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

Clear water, coral, and a sandy island make this a strong Hurghada day out. The Orange Bay boat trip combines two snorkeling stops, lunch, soft drinks, and two hours on Giftun Island National Park for $18.40 per person. I especially like the easy hotel pickup and the friendly crew, with guides such as Ahmed praised for keeping children comfortable in the water. The main catch is that wind and sea conditions can shorten the snorkeling or island time.

This is a full seven-hour outing, not a quick swim before lunch. You get a proper day at sea, including a boat ride, coral reefs, fruit, water sports, and time to relax on a white sandy beach. Just keep your watch handy: some departures start late, and the day can run well past the planned return if the sea is rough or the schedule slips.

Key things to know before you book

• Two hours at Orange Bay: The planned island stop gives you time for swimming, photographs, sunbathing, and enjoying the clear water.
• Two snorkeling stops are advertised: In poor weather, the crew may reduce this to one stop for safety.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect food served on the boat, along with water and unlimited soft drinks.
• Water sports add a burst of fun: A banana boat or sofa ride is included, though each turn may be brief.
• Small extra fees apply: Giftun National Park costs €5 per person, with transfer supplements from several resort areas.
• Maximum group size is 35: This is a social boat trip, not a private cruise.

Why this Orange Bay trip offers good value

At $18.40 per person, this is an unusually low price for a seven-hour Red Sea outing. Your fare covers transport from and back to Hurghada hotels, the boat ride, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, water, soft drinks, the island stop, and a short inflatable-boat ride.

The extra €5 national park fee matters because it raises the basic cost, but the package still offers a lot for the money. If you want a private boat, quiet coves, or a carefully paced snorkeling lesson, this is not that sort of day. You are paying for a shared excursion with a lively schedule and several activities bundled together.

I like the way the tour works for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can sunbathe, and children can enjoy the banana boat or sofa ride. The boat also provides fruit on the return journey, which is a small but welcome touch after time in the water.

The 4.8 rating from 155 reviews and 95 percent recommendation rate fit the overall picture: most people find the boat clean, the crew friendly, the food satisfying, and the island beautiful. The lower scores tend to focus on timing, weather, and whether the promised two snorkeling stops actually happen.

Hotel pickup and the morning start in Hurghada

The stated start time is 8:00 am, with air-conditioned transport from your Hurghada hotel to the marina. That pickup is one of the strongest practical features because you do not need to arrange a taxi or find the harbor on your own.

Allow for some flexibility in the morning. One departure began at 8:30 instead of 8:00, so I would not plan an important afternoon appointment around the advertised return time. The total duration is about seven hours, but a delayed start, slow boarding, wind, or changes at sea can stretch the day.

The tour has a maximum of 35 people. That keeps it smaller than some large excursion boats, but it is still a shared group activity. Boarding, fitting equipment, and getting into the water can feel busy, particularly when several people are eager to start snorkeling at once.

Bring your swimsuit under your clothes, sun protection, a towel, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. The supplied information does not say that towels or hotel room facilities are provided, so pack for a full day away from your hotel.

The first cruise across the Red Sea

Once you board, the cruise itself becomes part of the outing. You can sit back, enjoy the Red Sea views, and let the crew organize the day. The boat has been described as clean and modern, and the staff are often praised for being cheerful, attentive, and willing to help.

The mood is informal. Guides joke with the group and try to keep the energy up, which suits families and anyone who wants more than a quiet ride. Ahmed is singled out in one account as especially funny and helpful, while other comments praise the crew for supporting nervous children in the water.

The first activity may be the included water sport. You get a ride on either a banana boat or an inflatable sofa pulled by a speedboat. This is not a long private session. One account describes roughly a minute per person, so think of it as a quick bit of fun rather than the main reason to book.

That short ride works well for children and adults who want some action before the snorkeling. If you dislike being pulled through the water or prefer a calm morning, you can ask the crew what participation involves before taking your turn.

Snorkeling among coral and Red Sea fish

The first snorkeling area is described as a reef site with large numbers of fish and very old coral formations. The Red Sea is the star here. In clear conditions, you can expect colorful fish, coral shapes, and a much better view than you would get from the beach near a busy hotel.

All needed snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. A guide is present in the water, and this is especially useful for children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer. One family specifically praised the snorkeling guide for helping children feel safe while they explored.

The water can be busy around the boat. A review described the start as somewhat chaotic, with many people getting into the water at once. I would listen closely to the safety instructions, hold onto your equipment, and give yourself a moment to get comfortable before swimming away from the group.

The itinerary calls for two snorkeling stops. This is an important point to understand. Wind and sea conditions can make the crew reduce the plan to one stop, and at least one departure did exactly that. If snorkeling is your main goal, ask the crew early in the day whether both sites are still planned.

Wildlife sightings are possible, but no sighting is guaranteed. The tour description mentions dolphins, and individual accounts include a turtle and a lionfish. Treat those as lucky moments, not promised features. The coral and fish are the dependable attractions when visibility and weather cooperate.

