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

Orange Bay is the star of this Hurghada day trip: pale sand, clear Red Sea water, and two hours to swim, sunbathe, and take photos. You also get coral reefs, colorful fish, lunch on the boat, and a little inflatable-boat fun for one low price.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, soft drinks, and lunch are included. I also like the crew’s warm, playful approach. Ahmed is singled out for his humor, while the snorkeling guides have helped children feel safe in the water.

The catch is timing. Wind can make the crossing rough, and some departures have arrived late or offered only one snorkeling stop. If you need a quiet, clockwork day, this may frustrate you. If you treat it as a relaxed sea outing, the value is strong.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay beach time: Plan on about two hours on Giftun Island, though weather and the day’s schedule can affect the exact time.
• Two planned snorkeling stops: Coral, fish, and clear water are the main draw, but poor conditions may reduce the number of stops.
• Lunch and drinks included: You receive lunch aboard the boat, plus water and unlimited soft drinks.
• Water sports add a quick burst of fun: Banana boat and sofa rides are included, though each ride may be brief and shared among the group.
• Small-to-medium group size: The boat can carry up to 35 people, so this is social rather than private.
• Low headline price, extra park fee: The tour costs $18.40 per person, but Giftun Islands National Park fees add €5 per person.

Setting out from Hurghada at 8 a.m.

The day begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in air-conditioned transport. The advertised start time is 8 a.m., though one departure began about 30 minutes late. That matters because a seven-hour outing leaves little spare time if the boat gets behind schedule.

You are taken to the marina, where you board the boat for the trip across the Red Sea. The cruise is part of the experience, not just a transfer. You can settle in, enjoy the sea views, and let the morning heat soften in the breeze.

The boat has been described as clean, modern, and pleasant. Staff members are generally attentive and ready to help. Still, this is a group excursion, not a private yacht charter. The maximum group size is 35 people, and the early part of the day can feel busy as everyone gets organized.

Bring a little patience at the marina. Water sports, safety instructions, moving between decks, and fitting equipment can make the start feel less polished than the price might suggest. The crew’s friendly manner helps, but you should not expect a silent luxury cruise.

A quick banana boat or sofa ride

The schedule includes a banana boat or sofa ride before, or around, the first snorkeling stop. This is a nice extra for families and anyone who wants more than swimming and sunbathing.

Keep your expectations in check. The ride may last only about a minute per person, and it is an add-on shared among the group rather than a full water-sports session. One account describes the activity as fun but brief. It works best as a quick splash of excitement, especially for children, rather than the reason to book the trip.

Life jackets are provided, and the activity takes place under crew direction. You should follow the guide’s instructions closely and wait until you are told it is safe to enter or leave the water.

First snorkeling stop: coral and Red Sea fish

The first snorkeling area is meant to show you the Red Sea’s underwater appeal. The water is described as clear, with plenty of fish and old coral formations. You may see a wide mix of smaller sea life, and reports from the day include a turtle and a lionfish.

The equipment and life jackets are included, which keeps the outing simple for first-time snorkelers. You can jump from the boat when the guide allows it, then float above the reef and look down through the clear water.

I would call this a good introduction rather than a serious reef expedition. You are part of a group, and the first few minutes can feel chaotic as people enter the water, adjust masks, and find space. A snorkeling guide is available to help, and the staff have been especially helpful with children who feel unsure in open water.

If you are a beginner, stay close to the guide and do not drift away from the boat. If you already snorkel often, you may want to use the time efficiently by moving calmly away from the busiest entry point. Do not touch coral or stand on it. The reef is the main natural attraction here, and careless contact can damage it.

The tour description refers to two snorkeling stops. In practice, wind or timing can change the plan. At least one departure had only a single snorkeling site, with the crew citing bad weather. That is a fair safety decision, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Lunch on the boat, with a practical warning

Lunch is served aboard the boat, usually after the morning water activities and before the island stop. The meal has been praised as tasty, warm, and filling, with hot and cold dishes, salads, meat, fruit, and soft drinks.

The wording around the meal needs a little care. It is presented as a buffet in the tour details, but one account found that portions were served rather than freely self-served. In other words, expect a basic boat lunch, not an expansive hotel buffet.

For a full day at sea, the meal is useful. You do not need to leave the boat looking for food, and water and soft drinks are included throughout the trip. Fruit is also served during the return cruise according to the tour details and day descriptions.

If you have dietary needs, confirm them before departure. The available information does not list vegetarian, vegan, halal, allergy, or gluten-free arrangements. Do not assume the boat kitchen can adapt its menu.

Orange Bay and two hours on Giftun Island

Orange Bay is the most scenic part of the outing. After the boat reaches Giftun Islands National Park, you have time on the white sandy beach with clear water around the shore. The planned stay is two hours.

This is where the day slows down. You can swim, sunbathe, photograph the beach, or simply sit by the water after the snorkeling stops. The setting is made for a relaxed break, and the contrast with Hurghada’s built-up shore is part of its appeal.

The beach is also the place where the tour can feel most crowded. Orange Bay is a popular stop, and the experience is built around a shared island visit rather than a private stretch of sand. Go in expecting good scenery and busy conditions at times.

The promised two hours should also be treated as an approximate target. One departure had about 90 minutes instead, while another group had longer on Orange Bay when the day’s arrangements changed. Weather, boat movement, and the overall timetable can affect the stay.

