Gifton island national park full day snorkeling

Red Sea days are hard to beat. This eight-hour trip from Hurghada combines a boat ride, guided snorkeling, lunch at sea, and several hours on Giftun Island National Park. I like the free hotel pickup in Hurghada and the fact that snorkeling gear, drinks, and a guide are included, so you can spend less time arranging details and more time in the water.

I also like the simple mix of activities. You get a coral reef stop, lunch, a sandy beach, swimming, sunbathing, and a banana boat ride rather than one long stretch of sitting on a boat. The main caution is the onboard meal: one French-speaking customer reported becoming ill after eating, so I would bring personal snacks and use sensible care with food and drinks.

Key points to know before you book

• The day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada, included at no extra charge for hotels in the city.
• Snorkeling equipment and a guide are provided, making this a practical choice if you did not bring your own gear.
• The trip includes both reef time and beach time, so you are not limited to snorkeling all day.
• Lunch, coffee, tea, drinks, and a banana boat ride are included, while a $5 nature reserve fee is extra.
• The group is capped at 25 people, large enough for a social boat outing but not a private cruise.
• The advertised price is $37.98 per person, a reasonable package price if you use the included transfers and activities.

Starting from Hurghada with a simple morning pickup

The day begins with a transfer from your hotel in Hurghada to the boat. That small detail has real value. Hurghada is spread out, and arranging your own taxi to a marina can add both cost and guesswork. With pickup and drop-off included, you have one less moving part to manage.

The exact pickup time depends on your hotel and the boat schedule. Keep your morning open and be ready before the stated collection time. The trip lasts about eight hours, with a return to Hurghada in the late afternoon.

Pickup from Hurghada hotels is free. If you are staying in Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, El Gouna, or Safaga, pickup and drop-off are available for an additional fee. That extra charge can change the value calculation, so check it before booking.

The boat carries a maximum of 25 people. I would describe that as a standard small-group outing rather than an intimate sailing trip. You should expect a shared boat, group instructions, and a set schedule. The advantage is the lower price and the social feel. The tradeoff is less flexibility than you would have on a private charter.

Sailing into the Red Sea

Once you reach the boat, you set out toward Giftun Island National Park. The cruise itself is part of the experience. You have time to sit back, watch the Red Sea, and shift from hotel mode into beach mode.

A guide travels with the group and helps organize the snorkeling stop and the island visit. Since equipment is included, you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately. Still, I would check the fit of your gear before entering the water. A loose mask or uncomfortable fins can turn a pleasant swim into needless fuss.

The supplied information does not promise a particular boat style, cabin arrangement, or shaded seating. If shade matters to you, ask the operator before departure. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a cover-up, since much of the day takes place outdoors and the Egyptian sun can be strong.

The boat includes drinks, coffee, and tea. That is useful on a full-day outing, but I would still carry a refillable water bottle if allowed by the operator. The information does not specify the full drink menu or how often refreshments are served.

The first snorkeling stop: coral, fish, and clear water

Before reaching the island, the boat stops at a snorkeling site in the Red Sea. This is the strongest part of the day for anyone who wants to see coral and fish rather than simply sit on a beach.

You can expect clear turquoise water, coral formations, colorful fish, and other underwater plant and animal life. The guide helps the group enter the water and use the supplied equipment. The snorkeling stop gives you a chance to see the Red Sea in its natural setting, where the main attraction is below the surface.

The experience is not presented as a specialist marine expedition. It is a guided recreational stop suited to most people who can swim and feel comfortable in the water. The tour notes say most people can participate, but they do not provide details about lifeguards, flotation devices, or exact water depth. If you are a weak swimmer, tell the guide before getting in and ask what support is available.

I would also set your expectations correctly. A shared snorkeling trip cannot guarantee a particular fish, animal, or coral sighting. Conditions can vary with weather and visibility. The promise is the chance to see Red Sea marine life, not a fixed underwater show.

The equipment is included, which improves the value of the trip. If you own a well-fitting mask, you may prefer to bring it, but the provided gear means beginners can join without buying anything before the day.

Lunch onboard the boat

After the snorkeling stop, lunch is served on the boat before the island visit. Eating at sea keeps the schedule tidy and means you do not need to leave the beach in search of a restaurant.

Lunch and drinks are included in the price, along with coffee or tea. That helps make the $37.98 cost easier to justify, especially when you also count the hotel transfer, guide, equipment, and boat ride.

Food quality is the main point where I would be careful. One customer described becoming ill after the meal, and the operator apologized in response. That is a single report, not proof of a general problem, but it is useful practical information. If you have a sensitive stomach, bring familiar snacks, avoid eating more than you need, and stay hydrated. You can enjoy the trip without treating the included lunch as the only food option.

The supplied details do not describe the menu, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary setup. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, contact Egypt Sunny Trips before the day begins and ask what can be provided.

Giftun Island beach time

After lunch, the boat continues to Giftun Island National Park. Here, the pace changes. Instead of following a water activity, you get time to walk on the white sandy beach, swim, snorkel, or lie in the sun.

