Hurghada: Orange & Giftun Island Cruise with Massage & Lunch

Orange Bay rewards an early start. This 8.5-hour Red Sea outing combines two snorkeling stops with beach time, a banana boat ride, a massage, and a generous lunch aboard a spacious yacht. I especially like the comfortable boat and the crew’s hands-on help in the water. I also like that the day is not built around snorkeling alone, so you can slow down when you need a break.

The main consideration is timing. Pickup and return can involve a 45-minute van ride, and lunch may not arrive until around 2pm, so bring a breakfast box or snacks. You also need your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash, and pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay is the day’s scenic centerpiece: You get 75 minutes to sit on the beach or swim in clear water.
• The yacht gives you room to relax: Several bookings praised the clean, spacious boat and the fact that it did not feel overcrowded.
• Snorkeling comes with active support: A crew member accompanies you and points out fish and coral, which helps if you are new to snorkeling.
• Lunch is substantial: Expect a buffet with salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes, plus soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks.
• The massage is a useful pause: It breaks up the water activities and adds a calm moment while the boat is underway.
• The schedule is packed but varied: Snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and a banana boat ride keep the day from feeling repetitive.

From Hurghada hotels to the Red Sea

The excursion serves five pickup areas: Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Makadi Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna. The provider contacts you one day before the trip with the exact pickup time. You should wait outside, in front of your hotel reception, five minutes before that time.

The van transfer is scheduled to take about 45 minutes. That matters if you are staying in El Gouna, Safaga, or farther south in Makadi Bay, since your total day can feel longer than the 510-minute activity time once hotel pickup is added.

The transfer is practical rather than scenic entertainment. I would use it to keep your towel, sunscreen, water, and camera easy to reach. A small breakfast is sensible because lunch is served later in the day, around 2pm according to one detailed account of the schedule.

Once you reach the marina, you board the yacht for a 45-minute cruise across the Red Sea. This first stretch gives you time to settle in, take in the open water, and enjoy hot drinks, soft drinks, and snacks before the main stops begin.

Orange Bay: 75 minutes on the beach

Orange Bay is the first major stop, with about 75 minutes ashore. You can use the time in two simple ways: relax on the beach or swim in the clear water around the island.

This is the easiest part of the day for anyone who wants the classic Giftun Island setting without spending every minute in the water. You can take photographs, sit in the sun, or cool off with a swim before returning to the yacht.

An early arrival can make a real difference. One particularly positive account described reaching Orange Bay early and finding the bay quiet, with far fewer people around. That is not a guarantee, but it explains why an early start is worth accepting, especially if you want photographs or a calmer swim.

Remember that the Red Sea sun is strong. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are not minor extras here. You should also bring water, even though drinks are included, because a long day outside can catch up with you quickly.

Small Giftun snorkeling: coral, fish, and crew support

After Orange Bay, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes to the Small Giftun snorkeling site. You get approximately 45 minutes in the water.

This is where the trip earns much of its value. The Red Sea is known for its coral gardens and wide range of fish, with the experience information noting more than 500 fish species and 125 types of coral in the region. You should not expect to identify all of them in one swim, but the setting gives you a good chance to see colorful coral formations and marine life close to the surface.

The crew support is one of the strongest features. A crew member accompanies the group and helps point out useful places to look. That is important for first-time snorkelers, and it also makes the stop more comfortable if you are nervous in open water.

You receive snorkeling equipment, but bring your own towel and swimwear. You must not touch marine life or plants. That protects the coral and keeps the experience respectful, since even a light touch can damage fragile reef growth.

The water time is long enough to feel worthwhile without taking over the entire day. You can return to the boat afterward for food, drinks, and a break rather than being pushed straight into another activity.

Lunch aboard the yacht

Lunch is served on the Red Sea and lasts about 45 minutes. The buffet includes salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes prepared in a traditional style. Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are also included.

The food receives unusually strong praise for a boat excursion. One detailed account described the meal as better than the food at a five-star hotel, while another praised the variety and generous portions. That does not mean you should expect a restaurant dining room at sea, but it does suggest that the lunch is more than a basic sandwich stop.

The timing deserves attention. Lunch may be around 2pm, so do not board with the idea that you will eat soon after leaving the hotel. Bring a breakfast box or extra snack, especially if you have children, take medication with food, or simply dislike late lunches.

A buffet is also useful for mixed groups. You can choose salads, vegetables, fish, or BBQ food rather than relying on one fixed dish. If you have special dietary needs, the available information does not promise specific alternatives, so you should ask the provider before booking.

Jazirat Abu Rimathi: the second snorkeling stop

The next stop is Jazirat Abu Rimathi, reached after another cruise across the Red Sea. Here you get a second 45-minute snorkeling session.

Two separate snorkeling sites make this trip better value than a cruise that offers one quick swim and then spends the rest of the day on the beach. Reef conditions can vary from one location to another, so a second stop gives you another chance to see coral and fish even if the first site is less clear or less active on the day.

You should think of the two stops as complementary rather than identical. The crew may guide you toward different coral areas, and the change of location keeps the water activities from becoming monotonous.

