Review · HURGHADA

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing – hurghada

4.5 · 47 reviews From $32 Operated by Sea Memories · Bookable on Viator
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Paradise Island is the star here, but the seven-minute parasail flight gives the day its biggest thrill. You cruise from Hurghada to the Giftun Islands, stop twice for snorkeling, ride a banana boat, eat lunch aboard, and get more than an hour to swim or relax on the sand.

I like the simple all-in-one setup: hotel transfers remove the usual port-day fuss, and the $32 price covers equipment, food, water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. I also like that beginners and children from age eight can join, so families do not need prior snorkeling experience.

The main caution is the schedule and extra-cost fine print. Pickup and departure times should be confirmed carefully, and the $5 national park fee is not included. Some hotel zones also carry a $5 or $10 transfer surcharge.

Key points to know before you book

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - Key points to know before you book

  • Paradise Island is less commercial than Orange Bay: You get a beach stop with time for swimming, games, and sunbathing, rather than spending the whole day on the boat.
  • Two snorkeling stops last about 45 minutes each: You can swim at both sites or stay aboard if you would rather sunbathe.
  • Parasailing is included: The flight lasts about seven minutes and is the main reason many people choose this package.
  • The $32 price covers a lot: Lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, boat transport, water sports, and hotel pickup from Hurghada are included.
  • The boat can hold up to 30 people: That keeps the price down, though the deck may feel busy at full capacity.
  • Budget for extra charges: National park admission costs $5 per person, with additional transfer fees from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Ahia, Safaga, and El Gouna.

Why this Hurghada sea trip works so well as a full-day outing

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - Why this Hurghada sea trip works so well as a full-day outing

This is a busy Red Sea day, not a quiet boat charter. In roughly eight hours, you get a boat cruise, two snorkeling sessions, a beach visit, lunch, a banana boat ride, and parasailing. I see the appeal: you pay one relatively low price and do not have to arrange each activity separately.

At $32 per person, the package offers good value if you want variety. A beach transfer alone would not give you the same mix, and the snorkeling equipment and hotel pickup remove two common costs. You still need to add the $5 national park admission fee, plus any resort-area transfer surcharge, so the final price will be higher for some bookings.

The group limit is 30 people. That is not a private experience, and the boat may feel full when everyone is on deck. Still, a group of this size keeps the cost accessible and gives the crew enough people to run the water sports efficiently.

I would choose this trip for a first Red Sea outing, especially if your group has mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can sit in the sun, and everyone can take part in lunch and the island stop. It is less suitable if you want long, quiet stretches on an empty beach or a small, personal sailing experience.

Leaving Hurghada for the Giftun Islands

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - Leaving Hurghada for the Giftun Islands

The day begins with an approximately 8:00 am start and pickup from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The transfer takes you through Hurghada to the boat meeting point, where the crew takes over for the sea portion.

Pickup timing deserves attention. One account describes a late pickup, while another reports a missed pickup and poor communication. Those appear to be service problems rather than a feature of the activity, but I would still confirm your hotel, pickup time, and meeting instructions before the morning of departure.

The boat ride is part of the experience, not just transportation. You can sit on deck, swim when the crew allows it, or simply watch the Red Sea pass by. The plan includes three anchor points in total, with two main snorkeling locations and the island stop. The details allow you to choose between swimming and sunbathing while the boat moves toward the island.

Bring a towel, sun protection, and a way to cover your phone. The provided information confirms food and drinks, but it does not specify whether towels or personal waterproof storage are supplied.

Two 45-minute snorkeling stops for beginners

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - Two 45-minute snorkeling stops for beginners

The snorkeling portion gives you two separate stops, each lasting about 45 minutes. That is enough time to get comfortable with the mask and fins, swim at an easy pace, and look for marine life without rushing straight back to the boat.

You do not need previous experience or special training. The stated minimum age is eight, which makes this a practical choice for families with older children. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the crew meets you on the boat before the activity begins.

The two-stop format is useful. If your first attempt is awkward, you get another chance after adjusting your mask or learning how to breathe through the snorkel. You can also skip the water at either stop and stay on deck. That flexibility matters when one member of a family is eager to swim and another is not.

The quality of the underwater scenery can vary. One account rated the day highly but felt the reef did not meet expectations. I would set realistic expectations: this is a convenient introductory snorkeling trip, not a specialist marine expedition. Conditions, visibility, and the exact site can affect what you see.

Do not assume that every person in your group must snorkel. The schedule allows time for deck sunbathing, so the trip can still work for someone who prefers not to enter the water.

Paradise Island gives the day its breathing room

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - Paradise Island gives the day its breathing room

The island stop lasts about two hours according to the included details, while the main description says you will enjoy more than one hour there. Either way, this is your longest chance to leave the boat and settle into a beach setting.

Paradise Island is described as less commercial than Orange Bay, which is a meaningful distinction if you want a simpler stop. You can swim, play games, or sit on the beach. Families and first-time snorkelers may find the island easier to enjoy than a packed schedule of water activities.

I like having this pause after the snorkeling stops. The boat activities are energetic, and the island gives you time to dry off, eat, and slow down. If your ideal beach day means several hours on the sand, though, this visit may feel short. The schedule is built around variety, not a long beach stay.

The exact beach facilities are not specified, so I would not book this expecting a particular changing room, locker, or beach service. You know you will have swimming and relaxation time, but the practical setup may depend on the island and the day’s operation.