Take photos early if you want a clear record of the beach. Then put the phone away and enjoy the water. The island stop is not packed with sightseeing. Its value is simple: open sky, pale sand, and a chance to swim in exceptionally clear water.

A €5 National Park fee per person is not included in the advertised $18.40 price. Add that to your budget before comparing this trip with other Orange Bay tours.

The second reef stop and the ride home

After Orange Bay, the boat is scheduled to cruise to another snorkeling area. This gives you a second chance to see coral and fish in a different section of the Red Sea.

The second stop is a real benefit when conditions allow it. It breaks up the beach time and gives active swimmers more time in the water. On a calm day, the combination of two reef stops, an island visit, and a boat lunch makes the seven-hour schedule feel full without being overloaded.

Wind is the main variable. Strong conditions can make the ride uncomfortable, reduce visibility, or lead the crew to cut a stop. One outing ran more than two hours late after a windy day and two snorkeling stops. That is important if you have an evening flight, dinner booking, or another excursion planned.

The boat then returns to the Hurghada marina, where the included shuttle takes you back to your hotel. Do not schedule anything that depends on an exact return time. The advertised duration is about seven hours, not a guarantee that you will be back at a precise hour.

What the $18.40 price really buys you

At $18.40 per person, this is an unusually low-cost way to spend a day on the Red Sea. The price includes hotel pickup and return in Hurghada, a seven-hour boat trip, the Orange Bay visit, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, water, soft drinks, and banana boat or sofa rides.

That is a lot of included value. You are paying one simple rate for transport, food, water activities, and beach access by boat. For families, the included drinks and water sports can make the math especially appealing.

The final price is not quite $18.40, since the €5 park fee is extra. People staying outside Hurghada also pay a transfer supplement: €5 per person from Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay, and €10 per person from El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga.

The price does explain some limits. You get a group boat, a basic meal, and a fixed schedule. You do not get private guiding, guaranteed sea conditions, or unlimited time at every stop. I see this as a strong value for a straightforward day at sea, not a premium VIP experience in the private-service sense.

The crew and the feel onboard

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the day. Guides are described as friendly, supportive, professional, and good-humored. Ahmed is specifically remembered for keeping the mood light, while the snorkeling team has helped nervous children feel secure.

That matters because open-water activities can be intimidating. A guide who explains the process, helps with equipment, and watches the group can make the difference between a stressful swim and a pleasant one.

You can also expect professional photography on board. Photos and videos may be offered during the trip, but the supplied details do not confirm the price or whether digital files are included. Ask before agreeing to a purchase, particularly if you want the underwater footage.

The atmosphere is social and playful. That suits families, couples, and solo visitors who like meeting people. It is less suited to anyone hoping for a quiet, private day with no music, jokes, or group activity.

Weather, comfort, and what to pack

This tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Even when the boat sails, cloudy skies and wind can change the character of the day.

For comfort, pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes. A waterproof phone pouch is useful for the island photographs. Keep valuables to a minimum, since this is an active day around water.

The boat ride can feel windy even under pleasant conditions. If you are prone to motion sickness, take sensible precautions before departure. The trip description does not state that medication is provided, so plan for yourself.

You should also bring cash for the €5 park fee unless the operator gives you another payment arrangement. The details say service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Anyone with a specific mobility, medical, or swimming concern should confirm arrangements before booking, since the tour includes boat boarding, snorkeling, and island access.

Who should book this Orange Bay tour?

I would choose this excursion if you want a budget-friendly Red Sea day with several activities bundled together. It suits first-time snorkelers, families, and people who want beach time without arranging transport, lunch, and equipment separately.

It is also a good fit if your ideal day includes variety: a boat ride, a quick inflatable-boat activity, coral reefs, lunch, soft drinks, and a sandy island stop. The crew’s friendly style is a plus if you appreciate a little humor and help in the water.

I would think twice if you need a strict timetable. Wind, late departures, and changes to the snorkeling plan have affected some outings. You should also reconsider if you want a private boat, a long uninterrupted reef session, or a refined meal service.

The 95 percent recommendation rate and 4.8 rating from 155 ratings suggest that the overall experience is usually strong. The lower scores point to one clear issue: the advertised schedule can be less reliable than the headline description suggests.

Should you book it?

Book this Orange Bay tour if you want the best amount of Red Sea activity for a low price and can accept a group setting. The clean boat, kind crew, clear water, coral, and beach time create a very appealing day, especially when the sea is calm.

Before paying, add the €5 park fee and any hotel transfer supplement. Leave your evening open, and remember that two snorkeling stops and two full hours on Orange Bay are planned features, not absolute guarantees in poor weather.

For most visitors staying in Hurghada, I think this is a sensible buy. You get a full day on the water, not just a short beach transfer. Go for the sea, the reef, and the easygoing crew, while keeping your schedule flexible.

FAQ

What time does the Orange Bay tour start?

The stated start time is 8 a.m. Pickup is offered from Hurghada hotels, followed by air-conditioned transport to the boat marina.

How long is the tour?

The boat excursion lasts about seven hours. The return time can vary because of weather, boat schedules, and the length of the snorkeling stops.

How long do you stay at Orange Bay?

The planned stay is two hours at Orange Island in Giftun Islands National Park. Actual time can vary, and one reported departure had about 90 minutes.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and life jackets, along with two planned snorkeling stops. Poor weather may result in fewer stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the boat, with water and soft drinks included. The meal is described as including hot and cold dishes, salads, meat, and fruit, but the serving style may be portions rather than a self-service buffet.

Are extra fees charged?

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.