Giftun Islands Snorkeling Trip with Lunch and Water Activities

A cheap boat day can still deliver big Red Sea views. This seven-hour trip from Hurghada combines two snorkeling stops, an island visit, buffet lunch, soft drinks, and banana boat or couch rides for $15 per person. I like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to choose Orange, Hula Hula, or Nemo Island. The main caution is that timing can slip, and some outings have provided less snorkeling time than promised.

I also like the small maximum group size of 30 and the friendly boat crew described in several accounts. The water activities add some silly, good-natured fun, while almost two hours on Giftun gives you time to swim and enjoy the shore. Still, Orange Bay can be crowded, and the extra national park fee of €10 per person changes the real cost.

Key points to know before you book

• Two snorkeling stops: Equipment is supplied, with instruction and safety help from the crew.
• Choose your island: The plan includes almost two hours at Orange, Hula Hula, or Nemo Island.
• Very low starting price: The $15 fare includes transport, boat time, lunch, drinks, and water activities, but not the national park fee.
• Hotel pickup included: Pickup and return use an air-conditioned vehicle, with added charges from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga.
• A full morning and afternoon: The listed start is 8:30 am, and the whole outing takes about seven hours.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Leaving Hurghada for the Red Sea

The day begins with pickup at your hotel and a ride to the port in an air-conditioned vehicle. The stated start time is 8:30 am, but allow some patience if the group includes people arriving late. One account describes a one-hour delay caused by waiting for other passengers, while another praises punctual pickup.

That difference tells you something useful: the schedule is not always under the crew’s full control. A boat trip with several hotel pickups can move slowly at the start. If you have a fixed dinner reservation or an evening flight, I would not plan it too tightly.

At the port, you board the yacht and meet the crew. The guide explains how to use the mask, snorkel, and other equipment, then gives safety instructions before you enter the water. This is helpful if you have never snorkeled before, though you should still speak up if the mask does not fit or you feel uneasy.

The boat has a maximum group size of 30 people. That is not a private cruise, but it is more manageable than a very large day boat. Expect a social outing, shared facilities, and a group schedule rather than a quiet trip designed around your own pace.

Snorkeling the coral reefs

The Red Sea is the main reason to book this day. The itinerary includes two snorkeling stops, with colorful fish, coral, and reef areas around the boat. You swim in warm water while the crew remains nearby and helps with equipment.

The two stops are important because they give you more than one chance to see marine life. Water conditions can change, and one site may offer better visibility or more coral than the other. If you are new to snorkeling, the first stop also gives you a chance to get comfortable before the second.

I would keep expectations sensible. This is an accessible group boat trip, not a specialist marine excursion. The published plan promises two stops, but some outings have included only a short reef stop, and one account describes the snorkeling as much less than expected. Another account says the planned island was changed and the water stops were shorter than advertised.

That does not mean every departure will follow the same pattern. Weather, sea conditions, port timing, and crowd management can all affect the day. Still, if snorkeling is your top priority, ask the crew at the port how long each stop should last and confirm that both stops are planned.

Bring your own towel, swimming clothes, and a sense of timing. The supplied information does not list towels, so do not count on one being provided. You may also want to keep your phone or camera protected from splashes, since the trip is built around repeated time in the water.

Choosing between Orange, Hula Hula, and Nemo

A useful part of this trip is the choice of island. The options are Orange, Hula Hula, and Nemo, with nearly two hours allocated on Giftun. That gives you a little control over the shore portion instead of sending every group to exactly the same place.

Orange Bay is the best-known option in the information provided, but it can also be crowded. One account describes it as busy and expensive, so you should think of it as a popular beach stop rather than a quiet island escape. The setting may still be enjoyable for swimming, sun, and photographs, but the beach atmosphere can feel less peaceful than the name suggests.

Hula Hula and Nemo are offered as alternatives, though no detailed differences between the three are specified. I would choose based on the option available that day and the kind of shore time you want. The important point is to confirm your selection before departure, since one outing did not visit the island originally expected.

Almost two hours is a useful amount of time. You can get off the boat, swim, sit in the sun, and take photographs without needing to rush straight back aboard. Bring sun protection and keep track of the meeting time. The Red Sea sun is pleasant at first and unforgiving later.

Lunch, drinks, and the water rides

After the water stops, the boat serves a buffet lunch. Water and soft drinks are included, which matters on a long day in strong sun. A meal on board also means you do not need to arrange food during the excursion.

The supplied information does not list the individual dishes, so I would treat the buffet as practical fuel rather than a promised culinary event. One particularly positive account praised the food, and several people enjoyed the overall onboard service. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking because no special meal details are provided.

