish through the underwater windows of the optional semi-submarine.
• Good help in the water: Guides including Ali, Fady, Oscar, Sayed, Basam, and Youssef Jr. have been singled out for helping beginners and non-swimmers.
• Expect a full nine-hour day: Pickup, marina time, boat travel, island time, snorkeling, lunch, and the return transfer fill most of the day.
• Pack lightly: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.
• Know the tradeoff: The price is excellent, but shared transfers and group scheduling can make the day feel less predictable.

A Full Day on the Red Sea for $28

This is one of Hurghada’s easier ways to reach Giftun Island without arranging boats, food, equipment, and transport separately. The advertised price is $28 per person, and it covers a surprising amount: hotel pickup and return, the yacht, island access, lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and the semi-submarine if you select that option.

That value comes with a group-tour feel. You may wait for other passengers, share a coach, and follow a fixed schedule. If you want a private boat, long quiet swims, or complete control of the day, this is not the right format. If you want a broad sample of Red Sea activities at a modest cost, it makes good sense.

The experience lasts about nine hours. Morning departures generally begin with pickup between 8:00 and 9:00 AM and return around 4:30 PM. The later option starts around 10:00 or 11:00 AM and returns near 5:30 PM, with sunset light over the water on the way back.

Pickup From Hurghada and Nearby Resorts

Hotel transfers are included from Hurghada and several nearby resort areas, including Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga. Shared vans make the morning practical, though the drive can take about an hour and the exact time depends on where your hotel sits in the route.

Be ready in the hotel lobby or at the main entrance at least 10 minutes before the confirmed time. The operator sends the final pickup details by WhatsApp or email the day before, so check both. One useful warning: a shared van may arrive late, and one delayed pickup can push back the boat departure.

Private transfers cost extra. They make the most sense for families, small groups, or anyone who wants a quicker, simpler start. If you skip the transfer, you must reach the marina on time. Missing the boat because of a late arrival does not come with a refund.

The operator says the activity is wheelchair accessible, but the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That difference matters. The transfer and some parts of the boat setup may be accessible, but the island, swimming, snorkeling, and boat changes can still be difficult.

From the Marina to Giftun Island

At the marina, you board a yacht and head across the Red Sea. The cruise takes roughly one to one and a half hours, depending on the exact schedule. The ride itself is part of the attraction, with open sea views and time to settle in before the busy part of the day begins.

The boat may carry a large group, and several guides can work together. Your group may also encounter a professional photographer offering photos and video for an extra fee. You do not have to buy them, but keep your own phone protected from spray and sun if you want personal pictures.

A short safety briefing usually comes before the water activities. The snorkeling team pays close attention to people who cannot swim well. Guides such as Ali, Fady, Oscar, Basam, and Youssef Jr. have been praised for checking on tired swimmers, explaining the rules, and helping people stay with the group.

That support is important because the Red Sea can look calm from the boat while still feeling unfamiliar once you are in the water. You receive a mask, fins, and life jacket. If you are nervous, tell the guide before entering the water rather than trying to manage alone.

Paradise Island: Calm Beach Time and a Buffet

Paradise Island is the quieter choice. The setting is built around white sand, clear water, swimming, and rest. You can spend part of the island stop on the beach, then move to the restaurant for an open buffet lunch.

The beach is attractive, but do not picture an untouched desert island. This is a popular day excursion with facilities and organized activities. The appeal is comfort and scenery, not solitude. The water and bright sand make it a strong choice for families, couples, and anyone who wants a gentle beach break between boat activities.

The food receives good marks for quantity and choice. Lunch is served at the Paradise Island restaurant, while soft drinks are included during the day. Drinks purchased on the beach can cost more than expected, so use the included refreshments when possible and carry only what the operator permits.

You may get around three hours connected with the Paradise Island portion, including lunch, swimming, and beach time, followed by about an hour for snorkeling. That is enough for a pleasant visit, but some people would gladly trade part of the beach stop for a second reef stop. If snorkeling is your main goal, keep that limitation in mind.

Paradise Island does not include the massage or water sports offered on Hula Hula. Its appeal is the slower pace. Choose it if you want to lie on the sand, swim, eat, and watch the sea without adding banana boats or a short spa-style stop.

Hula Hula Island: More Activity, Less Stillness

Hula Hula Island has a livelier plan. Along with beach time and snorkeling, the package includes a short massage and one water activity, either a banana boat or a sofa ride. These are simple, lighthearted additions rather than serious watersports, but they give the day more energy.

The massage lasts about five minutes. Think of it as a quick extra, not a full treatment. It is included on the yacht tours, with Hula Hula packages adding the island atmosphere and water activity. Paradise Island does not offer the massage or these rides.

Hula Hula suits you if sitting still for several hours sounds dull. It is also a good match for families and groups of friends who want a few different activities in one outing. If you prefer quiet beach time, Paradise is the better pick.

Food arrangements differ by island. Paradise uses an open buffet at its restaurant, while Hula Hula serves a set lunch. Both options are included, but do not assume the meals are identical. Soft drinks are included, while personal purchases and professional photos cost extra.