I like this balance. A full day of snorkeling can leave you tired, while a full day on a beach can feel repetitive. Giftun Island gives you a second setting and lets you choose how active you want to be.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the beach has a relaxed holiday feel. You can walk along the sand, take a swim, or simply find a place to sit and enjoy the sea. The island portion is especially useful for people in a mixed group. A keen swimmer can remain active while someone else rests on the beach.

Do not expect a private island experience. This is a group excursion to a well-known national park, and the schedule is shared with other boat passengers. The supplied details do not state how long you stay on the island, so your free time will be shaped by the boat’s timetable.

The island visit also comes with a separate nature reserve fee of $5. It is not included in the advertised price. Add that charge to your budget before comparing this trip with other boat excursions.

The banana boat ride and extra activity

A banana boat ride is included. This adds a short burst of fun for anyone who enjoys a more active water activity. It can be a nice change after snorkeling and beach time.

The information does not explain how long the ride lasts, how many people share it, or whether participation is required. Ask the guide about the arrangement if you do not want to take part. The tour is still built around snorkeling and the island, so the banana boat should be treated as an extra rather than the main reason to book.

If your group has children, check the operator’s safety rules directly. The activity is listed as included, but no age, height, or swimming requirements are provided.

What the $37.98 price really covers

At $37.98 per person, this is priced as an accessible group day rather than a luxury cruise. The cost includes a lot of practical pieces:

• Hotel pickup and return within Hurghada
• Boat transportation
• A guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• Lunch and drinks
• Coffee and tea
• A banana boat ride
• Taxes and service charges

The extra $5 nature reserve fee is the main known addition. Tips and personal spending are also excluded.

I think the price works best if you are staying in Hurghada and want a ready-made day at sea. The included transfer alone saves you the trouble of finding the marina, while the gear means you avoid another rental charge. The value is less clear if you stay outside Hurghada and must pay a substantial pickup supplement.

A group size of up to 25 keeps the cost down, but you should not compare it with a private boat or a premium snorkeling charter. This is a straightforward day trip with a set route and shared facilities. For a first Red Sea outing, that simplicity can be a strength.

The service record and what to watch

The available rating is 4.7 from three reviews, which points to a positive experience overall but is too small a sample for strong conclusions. One customer had a booking communication problem: the reservation was not initially shown to the boat operator. The operator still worked to get that person onto the boat, which reflects useful flexibility on the day.

I would not rely on that good outcome as a booking plan. Confirm your reservation and pickup details in advance, especially if you book close to departure. Confirmation is issued at booking, and the tour can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

The food issue is the other point to keep in mind. It does not cancel out the good parts of the trip, but it supports a sensible approach to the meal. Bring any snacks or medication you normally need, and tell the operator about dietary concerns before departure.

Who will enjoy this Giftun Island day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a low-cost, organized day on the Red Sea without arranging transport, gear, and meals yourself. It suits couples, families, friends, and solo visitors who are comfortable joining a shared boat.

It is also a good fit if your group has different interests. One person can snorkel, another can swim, and another can sit on the sand. The island stop prevents the day from feeling like one long equipment-and-water session.

You may want a different experience if you want a private boat, a quiet schedule, a specialist marine guide, or detailed control over meals. The group format and fixed itinerary are designed for convenience, not personal tailoring.

The tour notes say most people can participate, but they do not provide detailed accessibility information. If you need help boarding the boat, have limited mobility, or need specific water equipment, ask Egypt Sunny Trips before booking.

My practical packing advice

Keep your day bag light, but bring the things that make a boat outing easier:

• Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Towel and cover-up
• Sunglasses
• Any personal medication
• Familiar snacks if you are cautious about the included meal
• Cash for the $5 reserve fee, tips, or personal expenses

I would wear footwear that is easy to remove for swimming and suitable for walking on sand. The provided details do not say whether towels are supplied, so bring your own unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Keep your phone protected from water. The tour includes a mobile ticket, but that does not mean your phone will stay dry near the boat and beach.

Should you book this snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, all-in-one Red Sea day from Hurghada. The combination of hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, lunch, guide, beach time, and banana boat activity gives you a lot for $37.98, even after adding the $5 nature reserve fee.

I would book with three expectations: this is a shared group boat, the schedule is fairly fixed, and the onboard lunch may not suit every stomach. Confirm your pickup details, ask about food if you have dietary needs, and bring basic sun and snack supplies.

For a first visit to Giftun Island National Park, this is a practical choice. It gives you both the reef and the beach without asking you to organize the day piece by piece.

FAQ

How long does the Giftun Island snorkeling tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately eight hours, with pickup in the morning and return to your Hurghada hotel in the late afternoon.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga are available for an additional fee.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and drinks are served on the boat. Coffee and tea are also included.

Is the nature reserve fee included?

No. A $5 nature reserve fee is excluded from the advertised tour price.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 25 people.

Is the banana boat ride included?

Yes. A banana boat ride is listed among the included activities.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.