Giftun Island Snorkeling Trips: What to Expect

If you do just one thing on the water in Hurghada, make it a Giftun Islands snorkelling trip. This is the day that sells people on the Red Sea — a boat ride out to turquoise shallows, coral gardens bursting with fish, and beaches so white and bright they look unreal. It's easy, accessible to non-swimmers, and consistently brilliant. Here's exactly how the day unfolds and how to pick a trip you'll love.

The short answer: a Giftun snorkelling trip is a relaxed day boat to the islands' reefs and famous beaches (Orange Bay, Mahmya), with snorkelling stops over healthy coral and time on stunning sand. It suits everyone, including non-divers and families.

The shape of the day

Most Giftun trips follow a familiar, easy rhythm. You're picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to the marina, then board a mid-size boat with other guests. The boat cruises out to the Giftun Islands area, stopping at one or two reefs to snorkel, and usually visiting a famous beach spot like Orange Bay or Mahmya. Lunch is typically served on board, and you're back at the marina by mid-to-late afternoon. It's a full, relaxed day with a good balance of water and beach time.

The snorkelling

The snorkelling is the heart of it. The crew anchors near a reef and hands out masks, snorkels, and fins if you didn't bring your own. The reefs here are shallow, clear, and full of life — even a few minutes face-down reveals coral gardens and clouds of bright fish. If you're nervous, most boats provide flotation vests and keep a crew member watching swimmers, so you don't need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy it. Conditions are usually calm, making it ideal for first-timers and families.

The beaches

The other highlight is the sand. Orange Bay and Mahmya offer postcard-perfect white beaches and turquoise shallows, where you can relax, swim, and soak up the setting between snorkel stops. These beach stops are a big part of the trip's appeal, turning a snorkelling outing into a proper island day.

What you'll see underwater

Expect colourful, accessible reef life: clouds of anthias and fusiliers, clownfish in anemones, butterflyfish and parrotfish, and the chance of turtles and rays. The shallow reef tops are among the most vivid parts of the reef, so snorkellers get a genuinely rich experience.

Choosing a good trip

Quality varies, and a few things separate a great day from a crowded one:

• Smaller boats with fewer guests mean less crowding at each reef and a calmer day.
• Two stops give more variety than a single-stop trip.
• Reputable operators are upfront about what's included — lunch, drinks, entry fees, and gear — rather than springing extra charges at the dock.
• Booking through trusted channels rather than street touts is the best way to avoid a letdown.

Practical tips

Pack light but smart: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, a light cover-up for the breeze on the way back, and some cash for tips and extras. Bring a seasickness remedy if you're prone to it. Reapply sunscreen often — the sun on the water is stronger than it feels. Listen to the crew's briefing before you jump in, and keep your fins and hands off the coral. Go for a smaller, calmer operator if you want quieter reefs and more space.

A Giftun snorkelling trip genuinely lives up to the hype: easy, beautiful, and full of life, with beaches to match. Pick the right boat, respect the reef, and you'll understand within the first snorkel why people keep coming back to this coast.

Ready for the classic Hurghada day? Book a Giftun Islands snorkelling trip with a trusted operator on packnplan, and spend a day among turquoise shallows, coral, and white-sand beaches.