The banana boat and couch rides are included for people who want more action. These are simple, playful activities rather than serious sports. They can be the highlight for families and groups of friends, especially after the calmer snorkeling stops.

There is a catch. The activities may be offered in a way that feels optional, and one account raised concerns about how the tube ride was handled at the end of the day. I would listen carefully to the crew’s instructions and confirm what is included before agreeing to ride. You should never feel pressured to join.

A photographer may also be present. One account describes an unpleasant exchange after declining to buy pictures. My advice is simple: decide early if you want photos, then politely but clearly say no if you do not. The tour itself does not require you to purchase them.

The crew and the feel of the boat

The strongest praise centers on the crew. Several accounts describe the boat team as friendly, helpful, professional, and welcoming. One family running the boat was singled out for making the day feel especially pleasant, while another account praised the young team’s effort to keep the group entertained.

That personal service matters on a water trip. Good help with masks, boarding, swimming, and safety can make the difference between a relaxed day and a frustrating one. The crew also handles the practical work of serving lunch, organizing stops, and getting everyone back to the harbor.

The tone appears informal and social. You should expect laughter, group activities, and a mix of people with different comfort levels in the water. If you want a silent sail with long stretches alone, this is not the right format. If you like an easygoing day where the crew keeps things moving, it should suit you better.

The best accounts praise the outing from beginning to end, especially the pickup, boat staff, food, and island time. The less positive accounts focus on schedule changes, short snorkeling stops, and expectations not being met. I would book with that range in mind rather than assuming the $15 price guarantees a perfect timetable.

What the $15 price really covers

At first glance, $15 is remarkably low for a seven-hour Red Sea trip. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, seven hours on the boat, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, lunch, water, soft drinks, island time, and banana boat or couch rides.

That package offers strong value if the advertised elements all happen as planned. You receive a full day of transport, food, and activities without needing to arrange separate transfers or equipment. For a first Red Sea outing, it is an inexpensive way to try several activities in one day.

The price is not the complete cost for every location. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €5 per person. Transfers from El Gouna and Safaga cost an additional €10 per person. The national park fee is another €10 per person and is not included.

Those fees matter most for couples and families. Add them before comparing this trip with another boat tour. Even with the extra charge, the package can remain good value, but the headline fare is not the final amount for everyone.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend this excursion to first-time visitors who want a broad taste of the Red Sea in one day. You get snorkeling, an island, a meal, soft drinks, and towable water activities without paying for a specialist outing.

It also suits families and groups of friends who enjoy a lively schedule. The banana boat and couch rides give non-snorkeling companions something else to do, and the island stop breaks up the time on the yacht.

You should think twice if you want long, quiet reef sessions or a carefully controlled timetable. The reports of delayed departures, changed island plans, and short snorkeling stops are not minor if you are booking mainly for marine life. A private or specialist snorkeling trip would likely give you more control, but this tour is priced and organized for a different purpose.

The tour states that most people can participate, but it does involve swimming, boarding a boat, and joining water activities if you choose. Bring swimming clothes and a towel. If weather becomes poor, the provider offers a different date or a full refund.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Confirm your hotel location and any transfer surcharge before you pay. Pickup is included in Hurghada, but the listed outlying areas carry extra fees.

At the port, confirm three things: your island choice, the planned length of both snorkeling stops, and which water activities are included. Clear questions at the start may prevent confusion later.

Keep valuables to a minimum. Carry sun protection, dry clothes, and a towel, and use a waterproof bag for anything you bring near the water. The day is long, so take advantage of the included water and soft drinks instead of waiting until you feel thirsty.

Finally, leave space in your schedule. The official start is 8:30 am and the duration is about seven hours, but group pickups and late arrivals can affect the timetable. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not refunded, and poor weather is handled with a new date or full refund.

Should you book the Giftun Islands trip?

I would book it if you want maximum variety for a low price and can accept a group outing with a flexible schedule. The friendly crew, included lunch, island choice, and water rides create a full Red Sea day for very little money.

I would not choose it if your main goal is serious snorkeling or a peaceful, uncrowded beach. In that case, confirm the reef schedule before booking, and consider paying more for a trip built around longer water stops.

For most people staying in Hurghada, this is a sensible budget introduction to Giftun and the Red Sea. Just add the park fee, allow extra time, and treat the timetable as a plan rather than a guarantee.

FAQ

How long is the Giftun Islands snorkeling trip?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle are included for the listed Hurghada service area.

Are there extra transfer charges?

Yes. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh cost €5 per person. Transfers from El Gouna and Safaga cost €10 per person.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The national park fee is €10 per person.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The trip includes two snorkeling stops with equipment.

Which islands can I choose from?

The available choices are Orange, Hula Hula, and Nemo Island.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A buffet lunch, water, and soft drinks are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and swimming attire.