ViP Orange Bay Giftun Island Tour By Boat With Lunch in Hurghada

Red Sea color is the main event. This seven-hour boat trip from Hurghada combines two snorkeling stops, lunch, soft drinks, water sports, and two hours at Orange Bay in Giftun Islands National Park. I especially like the low price of $18.40 and the easy hotel pickup, which make this a simple way to spend a full day on the water.

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, funny, and helpful, especially with children and nervous swimmers. The clear water, coral, fish, and white beach are the real rewards. The main caution is timing: wind can affect the route, and some departures have returned more than two hours late or delivered only one snorkeling stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay is the peaceful centerpiece: You get about two hours to swim, sunbathe, and take photos on a white sandy beach.
• Two snorkeling stops are planned: Weather and sea conditions may reduce this to one stop.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The meal is advertised as a buffet, though some people received served portions rather than a self-service spread.
• A fun family add-on: Banana boat and inflatable sofa rides are included, with a short turn for each participant.
• The group can reach 35 people: This keeps the price low, but the boat and snorkeling periods may feel busy.
• Extra costs matter: The national park fee is €5 per person, with additional transfer charges from several resort areas.

Leaving Hurghada for a day on the Red Sea

The day begins around 8:00 a.m. with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in air-conditioned transport. That is useful in a resort city where the marina may not be close to your accommodation. You do not need to arrange a taxi, and the return transfer is included at the end.

The advertised tour lasts about seven hours. In practice, you should keep your afternoon flexible. Wind, boarding delays, water activities, and the length of the snorkeling stops can push the return well past the planned time. One departure began about 30 minutes late, while another ran more than two hours behind schedule.

That is not unusual on a boat day, but it matters if you have a flight, dinner booking, or another excursion waiting. I would not schedule anything important for the evening.

The boat can carry up to 35 people. That is a fairly large group for snorkeling, but it helps explain the unusually low cost. You can expect a social day rather than a quiet private cruise. The atmosphere seems to lean cheerful and informal, with staff joking, helping swimmers, and keeping the group moving.

The first boat ride and water sports stop

After boarding, the boat cruises along the Red Sea coast toward the snorkeling areas and Giftun Islands. You can relax on deck, enjoy the sea views, and take in the sunshine before getting into the water.

The first activity may be the banana boat or inflatable sofa ride. This is not a long private speedboat session. Each person generally gets a short turn, described in one account as roughly a minute. For children, that brief ride can be a highlight. For adults expecting a full water-sports session, it may feel more like a quick extra than a major part of the excursion.

The crew’s handling of this part can affect the mood of the whole morning. Some groups found it great fun, while others thought the stop felt a little rushed. I would treat it as a bonus included in the package, not the reason to book the tour.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes, since the water activities may come before lunch. You will also want a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a waterproof case for your phone. The supplied equipment includes snorkeling gear and life jackets, but personal masks can still be useful if you prefer your own fit.

Snorkeling among coral and Red Sea fish

The snorkeling stops are the strongest reason to choose this trip. The first site is described as having clear water, coral formations, and large numbers of fish. You might see colorful reef fish and, depending on conditions, larger or less common sea life. Specific sightings have included a turtle and a lionfish, but no wildlife encounter is guaranteed.

The guides appear to take safety seriously. Children have been helped into the water and made to feel secure while exploring. Life jackets are available, so you do not need to be a confident swimmer to participate. Still, you should follow the crew’s instructions closely and stay within the marked or supervised area.

The second snorkeling stop is part of the planned schedule, but it is not guaranteed in every condition. Wind and rougher water have caused some departures to shorten the program to one site. That is a sensible safety decision, but it can be disappointing if you booked mainly for repeated time in the water.

The group size also affects the experience. When everyone enters the sea at once, the first few minutes can feel crowded and disorganized. Give yourself time to get comfortable, then move slightly away from the main cluster if the guide allows it. The best moments often come after the initial rush, when you can look down quietly at the coral and fish.

These are snorkeling stops, not scuba excursions. You stay near the surface with a mask, snorkel, and flotation equipment. The trip suits beginners and families better than people seeking technical instruction or a long, quiet reef session.

Lunch on board, with a useful caveat

Lunch is served on the boat, along with water and unlimited soft drinks. The food has been praised as tasty, hot, and generous enough for a day outdoors. Descriptions include salads, meat, fruit, and a mix of hot and cold items.

There is one detail worth clarifying before you pay. The tour description calls lunch a buffet, but some people received small portions served by the crew rather than choosing freely from a buffet table. That difference may depend on the boat or departure. If you have a large appetite, bring a small snack, though do not expect to rely on outside food as your main meal.

