Hurghada: Luxury Giftun island w/snorkeling/lunch & Massage

The best part of this $41 full-day yacht trip is the early arrival at Giftun Island, when the beach can still feel quiet and open. You get time for photos, sand, and sun before heading to two Red Sea snorkeling sites, with lunch and a banana boat ride later in the day.

I like the smooth hotel transfers and the unusually full package: equipment, drinks, snacks, lunch, island entry, snorkeling, and a massage are all included. I also like the small details that make the day easier, such as Andrew’s German translations and the crew’s close eye on children in the water. The main point to consider is the open-deck massage, which may feel too public for some people.

Quick points before you book

• Early Giftun Island arrival: The boat can reach Orange Bay on Giftun Island around 9 a.m., giving you a better chance at quieter beach time and clear photographs.
• Two separate snorkeling stops: You get more than a token swim, with roughly 30 to 45 minutes in the water at each reef stop.
• A full food and drink package: Fish, chicken, kofta, pasta, rice, oven vegetables, salads, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, hot drinks, and unlimited water are included.
• Massage with a privacy tradeoff: The back massage takes place on the upper deck, where people around you may be able to see the treatment.
• Pickup across the Hurghada coast: Transfers are offered from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna.
• Good value at $41: The price covers transport, boat time, island entry, reserve fee, food, gear, activities, and one massage.

Why this Red Sea day works so well

This is not just a quick boat ride to a beach. It is a long, activity-filled day built around the best simple pleasures of the Red Sea: clear water, coral reefs, warm sun, a sandy island, and food served on board.

You leave your hotel by van, transfer to the yacht, and spend the day moving between Giftun Island and selected reef areas. The schedule gives you several ways to enjoy the sea, so you are not forced to snorkel every time. You can swim, sit in the sun, take photos, eat, or use the massage time as a quieter break.

I see the strongest value in the number of inclusions. At $41 per person, you are not paying only for a seat on a boat. The package also includes round-trip transportation, the Giftun Island ticket, the $5 natural reserve fee, snorkeling equipment, a life vest, lunch, drinks, snacks, and a back massage.

The tradeoff is the length. Eight hours is a serious portion of your holiday, and the day includes several planned stops. If you want a short, private sailing trip with no fixed schedule, this is not that. If you want a lot of Red Sea activities for one modest price, it makes much more sense.

Hotel pickup from six Red Sea resorts

The day starts with a van pickup from one of six areas: Makadi Bay, Hurghada 1, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga, or El Gouna. The listed road transfer takes about 45 minutes, though the exact timing depends on your hotel and the pickup route.

You receive the precise pickup time and meeting point by WhatsApp or email one day before the trip. The meeting place is either outside the hotel reception or at the main gate, depending on hotel rules. That detail matters because large resort properties can have strict vehicle access.

I would keep your phone charged and check those messages the evening before. The return transfer goes back to the same general resort areas, with drop-off options in El Gouna, Soma Bay, Hurghada 1, Safaga, Makadi Bay, and Sahl Hasheesh.

The transport is especially useful if you are staying outside central Hurghada. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the marina, and the return ride removes the usual end-of-day bargaining and guesswork.

Giftun Island before the crowds arrive

After the van ride, you board the yacht and spend about 45 minutes cruising toward the island. The Giftun Island portion lasts about an hour and a half, including the boat ride and time around the beach.

The early start is one of the smartest features of the schedule. The yacht can reach Orange Bay at around 9 a.m., which may give you a quieter stretch of beach and more room for photos. One guest described having the small island area nearly to themselves early in the day, a useful advantage if your main goal is a calm beach setting.

Giftun Island is the most relaxed part of the outing. You can walk on the sand, make sandcastles, sunbathe, or take photographs. It is a good pause before the more active reef stops, and children have room to play on land rather than spending the whole morning in the water.

Do not expect a remote-island expedition. Orange Bay is a developed beach stop, and the visit is timed within a larger boat program. The appeal is convenience and scenery, not total isolation.

