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

Orange Bay is the star here: a white-sand beach, clear Red Sea water, and a full day on a boat for just $18.40 per person. You get two planned snorkeling stops, lunch, soft drinks, and time on Giftun Island, all without arranging transport yourself.

I like the friendly crew, including a guide named Ahmed, and the way the trip mixes quiet beach time with lively banana-boat rides. I also like the strong value, especially for families who want snorkeling, swimming, food, and a boat trip in one package.

The main caution is timing. Wind can make the crossing rough, and bad conditions may reduce the snorkeling stops or shorten the Orange Bay visit. The boat can also return more than two hours late, so do not book an evening flight or a fixed dinner afterward.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay visit: Plan on about two hours on Giftun Island, though weather and timing can affect the exact stay.
• Two snorkeling stops: Equipment and life jackets are supplied, but rough conditions may mean only one stop.
• Lunch on board: Food, water, fruit, and unlimited soft drinks are included, though the meal may be served in portions rather than as a self-serve buffet.
• Water sports included: You get a short banana-boat or inflatable sofa ride, a fun extra rather than a full water-sports session.
• Small-to-medium group: The maximum group size is 35 people, so expect a shared boat rather than a private outing.
• Extra charges: Add the €5 national park fee, plus transfer supplements from Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga.

A low-cost day on the Red Sea

This is a classic Hurghada boat day, but the price makes it unusually easy to justify. At $18.40 per person, the package includes hotel pickup, a seven-hour boat trip, snorkeling gear, lunch, water, soft drinks, fruit, island time, and a short ride on a banana boat or inflatable sofa.

You should still think of the advertised price as the starting point. The national park fee is €5 per person. If you stay in Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay, the transfer supplement is €5 per person. From El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga, it is €10 per person.

Even after those additions, this is a budget-friendly way to see the Red Sea. A separate taxi to the marina, boat ticket, meal, drinks, and island visit would quickly cost more. The trade-off is that you share the schedule with up to 35 people and have less control over how long each stop lasts.

The tour starts at about 8:00 a.m. Pickup is offered from Hurghada hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle. That is useful in a resort city where the marina may not be close to your hotel, and it removes the need to find a taxi before breakfast.

Boarding the boat from Hurghada

The day begins with a transfer to the marina and boarding the boat. The boat used for one trip was named Kee, and several people found it clean and pleasant. The trip also includes a crew member named Ahmed, who was singled out for being funny and helpful.

Do not expect a private yacht or a silent cruise. This is a shared excursion with a social feel. The crew keeps the day moving, gives instructions for the water activities, and helps people into the sea. That works well if you like a bit of energy and do not mind joining a group.

The advertised duration is about seven hours. In practice, the departure may slip from 8:00 to 8:30, and weather, boarding, sea conditions, and the number of activities can stretch the return well past the planned time. Keep your afternoon open.

The first water stop and Red Sea snorkeling

The first major stop is a snorkeling area over coral and fish. The Red Sea is the reason to take this trip, and this part can be the best value of the day. You are given snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, and the crew helps you get into the water.

Expect fish around coral formations and clear water when conditions are good. People have spotted a turtle and a lionfish, although wildlife is never guaranteed. You should treat those sightings as lucky extras, not promises.

The planned schedule includes two snorkeling stops. That gives you a chance to see more than one area and makes the boat day feel like more than a simple beach transfer. The stops are not guaranteed in full, however. Strong wind and rough water have led to one snorkeling stop instead of two.

The first stop can also feel crowded and slightly chaotic while everyone gets ready. If you are not confident in open water, tell the guide before entering. The life jacket helps, and the crew has been praised for making children feel safe, but you should still follow every instruction and stay with the supervised group.

Bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well, though equipment is supplied. A waterproof phone pouch, towel, sunscreen, and a cover-up will make the day easier. The boat has sunshine and fruit during the return journey, but you should not rely on the included drinks for every personal need.

Banana boats and the inflatable sofa

Before or around the first snorkeling period, the boat offers a short water-sports ride. Depending on the day, this is a banana boat or an inflatable sofa pulled behind a speedboat. Each person may get roughly a minute, so think of it as a quick burst of fun rather than a major part of the excursion.

Children and adults who enjoy a little speed will likely like this addition. It breaks up the snorkeling and gives non-swimmers another way to take part. If you prefer a calm boat day, you can simply wait on board.

The activity can make the schedule feel busy. Some people have found the water-sports stop brief, while others considered it a fun bonus at this price. I would not book this tour mainly for the banana boat. Book it for Orange Bay and snorkeling, and treat the ride as an extra.

Lunch, drinks, and the food reality

Lunch is served on board, with water and soft drinks available throughout the trip. The food has been described as tasty, with hot and cold items, salads, and meat. Fruit is also served later in the day.

The wording around lunch can cause confusion. It is presented as a buffet, but some people found that staff served small portions instead of allowing everyone to help themselves. That distinction matters if you expect a large, self-serve meal.

