- Giftun (from Hurghada): two snorkeling stops with an English-speaking instructor, beach time on the island, open buffet lunch on board.
- Tiran (from Sharm El Sheikh): the Blue Lagoon and several reef stops, with the boat sailing northeast into the Gulf of Aqaba.
- Port Ghalib (from Marsa Alam): Marsa El Shone and Marsa Mubarak, then a Zodiac to a lagoon; the drive back is 65 km, about 49 min without traffic.
- Snorkeling equipment and lunch on board are included on all three.
- Average July highs: 35.0°C in Hurghada and 37.9°C in Sharm El Sheikh.
Pick by where you are staying: each of these boat days collects you at hotels in one resort. Giftun Island runs from Hurghada, Tiran Island from Sharm El Sheikh, and Port Ghalib from Marsa Alam. Giftun adds beach time and an instructor; Tiran sails into the Gulf of Aqaba; Port Ghalib adds a Zodiac (a small speedboat) to a lagoon. Each resort also has a second sea day, compared further down.
The three sea days side by side
Snorkeling means swimming at the surface with a mask, a breathing tube and fins to look at the reef below. The table compares what each tour itself lists.
| What the tour lists | Giftun Island | Tiran Island | Port Ghalib |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup | Your hotel in Hurghada, by private air-conditioned vehicle | Your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, by modern air-conditioned vehicle | Your hotel in Marsa Alam, by air-conditioned vehicle |
| Boat | Boat from Hurghada; departure harbor not named | Boat from a marina (not named) into the Gulf of Aqaba, toward Tiran Island | Boat from Port Ghalib, plus a Zodiac to a nearby lagoon |
| Stops | Two snorkeling spots around Giftun, then free time on the island's beach | Blue Lagoon, then several reef stops, then more swimming as the boat sails toward Tiran | Marsa El Shone, the Marsa Mubarak lagoon, lunch, then the Zodiac to a lagoon |
| Lunch | Open buffet on board | Open buffet on board | Lunch on board; drinks with the meal not included |
| Drinks | Bottled water and soft drinks | Bottled water and soft drinks | Mineral water and soft drinks |
| Gear | Snorkeling equipment | Snorkeling equipment | Snorkeling mask and fins |
| Instructor or guide | English-speaking snorkeling instructor | Tour leader | Guide assistance |
| Not included | Extras, personal expenses, tips | Optional diving, extras, personal expenses, tips | Personal expenses, tips, drinks with meals |
Giftun from Hurghada
Giftun is the only one of the three with beach time in its listing. The day has two snorkeling stops on the reefs around Giftun Island with an English-speaking instructor, equipment included, then free time on the island's beach, an open buffet lunch on board and the return to the harbor. The listing mentions water sports on the island, but they are not among the inclusions, so they may cost extra.
