Hurghada: Giftun Islands with Snorkeling & Semi-Submarine

Red Sea fish, no skills needed. This full-day yacht trip from Hurghada to the Giftun Islands blends guided snorkeling with an optional semi-submarine ride, plus beach time on either Paradise or Hula Hula.

What I like most is that it is built for different comfort levels, swimmers and non-swimmers alike, without making you feel like you are in the wrong place.

I love the straightforward value here: hotel pickup, a calm cruise, then you get snorkeling gear and a professional guide to keep things smooth. You also get lunch and soft drinks, and on Hula Hula you may get a short massage and water-activity add-ons.

On days when the sun is doing its job, having food and drinks handled is a big deal.

One drawback to plan for: timing can be a little loose at the start, with waiting for pickup or during the semi-submarine switch. If you hate delays, this is not the tour for that mood.

Key things to know before you go

• Two island personalities: Paradise is calmer, Hula Hula is livelier with extra activities depending on your choice
• Optional dry sightseeing: the semi-submarine lets you watch fish and coral without getting wet
• Snorkeling with a real guide: equipment and a guide are part of the package, with safety as the focus
• Meals and drinks included: lunch plus soft drinks help you avoid the mid-day scramble
• A glass-bottom boat stop: it can be a nice family-friendly way to spot fish from above the water

Why Giftun Islands feel like a proper Red Sea day

Giftun Islands are one of those Egypt trips that works because the scenery does not need your help. From Hurghada, you trade the road for open water, then you land on white sand with clear shallows and coral-rich spots nearby.

I like that this is not just a beach-and-photos day. You get structured time for swimming and snorkeling, plus an optional semi-submarine for anyone who wants the marine life view without committing to the water the whole time.

The practical upside is choice. If you are confident in the sea, you can lean into snorkeling. If you want a slower pace, you can let the beach and dry-view options do the work.

Paradise vs Hula Hula, pick the right island mood

Your main decision is which island style you want: Paradise or Hula Hula. Both are on the Giftun Islands area, but they feel different once you get there.

Paradise tends to be the chill choice. You get beach time to relax and swim at your own rhythm, and it is described as a quieter sanctuary vibe. If you are traveling with mixed energy levels in your group, Paradise can help keep everyone comfortable.

Hula Hula is the busier option. You still get beach time and snorkeling, but this is also where you can get extra fun like a short massage session and water-sport options such as banana boat or sofa rides (details depend on your exact booking). It is the better fit if you want a day that feels more active and less purely relaxing.

A tip from how the day is set up: choose based on what you will actually do. If you know you will spend most of the day in the water, Hula Hula’s energy can be a plus. If you know you mostly want sand, swimming, and chilling, Paradise usually hits the mark.

The day flow from Hurghada: morning vs sunset energy

This tour runs daily and is timed in two main ways, and the pace changes a bit depending on which one you book.

On the morning adventure, pickup is typically between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. The boat departs around 9:30 AM, you get about two hours on the island, then you do lunch and around one hour of snorkeling. You usually head back to Hurghada and are dropped off around 4:30 PM.

On the sunset adventure, pickup is typically between 10:00 and 11:00 AM, with departure around 11:30 AM. Your day is more beach-and-water, then you snorkel with a guided session and enjoy lunch before heading back, with return to your hotel around 5:30 PM.

Why this matters: the Red Sea light is different later in the day. If you are chasing the most comfortable beach time and want a slower end, the sunset option often feels more forgiving on your body.

Also note how the semi-submarine fits. If you choose it, the operator may schedule it before or after your island time based on logistics, so you should not lock your expectations to a strict order.

Cruise time on the Red Sea: what you’re actually paying for

You are paying for more than the islands. The yacht cruise is part of the experience, and it is where the day starts to feel like an escape.

The cruise time is about 1.5 hours across the Red Sea from the marina to the islands. You get panoramic views and that easy, rolling feel of open water, plus time to settle in before your first swim stop.

This is also where you get brief program orientation from the guide on board. In past days, guides have been praised for being clear about the plan and keeping safety front-and-center, including names like Youssef jr and Basam showing up in standout service moments.

If you are prone to motion sickness, bring what you use at sea. The day is calm compared to speedboat rides, but you are still on open water for hours.

Snorkeling with a guide: the difference between chaos and calm

Snorkeling is the heart of the day, and you should treat it that way. The tour includes one guided snorkeling stop, plus mask, fins, and life jacket. That matters because the guide is there to manage pacing and keep people together.

From the names that come up most often on this kind of trip, you might get a snorkeling lead like Oskar, Ali, or Fady. The common thread in how these guides are described is simple: rules and safety first, and then help as needed so you can actually enjoy looking at fish and coral.

What you should expect at the snorkeling stop:

• A guide brief so you know what to do before you enter the water
• Time in the water with support and a group focus
• Life jacket support for comfort and confidence

If you are a first-time snorkeler, do not overthink it. Wear your gear as instructed, take it slow in the entry, and focus on staying relaxed. The guide’s job is to make the experience feel doable, not intimidating.

One consideration: some days may feel like there is only one snorkeling stop. If your goal is maximum time in the water, you may wish there were more than one site. But for many people, the included guidance is what makes the stop worth it.

Semi-submarine and glass-bottom boat: seeing fish without the swim

If getting wet is not your thing, or you want a break between beach and snorkeling, the semi-submarine option is often the highlight. You ride in a dry cabin and watch underwater life through large windows.

This is a smart choice for:

• Anyone who wants marine-life views without a full swim session
• People who want a calmer experience if they are tired or cautious
• Groups where not everyone snorkels

There is also a glass-bottom boat ride built into the day schedule. It is a nice family-friendly extra because you can spot fish without committing to snorkeling the whole time. One practical downside is that adults sometimes see less than they would on a real snorkel, so think of it as an add-on, not a replacement.

