Giftun Island Snorkeling Day Tour

Giftun Island is the draw: a boat ride from Hurghada to clear Red Sea water, coral, colorful fish, and a stretch of pale sand. The day combines a beach stop with snorkeling, so you can alternate between swimming and time on deck.

I like two practical parts of this trip: hotel transfers from Hurghada remove the need to arrange your own ride to the marina, and lunch with unlimited soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee is included. The listed multilingual guide languages include English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Polish, and Czech.

The main caution is that the beach stop can be long and exposed to the sun, while the order and number of separate reef stops may not match every expectation. Bring a towel and sunscreen, and be ready for a shared day with a schedule that can shift.

At a glance

• A full day at sea: The tour lasts about eight hours, with departure options listed at 08:00 and a return around 16:00.
• Beach time comes with a trade-off: Giftun Island offers white sand and clear water, but shade may be limited and optional drinks can cost extra.
• Two reef stops are planned: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a professional snorkeling guide are included.
• Lunch is served aboard: The boat meal comes with unlimited soft drinks and mineral water, plus tea, coffee, and milk.
• Hotel pickup is included in Hurghada: Pickup for Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and Soma Bay costs extra.
• It suits active families and adults: Children must be at least five, but the tour is not suitable for people with several listed health or mobility needs.

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From Hurghada hotel pickup to the marina

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Your day starts with a shared transfer from your hotel or an agreed pickup point in Hurghada. The exact collection time is confirmed after booking, and the vehicle may arrive early or late because it collects other participants. The pickup point is the hotel’s main gate by the highway, not the reception entrance. That distinction matters: confirm the correct gate with your hotel rather than waiting inside the lobby.

At the marina, you’ll have a welcome drink and a short briefing before boarding. The boat is scheduled to leave around 9:30 AM, though your selected pickup time and the day’s conditions can affect the precise timetable. Arrive at the pickup point 15 minutes early, and keep your phone available for the operator’s confirmation by email, call, or WhatsApp.

The transfer and marina arrangements are useful inclusions, especially if you don’t want to negotiate transport before a full day on the water. But this is a shared transfer, not a private car. Build in patience for a few pickups, and enter your correct hotel name, address, room number, and nationality when booking. Passport details are also requested.

Giftun Island: sand, sea, and sun exposure

At Giftun Island, the appeal is simple: white sand, clear blue water, and a chance to swim or relax between boat activities. If your idea of a Red Sea day includes beach time as well as coral, this stop adds welcome variety. You aren’t expected to spend the whole outing in the water.

The beach can also be the least comfortable part of the day if you arrive unprepared. A past account describes a stay of about two hours with little shade in the seating area. That duration and arrangement may vary, but it’s a good reason to pack a towel, sunscreen, and a hat, and to make sure you have access to water before leaving the boat.

Keep in mind that lunch is served on the boat, not necessarily on the island. Don’t assume your meal, drinks, or snorkeling gear will be beside you while you’re ashore. Take the essentials you’ll need for the beach, and ask the crew where to leave equipment and how to get drinking water before you disembark.

Optional island purchases are not included. One reported price for a small beer was about US$8, so don’t count on inexpensive refreshments at the beach. You can avoid an unwelcome bill by bringing what you need from the boat and treating island purchases as optional extras.

Two planned snorkeling stops in the Red Sea

The tour includes two snorkeling stops, equipment, life jackets, and a professional snorkeling guide. You can expect time to look at coral reefs and fish in the clear Red Sea, though visibility and marine life are natural conditions, not a fixed show. The guide and safety equipment help make the water time more approachable, especially if you don’t snorkel often.

The written plan puts the island visit before lunch, then sends the boat to another snorkeling spot afterward. One participant’s account, however, described being told there would be no second separate reef location after lunch. That makes it sensible to clarify the route with the crew before boarding if two distinct snorkeling locations are important to you. The stated plan is two stops, but keep some flexibility around how the day’s route is carried out.

The equipment is included, so you don’t need to arrange a separate rental in advance. Still, bring your own mask if you prefer a familiar fit, and check that your life jacket and snorkeling gear are comfortable before getting into the water. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and it is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back or heart problems.

