Review · HURGHADA
Hula Hula Island by Catamaran with Parasailing Fly – Hurghada
Hula Hula Island is the main event here, but the real appeal is the variety packed into one long Red Sea day: snorkeling, a white-sand island, and parasailing without arranging separate trips. You also get a semi-submarine viewing session, a buffet lunch, soft drinks, and hotel transport.
I like the clear value at $45 per person, especially since parasailing is included. I also like the mix of quiet beach time and active water sports. The friendly staff and good lunch add to the appeal. The main catch is the extra €10 National Park fee, plus another €10 transfer charge if you stay in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh.
Key points at a glance

- One full Red Sea day: Plan on about eight hours, with pickup from your Hurghada hotel around 8:00 am.
- Three hours on Hula Hula Island: Enjoy a prepared white-sand beach, island facilities, and a floating water park.
- Snorkeling with equipment and a guide: The tour includes one snorkeling stop after roughly an hour of sailing.
- Parasailing is included: You get a chance to rise above the water, along with a banana boat ride.
- Lunch and drinks are covered: A buffet lunch, soda, and water are included at the island restaurant.
- Extra cash to budget: The €10 National Park fee applies per person, and some resort zones require another €10 transfer charge.
A full Red Sea day for $45

At $45, this is priced as an all-in-one water day rather than a simple boat transfer. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, an eight-hour catamaran outing, snorkeling gear, a guide, lunch, drinks, a semi-submarine viewing session, a banana ride, and parasailing.
That package gives the tour strong value, especially if you want several activities but do not want to compare separate operators. The included parasailing matters most. It is often the add-on that pushes up the cost of a boat day, so having it bundled into the published price makes this more appealing.
You should still carry cash for the €10 National Park fee. If you are staying outside Hurghada in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, add another €10 per person for the transfer. That makes the final cost higher than the headline price, but the package remains competitive for a full day with meals and several water activities.
The group limit is 30 people. That is not a private cruise, but it is also not an enormous boat crowd. Expect a social group setting, shared activities, and a schedule that keeps moving.
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Leaving Hurghada by catamaran

Pickup begins around 8:00 am, using an air-conditioned vehicle. The exact pickup time can depend on your hotel, but you should be ready before the stated start time and allow the morning to unfold at a steady tour pace.
Once you reach the catamaran, the boat becomes your base for the day. Life jackets are provided, and the crew supplies snorkeling equipment. Drinks and water are available, so you do not need to treat this as a dry excursion where every refreshment costs extra.
The crossing to the first water stop takes about an hour. That hour gives you time to settle in, watch the Red Sea open around you, and prepare for the snorkeling session. A catamaran also gives you more room to sit and move around than a small speedboat, though the tradeoff is a longer, shared outing rather than a quick private transfer.
Bring sun protection and a cover-up. The tour is built around a day on open water and a beach island, so you will spend a good deal of time exposed to the Egyptian sun.
Snorkeling over the Red Sea reef

The snorkeling stop is one of the most valuable parts of the day because it lets you see the Red Sea below the surface rather than only from the boat. A guide is included, along with the mask and other snorkeling equipment.
You can expect to look for fish, coral, and underwater plants in a habitat described for its unusual shapes and strong colors. The appeal is not just swimming in warm water. It is the chance to see the reef as a living system, with small fish and coral sharing the same space.
This is one snorkeling stop, not a full reef safari with several locations. If snorkeling is your main reason for visiting the Red Sea, that distinction matters. The tour gives you a worthwhile introduction, but the day is designed to spread your time among several activities.
The guide can help you get started with the equipment and show you where to look. Most people can participate, although you should be comfortable in the water and follow the crew’s instructions. A life jacket is available for added support.
After snorkeling, you also get an underwater panorama from a semi-submarine. This is useful if someone in your group does not want to swim, or if you simply want another view of the reef. It also gives you a break between active water activities.
Three hours on Hula Hula Island