You should arrive with realistic expectations. This is a practical boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. It gives you something substantial after swimming and keeps you from having to buy food on the island. For the price, that is useful, but portions may feel modest if you have a large appetite.

The boat’s unlimited soft drinks are a real benefit on a sunny day. Still, pack extra water if you prefer to drink frequently, and remember that the package does not mention alcoholic drinks.

Two hours at Orange Bay

Orange Bay is the calm center of the day. Once you reach the Giftun Islands National Park, you get time on a white sandy beach with clear water for swimming, sunbathing, and photos. The planned stay is about two hours.

This is where the trip slows down. After the movement of the boat and the snorkeling, you can sit on the sand, wade in the water, or take pictures of the bright beach setting. The island visit also gives less confident swimmers a pleasant way to enjoy the Red Sea without spending all day in deeper water.

The beach can be very appealing, but it is not an untouched desert island. Orange Bay is a well-used excursion stop, and several boats may be serving the same area. Go for the color and setting, not for solitude.

Timing is the key issue. A late start, wind, extra activity, or long boarding process can reduce the beach visit. One itinerary ran about 30 minutes short of the planned two hours, while another returned more than two hours late after a long day at sea.

If Orange Bay is your main reason for booking, ask the crew about the expected beach time when you board. Keep your own watch and return to the meeting point early. The boat will not wait for a missing passenger.

The second snorkeling stop and return cruise

After Orange Bay, the boat returns toward another snorkeling area. The planned route includes a second chance to see coral and fish, followed by time to relax on board with fruit and sunshine.

A second stop is valuable because sea conditions can change quickly. If the first water stop is cloudy or crowded, the next site may offer better visibility. It also gives you another chance to swim if you were nervous at the beginning.

But this is the part most exposed to wind and delays. When the sea is rough, the crew may shorten or cancel the second stop for safety. That is sensible, but it means the delivered experience can differ from the printed schedule.

The boat then returns to the marina, where the shuttle takes you back to your Hurghada hotel. Plan for flexibility. This is not a tour to pair with a strict evening reservation, airport transfer, or flight.

Weather matters more than the low price

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. Weather can also affect a trip that still operates, with wind making the crossing uncomfortable and reducing time in the water.

If you are prone to seasickness, take the conditions seriously. The supplied information does not promise a calm sea, and some trips have been delayed by wind. Sit where you feel most comfortable, watch the horizon, and bring any medicine you normally use.

Cloudy weather does not ruin the trip. The island can still be enjoyable, and snorkeling can remain worthwhile. But the famous clear-water photographs look their best on a bright, calm day.

The best time to book is when your schedule has room to move. The free cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a weather cancellation is handled with a new date or full refund.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want a full Red Sea day at a low cost and enjoy a mix of activities. It suits families, couples, and groups of friends who want swimming, snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and a few playful extras without arranging each part separately.

It is also a good choice for first-time snorkelers. Equipment and life jackets are provided, and the crew offers help in the water. Children have been made to feel secure by the snorkeling guide, although parents should decide based on each child’s swimming ability.

You may want a different option if you need a private boat, a quiet beach, guaranteed snorkeling time, or a tightly controlled schedule. The group can include as many as 35 people, and the day may run late. The Orange Bay visit is a popular stop, not a private island escape.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The available information does not give detailed access information for the boat, marina, or beach, so contact the provider if you need specific mobility arrangements.

Should you book the Orange Bay tour?

I would book this tour if your priority is value. The mix of two planned snorkeling stops, a Giftun Island beach visit, lunch, soft drinks, hotel transfer, and water sports is hard to beat at this price.

Book it with two expectations in mind: the timetable may stretch, and the sea may change the plan. Confirm the extra fees, leave your evening free, and bring sun protection, swimwear, a towel, and patience.

If you do that, you get a cheerful, active day on the Red Sea with a particularly good balance of beach time and water activities. If you need precision and privacy, pay more for a smaller or private boat.

FAQ

What is included in the Orange Bay tour?

The tour includes hotel transfers from Hurghada, a seven-hour boat trip, two hours at Orange Bay, two planned snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, water, soft drinks, and a banana-boat or inflatable-sofa ride.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. Pickup from Hurghada hotels is offered, and the actual departure may be later if boarding or transfers take extra time.

How long is the tour?

The advertised duration is about seven hours. Weather, boarding, snorkeling, and boat conditions can extend the day, so keep your return schedule flexible.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the boat, along with water, soft drinks, and fruit. The meal may be served in portions rather than as a self-serve buffet.

Are snorkeling items provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. The itinerary provides for two snorkeling stops, but weather can reduce the number of stops.

How much is the national park fee?

The Giftun Islands National Park fee is an additional €5 per person.

Are there transfer supplements from other resort areas?

Yes. Transfers from Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay cost an additional €5 per person. Transfers from El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga cost an additional €10 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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 tour are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.