More Banana Boat and Water Sports Combos in Hurghada

Parasailing is the main thrill

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - Parasailing is the main thrill

The included parasailing flight lasts about seven minutes. That may sound brief, but it is long enough to provide a clear view from above and a memorable change of pace from snorkeling and beach time.

The parasail is a strong reason to select this package over a basic island cruise. You do not need to arrange a separate activity at the beach, and the price already includes the flight along with the banana boat ride and snorkeling.

Seven minutes also helps explain the value honestly. This is an introduction to parasailing, not a long airborne session. If you want a full afternoon devoted to one water sport, choose a specialist activity instead. If you want one exciting highlight within a varied day, the flight fits well.

The tour also includes a banana boat ride. The supplied details do not give a duration or explain the exact order of the water sports, so expect the crew to organize those activities around weather, sea conditions, and the group schedule.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical comfort factor

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - Lunch, drinks, and the practical comfort factor

Lunch is included, along with bottled water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. That matters on an eight-hour sea trip. You do not need to find food during the day, and the drinks help keep the group comfortable between swimming and the beach stop.

The food is described as freshly prepared, though no menu is provided. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking because the available information does not confirm vegetarian, vegan, allergy-safe, or child-specific options.

The air-conditioned vehicle is another useful inclusion. Hurghada hotel transfers can be tiring when arranged separately, especially early in the morning. Having transport included makes the day easier, though the benefit applies fully only to the listed Hurghada pickup area.

The phrase open bar appears in the experience details, but the specific inclusions list names water, coffee, tea, and soda. I would plan around those confirmed drinks rather than assume alcoholic beverages are included.

The real cost: $32 plus the fees that are easy to miss

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - The real cost: $32 plus the fees that are easy to miss

The advertised price of $32 per person is competitive for an eight-hour package with a boat trip, two snorkeling stops, lunch, drinks, hotel transfers, parasailing, and banana boats. The value is strongest when you plan to use most of those inclusions.

Add the $5 national park admission fee per person. Transfer supplements are listed as $5 per person from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia, and $10 per person from Safaga and El Gouna. These charges can change the calculation for resort areas outside central Hurghada.

I would ask for the complete price before you commit, especially if your hotel is outside Hurghada. One reported problem involved an unexpected $10 per-person request from a driver, while another involved a change from a confirmed 10:30 departure to a 2:00 pm departure. Those issues make price and timing confirmation especially worthwhile.

For a family or larger group, the package can still represent strong value. One booking involved 11 family members who used the full range of activities and found the cost worthwhile. Group discounts are offered, so ask about them before paying.

Group size, service, and what to expect from the crew

Paradise Island With Water Sports and Lunch Sea Trip, Parasailing - hurghada - Group size, service, and what to expect from the crew

The maximum group size is 30 people. On a full departure, boarding, equipment distribution, lunch, and water sports will take coordination. You should expect an organized group outing rather than a calm private cruise.

The crew is described as friendly and willing to help, and the day includes professional boat staff. That is important for first-time snorkelers and families, since you may need assistance with masks, fins, or the transition between activities.

Service reliability is the less consistent part of the experience. Most of the supplied feedback is strongly positive, but there are also clear complaints about a missed pickup, poor support communication, a changed departure time, and surprise transport charges. I would not ignore those details simply because the activities themselves sound appealing.

A practical step is to save the provider’s contact information, reconfirm the pickup the day before, and ask exactly who pays the national park and transfer fees. If your schedule is tight, do not place this trip immediately before an important flight or fixed evening plan.

There is also a note about filming. One person found repeated camera work intrusive and did not appreciate being approached about buying a video. If you prefer not to be filmed, say so clearly to the crew at the start. The supplied information does not say that video is included, so treat it as an optional extra rather than part of the package.

Who should book this Red Sea day?

I would recommend it to families with children aged eight or older, first-time snorkelers, couples wanting several activities in one day, and anyone staying in Hurghada who values hotel pickup. It is also a good fit for groups that want parasailing without arranging a second booking.

The trip suits you if you like an active day with regular changes of scene. You will snorkel, ride, fly, eat, swim, and relax, but none of those parts receives the entire day.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet private boat, a long beach stay, or guaranteed pristine reef conditions. I would also be cautious if your hotel is in Safaga or El Gouna until the transfer fee is confirmed, or if you need exact timing for another appointment.

The cancellation terms are straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this Paradise Island trip if you want the most activity for a modest price. Parasailing, two snorkeling stops, banana boats, lunch, drinks, and transfers create a full day with little planning on your part.

Before paying, confirm your hotel pickup, departure time, total cost including park and transfer fees, and the handling of optional filming. If those details are clear, this is a sensible Hurghada choice for families and active groups. If your priority is silence, personal space, or a long unhurried beach visit, look for a smaller boat or a beach-focused outing instead.

FAQ

How long is the Paradise Island sea trip?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, beginning around 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle are included from Hurghada hotels. Extra transfer charges apply from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia, as well as Safaga and El Gouna.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Each stop lasts about 45 minutes.

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

No. The activity states that snorkeling requires no prior experience or special talent. The minimum age is eight.

Is parasailing included in the price?

Yes. A seven-minute parasailing flight is included, along with other water sports such as a banana boat ride.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch, bottled water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are included.

Are there additional fees?

Yes. National park admission costs $5 per person. Transfer supplements are also listed for some pickup areas: $5 per person from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia, and $10 per person from Safaga and El Gouna.

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