Hurghada: Luxury Giftun island w/snorkeling/lunch & Massage

Giftun Island is at its best early in the day, when the boat reaches Orange Bay before the beach fills up. I like this trip for its two snorkeling stops and for the simple comfort of having lunch, drinks, equipment, transfers, and a massage included in one $41 price. The clean yacht and friendly crew add polish without turning the day into a stiff luxury production.

I also like the early start and the choice it gives you once the boat is underway. You can swim, look for rays and sea turtles, try a banana boat ride, or simply stretch out with a drink. The main consideration is the massage: it takes place on the upper deck, where other people may be nearby, so some women may find it too exposed for complete comfort.

• Early Giftun Island arrival: Reach Orange Bay at about 9 a.m., with a better chance of enjoying the beach before the busiest period.
• Two reef stops: Allow roughly 45 minutes in the water at each snorkeling part of the day, with equipment and life vests supplied.
• Full buffet lunch: Fish, chicken, grilled kofta, pasta, rice, oven vegetables, salads, fruit, snacks, and unlimited soft and hot drinks are included.
• Multilingual support: The guide service is offered in English, German, Russian, and Arabic. Andrew has provided especially useful German translation.
• A little extra fun: The program includes a 30-minute banana boat ride as well as swimming and free time.
• Massage with a privacy caveat: Each person receives one back massage, but the upper-deck setting is open rather than private.

An Early Start for Orange Bay on Giftun Island

This is an eight-hour Red Sea day, and the timing matters. A van collects you from your hotel area, then the boat journey begins. The listed pickup zones include Makadi Bay, Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna. The road transfer can take about 45 minutes, followed by roughly 45 minutes on the water before the island portion begins.

The exact pickup time arrives by WhatsApp or email one day before departure. Pickup is generally outside the hotel reception or at the main gate, depending on hotel rules. I would check this message carefully, since resort properties often have different meeting points.

The early arrival is one of the smartest features of the day. The boat reaches Orange Bay at about 9 a.m., giving you a chance to enjoy the sand and shallow water before the beach becomes crowded. You can make sandcastles, take photographs, or sit in the sun without having to rush straight into the next activity.

The island visit is listed as about 1.5 hours by boat, though the exact time spent on the beach and the boat can vary with the day’s schedule. The appeal is not a long historical visit. Giftun Island is about sand, sea, open views, and an easy break from the boat.

Bring sunscreen and a towel. Badeschuhe, or water shoes, are a smart choice, especially if you dislike walking on hot sand or rough areas near the water. One useful cold-weather tip came from a January outing: take a light jacket and long trousers for the ride, because the wind on the Red Sea can feel cool even when the sun is bright.

Two Snorkeling Stops on the Red Sea

After Giftun Island, the boat heads to a coral reef for the first snorkeling stop. The schedule allows about 45 minutes, though one detailed account described the actual water time as around 30 minutes at each of two stops. That is enough time to see fish and coral without making the day feel like a nonstop swim session.

The water is presented as clear, and the advertised wildlife includes rays, sea turtles, sea angels, and dolphins. These sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as a welcome possibility rather than the main reason to book. The reliable part is the chance to look at Red Sea fish and reef formations from the water.

Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included. If you are not confident in the water, a life vest can make the stop much more relaxing. The crew also keeps an eye on people in the water, which is useful for families, though you should still follow the guide’s instructions and remain aware of your own limits.

The two-stop format gives you another chance if the first location is not ideal. Water conditions, visibility, and the number of boats can affect what you see. Between the stops, you can return to the yacht, dry off, have a drink, or use the massage option.

The boat is described as large, clean, and comfortable. It is not simply a transport platform for getting from one swim site to the next. You spend much of the day aboard, so clean decks and enough room to sit make a real difference.

Buffet Lunch With Fish, BBQ, and Cold Drinks

Lunch follows one of the snorkeling sessions and lasts about 45 minutes. The buffet includes fish, chicken, grilled kofta, pasta, rice, oven vegetables, four salads, and three types of fruit. Snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, and hot drinks are included throughout the outing.

At $41 per person, this is where the price begins to look strong. You are not paying only for a boat seat and an island stop. The fee also covers hotel transfer in both directions, the Giftun Island ticket, snorkeling equipment, life vest, two reef stops, lunch, drinks, a banana boat ride, the massage, and the $5 natural reserve fee.

I would still keep your expectations sensible. This is an open buffet prepared for a day at sea, not a restaurant meal with a made-to-order menu. The available food has been described as tasty and sufficient, with fish and traditional grilled items doing most of the work. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus, so ask before booking.

The all-inclusive drinks are useful in the sun. You can refill with water, take a soft drink, or have a hot drink without carrying extra supplies from the hotel. Cash remains worth bringing for personal purchases or optional photographs. One outing offered a photo package for €35, but that price is not listed as part of the tour, so consider it an optional extra.

A Massage on the Upper Deck

Each person receives one back massage while the boat moves across the calm Red Sea. It is a pleasant idea after swimming, and if you prefer not to snorkel, it gives you something relaxing to do while others use the water.

