Hurghada: Giftun Islands with Snorkeling & Semi-Submarine

Giftun Island’s appeal is simple: white sand, clear Red Sea water, and colorful coral reefs in one long day from Hurghada. You can pair a beach stop with a guided snorkeling session, then watch fish through the windows of a semi-submarine without getting wet.

I like the way the tour covers different comfort levels. A strong snorkeling guide, life jacket, mask, and fins help nervous swimmers, while the semi-submarine gives people with health limits a useful look below the surface. I also like the choice between peaceful Paradise Island and livelier Hula Hula, with lunch and hotel transport included.

The trade-off is time. The drive, marina wait, yacht cruise, island schedule, and return transfer can fill the whole nine hours, and some departures have involved delays. If your ideal island day means several snorkeling stops and long, quiet beach time, this organized group trip may feel a little hurried.

Giftun Island in six useful points

• Two different island moods: Paradise is the calmer beach choice, while Hula Hula adds a short massage and optional banana boat or sofa rides.
• One guided snorkeling stop: You receive equipment and help from a professional guide, with about an hour in the water.
• A smart option for non-swimmers: The semi-submarine offers underwater views through wide windows from a dry cabin.
• Lunch is part of the package: Paradise tours include an open buffet, while Hula Hula tours provide a set meal.
• Transfers cover a wide area: Pickup can be arranged from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga.
• The main weakness is organization: Pickup or departure waits can happen, and shared transfers may make the return trip longer.

What the $28 price really covers

At about $28 per person, this is a strong-value Red Sea day if you want several activities bundled together. The price includes round-trip hotel transport from Hurghada, a yacht cruise, island access, lunch, soft drinks on the boat, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and the snorkeling stop.

The semi-submarine is not automatically included. You need to select it when booking, so compare the final package carefully rather than assuming the underwater boat is part of the basic fare.

The value comes from variety. For roughly the cost of a simple boat trip, you can spend time on a white-sand island, swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and add a dry underwater viewing experience. You are not paying for a private yacht or a quiet, custom schedule, though. This is a shared day with fixed movements and possible waits.

The price also works well for families. Children must stay with an adult, but the semi-submarine and glass-bottom viewing are useful for anyone who cannot swim or would rather stay dry. One older visitor described the underwater boat as a good way for a non-swimming partner to see some of the same marine life seen during snorkeling.

Bring extra money only for personal purchases and optional photography or video. Drinks on the beach may cost extra and can feel expensive compared with what is included on the boat.

From Hurghada hotel to the marina

The day begins with a shared van from your hotel or an agreed pickup point. The morning option generally collects people between 8:00 and 9:00 AM, while the later sunset option usually collects people between 10:00 and 11:00 AM.

Your exact time is confirmed by WhatsApp or email the day before. Check both, and wait in the hotel lobby or at the main entrance at least 10 minutes early. Hotels outside central Hurghada can add road time, especially when several pickups are combined.

The listed transport time is about one hour each way, but shared transfers vary by location. A pickup from El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga will naturally take a different amount of time than one from central Hurghada.

Private transfers cost extra and make the most sense for families, small groups, or anyone who values a quicker start. If you choose to meet at the marina yourself, arrive on time. Missing the boat because of a late arrival does not qualify for a refund.

Once at the marina, you board a yacht for roughly an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the day’s schedule. The cruise gives you open-water views and time to settle in, but it is not simply a fast transfer. The boat ride is a major part of the experience.

Paradise Island or Hula Hula Island?

Your island choice changes the mood of the day.

Paradise Island is the quieter option. You get a broad beach area, clear water, swimming time, and space to sit in the sun. It suits you if your main goal is to relax rather than fill every hour with activities.

The Paradise schedule includes lunch at the island restaurant, generally an open buffet. Food is described as plentiful, and the meal gives you a proper break between beach time and water activities.

Paradise also has inflatables on the beach, according to one account, but the supplied details describe it as a calm escape without massage or water sports. This matters if you are choosing between a peaceful beach visit and an active program.

