Makadi: Giftun Island Speedboat Cruise to Orange Bay & Lunch

The best part of this trip is the combination of fast speedboat travel and two snorkeling stops around Giftun National Park. You get clear Red Sea water, coral reefs, colorful fish, and a proper beach break at Orange Bay without spending the whole day on a large tour boat.

I like the short ride to the first snorkeling site, usually about 20 minutes, and the chance to see turtles or dolphins along the way. I also like the practical extras: equipment, life jackets, fruit, drinks, a shaded area, and hotel pickup are included. Guide Sabry has been especially helpful with snorkeling assistance.

The catch is comfort and timing. A shared pickup can start much earlier than expected and may collect several people before reaching the marina. The small speedboat is quick but can feel wobbly, and spray may soak you. If you get seasick or have back problems, think carefully before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Two 20-minute snorkeling stops: You get two separate chances to see coral, fish, and possibly sea turtles in Giftun National Park.
• Orange Bay is the main beach break: Expect white sand, clear water, swimming, sun, and time to relax after snorkeling.
• Fast but exposed boat ride: The speedboat saves time, but wind and spray can make the ride chilly. Bring a light jacket.
• Lunch choices affect the value: A lunch box with cheese and roast beef sandwiches is included. You can add an island lunch or upgrade to seafood during checkout.
• Shared pickup may take time: An early collection can include an hour of hotel stops before the marina, so do not assume a 9 am booking means a 9 am departure.
• Be ready at the hotel entrance: Pickup is at the main entrance by the road, and the boat operator can wait no more than five minutes.

A fast start from Makadi to the Giftun Islands

This trip is built around speed. After pickup from your Makadi hotel, you go to the marina, meet your guide, receive a short introduction, and board the speedboat. The first snorkeling area is reached in about 20 minutes, which is much quicker than a slow cruise boat covering the same stretch of sea.

That short transfer gives you more time in the water and less time sitting on a boat. It also gives you a lively ride across the Red Sea, with the boat moving quickly over open water. The speed is part of the fun, but it comes with tradeoffs. Wind can make the ride cold, especially if you are wet from swimming, and the boat may bounce over the waves.

One practical detail matters here: the exact boat setup can vary. The experience includes a speedboat cruise, but at least one pickup arrangement involved boarding a smaller inflatable boat, with several people getting wet while transferring. If you prefer a steady, dry ride, ask about the vessel before departure and consider a larger boat-based outing instead.

The trip may be private or shared, depending on the option you choose. A private boat should give you more control over the pace, while a shared outing can be better value. The supplied price is about $53 per person, which is reasonable for a trip that includes transportation, boat travel, snorkeling equipment, park entry, lunch provisions, drinks, and a beach stop. The value drops if you dislike early pickups or want a quiet, polished boat experience.

Two snorkeling stops in Giftun National Park

The snorkeling portion includes two stops of about 20 minutes each. That is not a long time at every site, but two locations give you a better chance of finding good water conditions and different marine life.

You can expect coral reefs, colorful fish, and clear water. Sea turtles are also possible, and the route may offer a chance to watch dolphins from the boat. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than the reason to pay for the trip.

The guide is available to help you get comfortable in the water. Sabry has been singled out for assisting a young snorkeler, which is useful if you are nervous, traveling with a child, or simply want help using the equipment. Life jackets and snorkeling gear are included, but you should still bring confidence-boosting items such as a towel and sunscreen.

The 20-minute limit keeps the trip moving, though strong swimmers may wish for more time. You will have time to swim, look at fish, and enjoy the reef, but this is not a full-day specialist snorkeling program. The boat also has a shaded area and stereo system, so you can sit out of the sun between stops.

Wear sunscreen before boarding and bring cash for any extras. Water shoes are a smart choice for the island and transfers. One useful wrinkle is that shoes may need to come off on the island, but the sand and shells can still hurt bare feet. Keep the shoes in your bag and use them when walking on rough surfaces where permitted.

Orange Bay, white sand, and a short island escape

After snorkeling, the speedboat takes you to Orange Bay. The appeal is simple: white sand, clear shallow-looking water, and time to swim, sit in the sun, or walk around.

The setting has a Caribbean feel, but do not expect an untouched desert island. Orange Bay can be busy, especially near the main beach areas. You may find quieter places by walking away from the busiest section, though the visit is still best understood as a beach stop rather than a remote-island expedition.

The stop provides a useful change of pace. After two active water sessions, you can dry off, sit down, and enjoy a slower hour on land. The clear water also makes the island appealing to people who want to swim without spending the whole day snorkeling.

The entry fee is included, so there is no separate park charge to sort out on arrival. Bring your towel, sunscreen, and cash. The sun can feel strong on the open beach, and the boat’s shaded area is not a substitute for covering up during the island stop.

Lunch choices: included sandwich or island meal

The basic booking includes a lunch box with cheese and roast beef sandwiches. Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are also included, which helps keep the day simple and avoids having to buy every drink separately.

If you want a sit-down meal on Orange Bay, you can add island lunch at checkout. A seafood upgrade is also available. This choice matters when comparing the $53 base price with the final total. The included lunch box is practical, but it is not the same as a full local meal served on the island.

I would choose the basic lunch if you care most about snorkeling, speed, and keeping the cost down. Add the island meal if sitting down for local dishes is part of the experience you want. Since the exact meal choice changes the price, check the checkout total rather than judging the trip only by the headline figure.