Eating on board has a practical advantage. You do not lose more beach time looking for a café, and you can sit in the shade while the crew prepares or distributes the meal. The boat lunch is part of the value here, especially when combined with water and soft drinks throughout the day.

The meal also gives you a break between water activities and the island visit. After snorkeling, you can dry off, eat, and enjoy the Red Sea before arriving at Orange Bay.

Two hours at Orange Bay

Orange Bay is the visual star of the excursion. Once the boat reaches Giftun Islands National Park, you get planned time on the island, usually about two hours. The beach has pale sand and clear blue water, making it a good place to swim, sunbathe, and take photographs.

This stop is less structured than the snorkeling sessions. You can settle on the beach, walk near the water, or simply enjoy a slower stretch of the day. If the sea has been choppy, the island can feel like a welcome pause from the boat.

The best photographs will come early, before you have spent too long in the sun and before the beach becomes crowded. Keep your phone protected from sand and water. There is no promise that every departure will receive the full two hours. Wind, late boarding, and changes to the route have reduced island time to roughly 90 minutes on some outings.

That is the difference between a good day and an excellent one. If Orange Bay is your main goal, ask the crew at the start how much time is planned on shore and whether the route has changed. The tour may also involve different arrangements for people visiting Orange Bay or Paradise Island, so listen carefully to the day’s instructions.

The return cruise and the mood on board

After Orange Bay, the boat returns toward Hurghada, sometimes with another period for fruit and sunshine on deck. The ride gives you time to relax rather than rushing from one scheduled activity to another.

Staff are often the most praised part of the day. They are described as friendly, professional, funny, and attentive. One crew member named Ahmed receives special praise for his humor and helpful manner. The snorkeling guide also made a strong impression by helping children feel safe.

There is usually a photographer or cameraman on board. Professional photos and videos may be offered, but the experience does not include guaranteed video delivery. If you want pictures, ask clearly how they are purchased and received before leaving the boat.

The return transfer drops you back at your Hurghada hotel. Since the group may arrive late, keep water and a dry layer with you for the ride back. A windy day can make the return less comfortable, especially if you remain in wet swimwear.

What the $18.40 price really includes

At $18.40 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want several activities in one package. You receive hotel transfers in Hurghada, about seven hours on the boat, snorkeling gear, life jackets, two planned snorkeling stops, lunch, water, soft drinks, water sports, and time at Orange Bay.

The price does not include the €5 national park fee per person. Transfer supplements also apply from some nearby resort areas:

• Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay: €5 per person
• El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga: €10 per person

Even with those additions, the package can be cheaper than arranging separate transport, a boat trip, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and an island visit. The trade-off is that you share the day with a group of up to 35 people and accept a less precise schedule.

The value is best for families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a broad sample of the Red Sea in one day. It is less suitable if you want a small boat, a private guide, a guaranteed second reef stop, or a fixed return time.

Weather, comfort, and who should skip it

This is a weather-dependent trip. Strong wind can make the boat ride rougher, shorten snorkeling, or change the route. A cloudy day does not ruin Orange Bay, but the famous clear-water color looks best in bright conditions.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. You should still be comfortable getting on and off a boat, entering the sea, and spending several hours outdoors. Parents should keep a close eye on young children, even though flotation gear and crew assistance are available.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that period are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Orange Bay tour?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, all-day Red Sea outing with clear snorkeling water, a beach stop, lunch, and friendly crew service. The strongest parts are Orange Bay, the coral and fish, and the amount included for the price.

Book with realistic expectations. The banana ride is short, lunch may be served rather than buffet-style, and the second snorkeling stop or full island time can change with weather and timing. If you can accept a busy group and a flexible return, this is an easy recommendation for a value-minded day from Hurghada.

If you need a private, quiet, tightly timed boat trip, choose something smaller instead. For everyone else, keep the evening free, pack sun protection, and enjoy the day at the sea’s own pace.

FAQ

What time does the Orange Bay tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m. Hotel pickup is offered from Hurghada accommodations.

How long does the boat trip last?

The excursion lasts approximately seven hours, although wind, delays, and activity times can make the return later than planned.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and life jackets for the two planned snorkeling stops.

How much time is planned at Orange Bay?

The planned stay is two hours. Weather and schedule changes may reduce the time, and some departures have spent about 90 minutes on the island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, water, and soft drinks are included on the boat. The meal is described as a buffet, though portions may be served by the crew.

Are there extra fees?

Yes. The national park fee is €5 per person. Transfer supplements are €5 per person from Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay, and €10 per person from El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.