Hula Hula Island has more going on. Along with beach time and snorkeling, the tour includes a short massage and optional water activities such as a banana boat or sofa ride. It is the better match if you want some movement and entertainment mixed with your time on the sand.

Hula Hula includes a set lunch rather than the Paradise buffet. Neither option is presented as a private island experience, so expect organized timing and other groups sharing the facilities.

There is a small inconsistency in the activity details about water sports. The Hula Hula description clearly includes them, while the Paradise description says they are not available, even though another schedule mentions a banana boat ride at Paradise. If that activity matters to you, confirm the exact island package before paying.

The snorkeling stop and the Red Sea reef

The main water activity is one guided snorkeling stop lasting about an hour. Your package includes a mask, fins, life jacket, and professional guide, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.

The guide-led format is especially helpful if you are new to snorkeling. Guides have helped children, cautious swimmers, and tired people return safely to the boat. Names praised during different departures include Ali, Fady, Youssef Jr, Sayed, and Oskar, though the guide on your boat will depend on the day.

You can expect coral, colorful fish, and clear water, with the chance to see larger creatures such as a moray eel. Conditions vary, of course. Water visibility, wind, and the number of boats at the stop can affect what you see.

If you cannot swim confidently, tell the guide before entering the water. The supplied equipment includes life jackets, and one guide was described as pulling less confident swimmers with a life buoy while staying close to people who needed help.

Do not treat this as a private snorkeling lesson. You will be part of a group, and the hour passes quickly. If snorkeling is your top priority, this tour gives you a good introduction, but a specialist snorkeling or boat charter may offer more time and more than one reef stop.

One useful detail: bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. You will have sun exposure on the yacht and island, with little reason to carry a large bag. Large luggage is not allowed.

The semi-submarine without getting wet

The semi-submarine is one of the most useful parts of this outing, especially for mixed groups. You sit in a dry viewing cabin and look through wide underwater windows as fish and coral pass by.

The ride may happen before or after the island stop. The order depends on boat logistics, and that can create waiting. One departure included about an hour on the semi-submarine while a group waited to begin, so do not expect every part of the day to run in a perfectly tight sequence.

Still, the idea works well. A partner who cannot enter the sea, a child who dislikes snorkeling, or anyone who wants a break from the sun can see something of the Red Sea below the surface.

The semi-submarine is not a replacement for snorkeling. Adults who are comfortable in the water will usually see more detail and more fish while floating above the reef. Think of the glass-window ride as a comfortable introduction and a good shared activity, not the strongest wildlife viewing of the day.

A glass-bottom boat experience is also mentioned in the schedule. It is especially child-friendly, but the underwater view is less direct than snorkeling. If you can choose only one water activity, snorkeling offers the more personal look.

Lunch, drinks, and time on the beach

Lunch is served either on the island or on the yacht, depending on timing. Paradise uses an open buffet at the island restaurant, while Hula Hula provides a set meal.

That distinction is worth noting if you have a strong preference. A buffet gives you more choice, while a set lunch can move the group through the meal faster. Food has been described as good and plentiful, but this is a practical excursion meal rather than a destination dining experience.

Soft drinks are included, and free lemonade and water have also been provided on some departures. Drinks at the beach are separate, and prices there may not feel as friendly as the ones included on the boat.

Beach time usually lasts around two to three hours in the morning schedule, followed by lunch and the snorkeling stop. The later departure follows a similar pattern but finishes around sunset, with hotel drop-off near 5:30 PM instead of roughly 4:30 PM.

The island can feel too short if you want a full, lazy beach day. One practical tip is to decide in advance what matters most: swimming, sunbathing, photos, lunch, or snorkeling. You may not have enough time to do all of them at a slow pace.

How well is the day organized?

The strongest part of the operation is the crew in the water. Guides are described as attentive, safety-minded, and good with children and first-time snorkelers. Several guides have also helped less confident swimmers one at a time, which makes a real difference when a group includes mixed abilities.

The weak point is timing. Pickup can run late, the yacht may wait before departure, and the semi-submarine can involve an additional wait. The return transfer may also take longer than expected if a pickup is missed or the shared bus has to be rearranged.

