Hurghada: Giftun Islands with Snorkeling & Semi-Submarine

Red Sea color arrives before the island. This full-day trip combines a yacht ride, white-sand beach time, guided snorkeling, lunch, and an optional semi-submarine outing for about $28 per person. I like the way it gives you two ways to see the sea: from the deck and from below the surface. I also like the careful snorkeling support, especially for first-timers and weaker swimmers.

The main drawback is the pace. You may spend close to nine hours in transit, waiting, and scheduled activities, while some island time can feel short. Delays have also occurred, particularly when groups are being organized for the semi-submarine.

Key points to know before booking

• You choose between two different island moods: Paradise Island is calm and beach-focused, while Hula Hula has a livelier feel, with a short massage and optional banana boat or sofa rides.
• The snorkeling support is a real strength: Guides such as Ali, Fady, Oscar, Basam, and Youssef Jr. have been praised for helping nervous swimmers and keeping an eye on the group.
• The semi-submarine is useful for non-swimmers: You sit in a dry viewing cabin and watch fish and coral through underwater windows.
• The trip can take nine hours door to door: Hotel pickup, a long boat ride, island time, snorkeling, lunch, and the return transfer fill most of your day.
• Lunch and soft drinks are included: Paradise Island offers an open buffet, while Hula Hula serves a set meal.
• Bring very little: Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

What the $28 price really covers

At around $28 per person, this is a strong-value Red Sea outing if you want several activities in one day. Your package includes hotel transfers from Hurghada and nearby resorts, the yacht trip, island access, lunch, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and soft drinks. The semi-submarine is included only if you select that option, so check the exact package before paying.

The value comes from the combination. A simple beach visit would give you sand and swimming, but not the boat cruise, organized snorkeling, and underwater viewing cabin. Here, you get all three in one long day. The price is especially appealing for families and first-time visitors who want a straightforward introduction to the Red Sea without arranging separate transport and boat trips.

Still, $28 does not mean a private experience. The boat may carry a sizeable group, and the schedule can be shaped by transfers, boarding, and coordinating different activities. Drinks on the island can cost extra, and professional photographs and videos are optional purchases. I would treat the low price as good value for a shared day, not as a luxury cruise.

Hotel pickup from Hurghada and nearby resorts

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga. Shared transport times depend on where your hotel sits, so your pickup may not match the general tour departure time.

Be ready in the hotel lobby or at the main entrance at least 10 minutes before the confirmed time. The provider sends the final pickup details by WhatsApp or email the day before, so check both. If a hotel cannot be reached directly, you receive instructions for a nearby pickup point.

One practical warning: pickup has sometimes run late, and a delayed van can leave you waiting at the marina before the yacht departs. That is frustrating, but it is part of the reality of collecting people from several resort areas. A private transfer is available for an extra fee and makes more sense for families, small groups, or anyone who wants a quicker, more controlled start.

If you book without a transfer, arrive at the marina on time. Missing the departure because you are late can mean missing the whole trip without a refund.

The yacht ride across the Red Sea

From the marina, the boat ride to the island takes about an hour and a half in the general description, though the timed itinerary presents the yacht portion as about an hour. Either way, expect a meaningful stretch on the water rather than a quick hop.

This is part of the pleasure. You get open views of the Red Sea and time to settle into the day before the activities begin. On board, the guide explains the plan, snorkeling rules, and timing. Soft drinks are available on the boat, which matters in the hot sun.

The boat is not presented as a quiet private sailing vessel. On a larger shared trip, several guides may be working with the group, along with photographers offering paid photo and video packages. That can add energy and useful support, though it may feel less peaceful if you imagined a silent cruise.

The crew’s attention to safety is one of the strongest features. Guides have helped people who could not swim, supported tired swimmers with a life buoy, and kept children involved. If you are nervous in open water, tell the snorkeling guide before entering. The staff can provide a life jacket and closer assistance.

Paradise Island, beach time, and lunch

Paradise Island is the calmer choice. Picture pale sand, clear water, and a beach designed for swimming, sitting, and taking in the view. The island visit lasts about three hours in the stated itinerary, with time split between relaxation, lunch, and other activities.