Lunch also gives you a natural pause before returning to the water or beach. Drinks are covered, but bring cash for anything extra and do not count on the basic package including the seafood option.

The shared pickup is the part to plan carefully

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the pickup time arrives by email at about 10 pm the night before. You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, room number, and a passport copy for daily permissions.

The vehicle collects you at the hotel’s main entrance by the road. That does not mean the reception entrance or an internal gate. Be at the stated point on time because the operator can wait no more than five minutes.

A 9 am booking does not necessarily mean you will leave your hotel at 9 am. One pickup from Stella Gardens began at 6:50 am and continued for about an hour while other people were collected. The bus was described as full, so shared transport can be less comfortable than the boat itself.

That early start may be worthwhile if it gets you onto the water before the day becomes hotter and busier. Still, ask for the confirmed pickup time and plan for a longer morning than the start time might suggest. Long-range collection from Safaga and the Soma Bay area is available as a paid add-on, so confirm that cost before booking if you are staying there.

Speedboat comfort, seasickness, and what to pack

The speedboat is the central feature, not just transport between stops. It is quicker and more exciting than a large slow boat, but it also exposes you to wind, spray, sun, and movement.

The ride can feel cold after snorkeling. Pack a thin sweater or light jacket even on a warm day. A dry bag or waterproof pouch would also be sensible for phones and valuables, though only the supplied items should be treated as guaranteed inclusions.

People prone to seasickness should take the boat type seriously. The ride may be wobbly, especially when transferring from a marina or moving through choppier water. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems, and the smaller inflatable transfer mentioned above would not be a good fit for anyone who needs a stable boarding process.

Your basic packing list is short:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Light jacket or sweater
• Water shoes
• Waterproof protection for your phone

Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are provided. You can also add parasailing during checkout if you want another activity, but that is an optional extra rather than part of the standard plan.

Who gets the most from this $53 trip?

This outing suits you if you want a half-day-style Red Sea adventure with several activities packed into one day. It works well for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who can handle a fast boat and short snorkeling sessions.

You will especially appreciate it if you want:

• A quick route to the islands
• Two reef stops rather than one
• Time on a white-sand beach
• Hotel pickup and return
• Equipment and drinks included
• A choice between shared and private travel

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, slow cruise, a large stable vessel, or long uninterrupted time at each reef. People with back problems should not book it, and anyone with serious seasickness concerns should consider a larger boat.

Families should also think about the transfer. A guide can assist with snorkeling, and Sabry has helped children in the water, but the small boat and early shared pickup may be tiring for younger children. Ask about the vessel and boarding arrangement before paying if stability is important.

How the ratings fit the real experience

The overall rating is 4.7 from 26 ratings, and the strongest pattern is clear: the crew receives the most praise. The friendly service, help in the water, and care shown during the trip are repeated strengths.

The snorkeling locations also earn strong approval. The combination of good reef sites and an attractive island stop gives the day variety. You are not spending every minute in the same place, and the speedboat keeps transfers short.

The lower experience comes from logistics rather than the Red Sea itself. A crowded shared bus, a long collection route, and a wobbly inflatable transfer can change the feel of the day. That is why I would pay attention to transport arrangements, not just the attractive island photos.

The experience provider is Go Shalabi, with service in English and Arabic. Guide quality can make a real difference here because the snorkeling stops are brief and the boat movements are active. A helpful guide lets you spend less time sorting out equipment and more time looking at the reef.

Booking details and cancellation flexibility

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still shifting. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Share your passport copy and correct hotel details as early as requested. The pickup message arrives the night before, so check your email around 10 pm and do not wait until morning to confirm where you need to stand.

The long-range pickup option for Safaga and Soma Bay is available as an add-on. If you are staying outside the normal pickup area, include that cost when comparing the tour with other island trips.

Should you book the Orange Bay speedboat cruise?

Book this trip if you want speed, snorkeling, and a beach stop in one reasonably priced outing. The strongest reasons are the two reef visits, helpful snorkeling support, included equipment and drinks, and the pleasant change of scene at Orange Bay.

I would choose the private option if you value space and control, or the shared option if price matters more and you can tolerate an early, possibly crowded pickup. Add the island lunch or seafood upgrade only if a proper meal matters to you, since the basic lunch box is already included.

Skip it if you need a stable large boat, dislike getting wet, have back problems, or suffer badly from seasickness. For everyone else, pack a jacket and water shoes, confirm the pickup point, and treat dolphin sightings as a lucky extra. At around $53, it offers a busy but appealing slice of the Red Sea, with enough water time and island time to feel like a real outing rather than a quick photo stop.

FAQ

What is included in the $53 speedboat trip?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, speedboat travel, snorkeling equipment, two 20-minute snorkeling stops, island entry, a lunch box, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, life jackets, and access to the boat’s shaded area.

Is lunch served on Orange Bay?

The standard package includes a lunch box with cheese and roast beef sandwiches. You can add lunch on the island during checkout, with a seafood upgrade also available.

How long are the snorkeling stops?

There are two snorkeling stops, each lasting about 20 minutes.

Can I book a private speedboat?

The trip is available as either a private or shared speedboat experience. Select the option that suits your group and budget.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A light sweater or jacket is useful because the fast boat can feel cold, and water shoes can protect your feet from stones and shells on the island.

Where and when is hotel pickup?

Pickup is at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not the reception gate or an internal entrance. Exact pickup details are sent by email at about 10 pm the night before, and the operator can wait no more than five minutes.