This stop is also a good reason to pace yourself. You have already spent time swimming at Orange Bay and snorkeling at Small Giftun. Save some energy, drink regularly, and do not feel you need to remain in the water for the full 45 minutes if you are tired.

The massage and banana boat ride

The massage is offered while the boat is cruising on the calm Red Sea. It is a small part of the overall day, but it changes the pace in a useful way.

After swimming, a massage can feel like a proper reset rather than another item to check off. Several highly positive accounts singled it out as a welcome treat or a relaxing part of the trip. I see it as an added comfort, not the main reason to book. If you want a serious spa treatment, this is not the right product. If you want a short break between water activities, it fits nicely.

The banana boat ride lasts about 45 minutes as part of the Red Sea program. This adds some noise and speed to an otherwise relaxed day. You can enjoy it if you want a simple group thrill, while the snorkeling and island visit provide the quieter parts.

The trip is designed to offer both rest and activity. That balance is valuable for couples and mixed groups, since one person can enjoy the beach and massage while another looks forward to snorkeling and the water ride.

Why the yacht matters for an eight-hour day

The boat is not just transport between stops. You spend a large part of the day aboard it, so comfort affects the whole experience.

The strongest practical reports describe a clean, spacious yacht with enough room for the number of people onboard. One person specifically worried about overcrowding before booking and found that there was space for everyone. Another noted that the boat felt more comfortable than other similar trips.

That does not mean the boat will feel private or empty. It is still a group excursion, and the exact number of people is not provided. But the repeated praise for space suggests a more relaxed setup than a tightly packed day boat.

The crew also seems to be a major part of the experience. Bassem is praised by name for keeping the mood friendly and helping throughout the day. Another account credits Andrew and the team with making snorkelers feel safe. Staff members are also described as attentive with drinks and careful when a passenger hurt her foot.

Those details matter more than polished words such as luxury. A boat is only enjoyable when the crew helps with equipment, water entry, drinks, and nervous swimmers. Here, the practical service appears to be one of the best reasons to choose this outing.

What the $53 price includes

At $53 per person, the price is strong for a full-day boat outing that includes hotel transport, entry to the natural reserve, a yacht cruise, Orange Bay, two snorkeling locations, equipment, lunch, drinks, snacks, a massage, and a banana boat ride.

You are not paying only for a beach transfer. The price covers a broad package with several separate activities, and the natural reserve fee and taxes are included. That makes the cost easier to judge against a basic snorkeling trip that may charge extra for equipment, lunch, or island entry.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole program. Someone who only wants to sit on a beach may find the day too busy, while a person who wants snorkeling, food, a boat ride, and water sports gets a great deal from the same fare.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 69 bookings, and the praise is notably consistent around food, crew service, boat space, and organization. You should still allow for normal sea-trip variables such as water conditions, timing changes, and how busy the island is on your date.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Red Sea schedule is still changing.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it for couples, families, and first-time snorkelers who want a complete day rather than a short trip to one reef.

It is especially suitable if you value staff support in the water. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to appreciate having a crew member nearby and showing you where to look, though the information provided does not give specific swimming requirements.

It also suits people who want variety. Orange Bay offers beach time, Small Giftun and Jazirat Abu Rimathi provide two reef stops, lunch gives you a proper meal, the massage slows the pace, and the banana boat adds a burst of fun.

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, long van rides, late lunches, or group water activities. The tour is not a quiet private charter, and the itinerary is full. You should also confirm pickup details if you are staying at Viva Blue Hotel, since pickup is not available there.

What to pack for a smoother day

Keep your essentials in a small waterproof bag or an easy-to-reach day pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen
• Water and extra snacks
• Camera
• Cash
• Comfortable clothing for the van ride

Do not touch fish, coral, or plants. Bring your camera, but protect it from water and use it with care around the reef. The sea is the main attraction, and leaving the coral undisturbed helps preserve it for the next person.

Should you book the Orange Bay cruise?

Yes, if you want a well-filled Red Sea day at a reasonable price. The strongest reasons are the spacious yacht, helpful crew, good buffet, two snorkeling stops, and the welcome addition of a massage.

I would book it for a first or second day in Hurghada when you want an easy introduction to Giftun Island without arranging several separate activities. Bring breakfast, accept that the day may run at a relaxed group pace, and keep your towel and sunscreen close. At $53, this is a generous package, especially for anyone who plans to snorkel and use the included extras.

FAQ

How long does the Orange Bay and Giftun Island cruise last?

The activity lasts 510 minutes, or about 8.5 hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with van transfers listed as approximately 45 minutes each way.

Which areas have hotel pickup?

Pickup is available from Makadi Bay, Safaga, Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna. Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel.

Are snorkeling equipment and entry fees included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and the natural reserve entry fee are included in the price.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The cruise includes two snorkeling stops, at Small Giftun and Jazirat Abu Rimathi. Each snorkeling session is scheduled for about 45 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet with salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes. Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are also included.

What languages are available for the live guide?

The live guide is available in German, English, Russian, and Arabic.