Is Hurghada Good for Snorkelling?
What a snorkelling boat day from Hurghada gives you: guided stops on the reefs off Giftun, what recent reviewers say about the coral and the crowds, and who should skip it.
Yes, from a boat. A snorkelling day from Hurghada takes you to reefs off the Giftun islands with the gear, a life vest and a guide, which suits a first-timer better than finding a reef alone. Recent reviews are mostly about bright fish and helpful guides; the complaints are about crowded reefs and, on one dolphin trip, grey and faded coral. For a first family day, Miniature Egypt Hurghada’s Hurghada: Premium Orange Island Cruise with Lunch & Transfer, from US$37 a person (checked November 2026), makes two snorkelling stops with an instructor, spends 2 hours on the island and includes the entry fee and the nature reserve fee.
A child who swims well can snorkel on it, with an adult beside them all the time. In bad weather the date can be changed or the price refunded in full, and you can cancel free until 24 hours before.
What a boat day gives you
Every trip on this site supplies the snorkelling gear, and most list life vests or life jackets. On Go Shalabi's three-island day a professional snorkelling guide is included; Zanetta Tours' Orange Bay day has a separate guide for non-swimmers. The reefs are out by the islands, and the boat takes you to them.
What recent reviewers say about the reefs
On Go Shalabi’s three-island day, the 350 most recent reviews (26 October to 7 November 2026) average 4.9, and many single out the snorkelling: “like swimming in an aquarium”, as one French reviewer put it on 29 October. We found none complaining about the state of the coral.
Go Shalabi’s dolphin yacht trip, which snorkels at Umm Gamaar after its search for dolphins, is another picture. Of its 350 most recent reviews (10 September to 7 November 2026), four describe the reef as grey, dead, faded or lifeless: on 2 October, 10 October, 11 October and 26 October. Several others say they had one snorkelling stop instead of two, or little time in the water.
Crowds on the reefs
On the days these reviewers went, the reefs were shared with many boats. On the three-island day, a reviewer on 4 November found many boats at the same spots made the water busy, and one on 28 October that too many groups got in each other’s way. On Zanetta Tours' Orange Bay day, three low-rated reviews in October 2026 describe a crowded first snorkelling spot. Go Shalabi and Zanetta Tours also sell private boats, priced per boat.
Check dates for the Orange Island cruise
Children and first-timers
Children snorkel on these trips. On the three-island day, a parent on 1 November describes their 5-year-old’s first snorkel, helped on a second try by a crew member on the beach, and another on 30 October their 5-year-old daughter managing with the guides. A three-star reviewer on 4 November felt the introduction for younger children was too brief and the busy water overwhelming. Miniature Egypt Hurghada’s cruise lets a child who swims well snorkel with an adult beside them.
Who should skip it
- Mobility. Go Shalabi's three-island day is not for people with mobility impairments, and Royal Cruise Hurghada's cruise not for wheelchair users.
- Seasickness and heart conditions. Zanetta Tours' Orange Bay day is not for people with heart problems or prone to seasickness.
- Back problems. Not for Go Shalabi's speedboat trip or its six-island day.
- A long day. Most boat days here run 7 to 8.5 hours; the speedboat trip is 4 hours.
If dolphins are the reason you are going, can you swim with dolphins in Hurghada covers what those trips can and cannot offer.
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Two Reefs, a Beach and the Fees Paid
Miniature Egypt Hurghada's Orange Island cruise: two snorkelling stops with an instructor, 2 hours on the island and lunch, with the entry fee and the nature reserve fee included.
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