From Hurghada: Giftun Island Cruise with Lunch & Watersports

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is the contrast between Nemo Island’s white sand and the Red Sea’s coral reefs. You spend time on an island, snorkel from the boat, eat lunch at sea, and may get banana-boat or sofa rides without paying extra for each activity. I especially like the island stop and the broad package of inclusions.

I also like that hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, a life vest, lunch, soft drinks, tea, and water are included in the $41 price. The main caution is organization: some departures combine groups, which can mean a packed transfer, queues at the marina, short snorkeling time, or less than the advertised two hours on the island.

Key points at a glance

• Nemo Island can be the quiet highlight: White sand, clear water, and fewer people may make this stop feel far better than a crowded beach.
• The Red Sea snorkeling is the main activity: Expect coral reefs and an instructor, but time in the water can shrink when a large group enters together.
• Watersports add real value: Banana-boat and sofa rides have been included on some departures, though the exact water program may vary.
• Lunch is served on board: You get an open buffet with hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water while the boat is at sea.
• Transfers are included, but allow patience: Hotel pickup and drop-off are useful, yet the trip to the marina can take time when several groups are collected.
• The price is strong for a full day: At $41, the combination of island access, snorkeling, food, drinks, and transport offers good value if you accept possible crowds.

Nemo Island, Orange Island, or both?

The experience is sold as an Orange Island cruise, but the description and day-to-day accounts also use the names Nemo Island and Nemo Bay. That naming matters when you book. The intended experience appears to include a Red Sea island stop with white sand and clear water, but the exact island route can depend on the boat’s combined groups.

Nemo Island is the quieter choice described in the available trip details. It is presented as a place for calm water, beach time, photos, and a slower break from the boat. Some departures have reached the island when few other people were there, which changes the mood completely. You can sit with a drink, take pictures, and enjoy the water without the usual beach crowd.

The listed island visit is two hours, but actual time can vary. One account described about one hour and 20 minutes after a delayed transfer, while another described roughly an hour and a half. If the island is the main reason you are booking, ask at the start of the day which bay your group is using and how long you should expect to stay.

Some boats combine passengers going to different islands. That can create confusion at the transfer point, especially if one group is headed to Orange Bay and another to Nemo or Paradise. I would keep your booking details handy and confirm the island name before leaving the marina. It is a small step that can prevent a frustrating start.

The morning pickup and marina transfer

Your day begins with early hotel pickup in Hurghada. The transfer to the marina is included, as is the return ride after the cruise. This makes the outing easy to arrange, especially if you do not have your own transport.

The weak point is timing. A smooth pickup can be quick, but a busy morning may involve collecting several groups before you reach the boat. One account described about two hours between hotel pickup and boarding, with a packed bus by the end. You may also pass through another hotel or transfer area before reaching the boat.

That does not mean every departure will run this way, but you should not treat the early pickup time as the moment the cruise begins. Bring water, wear comfortable clothes, and keep your patience for the marina. The full day has several moving parts: hotel pickups, boarding, island transfers, snorkeling instructions, and return transport.

Once aboard, the crew provides the basic safety equipment. Life vests and snorkeling gear are included, and a snorkeling instructor accompanies the group. Arabic, English, German, and Russian are listed as available languages, which is useful on a mixed international boat.

The island stop: sand, water, and quiet time

The island visit is the easiest part of the day to enjoy at your own pace. You can swim, sit on the sand, take photographs, or simply stop moving for a while. After an early pickup and a busy boat ride, this quiet beach time can be welcome.

Nemo Island has earned the strongest praise in the available comments. The appeal is not elaborate sightseeing. It is the simple combination of clear water, pale sand, and open space. If you arrive during a quiet period, the island may feel far more special than a crowded organized beach stop.

Still, the transfer onto the island can take time. Smaller boats may move people between the main boat and the beach, and delays have reduced the actual stay for some groups. If your group is asked to use a different bay, speak up politely if Nemo is the island you booked. Confusion between routes has been a real issue on at least one departure.

Drinks on the island are not included. Water, hot drinks, and soft drinks are provided on the main boat, but you should not assume that the same arrangement applies once you reach shore. Bring the essentials with you and pack sunscreen where you can reach it.

Snorkeling the Red Sea reefs

The snorkeling stops are the heart of the cruise for anyone interested in marine life. The boat heads to coral areas around the Red Sea islands, where you can use the provided mask and equipment with help from the instructor.

The water is described as crystal clear, and the coral reefs are the main natural attraction. You may see plenty beneath the surface, but this is a group boat outing rather than a private reef trip. A crowded first stop has made it hard for some people to see much, even when the reef itself was good.

The practical issue is water time. With a large group, getting 40 people into the water can take a while. One account described only about 10 minutes of actual snorkeling after everyone had entered, followed by another short stop at the same area. That is a major difference from the relaxed reef session you may imagine from the itinerary.

Other departures have included two snorkeling stops and offered a better overall day. Conditions, crowding, boat combinations, and crew timing all seem to affect the result. I would book this for a pleasant introduction to Red Sea snorkeling, not for long, quiet observation of marine life.