The beach is the reason to choose this option. You can swim, lie back, and enjoy a slower break from the boat. The island also has inflatables, according to one detailed account, giving children something more to do than sit under the sun.

Lunch at Paradise Island is an open buffet. The food has received strong praise, with plenty served and enough variety to make it more than a token meal. Soft drinks are included, but drinks bought on the beach may feel expensive for what you receive. Bring sunscreen and use it often, since the white sand and open water offer little relief from the sun.

Paradise Island does not include massage or water sports. That is not a flaw if you want peace, but it is important when comparing the two island choices. You are paying for a relaxed beach stop rather than a program packed with extras.

Some people may find the island portion too short, especially once lunch and snorkeling are taken out of the total. If you love beach time, the nine-hour schedule can leave you wishing for one more hour on the sand.

Hula Hula Island for a livelier day

Hula Hula offers a more active version of the outing. You still get beach time and snorkeling, but the package includes a short massage and optional water activities such as a banana boat or sofa ride.

The massage is brief, about five minutes, so think of it as a small bonus rather than a serious treatment. It may be welcome after the boat ride, but it should not determine your choice of island.

The water sports suit you if you want a bit of noise and motion between swimming and lunch. They are included on the yacht tours, while Paradise Island is intended to be more restful. Exact activity timing depends on the day’s organization, so do not expect a long, private session.

Hula Hula is the better match for families with older children, couples who want more variety, and anyone who gets restless during a quiet beach stop. Paradise is better if your idea of a good day is a book, a swim, and no extra activity.

The guided snorkeling stop

The snorkeling session lasts about one hour and is one of the best reasons to book this tour. You receive a mask, fins, and life jacket, and a professional guide leads the group to a Red Sea reef area.

The underwater setting can include colorful coral and many fish. One outing produced a moray sighting, though wildlife is never guaranteed. The quality of the experience depends on visibility, weather, sea conditions, and how much time the group spends in the water.

I particularly value the way the guides work with mixed abilities. Ali and Fady have been singled out for professional support, while Oscar was praised for explaining the sea rules and checking that everyone was comfortable. Basam and Youssef Jr. were also noted for helping people enjoy the day. These personal touches matter more than fancy equipment when you are trying snorkeling for the first time.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer, but you do need to be comfortable taking part in a sea-based activity. A life jacket is available, and a guide can pull a tired or less confident swimmer with a buoy. Children must stay with an adult.

The main limitation is that there is usually one guided snorkeling stop. If you are an experienced snorkeler hoping for several reef locations, this may feel too brief. One guest would have preferred two snorkeling sites instead of a longer island stay. For a first Red Sea encounter, though, one organized hour is a useful introduction.

The semi-submarine for a dry view below the surface

The optional semi-submarine is a smart addition for anyone who cannot or does not want to snorkel. You sit in a dry viewing cabin below the waterline and watch fish and coral through wide windows.

It is also worthwhile for families with children. A glass-bottom or semi-submarine ride lets you see the marine setting without handling fins, entering open water, or worrying about swimming technique. One passenger whose husband could not enter the water found it gave him a way to share in the underwater experience.

Do not expect the same detail you get while snorkeling. The cabin gives you a framed view, while snorkeling lets you move closer and look around. The semi-submarine is best treated as a second angle, not a replacement for the reef stop.

The ride may happen before or after the island visit. Timing depends on the day’s logistics, and waiting can become an issue if groups are not ready. One account described an hour spent waiting for a group before the activity began. That is the clearest warning about this add-on: the view can be good, but the scheduling may not be smooth.

Morning or sunset departure

The morning program usually starts with pickup between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. The yacht leaves around 9:30 AM, followed by roughly two hours on the island, lunch, a one-hour snorkeling stop, and the semi-submarine if selected. Hotel return is expected around 4:30 PM.

The sunset program usually begins with pickup between 10:00 and 11:00 AM. The yacht departs around 11:30 AM, and the return to your hotel is expected around 5:30 PM. You get later light over the water and avoid the earliest start, but you still spend most of the day on the outing.