That does not ruin the day, but it changes how you should plan. Avoid booking a tight evening flight, dinner reservation, or separate excursion immediately after the stated return time.

The boat may also have professional photographers. They can take polished photos and videos during the day, which may be tempting if you want a record of snorkeling or the island. Those services are optional and not included in the listed price.

A separate entrance is available to help you skip the line, and English-language guiding is provided. The activity is advertised as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. If you use a wheelchair or have difficulty with boat steps, swimming access, or transfers, ask for a precise accessibility explanation before booking.

Morning or sunset departure?

The morning option is best if you want more daylight for the beach and a conventional full-day schedule. Pickup runs from about 8:00 to 9:00 AM, the yacht generally leaves at 9:30 AM, and you should return to your hotel around 4:30 PM.

The sunset option starts later, with pickup around 10:00 to 11:00 AM and departure near 11:30 AM. You still receive island time, lunch, snorkeling, and the semi-submarine if selected, then return around 5:30 PM as the sun drops over the Red Sea.

Choose the morning departure if you prefer an earlier finish or want to avoid a late return. Choose the sunset version if you like a slower start and want the final boat ride in softer light.

In either case, the actual order can change. The semi-submarine may come first, the island schedule may shift, and shared transport can add time.

Who will enjoy this Giftun Island day?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad sample of Hurghada’s Red Sea attractions for one low price. It works particularly well for:

• First-time snorkelers who want equipment and a guide
• Families needing beach time and a dry underwater activity
• Couples or groups with mixed swimming abilities
• People staying in Hurghada or nearby resort areas
• Anyone choosing between a quiet island day and a more active one

I would think twice if you dislike group schedules, long boat rides, or waiting around. It is also not ideal if you want serious reef exploration, several snorkeling sites, or a private beach with no organized activities.

The nine-hour duration is honest in one sense: this is a full day once hotel pickup, road transfers, marina time, and the return journey are counted. The island itself does not occupy all nine hours.

Small details that make the day easier

Check your messages the day before for the final pickup time. Shared transport is more convenient than arranging your own taxi, but it is less predictable.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and use strong sunscreen before leaving the hotel. Take a towel, hat, sunglasses, and only a small day bag, since large luggage is not allowed.

Children need adult supervision throughout the trip. If you are nervous in the water, tell the snorkeling guide at once rather than trying to keep up with stronger swimmers.

The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Hurghada plans are still moving around, but they do not solve the problem of arriving late at the marina.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want good variety at a low price and like the ease of having transport, lunch, equipment, and guides arranged for you. Paradise Island is the better pick for quiet beach time, while Hula Hula suits you if a massage and water sports sound worthwhile.

The semi-submarine is worth adding for a mixed group, especially when someone cannot snorkel. Just keep your expectations practical: you get one main snorkeling stop, a shared boat, possible waits, and limited time on the island.

If you can accept that rhythm, this is an efficient and family-friendly way to see the Red Sea from several angles in one day. If you want a slower, more personal reef trip, spend more on a smaller boat and prioritize extra snorkeling time.

FAQ

How long does the Giftun Islands tour last?

The full experience lasts about nine hours, including hotel transfers, the yacht cruise, island time, snorkeling, the optional semi-submarine ride, and the return journey.

What is included in the $28 price?

The package includes the boat trip, access to either Paradise Island or Hula Hula Island, lunch, one guided snorkeling stop, snorkeling equipment, a professional snorkeling guide, soft drinks on the boat, and round-trip hotel transfers from Hurghada. The semi-submarine is included only when selected.

Is hotel pickup available?

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

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

Paradise Island is presented as the quieter choice, with beach time, swimming, and a buffet lunch. Hula Hula offers a livelier program with a short massage, a set lunch, and optional water sports such as a banana boat or sofa ride.

Is the semi-submarine included automatically?

No. You must select the semi-submarine option when booking. Its place in the schedule may be before or after the island visit.

Can a non-swimmer join the snorkeling activity?

The tour provides life jackets and guide assistance for people who are not confident swimmers. You can also choose the semi-submarine for underwater views without entering the sea. 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, so pack only what you need for the day.

Can I cancel the tour?

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