Lunch and drinks back on the boat

Lunch is served aboard after the island stop, before the later snorkeling session. The meal gives you a useful break from the sun and the water, and it means you don’t need to arrange a separate lunch on shore. Unlimited soft drinks and mineral water are included, along with tea, coffee, and milk.

The drinks matter more than they might on a short outing. This is an eight-hour day, with beach time and activity in the sun, so regular water breaks are part of staying comfortable. The boat’s first-aid medical box is included as a safety measure, although it doesn’t replace taking care of your own sun exposure or health needs.

The boat is described as a naval boat, and the sightseeing cruise is part of the outing rather than just a transfer between stops. Expect a shared group setting, not a private charter. If you’re looking for a quiet, custom-paced trip, this format may feel less personal; if you want transport, food, and equipment bundled into one excursion, it is more convenient.

What the price includes, and what it doesn’t

The tour is advertised from US$46, while the join-in package option is also shown from US$40. The amount you pay can depend on the selected package and booking details, so check the final total before confirming. For the price, the main value is the bundle: hotel transfer within Hurghada, boat trip, island visit, snorkeling equipment and life jackets, guide, lunch, and drinks.

That bundle can make the outing good value if you plan to use the boat, beach, and snorkeling stops. It is less compelling if you mainly want a quiet beach day or a private trip with full control over timing. Optional services are excluded, and pickup from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and Soma Bay carries an extra charge based on location. Tips are appreciated but not mandatory.

Some excursions also offer add-on services, but they are not part of the listed inclusions. In particular, don’t assume any photo or video package is included. An optional video purchase was described as disappointing by one participant, so take your own camera if you want pictures and decide carefully before paying for extras.

Who should book this Giftun Island trip?

This excursion is a sensible choice if you’re staying in Hurghada, want to see the Red Sea from a boat, and value having transport, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear arranged together. It can work well for a family with older children who are comfortable around water: participants must be at least five, and children aged 12 or older pay the adult rate.

It’s less suited to anyone who needs step-free access, has a listed heart or back condition, is pregnant, or has mobility limitations. Nor is it ideal if you expect a tightly controlled schedule or a long, shaded beach setup. The itinerary can change with traffic and weather, and a shared transfer adds some uncertainty to the start and finish.

The available feedback is sharply divided. One account praises Klook’s customer service for helping resolve a problem receiving trip photos, while another describes a hot, lengthy beach stop, expensive drinks, and disappointment about the second snorkeling location. That contrast points to the best way to book: value the included transport and boat day, but set realistic expectations about shade, optional costs, and the exact route.

Before you book

Pickup is complimentary from hotels or selected locations in Hurghada. For hotels in Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, or Soma Bay, ask about the added transfer cost before you commit. The operator reconfirms the pickup time in advance, and confirmation is expected within 24 hours. If no confirmation email arrives, contact customer support.

Bring a towel and sunscreen, and share your passport details as requested. Travel insurance is recommended. The voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, and a full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity, using local destination time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a straightforward, full-day Red Sea outing with hotel pickup, a sandy island stop, snorkeling, and lunch included. The package keeps the main costs and logistics together, and the language options give you a better chance of following the briefing in a language you understand.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed second reef location, generous shade, or a carefully tailored pace. Before paying, confirm the total price, any long-range pickup charge, and the day’s intended island and snorkeling sequence. Pack for heat, keep optional island purchases optional, and you’ll be better set to enjoy what the trip does well: a boat day with time both on the beach and in the water.

FAQ

How long is the Giftun Island snorkeling tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. A listed schedule offers departure at 08:00 and return around 16:00, though the exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included for hotels in Hurghada. Pickup from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and Soma Bay is available for an extra charge.

Where should I wait for pickup?

Wait at the hotel’s main gate by the highway, not at the reception entrance. Arrive 15 minutes before the confirmed departure time.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes hotel transfers within Hurghada, a boat tour, a Giftun Island visit, two planned snorkeling stops, a guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, unlimited soft drinks and mineral water, tea, coffee, and milk.

Do I need to bring a towel and sunscreen?

Yes. A towel and sunscreen are specifically recommended. You should also be prepared for sun exposure during the island stop.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least five years old. Children aged 12 and older are charged the adult rate.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or health concerns?

No. It is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, and people with back or heart problems.

Can I cancel for a refund?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.