From Hurghada: Giftun Island Cruise with Lunch & Watersports

The Red Sea delivers its best color underwater. This $41 boat trip from Hurghada combines a white-sand island stop, coral snorkeling, watersports, lunch, and hotel transport in one full-day outing. I like the strong mix of activities, especially the quiet island time and the chance to add banana boat and sofa rides without paying a separate activity fee.

I also like the price. With equipment, an instructor, lunch, drinks, island entry, and transfers included, it offers a lot for the money. The main caution is organization: pickup and boarding can take much longer than expected, and a crowded boat may shorten your time in the water or on the island.

Key Points at a Glance

• Two names may be used for the island stop: The experience describes both Orange Island and Nemo Island, so confirm the exact bay before departure.
• The island visit is the calmest part: Plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours on white sand and clear, shallow-looking water.
• Snorkeling quality depends on crowd levels: The coral can be excellent, but getting 40 people into the water may leave little time to look around.
• Watersports can be part of the surprise: Banana boat and sofa rides were included for some departures, although this should not be treated as guaranteed unless confirmed.
• Lunch is simple and practical: An open buffet with soft drinks, hot drinks, and mineral water is served on the boat.
• The transfer matters: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but some departures involve long waits and a packed bus.

What This $41 Cruise Actually Includes

At $41 per person, this is priced as a broad, activity-packed day rather than a quiet private sailing trip. You are paying for transport from your hotel, a full-day boat outing, snorkeling gear, a life vest, an instructor, island entry, lunch, and drinks on board.

That package gives the trip good value. You do not need to rent fins or a mask at the marina, and you do not need to arrange a separate transfer. Mineral water is included, which matters under the strong Egyptian sun.

The price also covers the guide and snorkeling instructor. The advertised languages are Arabic, English, German, and Russian, making this a practical choice for mixed-language groups.

The tradeoff is space and flexibility. A low-cost boat excursion may combine several bookings, and that can create a full deck, slower boarding, and less control over your schedule. If you want to choose your own snorkeling site or spend a whole afternoon on one quiet beach, a private charter would suit you better.

Early Hotel Pickup and the Trip to the Marina

Your day begins with an early pickup at your Hurghada hotel. The included transfer is useful, especially if you are staying away from the main marina area, but allow plenty of time before the boat leaves.

The smoothest departures have quick hotel transfers and clear support from the crew. Less efficient departures can involve a long collection route, a packed bus, and a wait before you even reach the boat. One reported problem was nearly two hours between hotel pickup and boarding.

That does not mean every departure will run that way, but it is a fair warning. Bring water, keep your morning flexible, and do not schedule an important evening activity immediately after the cruise. The advertised return is after the snorkeling and island stops, but exact timing can shift with transfers, loading, and sea conditions.

The marina process may also involve walking through another hotel or using a smaller transfer boat to reach the main vessel. This is not difficult for most people, but it can feel slow when a large group is waiting.

Orange Island, Nemo Island, or Both?

The names need a little explaining. The experience is described as an Orange Island tour, while the highlights and detailed itinerary refer repeatedly to Nemo Island. The descriptions also mention a Nemo Bay. These may refer to different island areas or to names used by different operators for the same general island excursion.

For you, the important point is simple: ask which island or bay your boat will visit before you leave the marina. One departure combined two routes, sending some people toward Orange Bay and others toward Nemo. The Nemo group had a quieter stop and, in one case, was almost alone on the island.

The island itself is the visual centerpiece. Expect pale sand, clear water, and an open setting made for swimming and photographs. The calm water and easy beach access make this the most relaxed section of the day.

The planned stay is about two hours, though actual beach time may be shorter. Boat transfers between the main vessel and the island can eat into the schedule. One delayed departure left only about 1 hour and 20 minutes on the beach, while another reported roughly 1.5 hours.

That is still enough time for a swim, photographs, and a little quiet on the sand. It is not enough time to wander slowly, eat a long beach lunch, and enjoy several separate activities. If the island is your main reason for booking, confirm the stop and insist politely on the promised bay if the group is redirected.

Snorkeling Over the Red Sea Reefs

The snorkeling stops are meant to show you the Red Sea’s coral and fish life from the surface. The equipment is included, and a snorkeling instructor is provided, so you do not need prior experience with organized reef trips.

The setting can be excellent. Clear water and coral reefs are the main natural attraction, and one stop was described as especially good. Still, the quality of your time in the water depends heavily on how many boats arrive at once.

A crowded first stop can make it difficult to see much. You may spend several minutes waiting for the group to enter the water, then receive only a short swim before the boat calls everyone back. One departure had around 40 people, with roughly 10 minutes of actual snorkeling at a stop.

The itinerary may include two snorkeling stops, but the second stop can also be brief. In some cases, both stops took place around the same area, which reduced the sense of variety. Ask the instructor how long you have in the water, and get ready before the ladder becomes crowded.