Lunch, drinks, and time on board

Lunch is served aboard the boat, usually after one of the water activities. The food has been described as tasty and satisfying, with hot and cold items, salads, meat, and fruit mentioned in different accounts. Water and soft drinks are included throughout the trip.

The description presents lunch as a buffet. Some people found the portions small and said food was served rather than arranged as a help-yourself buffet. That difference is worth noting if you have a large appetite. I would think of it as a simple boat lunch, not a lavish meal.

Still, the food receives plenty of praise, especially when it arrives hot. The combination of lunch, fruit, water, and soft drinks adds real value to a low-cost excursion. You do not need to return to shore to find food in the middle of the day.

The boat is also your base between stops. You can dry off, sit in the sun, take photographs, and enjoy the sea views. If you burn easily, remember that long stretches on deck can be deceptively strong even when the air feels pleasant.

Reaching Orange Bay on Giftun Island

The centerpiece is the Orange Bay stop in Giftun Islands National Park. The planned stay is two hours, giving you a decent block of time rather than a quick photo stop.

Orange Bay is known here for its white sand and clear, shallow-looking water. The main pleasures are simple: swim, sit on the beach, take pictures, and enjoy the color of the sea. Several people describe the island as beautiful and worth visiting before development increases.

Do not expect a deserted beach. The appeal of Orange Bay also brings other boats and day visitors. The experience is best if you accept some activity around you and focus on the water, sand, and chance to relax.

Timekeeping can vary. One departure stayed about 90 minutes instead of the stated two hours. Wind and schedule changes can affect the stop, so do not assume you will receive every advertised minute. If the island is your priority, mention it to the guide and keep track of the meeting time.

The beach is well suited to people who want a break from constant activity. After snorkeling and the water ride, two hours on land lets you slow down. You can swim, sunbathe, or simply take photographs without needing to wear snorkeling gear.

The second reef stop and the journey home

After Orange Bay, the boat may cruise to another snorkeling area. The purpose is to see another section of coral and fish, giving you a different view of the Red Sea rather than repeating the beach stop.

Again, this second stop depends on conditions and timing. Some departures complete only one snorkeling stop, while others include both. If the sea becomes windy, the crew may shorten or cancel part of the plan. That can disappoint people who booked mainly for reef time, but safety has to come first.

The return trip is a calmer end to the day. Fruit is served on some departures, and you can enjoy sunshine and views before the boat reaches shore. The shuttle then takes you back to your Hurghada hotel.

Because delays have occurred, keep the rest of your evening open. A day advertised as seven hours can run more than two hours late if the boat starts behind schedule or the snorkeling sequence takes longer than planned.

Weather, crowds, and the real pace of the day

Weather is the biggest variable. Strong wind can make the crossing uncomfortable, reduce visibility, and lead to fewer snorkeling stops. Cloudy conditions do not necessarily ruin the day, but wind can affect both the boat ride and your time in the water.

The pace is active. You move from pickup to boat, water sport, snorkeling, lunch, island time, another possible reef stop, and return transport. That variety is the reason many people rate the tour highly, but it also means you will not have complete control over how long you spend at each place.

I would book this if you like a social day with plenty of structure. Families, couples, first-time snorkelers, and budget-conscious visitors are likely to get the most from it. The guide support and life jackets make it approachable, while the reef and island give you the scenery that brought you to the Red Sea.

You may want another type of outing if you need a quiet boat, guaranteed snorkeling time, or a fixed return hour. This is not a private charter. It is a lively group day where the crew has to balance water conditions, safety, and the preferences of up to 35 people.

What to pack and how to prepare

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a boat day easier:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Waterproof phone case or small dry bag
• Cash for the €5 national park fee and any personal purchases
• Motion sickness medicine if boat rides usually bother you
• A light cover-up for the ride back

The supplied equipment includes snorkeling gear and life jackets. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour is not described in detail for specific mobility needs, so contact the provider before booking if you need assistance with boarding or water activities.

The operator, Billy tours, offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions should result in a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Orange Bay boat tour?

I would book this tour if you want the most activities for a modest price. The strongest reasons are the helpful crew, clean boat, clear Red Sea water, included lunch and drinks, two hours planned at Orange Bay, and the chance to see coral and fish with equipment already supplied.

Go in with realistic expectations. The lunch may be portioned rather than a classic buffet, the water sport is brief, and bad weather can reduce the two snorkeling stops to one. The schedule may also slip, so keep your evening free.

For a first Red Sea snorkeling day from Hurghada, this is a sensible choice. It gives you a taste of reef life, a pleasant island beach, and a full day on the water without a high price. If you value comfort and flexibility more than activity and savings, look for a smaller private boat instead.

FAQ

How long is the Orange Bay Giftun Island tour?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Free transfer from and back to Hurghada hotels is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served aboard the boat, along with water and soft drinks.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

How long do you stay at Orange Bay?

The planned stay at Orange Bay is two hours, although weather and timing can reduce the actual time.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The tour includes two planned snorkeling stops. Poor weather may lead to only one stop.

Are water sports included?

Yes. A banana boat or sofa ride is included.

Is there an extra national park fee?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Poor-weather cancellations should offer a different date or a full refund.