Safaga: Giftun Island Speedboat Cruise to Orange Bay & Lunch

The best part of this trip is the quick ride from Hurghada into the open Red Sea, where you can snorkel at two sites before spending time on Orange Bay’s white sand. The compact speedboat keeps the outing moving, and you get both reef time and a beach break in one day. The chance to spot dolphins adds a welcome bit of excitement, though no wild animal follows a timetable.

I especially like the two separate snorkeling stops, since they give you more than one chance to see fish and coral. The included lunch, drinks, equipment, island entry, and hotel transfer also make the $60 price easy to understand. The main caution is the strict pickup policy: be at the road-side hotel entrance on time, because the driver may wait no more than five minutes.

I also keep one practical note in mind. A previous outing had its meal plan changed, with fish and chips served instead of a seafood dinner. This trip lists a lunch box and local dishes, so treat the meal as useful fuel rather than the star of the day.

Key points at a glance

• Two 20-minute snorkeling stops: You get separate chances to see coral, colorful fish, and possibly sea turtles.
• Fast access to the Giftun Islands: The first snorkeling area is about 20 minutes from the marina by speedboat.
• Orange Bay combines beach time and lunch: Swim, sit on the sand, or explore at your own pace after snorkeling.
• Dolphin sightings are possible: The cruise offers a chance to watch dolphins, but sightings depend on nature.
• Much is covered in the $60 fare: Transfers, guide, boat, equipment, lunch box, drinks, fees, and life jackets are included.
• Pickup requires precision: Details arrive by email at 10 pm the night before, and the five-minute waiting limit matters.

A fast ride from Hurghada to the Giftun Islands

This is a Red Sea day trip built around speed and simplicity. After hotel pickup, you go to the marina, meet your guide, receive a short introduction, and board the speedboat. The first snorkeling area is roughly 20 minutes away, so you spend less time getting there than you would on a large excursion boat.

That matters if you dislike long crossings or crowded decks. The boat includes a shaded area, stereo system, and life jackets, giving you a place to sit out of the sun between water activities. The speedboat is described as comfortable, but remember that a faster boat can still feel lively when the sea is choppy.

The trip can be arranged as a private or shared outing. A shared boat usually gives you the lower-cost social experience, while a private boat may suit you better if you want more control over the day. The supplied details do not specify the exact maximum group size, so ask before booking if space around the boat is important to you.

The guide speaks English or Arabic. You will want to pay attention to the opening briefing, especially if you are not a confident swimmer or have not snorkeled before. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are included, but you should still bring your own towel and sunscreen.

Two 20-minute snorkeling stops around Giftun National Park

The snorkeling is the heart of the outing. You stop at two different sites, with about 20 minutes in the water at each one. That is enough time to see the reef, look for fish, and get a taste of the Red Sea without turning the entire day into a single long swim.

The coral reefs and colorful fish are the main attraction. Sea turtles are also possible, and dolphins may be seen from the speedboat. You should approach the wildlife with modest expectations. The trip gives you access to good viewing areas, but it cannot promise a turtle, dolphin, or particular fish on demand.

Two stops are better than one for practical reasons. If the first site is busy, cloudy, or less interesting to you, the second offers another setting. The separate stops also help break up the day, with time to return to the boat, rest in the shade, drink water, and dry off.

The 20-minute limit at each site is worth noting. It is a short window if you need time to adjust your mask or are nervous in the water. Get your equipment ready before entering, listen carefully to the guide, and do not waste the first few minutes trying to solve a loose strap. If you already own a mask that fits well, you might prefer to bring it, though rental equipment is included.

The Red Sea can be bright and exposed, even when the air feels pleasant. Apply sunscreen before boarding and bring more for later. A hat is useful on the boat, though it may need to be secured during the ride.

Looking for dolphins from the speedboat

Dolphin watching adds a pleasant element of chance to the cruise. The boat gives you a mobile viewpoint, and you can watch the water while moving between the snorkeling areas and Orange Bay. A strong dolphin sighting can become the most memorable part of the morning, but it is important not to treat it as a guaranteed show.

If you see dolphins, follow the guide’s instructions and keep your attention on the animals rather than trying to rush into the water. The provided information specifically highlights watching dolphins from the speedboat, not swimming with them.

This is also a good reason to keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray. The boat includes a shaded area, so you can step out of direct sun while waiting. Bring cash as well, since it is listed among the recommended items and may be useful during the day, even though many core costs are included.

Orange Bay brings the beach break

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Orange Bay, the day’s main land stop. The appeal is straightforward: white sand, clear water, and time to stop moving. You can swim, sit on the beach, relax in the sun, or look around the island before returning to the boat.

Orange Bay is promoted as having a Caribbean feel. That comparison makes sense as a description of the bright sand and clear shallow water, but you should expect a planned island stop rather than an untouched private beach. The attraction is the contrast with the reef stops. After wearing a mask and swimming, you get a chance to dry off and enjoy the setting without having to keep moving.

The island entry fee is included. That saves you from handling one of the common small costs separately and makes the $60 price easier to judge. You still need to bring a towel, because one is not listed among the inclusions.

Your time on Orange Bay is also the most flexible part of the day. The snorkeling stops have fixed 20-minute periods, while the island allows you to choose how much time goes toward swimming, sun, and sitting down. If you burn easily, use the shaded boat area or find shelter from the sun rather than treating the beach as an all-day tanning session.