I especially like that the semi-submarine helps you keep the day balanced. You can spend time on the island, do snorkeling if you feel good, then get the dry view option when you want to rest.

Lunch, soft drinks, and beach time that actually works

Food and cooling breaks are where most day trips fall apart. Here, you get lunch plus soft drinks included, which is exactly what you want on a sea-and-sun day.

Lunch is handled in one of two ways depending on which island you choose. Paradise tours use an open buffet lunch at the Paradise Island restaurant. Hula Hula tours use a set lunch at the island. Either way, you are not stuck trying to find food after a swim.

A small detail that matters: soft drinks are included, so you are not paying for hydration twice in the same day. That keeps the budget steadier, and it helps you enjoy the water time instead of worrying about what comes next.

On the island, you get beach time to relax, swim, and reset. Paradise tends to feel more relaxed, while Hula Hula is more likely to include extra activities that can bring more energy to the beach.

If you are sensitive to sun, treat your beach time like a schedule. Even if the water looks tempting, take breaks, use sunscreen, and keep a hat on. It is the simplest way to protect your snorkeling and your mood.

Optional massage and water sports at Hula Hula

If you picked Hula Hula, this is where the day can go from good to more fun. You may get a short massage session, described as brief, plus optional water sports such as banana boat or sofa rides.

This is not just “extra entertainment.” It changes the feel of the day:

• You spend more time active and moving
• You get a built-in break from the beach-and-swim loop
• The day feels more like a full outing instead of a single swim session

Just remember: Paradise is described as more laid-back and does not include massage or water sports in the way Hula Hula does. So if those extras matter to you, confirm that your booking is the Hula Hula option.

Getting there and staying on time without stress

Hotel pickup is part of the value here. Pickup is available from Hurghada and nearby areas including Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga.

The key practical rule: be ready about 10 minutes before your confirmed pickup time. The operator confirms exact timing by WhatsApp or email the day before, so check both. If you choose the without-transfer option, you must arrive on time at the marina, and late arrivals can mean missing the tour.

One more small perk that helps: you skip the line via a separate entrance. It is not glamorous, but it saves time, especially when there are crowds around departures.

A heads-up from how people describe the start of the day: occasionally, you might wait if pickup runs late. If you plan this trip on a busy travel day, give yourself buffer time before and after.

Price and value: is $28 a smart buy?

At about $28 per person for a full-day Red Sea outing, the value mainly comes from what is included, not what is optional.

You get:

• Full-day boat trip to Giftun Islands
• Guided snorkeling with snorkeling equipment
• Lunch plus soft drinks
• Round-trip hotel transfers (if you select the transfer option)
• Semi-submarine if you select it

In many beach tours, you pay extra for basic snorkeling gear, guide attention, and food. Here, you are buying a more complete package, which is why people often call it strong value.

The semi-submarine is also a value lever. Even if you plan to snorkel, the dry-view ride is useful for non-swimmers or for quick relief from sun and saltwater. A lot of people say it is worth adding.

Where value depends on you: if you want multiple snorkeling sites and long water time, this tour’s single guided snorkeling stop may feel short. If you want a well-supported day with beach time and an optional dry-view, it is a good match for the price.

What to bring and how to make the day smoother

Bring sun protection like it is your second swimsuit. The tour specifically recommends:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

Also, pack what you personally need for sea comfort, like water-proof phone protection if you plan to take photos and videos.

A couple rules to keep in mind:

• No pets
• No luggage or large bags

And if you are worried about mobility needs, pay attention to the notes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If that applies to you, message the operator before booking so you are not guessing.

Who should book this Giftun Islands snorkeling day

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want a single full day in the Red Sea with easy structure
• Plan to snorkel, or at least want a guided entry to feel comfortable
• Like having options, beach time plus dry-view viewing if you choose semi-submarine
• Want included lunch and soft drinks without extra planning

It is also ideal for mixed groups. Someone can snorkel while someone else rests on the beach or watches the sea through semi-submarine windows.

If you are the type who needs intense snorkeling time all day, or you prefer fewer transfers and zero waiting, you may want a different style of cruise with more snorkeling stops.

Should you book this Giftun Islands snorkeling tour?

If your idea of a great day is simple and well-supported, I think you should book it. The combination of guided snorkeling, included lunch and soft drinks, and the option of a semi-submarine ride makes it a practical way to see the Red Sea without overcomplicating your day.

Choose carefully between Paradise and Hula Hula. Paradise is the calm reset button, Hula Hula is the more active day with extras like water sports and a short massage session. If you can match the island to your mood, this trip usually delivers.

If you hate delays, keep expectations flexible for the start of the day. Otherwise, this is one of those Egypt sea trips where the value is real, not just marketing.

FAQ

How long is the Giftun Islands tour from Hurghada?

The duration is listed as 9 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip hotel transfers from Hurghada are included if you choose the pickup option. Pickup is available from Hurghada and several nearby resorts including Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga.

Do I need to choose Paradise Island or Hula Hula Island?

Yes. Your tour is to either Paradise Island or Hula Hula Island, and the activities included differ between the two options.

Is snorkeling included, and do I get equipment?

Yes. You get one guided snorkeling stop and the use of snorkeling equipment, including mask, fins, and life jacket.

What is included for lunch and drinks?

Lunch is included, and soft drinks are also included. Paradise tours use an open buffet lunch, while Hula Hula tours use a set lunch.

Is the semi-submarine included?

The semi-submarine is included only if you select that option. If selected, it may take place before or after your time on the island depending on logistics.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so it is best to check with the operator before booking if mobility is a concern.