After the boat ride and snorkeling, you reach Hula Hula Island for about three hours. The island is set up for a day visit, with a white sandy beach, decorated areas for comfort, a restaurant, and a floating water park around the island.
The beach time gives the itinerary a needed change of pace. You can get out of your snorkeling gear, sit by the water, and enjoy the setting without having to board another boat right away. Three hours is long enough to make the island more than a quick photo stop.
The floating water park adds an active option for anyone who does not want to stay on the sand. You should expect a developed day-use setup rather than an untouched island. That is part of the convenience, but it also means this experience is about comfort and activities, not solitude.
The word island may suggest a remote escape. Here, the island is prepared for organized visits, with facilities and a restaurant. If you want a simple beach day with food and water access close at hand, that works well. If you want a quiet, empty stretch of coast, the organized setup may feel less peaceful.
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Buffet lunch with drinks included
Lunch is served at the island restaurant as a buffet. A buffet works well for a mixed group because you can choose what suits you instead of receiving one fixed plate. Soda and water are included too.
The meal is one of the tour’s stronger practical features. By the middle of an eight-hour boat day, you will want something more substantial than snacks, and the lunch keeps you from needing to buy a separate meal on the island.
The available feedback specifically praises the lunch as good, and that matches the value of having a proper meal included in the price. You should keep your expectations sensible: this is a group excursion buffet, not a high-end restaurant experience. Still, it removes a common extra cost and keeps the schedule simple.
You may want to bring any special snacks or drinks you personally need, since the stated inclusions cover buffet lunch, soda, and water rather than a full range of dietary choices. The supplied details do not list vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or other special meal arrangements.
Banana boating and parasailing on the return
The water activities are scheduled as the day winds down, after your island time. The banana boat offers a shared, lively ride, while parasailing gives you a higher, calmer view from above the Red Sea.
Parasailing is the special value here. It is included rather than sold as a separate extra, so you can try it without making another purchase decision once you are already on the boat. You will be attached to the parasail and lifted above the water under the activity team’s direction.
The banana ride has a different feel. It is group-based, energetic, and likely to appeal most to people who enjoy being pulled across the water with others. If you prefer a calm finish, parasailing may be the activity you remember more fondly.
The order of the day is worth noting. The description places the banana ride and parasailing on the way back, not immediately upon arrival at the island. That means the schedule can feel busy toward the end, with the return sailing and water activities grouped together.
What makes the staff and group size matter

The tour has a maximum of 30 people, which keeps it within the normal range for an organized boat excursion. You will not have a private guide or a custom departure, but you should have enough structure to know where to go for snorkeling, lunch, and the water rides.
The staff are described as friendly, and that matters on a day with several moving parts. You need clear direction when boarding, changing activities, handling equipment, and returning to the boat. A warm crew can make the difference between a smooth group outing and a confusing one.
No guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named specialist assigned in advance. The snorkeling guide is included as part of the activity, but the supplied information does not give a personal name or language list.
Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour data does not provide detailed information about wheelchair access, boat boarding, or specific medical restrictions. If those issues affect your booking, confirm them before paying.
Who will get the most from this tour
I would choose this trip if you want to sample several Red Sea activities in one day. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who want a beach stop but also want action on the water.
It is especially useful for first-time visitors to Hurghada who do not want to spend time comparing separate snorkeling, island, and parasailing bookings. The transport, equipment, food, and main activities are gathered under one reservation.
It may also suit mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can stay near the beach, and someone else can use the floating water park or try parasailing. The semi-submarine viewing session gives non-swimmers another way to see the underwater setting.
I would think twice if you dislike group schedules or want a quiet, private island. The day includes several planned stages, and the island is arranged for organized tourism. It is also not the best match if you want hours of snorkeling at several separate reefs, since only one snorkeling stop is listed.
Families should pay attention to the activity mix. The floating water park and beach can be appealing, while banana boating and parasailing may suit older children and adults depending on the operator’s safety rules. The supplied information does not give age, height, or weight limits, so ask before booking if those details matter to you.
Practical planning before you book
The tour starts at about 8:00 am and lasts roughly eight hours. That makes it a major part of your day, not a short morning outing. Keep your evening plans flexible in case the return takes longer than expected.
Wear swimwear under easy clothing, and bring sun protection. A towel, hat, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes are sensible additions for a day involving snorkeling, beach time, banana boating, and parasailing.
You do not need to bring snorkeling gear or a life jacket because those are included. Lunch, soda, and water are included as well. You should still carry cash for the €10 National Park charge and, if applicable, the extra €10 transfer fee from the listed resort areas.
The experience accepts mobile tickets, offers hotel pickup, and has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellation within 24 hours is not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. Those rules make early booking convenient, but you should avoid reserving it until your plans are firm.
Should you book Hula Hula Island by catamaran?
Book it if your ideal Hurghada day includes many activities for one reasonable price. The strongest combination is the included parasailing, one guided snorkeling stop, three hours on Hula Hula Island, a buffet lunch, drinks, and hotel transport. The friendly staff and well-regarded lunch add to the practical appeal.
Skip it if you want a private boat, a remote beach, or a snorkeling trip built around several reef stops. You should also budget honestly for the National Park fee and any extra transfer charge from outside Hurghada.
For most visitors who want a straightforward Red Sea sampler, this is a sensible choice. It gives you enough beach time to relax, enough water activity to keep the day lively, and enough included services to make the $45 price easy to understand.
FAQ
How long is the Hula Hula Island catamaran tour?
The experience lasts approximately eight hours, beginning around 8:00 am.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle are included.
Is parasailing included in the price?
Yes. The package includes parasailing, along with a banana boat activity.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a snorkeling guide, and one snorkeling stop are included.
Is lunch included?
Yes. You receive a buffet lunch at the island restaurant, along with soda and water.
What extra fees should I expect?
The National Park fee is €10 per person, paid in cash on the spot. An additional €10 per person transfer fee applies for pickups from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh.
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