Lunch, fruit, and drinks on the island

Lunch is included, along with seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. The food is described as a lunch box with a variety of local dishes, giving you something practical to eat after the morning in the water.

I would view this as a convenient meal, not a culinary reason to book the trip. One past outing had a meal change and served fish and chips instead of the expected seafood dinner. That experience suggests you should keep your expectations flexible if the menu matters to you.

The included drinks are more important than they may sound. Snorkeling, sun, and a fast boat can leave you thirsty, and having mineral water available reduces the need to buy drinks during the day. Still, take your own water if you prefer to drink often, especially if you are sensitive to heat.

If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before booking. The available details do not list vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or halal meal arrangements. Do not assume the lunch box will match your requirements without confirmation.

What the $60 price really covers

At $60 per person, the value depends on whether you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a boat, equipment, park fees, lunch, and a beach visit. Here, the package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Speedboat cruise
• Guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• Two snorkeling stops
• Orange Bay entry
• Nature reserve fees
• Lunch box
• Seasonal fruit
• Soft drinks and mineral water
• Life jackets
• Shaded onboard seating and a stereo system

That is a solid bundle. The speedboat is the key cost driver, since you are paying for a quicker and smaller-scale way to reach the islands rather than a basic transfer. The two snorkeling stops and island visit also give you three different parts to the day: reef viewing, open-water cruising, and beach time.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a long, quiet day on the sand. In that case, much of what you pay for is the boat movement and snorkeling program. It also may not suit you if you want an elaborate seafood meal or a slow, private island experience.

A parasailing adventure is available if you select it as an add-on. It is not part of the standard package, so check the final cost before assuming it is included.

Pickup details can make or break the morning

The provider sends pickup details by email at 10 pm the night before. You need to provide your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number so the transfer can be arranged properly.

The meeting point is the main hotel entrance beside the road. It is not the reception gate or an interior hotel area. This distinction is easy to miss, especially at a large resort where several entrances may look official.

Be ready before the stated pickup time. The driver may wait no more than five minutes because other people are joining the outing. A late arrival can mean missing the boat, and this is not the kind of trip where catching up later is simple.

The supplied information refers to a Hurghada marina and Hurghada hotel pickup, while the experience title also mentions Safaga and the Red Sea Governorate. Confirm that your hotel is inside the service area before paying. The exact transfer time and any supplement for a distant hotel are not provided.

Who will enjoy this Red Sea outing

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full water day without arranging each part yourself. It suits couples, families with older children who can manage snorkeling, and active adults who like moving between several stops.

It is also a good choice if you prefer a fast boat to a large vessel. The speedboat makes the open-water journey part of the experience rather than dead time. The shaded seating and included drinks help, but the day still involves sun, spray, swimming, and getting on and off a boat.

You may want another option if you have back problems, since the experience is specifically listed as unsuitable for people with back issues. It is also not suitable for pets.

This is not a private wilderness outing. Orange Bay is a popular beach stop, and a shared speedboat means you will follow a set schedule with other people unless you select a private arrangement. The trip offers freedom on the island, but the snorkeling times and transport plan are fixed.

Simple ways to have a better day

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash, as requested by the provider. Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can get into the water without wasting time at the first stop.

Keep your gear organized on the boat. You will move from snorkeling to beach time and back again, so a small waterproof pouch can help protect your phone and room key. This is a practical suggestion rather than an included service, and you should not expect dry storage unless the crew confirms it.

Use the shaded area between activities. The boat’s stereo system may add atmosphere, but it can also make quiet conversation harder, depending on how the crew uses it. If you prefer a calm ride, ask where the quieter seating is.

Listen to the guide before each water stop. The guide is there to explain the route and help you use the equipment, but the available information does not promise a marine biologist or specialist reef talk. Think of the guiding as practical support rather than a formal nature lecture.

Should you book the Orange Bay speedboat cruise?

Book it if you want a well-packed Red Sea day for $60, with transport, a fast boat, two snorkeling stops, lunch, drinks, island entry, and park fees handled together. The strongest parts are the quick ride, the chance to see dolphins, the two reef stops, and the change of pace at Orange Bay.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed dolphin encounter, a carefully planned seafood meal, a slow private beach day, or a long snorkeling session at each site. Also check first if you have back problems or are staying outside the confirmed pickup area.

For most people who want to see several Red Sea highlights in one outing, the package offers good practical value. Just be punctual, keep meal expectations sensible, and remember that the sea, not the timetable, decides what wildlife appears.

FAQ

How much does the Giftun Island speedboat cruise cost?

The listed price is $60 per person.

What is included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, the speedboat cruise, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, Orange Bay entry, lunch, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, life jackets, onboard shaded seating, stereo use, and nature reserve fees are included.

How long are the snorkeling stops?

There are two snorkeling stops, with about 20 minutes in the water at each stop.

Can I see dolphins on the cruise?

The cruise offers the chance to watch dolphins from the speedboat. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included as a lunch box with a variety of local dishes. Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are also included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You should also provide your correct nationality, hotel details, address, and room number when booking.

Where is hotel pickup?

Pickup is at the main hotel entrance beside the road, not the reception gate or an interior hotel area. Pickup details are sent by email at 10 pm the night before, and the driver may wait no more than five minutes.