The Giftun Island Orange Sea Excursion from Hurghada

The best part of this Hurghada day trip is the mix of white sand, clear water, and coral reefs in one outing. You get time on Orange Bay, two snorkeling stops, a boat ride, lunch, and simple water sports without paying a high resort price.

I like the friendly crew and tidy boat, details that matter on a full day at sea. I also like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to see colorful fish and coral rather than spending the whole day on the sand.

The main catch is crowding. Orange Bay can be busy, and two hours may feel short if you want a long, quiet beach stay. Also check the final price carefully: a $10 tax and entrance charge may be added, and some soda cans and chips may cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay gives you about two hours on a bright, sandy island, with clear water for swimming and time to relax.
• Two snorkeling stops are included, with equipment, life jackets, and a snorkeling guide.
• Lunch, water, and soda are provided, though canned drinks and chips may carry an extra charge.
• Banana boat and sofa rides add a little action between the beach and reef stops.
• The group can reach 30 people, so this is a shared boat trip rather than a private cruise.
• The $23.81 price is attractive, but check the $10 tax and entrance fee before paying.

Leaving Hurghada for the open Red Sea

The day begins around 8:30 a.m. with pickup from your hotel and a transfer to the boat departure point. Pickup is included for hotels in Hurghada, but transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga are not included.

That transfer detail matters. If you are staying outside central Hurghada, confirm the transport cost before booking. A cheap boat ticket can look less cheap once a separate hotel transfer is added.

The experience lasts about seven hours. That is long enough for a proper day on the water, but short enough to fit into a stay filled with other Hurghada activities. Bring a little patience for the morning transfer and loading process. The outing is shared, with a maximum group size of 30.

Once on board, you cruise toward Orange Bay and the Giftun Islands. Keep an eye out for dolphins, though sightings are never guaranteed. The point of the ride is not only to reach the island. The boat journey gives you a changing view of the Red Sea and a break from the hotel strip.

The crew prepares a buffet lunch during the day, with water and soda available. The food received strong praise, with the buffet described as better than expected. That is useful to know because boat lunches can be an afterthought on low-cost excursions. Here, lunch appears to be one of the better parts of the package.

Still, check what is included in the drinks. Water and soda are listed as included, but one account notes that canned sodas and chips cost about $2 extra. The safest approach is to treat the included drinks as basic water and soda, then ask before ordering anything packaged.

Orange Bay: two hours on sand and shallow water

Orange Bay is the first major stop and the visual star of the day. The water is clear, the sand is pale and soft, and the setting is made for swimming and lounging.

You get around two hours on the island. That gives you time to walk a little, sit on the sand, and enjoy the water without feeling rushed from one activity to the next. If your ideal island visit means a full half-day of quiet beach time, though, this schedule may disappoint.

The island is not presented as a remote, empty shore. It can be busy, and the facilities and setting come with extra costs in some places. One useful point from the experience is that Orange Bay is lovely but expensive once you start buying extras. Bring that expectation with you.

The water is the reason to spend your free time here. You can swim in clear water close to shore, then return to the sand when you want a rest. If you prefer organized activity, the trip also includes banana boat and sofa rides. These are simple, family-friendly water sports rather than a major adrenaline event.

I would use the island time carefully. Swim first while the water is inviting, then find a spot to relax. If you spend the whole two hours taking photos or waiting for water sports, you may leave wishing you had made more time for the beach itself.

Orange Bay is also where the trip feels most scenic. The bright water and light sand make a strong contrast with Hurghada’s built-up shore. You do not need special fitness for this part. Most people can participate, and the island stop is easy to understand: swim, sit, take in the view, and enjoy the break from the boat.

Two reef stops for snorkeling

The trip includes two snorkeling stops, each with snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, and a guide. This is important for beginners. You do not have to arrange gear yourself, and the guide can help you get into the water with the basic equipment provided.

The two sites are described as distinct stops, with coral reefs and tropical fish at both. Conditions can change with wind, water movement, and visibility, so no reef outing can promise the same view every day. Still, the plan gives you two chances to see marine life rather than relying on one short stop.

The first stop takes place along the route to or around the islands, while the second comes later in the day. The exact order can vary, but the structure is clear: island time is combined with two separate reef visits.

The snorkeling received some of the strongest praise. The fish and coral were described as a highlight, and the guide and crew helped make the water time feel easy. If you already enjoy snorkeling, you will probably value the chance to visit two spots in one day. If you are new to it, the life jacket and guide reduce some of the usual worry.

There is also a fair warning. One account found the snorkeling stops less interesting than expected. That can happen when a site has lower visibility or when you have already seen better reefs elsewhere in Egypt. Go in expecting a pleasant Red Sea outing, not a guaranteed world-class marine encounter.

The best way to enjoy these stops is to keep your expectations practical. You may see bright fish and coral formations, but the view depends on conditions and the exact site used that day. Listen to the guide, use the life jacket if you need it, and save some energy for the second stop.

