Hurghada: Giftun Islands with Snorkeling & Semi-Submarine

The best part of this Hurghada day trip is the combination of Giftun Island beach time and Red Sea snorkeling. You get a proper boat outing, not just a quick shore stop, with a scenic cruise, lunch, swimming, and time on either peaceful Paradise Island or livelier Hula Hula Island.

I like the choice between a quiet beach day and an action-filled one, and I like that the semi-submarine gives non-swimmers a real look at the reef. Guides such as Fady, Ali, Oscar, and Youssef Jr have been singled out for patient safety help, especially with children and first-time snorkelers.

The main drawback is the schedule. Pickup, boat loading, and the semi-submarine can involve waiting, and some of your nine hours may be spent in transfers or group coordination. If you want several long snorkeling stops, this trip may feel light on water time.

Quick points before you book

• Paradise Island is the quiet choice: You get white sand, clear water, an open buffet lunch, and a calmer beach setting.
• Hula Hula adds more activity: A short massage and a banana boat or sofa ride are included there.
• The reef stop is the star for swimmers: You get one guided snorkeling session with equipment, a life jacket, and a guide.
• The semi-submarine works for non-swimmers: You can watch fish and coral through underwater windows without entering the sea.
• The cruise takes time: Expect roughly 1.5 hours on the water each way, plus hotel transfers.
• The $28 price is strong value: Lunch, equipment, transfers, and several activities are included, but the semi-submarine is extra unless you select it.

A full day from Hurghada to Giftun Island

This is a long Red Sea outing built around one simple idea: get you out of Hurghada and onto the water. The boat ride, island visit, snorkeling stop, and optional semi-submarine make it feel like several small activities packed into one day.

The advertised price is $28 per person, which is hard to fault if you use the included parts. Hotel pickup, the yacht, lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, a guide, and beach access are all covered. The semi-submarine costs extra unless you choose that package, so check the exact option before paying.

You can start in the morning or choose a later departure. The morning plan generally picks you up between 8:00 and 9:00 AM, with a return around 4:30 PM. The later plan begins around 10:00 or 11:00 AM and returns at about 5:30 PM, giving you sunset light on the way back.

The precise order can change. The semi-submarine may come before or after the island, and lunch may be served on the island or aboard the yacht. That flexibility helps the operator manage several boats and groups, but it means you should not expect every hour to follow a fixed script.

Hotel pickup and the journey to the marina

Pickup is available from Hurghada and nearby resort areas, including Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga. Shared vans are practical, but the farther your hotel is from the marina, the more time you may spend collecting other people.

Be ready at the hotel lobby or main entrance at least 10 minutes before the confirmed time. The final pickup details arrive by WhatsApp or email, usually the day before, and it is worth checking both. One reported weakness is late pickup or a delayed departure, so build a little patience into your morning.

Private transfers are available for an added fee. I would consider one if you are traveling with young children, a small group, or a hotel far from Hurghada. If you select no transfer, arrive at the marina on time. Missing the boat can mean missing the whole trip without a refund.

At the marina, you board a spacious yacht for the Red Sea crossing. The outward cruise takes about an hour in the listed schedule, while the wider description allows about 1.5 hours depending on the route and conditions. Either way, this is not a quick hop. Sit back, keep your hat secure, and expect the boat ride to be part of the day.

Paradise Island or Hula Hula Island?

The island choice matters more than the name on your booking page. Paradise Island is the better fit if you want quiet beach time, swimming, and a slower pace. It has soft white sand, clear water, a restaurant, and an open buffet lunch.

Paradise is not presented as a water-sports beach with massage service. That is useful to know if you are comparing packages. You can relax, swim, use the beach area, and enjoy the scenery, but the appeal is calm rather than constant activity.

Hula Hula Island has a livelier program. Along with beach time and snorkeling, the package includes a short massage and a banana boat or sofa ride. The massage is brief, about five minutes, so think of it as a pleasant extra rather than a treatment.

The water sports are better suited to people who want a little noise and movement between swims. If you are looking for a quiet day with a book, Paradise should be your first choice. If your group includes teenagers or anyone who gets restless on a beach, Hula Hula may keep the day moving.

The beach time can feel short, especially if you want to stay longer. One itinerary gives about two hours on the island before lunch and snorkeling, while the full schedule also includes a separate hour for the glass-bottom or semi-submarine activity. The clock moves quickly once you have changed, eaten, swum, and found a good spot on the sand.

Snorkeling in the Red Sea

The guided snorkeling stop is the main reason I would book this trip. You receive a mask, fins, and life jacket, and a professional guide stays with the group. The stop lasts about one hour, which is enough for a first look at the reef but may not satisfy an experienced snorkeler who wants several sites.

The Red Sea is known for clear water and coral areas filled with fish. The supplied trip details and firsthand reports include sightings such as a moray eel, along with colorful fish and coral. Conditions vary, so nobody can promise a particular animal or perfect visibility on a given day.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer. Guides have helped tired swimmers and people who were nervous in the water, and a person who cannot swim may be pulled with a life buoy while wearing a mask. That does not make the sea risk-free, so listen closely to the safety briefing and tell the guide if you feel uncomfortable.

This is where individual guides make a real difference. Oscar was noted for explaining the sea rules and checking that everyone was happy. Ali, Fady, Basam, and Youssef Jr were also praised for patient support and encouragement. Your guide will depend on the boat and date, but the operation clearly puts strong attention on supervision.