Use the life vest if you are not a confident swimmer. Children may snorkel if they are good swimmers, but an adult must stay with them at all times. The instructor and guide can help, but you remain responsible for keeping children close.

There is also a serious environmental concern in one account of the trip: boats were seen releasing waste into the water. You cannot control what nearby vessels do, but it is worth choosing an operator that treats the reef properly and telling the crew if you see poor behavior. The Red Sea’s beauty depends on protecting the coral and water that bring people here.

Watersports: A Welcome Extra, But Confirm First

The main activity is snorkeling, but some departures also included a banana boat and sofa ride. These are simple, lively rides behind a boat, and they add a bit of fun between the beach and reef stops.

They were praised as a pleasant surprise because many boat packages include either snorkeling or watersports, not both. At the same time, another departure reported no watersports after the second snorkeling stop.

That difference is important. Treat the rides as a possible bonus, not the central reason to book, unless the operator confirms that they will run on your date. Weather, boat capacity, timing, and the exact combined route may affect what is available.

If you are traveling with older children or a group that wants more than swimming, the watersports can make the long day feel more varied. If you mainly want coral viewing, you will not lose the heart of the experience if the rides are unavailable.

Lunch, Drinks, and Life on the Boat

Lunch is served on board as an open buffet. The meal is designed for convenience rather than fine dining, allowing you to eat while the boat provides views of the Red Sea.

Hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water are included. Drinks on the island are not included, so carry what you need from the boat and keep some money available if you want to buy something ashore.

Portions may feel limited when the boat is full. One departure had enough food for the group, while children in another group were still hungry. If you have a large appetite, bring a small permitted snack or ask the operator in advance about the meal. Do not assume the buffet will be extensive.

The timing of lunch also matters. When food is served after snorkeling, you can warm up and recharge before the return journey. But if the schedule runs late, lunch may come after a long morning of transfers, boarding, and water activities.

Crowds, Crew, and the Pace of the Day

The crew is one of the stronger parts of the experience. The staff have been described as funny, open, trustworthy, and helpful, with good support during snorkeling and transfers. That friendly approach matters on a boat, where clear directions and calm assistance make the day easier.

The organization is less consistent. Some departures had quick transfers and smooth support from the hotel to the boat. Others involved long lines, extra transport boats, and a crowded vessel created by combining two tours.

A full boat is not automatically a problem. It can make the ride social and keep the price low. But it does mean less room to sit, more time getting everyone into the water, and a greater chance that your island stay or snorkeling session will be shortened.

The best attitude is to view this as a shared group excursion with a fixed route. Keep your belongings together, listen for instructions, and stay aware of the return transfer. One group was briefly forgotten at the island, although the tour staff eventually took care of the problem.

What to Pack for a Better Day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and light beachwear. Sunscreen is especially important because you will spend time on an exposed boat and on a bright white-sand island.

A waterproof pouch for your phone is sensible, although photos and videos are not included in the tour price. If an onboard photographer offers pictures, ask about the cost before agreeing.

I would also bring:

• A small snack, especially for children
• A reusable water bottle or extra water if allowed
• A hat that will stay secure in the wind
• Dry clothes for the return transfer
• Cash for island drinks and optional photos

The supplied snorkeling equipment and life vests reduce the amount you need to carry. Still, check the mask fit early, before the boat reaches the reef.

Weather, Children, and Booking Flexibility

Children can snorkel only if they are good swimmers and are accompanied by an adult at all times. The tour is best for families comfortable with a full day around water, boat ladders, transfers, and changing activity levels.

The outing also suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who want several Red Sea activities in one booking. It is less suitable for someone who dislikes crowds, needs a strict timetable, or wants long uninterrupted snorkeling.

Bad weather can change the plan. The date may be moved, or you can receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Hurghada plans are still shifting.

Is the Giftun Island Cruise Worth Booking?

I would book this tour if you want a reasonably priced introduction to Hurghada’s islands and reefs, and you are happy to trade privacy for a full schedule. The combination of beach time, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, hotel transfers, and possible watersports is hard to fault at $41.

I would be more cautious if your priority is long snorkeling sessions or a quiet, carefully timed beach visit. Ask two questions before paying: Which island or bay will we visit, Orange or Nemo? and How many people will be on the boat?

Choose this cruise for variety and value. Skip it in favor of a smaller private trip if you want more time underwater, fewer waits, and a guaranteed quiet island stop.

FAQ

How much does the Hurghada Giftun Island cruise cost?

The listed price is $41 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada are included.

How long do you stay on the island?

The planned island visit is two hours, although actual time may be shorter because of boat transfers and delays. Some departures had about 1.5 hours or 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Are snorkeling equipment and life vests provided?

Yes. Free snorkeling equipment and life vests are included, along with a snorkeling instructor.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch is served on board. Hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water are also included.

Can children snorkel?

Children may snorkel if they are good swimmers, but an adult must accompany them at all times.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour date can be changed, or you can receive a full refund.