1. Giftun Island — Snorkeling & Beach Day

What it is: Giftun Island National Park is a popular full-day trip from Hurghada featuring two or three snorkeling stops on coral reefs and beach time on white sand. Most organized trips include hotel pickup, snorkeling equipment, lunch and shaded seating on the boat.

• Typical duration: 7–8 hours (full-day). 0
• Who it’s good for: Families with children who can snorkel or swim; also good for young kids who can play on the beach.
• What to pack: Sunscreen, hat, light towel, reef-safe sunscreen, kids’ life jackets (provided on most boats).

Note: Giftun is inside a marine reserve — avoid touching corals and follow guides’ instructions to protect reefs. 1

View Giftun trip details

2. Dolphin House — Wild Dolphin Snorkeling

What it is: A full-day sea trip to the Dolphin House reefs (area between Hurghada and El Gouna) offering snorkeling on colorful reefs and possible wild dolphin sightings. Encounters are wild and cannot be guaranteed — operators emphasize respectful distance and animal welfare. 2

• Typical duration: 6–8 hours (including transfers). 3
• Safety: Guides brief guests on safe snorkeling and staying a respectful distance from dolphins; children should wear life jackets and be supervised.
• Expect: Multiple snorkeling stops, boat games (banana/sofa rides on many operators), lunch on board.

Learn more and book Dolphin House

3. Hurghada Grand Aquarium — Indoor Family Attraction

What it is: A large indoor aquarium with tunnel tanks, touch pools, and over several hundred species on display. It’s air-conditioned and suitable for families with small children or on very hot days. Operating hours and events are published on the aquarium site. 4

• Typical visit length: 1–2 hours. 5
• Family perks: Indoor environment, educational displays, scheduled feedings (check the aquarium timetable).

Official Aquarium information & tickets

4. Family-Friendly Desert Safari — Quad & Camel Options

What it is: Afternoon or evening safaris that include a (gentle) quad bike experience for adults, camel rides for kids, short dune drives and often a Bedouin dinner. Choose operators who explicitly advertise family safaris with safety briefings and helmets. 6

• Typical duration: 3–5 hours (half-day). 7
• Safety tips: Children under the operator’s minimum age should ride as passengers; always wear helmets, long trousers and closed shoes for quad rides. Pregnant women should not ride quads. 8

See Desert Safari options

Practical Tips for Families

• Book with licensed operators: Use well-reviewed providers or book via reputable platforms (TripAdvisor, Viator, GetYourGuide). 9
• Sea conditions: Morning trips usually have calmer seas — better for kids and snorkeling visibility. 10
• Health & safety: Bring seasickness remedies, reef-safe sunscreen, plenty of water and a small first-aid kit. Ask about life jackets for children before booking.
• Price expectations: Prices vary seasonally and by operator — entry-level shared trips can start from around €20–€35 per adult for Giftun/boat trips on common booking sites, higher for private or speedboat options. 11

Booking & Sources

Below are the primary sources used for this guide (official pages and top booking platforms). Click a source to verify current times, availability and operator reviews.

• Giftun Island & full-day snorkeling (example tour listing) — Viator / GetYourGuide / TripAdvisor. 12
• Dolphin House trip details & operator listings — TripAdvisor & local operators. 13
• Hurghada Grand Aquarium — official site (opening hours, address, contact). 14
• Desert safaris & quad safety guidance — GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor and tour operator pages. 15
• Overall activity popularity & traveler ratings — TripAdvisor “Things to Do” pages. 16

Browse all family excursions on Discover-Hurghada

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