Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the chance to see wild dolphins from a fast speedboat, then swim in the open Red Sea rather than watch marine life through glass. The route combines two snorkel stops with Orange Bay on Giftun Island, so you get sea time, beach time, and a quick island lunch in one half-day trip.

I like the personal feel of a small speedboat, and I like that the crew supplies water, soft drinks, juice, fruit, shade, life jackets, and snorkel gear. Captain Momo has earned special praise for being friendly and helpful. The main drawback is the packed lunch, which may be basic at best, and dolphin sightings can never be promised.

Key points to know

• Wild dolphin search: You look for dolphins in their natural habitat, with no guarantee of a sighting or swim.
• Two open-water snorkel stops: Expect around an hour in the sea in two sessions, often about 30 minutes each.
• Orange Bay visit: You get beach time, a swim, an island entrance, and lunch on Giftun Island.
• Small-boat feel: A speedboat gives the trip a more direct, lively ride than a large excursion boat.
• Optional flight: An add-on lets you see the Red Sea from above, but the supplied details list both five and ten minutes, so confirm the exact duration when booking.
• Important pickup rule: Be at the hotel main gate on the highway, not the reception entrance, and be ready on time.

A fast start from Hurghada to the Red Sea

This is an active half-day trip rather than a slow cruise. A hotel pickup takes you to the speedboat departure point, where the guide explains the plan and the captain sets course toward the open water.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. You feel the speed, see more of the Red Sea in less time, and spend less of the day waiting around. That speed also means a bumpier ride, so this is not the right choice if you have back problems or dislike rough motion.

The total outing is about 4.5 hours, based on the timing available for this experience. That makes it useful if you want a sea excursion without giving up a full day in Hurghada. A 1 p.m. departure can also work well for visitors who prefer a later start. One account of the trip found Orange Bay less crowded at that time.

The transfer deserves careful attention. Pickup information is sent by email at about 10 p.m. the night before, and you need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. The meeting point is the main entrance, called the main gate, on the highway. It is not the reception gate or an interior hotel pickup area.

Be ready at the stated time. The driver may arrive five to ten minutes late because of other pickups, but the vehicle can wait no more than five minutes once it arrives. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as a paid add-on.

One important caution concerns the transfer vehicle. The boat experience receives stronger praise than every part of the ground transport. A complaint described poor air conditioning and extra seats fitted into a vehicle without proper seat belts. If you are traveling with children, check the transfer arrangement and insist on safe seating.

Searching for dolphins in their natural home

The captain takes the speedboat toward areas where dolphins may be active. This is not a controlled animal encounter. You watch the water, follow the crew’s direction, and hope a pod appears near the boat.

That distinction matters. The tour advertises dolphin watching and the chance to swim with dolphins, but the animals are wild. There may be no sighting, and even if dolphins appear, too many boats in the area can make swimming with them unsuitable or impossible.

I appreciate the honest nature of this activity. You are not promised a staged performance, but you are also accepting real uncertainty. One outing spotted a dolphin very quickly, while another account described seeing only one. Treat the dolphin search as a bonus, not the only reason to pay for the trip.

If dolphins approach, you can take photos from the boat. The crew’s job is to find the animals while keeping the encounter practical and safe. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long, private encounter on demand.

For many people, the speed and open-water setting make the search exciting even before any dolphins appear. For others, a guaranteed animal show would be a better fit. I would book this only if you are comfortable with nature setting the schedule.

Two snorkel stops in clear Red Sea water

After the dolphin search, the boat heads to the first snorkel site. The guide provides equipment and gives you a short explanation before you enter the water. You can expect tropical fish, coral formations, and clear water, with the exact underwater sights changing according to conditions.

The two-stop format is one of the strongest parts of the trip. You get a second chance if the first site is not your favorite, and you can compare two parts of the reef rather than spending the whole session in one place.

Plan on about one hour of snorkeling in total. A typical rhythm is roughly 30 minutes at the first stop and another 30 minutes later, with the sessions close enough together that you may feel tired by the time lunch arrives. Life jackets are available, which helps if you are not a strong swimmer or simply want extra support.

The first snorkel site may be the highlight for some people. One detailed account preferred it to the second stop, though conditions and visibility can change. Bring a towel, swimwear, and enough energy for repeated time in the water.

The guide remains important here. A good crew helps you with the mask and fins, points out areas worth seeing, and keeps the session organized. Momo, identified as the captain on one trip, was praised for taking care of the group and keeping the mood friendly. English and Arabic are the listed tour languages.

If you are new to snorkeling, say so before entering the water. The tour includes equipment, but it does not promise private instruction or a calm, shallow reef. You are snorkeling in the open sea, so comfort in water matters.

Orange Bay and the Giftun Island pause

Once the snorkeling is finished, the speedboat continues to Orange Bay, an attractive beach area on the Giftun Islands. This is your chance to change pace. Instead of watching the sea from a moving boat, you can swim, sit on the beach, snorkel again, or enjoy the island scenery.

The island stop gives the itinerary useful variety. A dolphin-only trip could depend entirely on wildlife, while a snorkeling-only trip might feel repetitive. Orange Bay adds a proper break and a place to dry off before the return ride.

The water and beach are the main draw, but do not expect a deserted island. Orange Bay is a known stop for boat excursions, and crowd levels can vary. The afternoon departure may help at certain times, but it does not guarantee quiet surroundings.