Water temperature also changes the feel of the stop. In cooler months, the sea may feel chilly even when the air is sunny. Bring a warm layer for the boat ride and do not assume that bright sunshine means warm water.

Two snorkeling stops on the Red Sea

The program includes two snorkeling locations, with the first reef stop listed at about 45 minutes and the later swimming stop also given about 45 minutes. In practice, one detailed schedule described each snorkeling session as roughly 30 minutes, so you should expect meaningful time in the water, but not an endless reef session.

This two-stop format is valuable because conditions can vary. If visibility or water movement is less ideal at one site, the second stop gives you another chance to see coral and fish. The advertised marine life includes rays, sea turtles, sea angels, and dolphins, though sightings are never guaranteed.

The water is described as clear, and colorful fish and coral are the main draw. You receive snorkeling equipment and a life vest, so you do not need to pack your own mask unless you prefer using familiar gear.

You should bring a towel, sunscreen, and suitable swimwear. Badeschuhe, or water shoes, are a particularly sensible choice. One practical note from the day is that street shoes are removed on the lower deck, so water shoes help with both the boat and shoreline.

If you do not want to snorkel, you are not left without options. You can remain on the yacht, swim when conditions suit you, relax in the sun, or use the massage service. The crew is also described as attentive to children on the boat and in the water, though every child still needs close supervision from a parent.

Buffet lunch with more than a light snack

Lunch comes after the first snorkeling period and lasts about 45 minutes. It is an open buffet with fish, chicken, grilled kofta, pasta, rice, oven vegetables, four salads, and three kinds of fruit.

That is a useful spread for a full day at sea. You can choose something light after swimming or build a more filling plate before the second water stop. The food is prepared in a traditional style, and the meal is described as tasty and sufficient rather than a token sandwich.

Soft drinks, hot drinks, unlimited water, and snacks are included as part of the package. This matters on a sunny boat day, when buying drinks separately can quickly erode the value of a low-cost excursion.

The lunch is served on board, so you do not lose time returning to shore. The practical downside is that buffet food at sea is about convenience, not fine dining. You book this for the water and island, with a solid meal included to keep the day moving.

Swimming, banana boat, and open water time

After lunch, the schedule gives you another 45-minute swimming period. This is a chance to get back in the water without the pressure of identifying fish or following a snorkeling route.

The day also includes a 30-minute banana boat ride near Hurghada. That adds a playful burst of activity and may appeal to families or anyone who wants more than a quiet cruise. It is not the main reason to book the trip, but it helps explain why the excursion feels full rather than repetitive.

There is also about 45 minutes of free time on the Red Sea. That space is important because the day includes several scheduled movements. You can use it to sit on deck, have another drink, take photographs, or simply enjoy the view without rushing into another activity.

The exact order can vary with sea conditions and the operator’s timing. The listed sequence places the island first, then snorkeling, lunch, swimming, the banana boat ride, and free time, but you should treat the times as a working plan rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

The massage: a pleasant extra with one clear limitation

Each person receives one back massage on board. It is intended as a soothing break while the yacht moves over the Red Sea, and it gives non-snorkelers a useful way to spend part of the water stops.

The massage is performed on an upper-deck lounger. That setting can be pleasant in the sun and sea air, but it is not private. The lounger is visible to people seated around the deck, and that may feel uncomfortable, particularly for anyone who prefers personal treatments behind a closed door.

I would think of this as a casual holiday massage rather than a spa appointment. If privacy matters to you, you may prefer to skip it and enjoy the upper deck, or ask about the timing and position before agreeing. If you are comfortable with an open setting, it is a nice extra at no separate charge.

This is one place where the tour is not perfect for every person. The inclusion sounds luxurious, but the setting is public. The honest value depends on how much that matters to you.

Crew, languages, and the feel on board

Live support is available in English, German, Russian, and Arabic. Andrew is specifically noted for translating clearly into German and for staying available when people have questions.

That language support can make a real difference on a boat day. Instructions about life vests, snorkeling, swimming, and meeting times are easier to follow when you understand them well. It also helps families and mixed-language groups feel less lost during the transfers between activities.