Children can snorkel if they are good swimmers, but they must remain with an adult at all times. The life vests are included, and the instructor is there to help, but parents still need to watch their children closely. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and beachwear. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and salt water.

Watersports that add value to the day

Watersports are an important part of the package because they make the trip more than a simple beach and snorkeling cruise. Some departures have included banana-boat and sofa rides, both of which can be a fun surprise for families and groups.

The exact schedule is not spelled out in detail, so do not assume that every activity will operate in every condition. Weather affects the sea, and the available water program may also depend on boat timing and group arrangements. One account reported no watersports after the second snorkeling stop, while another described both rides as part of a well-planned day.

This is a good example of how to judge the tour. If you mainly want a guaranteed banana ride, ask the crew early in the day. If you see it as an extra, the package still has value through the island, reef stops, meal, and drinks.

Lunch, drinks, and life on board

Lunch is served on board as an open buffet. The boat team prepares the meal while you look out over the Red Sea, and hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water are included. For a full-day excursion, this saves you from arranging food separately.

The meal appears adequate rather than lavish. Some people found there was enough for the group, while others wanted larger portions, especially when children were hungry. If your family eats early or often, bring a small approved snack if possible, though the supplied details only confirm the included meal and drinks.

The timing of lunch can shape the experience. A meal after snorkeling gives you a chance to dry off and rest, but it may also arrive after a long morning of transfers and water activities. Keep your towel and a dry layer accessible instead of burying them in a bag.

One useful detail is that drinks are included on the boat but not on the island. That distinction is easy to miss. Fill your cup before leaving the boat, and keep mineral water nearby during the beach stop.

What the $41 price really buys you

At $41 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want several activities in one booking. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a full-day boat trip, island entry, snorkeling equipment, a life vest, an instructor, lunch, hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water.

Buying those parts separately would be more work and could cost more. The island admission and transport are especially useful because they remove the need to arrange your own marina transfer or find a separate boat. For a first Red Sea outing, the package is practical.

The trade-off is control. A low-priced group cruise can mean a fuller boat, shared transfers, and a fixed schedule. You may not get long snorkeling sessions or a perfectly timed island stay. Someone seeking quiet, private reef time should consider a smaller or more tailored boat, even if it costs more.

For families, the included food and life vests help keep spending predictable. For couples, the value depends on how much you care about quiet. For a group of friends, the watersports and island photos may make the busy sections easier to accept.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a varied Red Sea day at a moderate price. It suits first-time snorkelers, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who likes mixing beach time, reef viewing, lunch, and light watersports.

It is also a sensible choice if you are staying in Hurghada and want hotel pickup rather than arranging a marina taxi. The multilingual support in Arabic, English, German, and Russian adds practical comfort on a mixed boat.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is serious snorkeling. Group size can reduce time in the water, and a crowded reef stop may feel rushed. I would also be cautious if you dislike waiting, since both the transfer and island boat connections can slow the day.

The overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, which fits the pattern here: the best days deliver excellent value, a beautiful island, friendly support, and several activities. The weaker days are hurt by crowding, delays, mixed routes, or too little time on the island.

Simple ways to improve your day

Arrive ready to swim. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, pack a towel and sunscreen, and use sunglasses that fit securely. The sun and reflected light can be strong on both the boat and beach.

Keep your phone, booking information, and personal items secure during transfers. If you want photographs or videos, remember that they are not included. You may be offered photo or video services, but those cost extra.

Ask two questions early: which island your group is visiting, and how long the beach stay should be. If your group has been combined with another route, this information will help you understand the schedule.

Finally, allow flexibility. In poor weather, the date may be changed or you may receive a full refund. The sea cannot be forced into a timetable, and a postponed trip is better than a rough, uncomfortable crossing.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a good-value, all-in-one day with an island, reef snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and possible banana-boat or sofa rides. Nemo Island can be genuinely lovely when the route is quiet, and the included hotel transfer keeps the planning simple.

Skip it if you need a private boat, long uninterrupted snorkeling, or exact control over your beach time. The strongest reason to book is variety and price. The main reason to hesitate is the risk of a crowded, slow-moving group day.

FAQ

What is included in the $41 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a full-day boat tour, entry to Orange Island, snorkeling equipment, a life vest, a snorkeling instructor, buffet lunch, hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water on board.

How long do I stay on the island?

The planned island stay is two hours. Actual time can vary, and some departures have had around one hour and 20 minutes to one and a half hours because of transfer delays.

Is this trip to Orange Island or Nemo Island?

The experience is described using both Orange Island and Nemo Island or Nemo Bay. The exact route can depend on how groups are combined, so confirm the island with the crew at the start of the day.

Are snorkeling stops included?

Yes. The cruise includes snorkeling stops around the Red Sea islands, along with equipment, a life vest, and a professional snorkeling instructor.

Are watersports included?

Watersports are included in the experience. Some departures have offered banana-boat and sofa rides, although the exact activities can vary with timing and conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch is served on board. Hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water are also included on the boat.

Can children go snorkeling?

Children can snorkel if they are good swimmers, but they must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The date may be changed because of bad weather. Alternatively, you can receive a full refund. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance also qualifies for a full refund.