Families should appreciate that children receive attention during the water activities. Still, children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own confidence level into the decision. If you are uneasy in open water, the semi-submarine is not a poor substitute. It gives you another way to see below the surface.

What the semi-submarine is really like

The semi-submarine is a dry viewing cabin below the waterline, not a true submarine voyage. You sit beside wide underwater windows and watch fish and coral pass by. It is a useful addition for anyone who cannot swim, does not want to get wet, or wants to see the reef with less effort.

For children, it can be an easy introduction to Red Sea marine life. One account described the glass-bottom style outing as especially child-friendly, while noting that adults will see more by snorkeling. That is the fair comparison: the semi-submarine is comfortable and accessible, but snorkeling puts you closer to the reef and usually gives a wider view.

The timing can be awkward. The ride may happen before or after the island, and one schedule involved a long wait while a group got organized. If the semi-submarine is important to you, choose the package that includes it and expect the order to change.

I would pay the supplement for a mixed-age family, a non-swimmer, or anyone who wants both viewpoints. If every person in your group is comfortable snorkeling and your budget is tight, use the money for another activity instead. The boat trip is worthwhile, but it does not replace time in the sea.

Lunch, drinks, and time on shore

Lunch is included, but the exact style depends on the island. Paradise Island provides an open buffet at the island restaurant. Hula Hula serves a set lunch, and the meal may also be served aboard the yacht if the timetable requires it.

The food is practical rather than the central reason to book. Portions have been described as generous, and the buffet received particularly good marks. Soft drinks are included, with water and lemonade available on the boat.

You should budget for personal spending on the island. Drinks on the beach may cost more than expected, and professional photo and video packages are optional. Photographers work around the boat and snorkeling area, and the photos can be a nice souvenir, but do not feel obliged to buy them.

The island setting does most of the work. White sand, clear water, and simple beach time give you a break from Hurghada’s hotels and streets. The tradeoff is that an organized island stop can feel less private, particularly when several boats arrive together.

How much waiting should you expect?

The main weakness is organization at certain points. Pickup can run late, boats may wait for groups, and transfers back to the hotel can take longer than planned. One person had to change buses for the return journey, adding substantial time.

That does not cancel out the good parts, but you should not book this if you need a precise return time for a flight, dinner reservation, or another tour. The day lasts nine hours on paper, and shared transport can stretch the edges.

The crew itself appears to be the stronger part of the operation. Guides handle the snorkeling, explain the program, and help people in the water. Some boats also include music and dancing, though the amount of entertainment can vary, and one account found the boat atmosphere quiet.

To make the day easier, bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and there is no need to carry more than you need for a beach and boat day.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to Hurghada who want one affordable day covering several Red Sea activities. You get a cruise, island beach, snorkeling, lunch, and the option of an underwater viewing ride without arranging each part separately.

It also suits families, thanks to the life jackets, supervised snorkeling, child-friendly semi-submarine, and beach time. Non-swimmers can still take part, though the semi-submarine becomes especially valuable for them.

It is a good match for couples and friends who want a relaxed day with some activity. Choose Paradise for a quieter mood and Hula Hula for a busier one with water sports and a short massage.

I would hesitate if your priority is serious snorkeling. One guided stop is included, but experienced swimmers may want two or more reef locations. I would also hesitate if you dislike group tours, waiting, or shared vans. This is a popular, structured day rather than a private escape.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Those details do not fully match, so contact the operator before booking if you have mobility needs and ask about the van, yacht boarding, island surface, and access to the beach.

Is $28 good value?

Yes, if you use the included services. A hotel transfer alone can add value, especially from a resort area outside central Hurghada. Add the boat, lunch, equipment, guide, beach access, and soft drinks, and the base price is appealing.

The value drops if you mainly want a long, quiet stretch of beach or if you skip snorkeling. The semi-submarine is not included in the basic price, and photos, beach purchases, and private transfers cost extra.

At a 4.5 rating from 194 reviews, the strongest pattern is clear: people especially appreciate the friendly crew, the safe snorkeling support, the beautiful beach, and the combination of island and semi-submarine in one day. The repeated cautions are also clear: delays, limited snorkeling time, and an occasional slow return transfer.

Should you book the Giftun Islands day trip?

Book it if you want a good-value, all-purpose Red Sea day and can accept a group schedule. Paradise Island is the better pick for beach lovers and families seeking calm. Hula Hula is better for anyone who wants a massage and water sports mixed into the day.

Select the semi-submarine if someone in your group cannot swim or if seeing the reef without getting wet matters. Skip that extra if everyone is comfortable snorkeling and you would rather keep the price low.

I would not choose this for a private, quiet sailing day or for advanced snorkeling. For a first Red Sea outing from Hurghada, though, the mix is sensible: pretty beach, supervised water time, lunch, and a dry underwater view, all for a modest price.

FAQ

How long does the Giftun Islands tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours, including hotel pickup, transfers, the yacht cruise, island time, snorkeling, the semi-submarine if selected, and the return journey.

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 pickup time is confirmed by WhatsApp or email.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Paradise Island tours include an open buffet lunch at the island restaurant. Hula Hula tours include a set lunch. Depending on the schedule, lunch may be served on the island or aboard the yacht.

Is the semi-submarine included in the price?

Only if you select the package that includes it. The standard tour does not include the semi-submarine automatically.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided, and the guide can assist people who are not confident swimmers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What should I bring?

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