Choose the morning option if you want to return earlier or prefer more daylight for the trip back. The sunset option suits you if a later start fits your hotel routine and you like finishing with warm evening light. Both schedules can shift because of pickup routes and activity coordination.

Food, drinks, photographers, and extra spending

Lunch is included, but the format differs. Paradise Island offers an open buffet at the island restaurant. Hula Hula provides a set lunch, served according to that tour’s schedule.

The food has been described as good, plentiful, and freshly prepared. It is not a gourmet meal, but it does the job after swimming and snorkeling. Soft drinks are included, especially on the boat. Keep some cash or a payment method available for personal purchases, island drinks, and optional photography.

Professional photographers may work on the boat and island. They can take polished pictures in the water and on the beach, which may appeal to families who want a record of the day. The service costs extra, so decide in advance how much you want to spend. You do not need to buy photographs to take part in the tour.

What to pack and what to leave behind

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A second hat is listed among the recommended items, but the practical point is simple: protect your head and shoulders.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Keep your belongings compact and bring only what you need for a day on the water. The sun can feel strong even when the sea breeze makes the temperature seem comfortable.

You should also wear or carry something easy to move in during boarding and beach transfers. The tour is wheelchair accessible according to the activity details, but it is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Those statements do not fully agree, so anyone with limited mobility should confirm the exact boat, island access, and transfer arrangements before booking.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a good-value first taste of the Red Sea. It brings together the main attractions without requiring you to plan separate bookings. First-time snorkelers, families, couples, and non-swimmers can all find something useful here.

The semi-submarine makes the tour more inclusive for someone who cannot get into the water. The guides also make a difference for nervous swimmers, particularly when they explain the rules and stay close to less confident participants.

I would hesitate if you dislike shared tours, long transport days, or fixed schedules. Experienced snorkelers may prefer a boat offering several reef stops. Beach lovers may also want more free time on the island, while those seeking quiet should choose Paradise rather than Hula Hula.

The overall rating of 4.5 from 194 bookings reflects a strong experience with some organization issues. The happiest days appear to be the ones with helpful guides, calm seas, and a well-timed semi-submarine schedule. Delays and forgotten return pickups have happened, so keep your expectations practical.

Should you book the Giftun Islands tour?

Book it if you want a full Red Sea day at a modest price, with hotel transport, lunch, snorkeling gear, a guide, and the option to see the reef from a semi-submarine. Pick Paradise Island for a calm beach day and buffet lunch. Pick Hula Hula if you want the massage and water sports.

I would select the semi-submarine if anyone in your group cannot swim or wants a dry view of the fish. I would also confirm the pickup message the day before and keep the day flexible in case the boat runs late.

Skip it if your priority is private service, several snorkeling locations, or a long uninterrupted stay on the beach. For most first-time visitors based in Hurghada, though, this is an efficient and affordable way to meet the Red Sea.

FAQ

How long does the Giftun Islands tour last?

The full experience lasts about nine hours, including hotel transfers, the boat ride, island time, snorkeling, lunch, the semi-submarine if selected, and the return journey.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $28 per person. The semi-submarine costs extra unless you select a package that includes it. Personal purchases, drinks bought on the beach, and professional photographs are also not included.

Which islands can I visit?

You visit either Paradise Island or Hula Hula Island, depending on the option you choose. Paradise is more focused on beach relaxation, while Hula Hula includes a short massage and optional water sports.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip hotel pickup is included from Hurghada and nearby areas, including Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga. Private transfers are available for an additional fee.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No specific swimming ability is required, and life jackets and snorkeling equipment are provided. Guides can assist less confident swimmers, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What is included with snorkeling?

You receive a mask, fins, and life jacket, along with guidance from a professional snorkeling guide. The tour includes one guided snorkeling stop lasting about one hour.

Is the semi-submarine included?

Only selected packages include the semi-submarine. It may take place before or after the island visit, depending on the day’s schedule.

What should I bring?

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