The yacht is described as large, clean, and attractive. The crew’s friendly manner is another strong point, and the attention given to children is reassuring. Still, remember that this is a shared cruise, not a private charter. The atmosphere depends on the mix of people on your departure.

Photography may be offered as an extra purchase, with one price of 35 euros noted for photos. Since this cost is not included in the $41 package, bring cash if you think you will want professional images, and ask what is included before paying.

What the $41 price really buys

The price is unusually good when you count the included items. You receive:

• Hotel pickup and return transfer
• Yacht cruise
• Giftun Island ticket
• Natural reserve fee
• Two snorkeling stops
• Snorkeling gear and life vest
• Fish and barbecue buffet lunch
• Salads, fruit, snacks, and drinks
• Banana boat ride
• One back massage
• English, German, Russian, or Arabic tour support

You would normally expect separate charges for transport, island entry, equipment, food, and drinks on a full-day sea trip. Here, those costs are bundled into one price, so the tour is especially useful if you want to keep spending predictable.

The price does not include optional photos, which are offered separately for 35 euros. It is also worth remembering that low cost usually means a shared schedule and a standard route. You get a lot, but you do not get a private yacht or full control over departure times.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Red Sea plans are still shifting.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Pack a towel, sunscreen, cash, and your passport or an accepted copy of your ID. Keep your documents dry and secure during the water stops.

I would also add a light jacket or long trousers for cooler months, especially for the early boat ride. The sea may be too cold for some people in winter, even when the beach feels pleasant.

Water shoes are worth bringing because shoes are removed on the lower deck and the island and boat surfaces may be more comfortable with footwear made for wet conditions. A dry bag would also be practical, though it is not specifically listed as an included item.

Do not forget that you need to be ready for an eight-hour day. Eat lightly before pickup, apply sunscreen again after swimming, and use the included water and drinks throughout the trip.

Who should book this yacht day?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time Red Sea visitors who want many activities in one booking. It is also a good fit if you are staying in a resort area outside central Hurghada and want transport handled from your hotel.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy a mix of beach time, snorkeling, food, light adventure, and relaxation. The two reef stops suit someone who wants a proper look at the underwater world, while the island and free time give non-snorkelers something worthwhile to do.

I would hesitate if you want a private, quiet sailing trip or a fully private massage. The open-deck treatment may not suit everyone, and the eight-hour schedule can feel long if you prefer slow days with few planned stops.

Should you book Royal Cruise Hurghada?

For $41, this is a strong-value Red Sea day. The early Giftun Island arrival, two snorkeling stops, generous food and drink package, reliable transfer plan, and friendly multilingual support give you a lot for the price.

Book it if you want a well-filled day and are comfortable sharing the yacht with other people. Pack a jacket and water shoes in cooler months, arrive ready for a full schedule, and treat the massage as an optional public-deck bonus rather than a private spa treatment. With those expectations, this trip makes a sensible choice for seeing several sides of the Red Sea in one outing.

FAQ

How long is the Giftun Island yacht trip?

The full activity lasts eight hours, including hotel transfers, the yacht cruise, Giftun Island, snorkeling, lunch, swimming, the banana boat ride, and free time.

What areas have hotel pickup?

Pickup is available from Makadi Bay, Hurghada 1, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna. The return drop-off areas include the same locations.

How will I receive my pickup time?

The exact pickup time and meeting instructions are sent by WhatsApp or email one day before the excursion.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fish, chicken, grilled kofta, pasta, rice, oven vegetables, four salads, and three types of fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, hot drinks, unlimited water, and snacks are included.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes two snorkeling stops, with snorkeling equipment and a life vest provided.

Is the massage included?

Yes. Each person receives one back massage. It takes place on the upper deck, where the surrounding seating area may be visible.

Which languages are available?

Tour support is available in English, German, Russian, and Arabic.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, cash, and your passport or an accepted copy of your ID. Water shoes and a warm layer can also be useful, especially in cooler months.