Paradise Island Snorkelling Cruise with Lunch Hurghada

Paradise Island

Paradise Island is a beach on the Giftun Islands, a short sail off the coast of Hurghada, and it is one of the most photographed spots on the Red Sea. The sand is white and fine, the shallows are a bright turquoise that deepens to blue, and the beach has room for everyone to spread out. If you wonder whether Paradise Island is worth visiting, the clear water and the calm bay give you a classic Red Sea beach day.

You arrive in the morning and spend time on the island, swimming, sunbathing or walking along the water's edge. The best months are spring and autumn, when the sea is warm and the sun is gentle; in summer the beach is hot, so shade and water matter. Because other boats arrive at the same time, an early departure gives you the best chance of a quieter beach.

Guided snorkelling

The snorkelling stop is guided, with equipment provided and a briefing before you enter the water. The reefs of the Giftun Islands are healthy and colourful, with hard and soft corals, shoals of small reef fish, parrotfish, butterflyfish and sometimes clownfish among the anemones. The shallow water near the reef is comfortable for beginners.

Life jackets are available for weaker swimmers, and the guide stays near the group. Please do not touch or stand on the coral, because the reef is protected and slow to recover. If you prefer to stay dry, you can enjoy the sundeck and the sea view from the yacht. The water is usually calmest and clearest in the morning, which is the best time for first-time snorkellers.

The yacht, lunch and soft drinks

The yacht is a comfortable boat for a day at sea, with shaded seating, a sundeck and a crew who offer safety instructions and assistance on board. The sail from the Hurghada marina is a pleasant part of the day on its own, with the coastline, desert mountains and open sea on all sides. Many guests simply lie on the deck and enjoy the breeze.

Lunch is served on board or at the island, depending on the option, and soft drinks are included. Tell us about any dietary needs when you book so the crew can prepare for you. Photographer services and photo packages are available separately, and personal expenses are not included. The yacht is slower than a speedboat, so the day is calm and steady.

The Giftun Islands protected area

The Giftun Islands are a protected area off Hurghada, set up to protect the reefs, the sea life and the beaches from overuse. The rules are simple: do not collect shells or coral, do not feed the fish, do not leave rubbish and do not stand on the reef. These measures are why the water remains clear and the fish remain plentiful.

National reserve fees are payable separately and are not included in the price, so please carry a little cash on the day. The island entry ticket is included in the booking. Guides explain the rules before snorkelling and in the briefing. Following them helps keep Paradise Island beautiful for the next visitors.

Pickup options and timing

The default option collects you from Hurghada hotels and brings you back at the end of the day, for a total of about eight hours. A second option is for guests who make their own way to the marina and takes about seven hours. Two further options cover Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Al Ahyaa, and El Gouna, Soma Bay and Safaga, and these take about nine hours because of the longer drive.

Departures are at 09:00 or 11:30, so you can choose a morning or later start. Our team confirms your pickup time on WhatsApp the evening before. If you are not sure which option suits your hotel, message us with the name of your hotel and we will tell you which one to choose.