Entrance to Orange Bay and nature reserve fees are included. There is also a shaded area on the boat, which is useful during the warmest part of the day and while some members of your group are in the water.

You have ample time to enjoy the stop within the tour schedule, but this is not an overnight island stay or a long independent beach visit. The pace remains organized around the boat’s return to the mainland.

What lunch is really like

Lunch is supplied as a box with a turkey, cheese, or roast beef sandwich, pickles, juice, and fruit. Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and water are also included during the outing.

This is convenient rather than culinary. You do not need to search for food on the island, and the box is easy to eat after snorkeling. Still, the meal is a weak point. One person described it as awful, while another called the food mediocre. I would keep expectations modest and think of lunch as fuel between activities.

The fruit appears to be a brighter part of the food service. A fruit platter was specifically appreciated on one outing, along with the steady supply of drinks. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special meal options, so ask before booking.

Bring cash as advised. The tour does not state what extra purchases might be available, but cash is sensible for any optional spending or personal needs.

The optional view from above

You can add a short flight over the Red Sea, giving you a view of the water and islands from above as well as below. This adds another angle to a day already built around sea views and snorkeling.

The time listed for this option is inconsistent. The highlights refer to up to ten minutes, while the detailed description says up to five minutes. Confirm the exact flight length, price, and operating conditions before you pay for the add-on.

I would treat the flight as a fun extra, not a core reason to choose the tour. The dolphin search, reef stops, and Orange Bay visit are the main experience. If you want a quick aerial look and the weather allows it, the option can make the day feel more varied.

What the $47 price includes

At $47 per person, the value is strongest if you use most of the inclusions. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, the speedboat, guide, two snorkel stops, equipment, life jacket, Orange Bay entrance, reserve fees, lunch, fruit, water, juice, and soft drinks are all covered.

That is a fair package for a half-day outing, particularly when compared with arranging transport, boat access, snorkeling gear, and island entry separately. The small speedboat also gives you a more direct experience than a large group vessel, though group size can vary and should not be assumed to be tiny.

The price does not remove the normal trade-offs. The dolphin sighting is uncertain, the lunch is basic, the road transfer may be less polished than the boat, and the open-water conditions can affect the snorkeling. I see the tour as good value for an active day, not a luxury excursion.

The overall score is 4.4 from 61 ratings, which fits the pattern of the experience: strong marks for the captain, guide, dolphins, snorkeling, and Orange Bay, with weaker points around transport and food.

Who should book this speedboat trip

I would recommend it to you if you want several Red Sea activities in one compact outing. It suits couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers who prefer a quick boat ride and active stops over a long, quiet beach day.

It is also a good match if you want a chance to see dolphins without booking a full-day cruise. The combination of two snorkel sites and Orange Bay means the day still has value if the animals stay away.

I would think twice if you have back problems, dislike speedboat motion, need guaranteed dolphin contact, or expect a fresh island meal. The open sea can be tiring, and two snorkeling sessions in close succession require reasonable stamina.

Families should pay special attention to the transfer vehicle and seat-belt arrangements. The boat includes life jackets, but that does not fix an unsafe road transfer. Ask for clear pickup and seating information before departure.

Practical preparation for the day

Pack swimwear, a towel, and cash. Keep your phone or camera protected from spray, and bring only what you can manage on a small boat.

You receive snorkel equipment, a life jacket, water, soft drinks, juice, and fruit. Even so, your own basic sun protection and personal items may make the day more comfortable. The supplied information does not list sun cream or prescription supplies, so do not count on the operator to provide them.

Do not bring pets. Also make sure your hotel details are correct and watch for the pickup email the night before. The main gate instruction is easy to miss, and arriving at the reception entrance could mean missing the vehicle.

The tour can be canceled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Long-distance pickup areas require an add-on during checkout.

Should you book the Orange Bay dolphin tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the Red Sea with a good mix of wildlife searching, snorkeling, speed, and beach time. At $47, the broad package is solid, especially with transport, equipment, island entry, drinks, fruit, and reserve fees included.

Go in with sensible expectations. Dolphins may not appear, the lunch is plain, Orange Bay may be busy, and the transfer deserves attention. If you accept those limits, the two snorkel stops and personal speedboat format make this a worthwhile Hurghada outing. Confirm the optional flight duration and pickup details, then be ready at the main gate on time.

FAQ

What is included in the Hurghada Orange Bay tour?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, a speedboat ride, a guide, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, a life jacket, Orange Bay entrance, nature reserve fees, a lunch box, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, juice, and water. A shaded area on the boat is also included.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $47 per person.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins are searched for in their natural habitat, so sightings are not guaranteed. Swimming with dolphins may also not be possible when too many boats are nearby.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. One detailed account of the outing described about one hour of snorkeling in total, split into sessions of roughly 30 minutes each.

What food is provided?

The lunch box contains a turkey, cheese, or roast beef sandwich, pickles, juice, and fruit. Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and water are also provided.

Is Orange Bay entrance included?

Yes. Entrance to Orange Bay Island and nature reserve fees are included.

Can I add a flight over the Red Sea?

Yes, an optional short flight is available. The supplied details list both up to five minutes and up to ten minutes, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

Where is hotel pickup?

Pickup is at the main entrance, or main gate, of the hotel on the highway. It is not at the reception gate or reception area.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and cash. Pets are not allowed, and the tour is not suitable for people with back problems.