Hurghada: Giftun Islands with Snorkeling & Semi-Submarine

Giftun Island’s main attraction is simple: white sand, clear Red Sea water, and coral reefs full of fish in one long day from Hurghada. You can spend time on Paradise Island for a calmer beach stop, or choose Hula Hula for a livelier visit with a short massage and possible water sports.

I like the way this trip combines two very different views of the sea: guided snorkeling for swimmers and a semi-submarine cabin for anyone who prefers to stay dry. I also like the price, about $28 per person, which includes transfers, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and soft drinks. The main drawback is timing. Pickup and boat departures can run late, and one snorkeling stop may feel short if you want more time in the water.

Giftun Island at a glance

• Two island moods: Paradise Island is quieter and beach-focused, while Hula Hula offers a more active program.
• A useful dry option: The semi-submarine lets you see coral and fish through underwater windows without swimming.
• Careful snorkeling support: Guides including Ali, Fady, Oscar, and Youssef Jr. are praised for helping beginners and less confident swimmers.
• Lunch is built in: Paradise Island serves an open buffet, while Hula Hula provides a set meal.
• A full nine-hour day: Shared transfers can take about an hour each way, with roughly 1.5 hours by yacht to the island.
• Best value comes from the combination: Beach time, snorkeling, lunch, transport, and the semi-submarine are a lot for the price, but check exactly what your selected package includes.

The main choice: Paradise Island or Hula Hula

Your first important decision is the island. The names can sound interchangeable when booking, but the experience is not quite the same.

Paradise Island is the calmer pick. You get time on a broad, pale beach, swimming in clear water, and a relaxed setting suited to families and anyone who wants a simple day by the sea. The beach may include inflatable features, and the island restaurant serves an open buffet.

The tradeoff is that Paradise can feel like a long beach stop if you are mainly interested in snorkeling. One schedule gives you about two hours on the island before lunch and the water activities, while the full stop can occupy several hours. If you would rather have two reef stops than extended sand time, this may feel slow.

Hula Hula Island has a livelier feel. Along with beach time and snorkeling, the package description includes a short massage and optional banana boat or sofa rides. This suits you if you want several small activities rather than a quiet beach afternoon. Lunch is served as a set meal rather than the Paradise buffet.

There is a small point to clarify before booking. The information for Paradise describes it as a peaceful island without massage or water sports, while the general notes say water sports are included on all tours. Treat the island-specific details as the safer guide and confirm what your chosen package includes. The same applies to the semi-submarine, since it is optional rather than automatic.

From hotel pickup to the Hurghada marina

The day begins with a shared van from your hotel or the nearest accessible pickup point. Transfers are offered from Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga.

For the morning departure, pickup is generally between 8:00 and 9:00 AM, with the boat leaving around 9:30. The sunset option starts later, usually with pickup between 10:00 and 11:00 AM and departure around 11:30. Return to your hotel is expected around 4:30 PM for the morning plan or 5:30 PM for the later one.

Shared transportation is practical but not exact to the minute. Some pickups arrive late, and the group may wait at the marina or for another activity to begin. Check your email and WhatsApp messages the day before, since the final pickup time is sent there. Be in the hotel lobby or at the main entrance at least 10 minutes early.

A private transfer costs extra and may make sense for families or small groups. If you choose to meet the boat yourself, arrive at the marina on time. Missing the departure because of a late arrival does not qualify for a refund.

The 1.5-hour yacht ride across the Red Sea

Once aboard, the trip changes pace. The yacht takes about an hour and a half to reach Giftun Island, although the exact boat schedule can vary. You get open views of the Red Sea and time to settle into the day before the beach stop.

The boat staff introduce the program and explain the snorkeling arrangements. A professional guide is present, and equipment includes a mask, fins, and life jacket. Soft drinks are available on the boat, a useful detail in the sun. Bring water protection for your phone, since personal bags and large luggage are not allowed.

This is not a private cruise. Group size can be substantial, and several guides may work aboard the yacht. That can be helpful during snorkeling, since the staff can spread out and watch people in the water, but it also means the day follows a fixed schedule.

What Paradise Island adds to the day

Paradise Island is the part of the trip built for slowing down. You can swim, sit on the beach, use the inflatable features, or simply enjoy the contrast between white sand and clear water. It is a good pause after the morning transfer and before the snorkeling session.

Lunch is served at the island restaurant as an open buffet. The menu is not described in detail, but the meal is included and is intended to keep you going through the afternoon. At Hula Hula, the meal is set rather than buffet-style, so check the package if food choice matters to you.

The beach time is also the point where expectations matter. Giftun Island is scenic, but you are visiting as part of an organized day trip, not finding an empty private shore. Sunbeds, inflatables, restaurant service, and a scheduled departure shape the experience.

The island can be the favorite part of the day for people who want swimming and sun. If you are a keen snorkeler, you may wish the beach portion were shorter and the reef time longer. The schedule currently includes one guided snorkeling session, not a series of separate reef stops.

Guided snorkeling with Ali, Fady, Oscar, and Youssef Jr.

The snorkeling stop is the strongest part of the day for many people who want to see the Red Sea properly. You enter the water with a guide rather than being left to work out the reef on your own. The staff explain the rules, help with equipment, and keep an eye on the group.

Several guides are singled out for their personal help. Ali and Fady are praised for being attentive and good-humored, while Oscar is noted for explaining safety rules and checking that people were comfortable. Youssef Jr. is also described as especially helpful with families.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer, but you should be comfortable following instructions in the sea. The equipment includes life jackets, and the guides can assist people who are tired or unable to swim confidently. One account describes a guide pulling a less confident swimmer with a life buoy, though you should still tell the crew about your ability before entering the water.