The setting is the important detail. The massage bed is on the upper deck, with people sitting around the area. One person chose not to take the massage because the open arrangement felt uncomfortable, particularly for a woman. I would treat this as a basic boat massage in a public setting, not a private spa treatment.

If privacy matters to you, ask the crew where the massage will take place before accepting it. If you are comfortable with an informal setting, it can be a nice way to loosen your back after the van ride and time in the water. The massage is included for every person, so you do not need to pay extra for it.

The upper deck can also be windy. Keep a cover-up or light layer handy, especially outside the hottest months. The day has several quiet stretches, and the massage option helps fill that time without forcing you into another activity.

Banana Boat, Swimming, and Open Water Time

The program includes a 30-minute banana boat ride during the return portion of the day. This adds a splash of simple amusement to an otherwise gentle schedule. It is a good choice for children and adults who want a little speed after the quieter island and snorkeling stops.

There is also a separate swimming period of about 45 minutes, followed by around 45 minutes of free time on the Red Sea. The exact order can shift, but the overall rhythm is clear: island time, reef time, lunch, more water time, then an easy ride back toward Hurghada.

You do not have to take part in every activity. You can sit on the yacht, enjoy the drinks, take photographs, or use the massage instead of swimming. That flexibility makes the trip work for groups with different energy levels, including families where one person wants adventure and another prefers to stay dry.

The advertised boat cruise portions are relatively short compared with the full day, but the sea time is spread across the outing. That means you should be comfortable spending several hours aboard a yacht. If you get seasick, consider bringing any usual remedy, since no seasickness treatment is included.

Guides, Transfers, and the Practical Details

The guide service is available in English, German, Russian, and Arabic. Andrew has been specifically praised for translating clearly into German and for staying available when questions came up. If you need help during the day, a multilingual guide is more useful than a simple boat crew that communicates only through gestures.

Hotel transfers are included from the six listed resort areas. The outbound van ride is estimated at 45 minutes, but the actual time depends on your hotel and the order of pickups. The return transfer ends in one of the same general areas: El Gouna, Soma Bay, Hurghada, Safaga, Makadi Bay, or Sahl Hasheesh.

The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but the supplied details do not explain the exact boarding arrangement or whether every island and water activity is accessible. If you use a wheelchair, contact the operator before booking and ask about the van, boat ramp, toilet access, and transfer from the yacht to Giftun Island.

Bring your passport or identity card. A copy is accepted according to the tour information. You should also carry sunscreen, a towel, cash, and water shoes. Pickup instructions arrive one day before the trip, so keep an eye on WhatsApp and email rather than assuming the hotel lobby is the meeting point.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Red Sea plans may change, but you still need to check the available start time for your date.

Who Will Get the Most From This Day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want one organized day that combines island time, snorkeling, food, and relaxation. It suits first-time visitors to Hurghada who would rather book one package than arrange a transfer, boat, reef equipment, lunch, and activities separately.

Families should appreciate the mix of options and the crew’s attention to children in the boat and water. Non-swimmers can stay aboard, wear a life vest, enjoy the beach, or use the massage. Couples may like the early island arrival and the chance to photograph a quieter Orange Bay.

It is less suitable if you want a small, private sailing trip, a serious scuba program, or a secluded spa massage. The day uses a shared yacht and an open massage area. You should also remember that dolphins, turtles, rays, and other wildlife are possible sightings, not a promise.

The $41 price is the strongest argument in its favor. With transfers, food, drinks, reserve fee, equipment, two snorkeling stops, banana boat ride, island access, and massage included, you get a lot for a full day. The value is best if you plan to use several of those inclusions rather than simply remain on the yacht.

Should You Book the Giftun Island Yacht Trip?

Book it if you want a well-packed Red Sea day at a moderate price, especially from Hurghada or one of the nearby resort areas. The early start, tidy boat, friendly crew, two reef stops, and broad range of included extras make this more useful than a simple island transfer.

Go in knowing the limits. The massage is public, wildlife sightings are uncertain, and the buffet is casual rather than refined. Bring warm layers in cooler months, water shoes, sunscreen, and an open mind about the schedule. If those points suit you, Royal Cruise Hurghada offers a practical and enjoyable way to see Giftun Island without much planning on your part.

FAQ

How long does the Giftun Island yacht trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, the yacht trip, island time, snorkeling, lunch, swimming, the banana boat ride, and the return transfer.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is available from Makadi Bay, Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna. The exact meeting point is usually outside the hotel reception or at the main gate, depending on hotel rules.

When will I receive my pickup time?

The exact pickup time and meeting instructions are sent by WhatsApp or email one day before the excursion.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life vest are included, along with two snorkeling stops.

What food and drinks are included?

The buffet includes fish, chicken, grilled kofta, pasta, rice, oven vegetables, four salads, and three fruits. Soft drinks, hot drinks, water, and snacks are also included.

Is the massage included in the price?

Yes. Each person receives one back massage. The massage takes place on the upper deck, where other people may be nearby.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, cash, and your passport or identity card. A copy of the passport or identity card is accepted. Water shoes and a light jacket can also be useful.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the excursion for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.