Snorkeling the Red Sea Reef

The guided snorkeling stop is the heart of the day for many people. You spend about an hour in the water, with equipment supplied and a professional guide nearby. The reef offers colorful fish and coral, and sightings can include moray eels.

I like that the crew does not treat snorkeling as an activity only for strong swimmers. Guides have pulled tired swimmers along with a life buoy and checked on people one by one. That makes a real difference for older participants, children, and anyone trying snorkeling for the first time.

Still, one guided stop is not the same as a full snorkeling day. You may wish the boat visited two reef sites, especially if the water is your main reason for booking. The group also affects how much freedom you have. Follow the guide, stay within the marked area, and expect a shared-water experience rather than a private session.

Bring your own prescription mask if you need one, though the supplied equipment includes a mask, fins, and life jacket. Wear sunscreen before boarding and reapply when you return to the boat. A hat, sunglasses, swimwear, towel, and sun protection belong in your small day bag.

The Semi-Submarine: Good for Non-Swimmers and Children

The optional semi-submarine is a useful addition, especially for anyone who cannot swim or does not want to enter the sea. You sit in a dry underwater viewing cabin and watch fish and coral through wide windows.

The ride may happen before or after the island visit. It can also involve waiting while groups are organized. One schedule included about an hour aboard the underwater boat before the activity began, so do not expect every part of the day to run in a perfectly tight sequence.

For adults who already snorkel confidently, the semi-submarine is usually less detailed than being in the water. You are looking through windows rather than moving above the reef. For children, older family members, or anyone with health concerns, that dry view can be the most valuable part of the outing.

The glass-bottom or semi-submarine section is also a sensible backup if wind, nerves, or fatigue cut your water time short. It does not replace snorkeling, but it means non-swimmers can still share in the main attraction.

Select the semi-submarine option when booking. It is not included in the base price unless you add it.

Morning or Sunset: Picking the Better Schedule

The morning version starts earlier and generally returns around 4:30 PM. It gives you the bulk of the day for beach time, lunch, snorkeling, and the semi-submarine. Choose it if you want to be back at your hotel with time left for dinner or another plan.

The sunset version starts later and returns around 5:30 PM. The boat ride back can catch the changing light over the Red Sea, which gives the day a pleasant finish. It also works well if you do not enjoy early hotel pickups.

Neither schedule guarantees a perfectly smooth timeline. Boat departure, island access, lunch, and the semi-submarine can shift depending on group arrangements. Build some flexibility into your evening, particularly if you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another paid activity.

The later departure is not a shorter experience. It simply moves the same broad plan into the middle and late afternoon.

What the $28 Price Really Buys

At $28, this is good value if you use the included parts. A separate beach visit, boat ride, guided snorkeling session, equipment rental, lunch, soft drinks, and hotel transfer could easily cost more when arranged independently.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want uninterrupted snorkeling. You are paying for a package with several stops and a fixed group schedule. Some of the day is spent in vans, waiting for boat movements, or moving between activities.

Extra costs include personal expenses, beach drinks, and professional photography or video. The photo team can produce appealing pictures, but you are free to decline. Since large bags are not allowed, take only cash and small essentials in a compact bag that can stay with you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Hurghada plans may change, but confirm the exact pickup details before the day begins.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Day Most

This outing suits you best if you want variety. It works particularly well for:

• First-time snorkelers who want guides in the water
• Families with children
• Couples seeking a beach day without arranging transport
• Non-swimmers who want the semi-submarine option
• Budget-conscious visitors comparing several Red Sea excursions
• Groups that enjoy switching between swimming, food, beach time, and simple water rides

It is less suitable if you want a quiet private cruise, a serious snorkeling trip, or a completely predictable schedule. People with mobility limitations should ask detailed questions before booking, even though the activity is described as wheelchair accessible.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pets and large luggage are not allowed.

Should You Book the Giftun Island Tour?

I would book this if you want the best range of activities for a low price and you are comfortable with a full group day. The combination of Paradise or Hula Hula, guided snorkeling, lunch, hotel transfers, and the optional semi-submarine gives you a useful first look at the Red Sea.

Choose Paradise Island for quiet beach time and a buffet. Choose Hula Hula for the massage and banana or sofa ride. Add the semi-submarine if someone in your group cannot swim or simply wants to see the reef without getting wet.

I would skip it only if your priority is long, uninterrupted snorkeling or a private, polished schedule. For everyone else, the occasional wait and fixed timing are fair tradeoffs for a nine-hour outing at $28.

FAQ

How long does the Giftun Island tour last?

The full activity lasts about nine hours. Morning tours usually return around 4:30 PM, while sunset tours generally return around 5:30 PM.

Which hotels and resort areas offer pickup?

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga. The exact time is confirmed by WhatsApp or email the day before.

Is the semi-submarine included in the $28 price?

The semi-submarine is included only if you select that option. It is not part of the standard package by default.

What is the difference between Paradise Island and Hula Hula Island?

Paradise Island focuses on beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and a buffet lunch. Hula Hula includes beach time and snorkeling plus a short massage and a banana boat or sofa ride.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a mask, fins, and life jacket, along with a professional snorkeling guide.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Pets and large bags or luggage are not allowed.