The reef can include colorful coral and plenty of fish. A moray eel has been spotted during the snorkeling sessions, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The semi-submarine gives you another way to see the underwater world, yet snorkeling offers a closer and more active view.

One hour in the water sounds generous, but changing, lining up, and moving as a group reduce actual swim time. If snorkeling is your priority, get ready promptly and listen for the guide’s instructions.

The semi-submarine: useful for non-swimmers

The semi-submarine is not a submarine in the full underwater expedition sense. It is a boat with a dry viewing cabin and large underwater windows, allowing you to watch fish and coral without getting wet.

This option is especially useful for mixed groups. You can snorkel while a partner or family member stays dry and still sees part of what is below the surface. It is also a sensible choice if you have health concerns that make swimming difficult.

The ride may take place before or after the island visit, depending on boat logistics. On some schedules, you may spend about an hour in the semi-submarine area, including waiting for the activity to begin. That wait can test your patience, especially if the boat is coordinating several groups.

For adults who are able to snorkel, the glass-bottom view is likely less exciting than being in the water. You see fish through the windows, but the perspective is more distant. For children, non-swimmers, and anyone who wants a dry option, it adds real value.

Massage, banana boats, and the Hula Hula difference

The Hula Hula program includes a short massage, described in the information as five minutes. Think of it as a brief holiday extra, not a spa treatment. It can be pleasant after the boat ride, but it should not be a reason alone to choose the tour.

Banana boat or sofa rides are also listed for the more active format. These provide a quick burst of fun rather than a long water-sports session. The description of Paradise Island specifically excludes massage and water sports, so confirm your island and package before paying if these extras matter to you.

Professional photographs and video are available at an additional cost. You are not required to buy them, and you should budget for them separately if you want a record of the day. Drinks on the beach may cost extra even though soft drinks are included on the boat.

Food, comfort, and what to pack

You will spend much of the day in direct sun. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A second hat is listed in the packing advice, but one secure hat is enough if you keep hold of it when the boat moves.

Wear something easy to change out of, and avoid bringing large bags or luggage. Pets are not allowed. Children must stay with an adult throughout the trip.

Lunch and soft drinks are included, but do not expect the food service to define the tour. The real value is the combination of transport, island access, snorkeling gear, guide support, lunch, and the optional semi-submarine. For $28, that package is strong if the schedule runs smoothly.

Timing problems and other practical cautions

The biggest concern is organization at busy points. Pickup may be late, the boat may wait for another group, and the semi-submarine can involve a delay before boarding. One reported return transfer also failed to collect passengers correctly, causing a much longer ride back to the hotel.

That does not mean every day will run poorly. Some departures are described as punctual and well organized, and the crew may be excellent once the boat is moving. Still, keep your return evening light. Do not book a tight dinner reservation, airport transfer, or evening show immediately after the expected drop-off.

The activity is advertised as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Ask the provider for a precise answer about the van, marina, boat boarding, island access, and restroom arrangements before booking.

The tour runs daily, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans may change.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this trip for a first Red Sea outing, especially if your group has mixed interests. A confident swimmer gets guided reef time, a non-swimmer gets the semi-submarine, and children have beach time and possible water activities.

It also suits you if you want one organized day rather than arranging a boat, island transfer, food, and equipment separately. The guides are a major part of the value, particularly for beginners who feel uneasy in open water.

You may want another option if you are an experienced snorkeler seeking several reef sites, a small private boat, or long uninterrupted time in the water. The single guided snorkeling stop and fixed island schedule may feel limited.

Should you book it?

Book this Giftun Island trip if you want a low-cost, full-day Red Sea sampler with beach time, lunch, snorkeling, and a dry underwater viewing option. Paradise Island is the better match for a relaxed beach day, while Hula Hula is the stronger choice for a livelier schedule with a short massage and possible water sports.

Before booking, confirm three details: your exact island, whether the semi-submarine is included, and which extras apply to that package. If you can accept shared transfers and a little schedule uncertainty, the $28 price offers unusually broad coverage for a day at sea. If snorkeling is your sole goal, look for a trip with two reef stops instead.

FAQ

How long does the Giftun Island tour last?

The full activity lasts about nine hours, including hotel transfers, the yacht ride, island time, snorkeling, and the return journey.

What time does the morning tour start?

Pickup for the morning option is generally between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. The yacht is scheduled to leave around 9:30 AM, with hotel drop-off around 4:30 PM.

Is there a later sunset departure?

Yes. The later option usually has pickup between 10:00 and 11:00 AM, yacht departure around 11:30 AM, and hotel return around 5:30 PM.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup is included from Hurghada. Pickup options are also available from Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga, depending on the selected transfer option.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Paradise Island tours include an open buffet lunch at the island restaurant. Hula Hula tours include a set lunch. Soft drinks are also included on the boat.

Is the semi-submarine included in the price?

The semi-submarine is included only if you select that option. It may take place before or after your island visit, depending on the day’s schedule.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No, but you must follow the guide’s safety instructions. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided, and guides can assist less confident swimmers. You should tell the crew about your swimming ability before entering the water.

Is massage included?

A short five-minute massage is included on yacht tours associated with the Hula Hula program. The Paradise Island description says massage is not included. Confirm the details of your selected package before booking.

Can people with mobility impairments join?

The activity information says it is wheelchair accessible but also lists it as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Contact the provider before booking to confirm whether the van, boat, marina, and island facilities meet your needs.