Lunch, drinks, and water sports on the boat

The boat serves a buffet lunch during the excursion. The meal is included, along with mineral water and soda. For a $23.81 starting price, that makes the package unusually full.

The food is not the reason to book the trip, but it helps the value. You are out for about seven hours, and having lunch on board saves you from arranging food during the day. The buffet was praised as surprisingly good, while other comments called it simply correct. That sounds like the right expectation: a useful boat meal, not a restaurant visit.

The boat itself was described as clean and comfortable. Cleanliness matters more than fancy fittings on a day like this. You will be moving between wet swimmers, snorkeling gear, lunch, and shared seating. A tidy vessel makes the whole outing easier.

The included banana boat and sofa rides give the schedule another change of pace. These activities are optional in spirit, even if included in the package. You can take part if you want a little movement, or focus on swimming and sitting in the sun.

Be clear about drinks and snacks. Water and soda are included, but canned soda and chips may cost extra. Carry some small spending money if you want snacks or additional drinks, and ask the crew about charges before accepting them.

Is the $23.81 price good value?

At $23.81 per person, this is a strong price for a seven-hour boat day that includes hotel pickup in Hurghada, a boat trip, roughly two hours on Orange Bay, lunch, water, soda, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guide, life jackets, and water sports.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You are not paying only for a beach transfer. You are getting transport, food, reef stops, island time, and activities in one booking.

The advertised price may not be the final cost. A $10 tax and entrance fee is listed as obligatory unless that option has already been selected. That brings the likely total closer to $33.81 if the fee is added. Transfers from several resort areas are also excluded.

That still can be good value, but you should compare the full cost, not only the headline figure. Ask specifically about:

• The $10 tax and entrance fee
• Pickup from your exact hotel
• Any transfer fee for Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Safaga
• Canned drinks and packaged snacks
• Any extra charge connected to the island

The trip is also booked well ahead on average, around 36 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve early during busy periods, especially if your dates are fixed. The group limit of 30 keeps the boat from becoming enormous, but this remains a shared excursion.

How the schedule feels over seven hours

The day has a sensible rhythm. You start with a hotel pickup, cruise to the islands, spend time at Orange Bay, eat on the boat, take part in snorkeling and water sports, then return toward Hurghada.

The schedule gives you a good spread of activity. You can swim, snorkel, sit on the sand, eat, and watch the sea. That variety works well for families and mixed groups where not everyone wants the same thing all day.

The weak point is that every part has a time limit. Two hours on Orange Bay can feel brief, especially if the island is busy or you want time for both swimming and relaxing. The snorkeling stops may also feel short if you are keen to stay in the water.

I would not choose this outing if your only goal is an all-day beach stay or a specialist snorkeling trip. Choose it if you want a broad taste of the Red Sea in a single day.

The crew’s attitude can make a big difference in a shared excursion. The strongest feedback describes staff who were on time, friendly, helpful, and focused on keeping the group involved. That practical service matters more than polished sales language. A good crew helps with gear, keeps the day moving, and makes first-time snorkelers feel less awkward.

Who should book this Orange Bay trip?

This experience suits you if you want an affordable introduction to Hurghada’s islands and reefs. It works particularly well for:

• Families wanting swimming, beach time, lunch, and simple water sports
• First-time snorkelers who want equipment and a guide
• Couples looking for a full day away from the hotel
• Budget-conscious visitors who want several activities in one price
• Groups with mixed interests, since you can swim, snorkel, relax, or join the rides

You may want something else if you dislike shared boats, busy beaches, or fixed schedules. A private boat would give you more control, while a specialist reef trip might offer longer water time.

The experience is also weather dependent. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Most people can participate, but the tour does not provide a detailed accessibility statement, so ask the provider if you have specific mobility or swimming needs.

Booking advice and final verdict

I would book this trip when you want the best range of activities for a low price. The clean boat, helpful crew, good buffet, clear water, and two reef stops give the day real substance. Orange Bay is attractive, and the island break keeps the trip from becoming only a snorkeling run.

I would pause if you want silence and space. Orange Bay may be crowded, and two hours is not a long island stay. Also confirm every extra fee before booking, especially the $10 tax and entrance charge and any transfer cost outside Hurghada.

For most people staying in Hurghada, this is a sensible Red Sea day out. Book it for variety and value, not for a private-island experience or guaranteed perfect coral conditions.

FAQ

What time does the excursion start?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return transport are included for hotels in Hurghada. Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga are not included.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $23.81 per person. A $10 tax and entrance fee may be obligatory unless the relevant option has already been selected.

How long do you stay on Orange Bay?

You get about two hours on the island.

Are snorkeling stops included?

Yes. The trip includes two snorkeling stops with snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a snorkeling guide.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with water and soda. Canned drinks and chips may cost extra.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.