Premium Orange Bay Island Cruise with Lunch El Gouna

Orange Bay on Giftun Island

Orange Bay is a long, curved beach of pale sand and shallow turquoise water on the Giftun Islands, reached only by boat from Hurghada. The bay is sheltered, so the water is calm and clear, and the sand is soft underfoot, which makes it ideal for families and anyone who simply wants to swim and sunbathe.

The beach has sunbeds and shaded areas, and the setting, with desert hills behind and a bright sea in front, is among the most photographed in the Red Sea. A premium Orange Bay cruise from El Gouna gives you several hours to enjoy it at your own pace, with toilets and showers on the island for comfort.

Snorkelling on the coral reef

The cruise includes two snorkelling stops on healthy coral reefs. Your guide and snorkelling instructor give a briefing, hand out the mask, fins and life vest, and stay close while you explore. In the clear water you can expect to see schools of colourful fish, hard and soft corals and perhaps a turtle.

The reef stops suit beginners, since the instructor is there to help you float and breathe, and confident swimmers can follow the reef edge. Visibility is best in the late morning. Snorkelling at Orange Bay is one of the most popular activities for guests staying in El Gouna and Hurghada, and the guide makes sure no one is left behind.

The Giftun Islands national park

Orange Bay lies within the Giftun Islands protected area, which was declared to safeguard the reefs and marine life near Hurghada. Visitors pay a national park fee, and on this tour that fee is already included, along with the entry fees to Orange Island, so there is nothing extra to pay at the gate.

The protection means rules for visitors: do not touch or stand on the coral, do not feed the fish, and take your rubbish with you. The reward is clear water and a living reef. Your guide explains the rules and points out species during the snorkelling stops, so the trip is both fun and educational for children and adults.

The buffet lunch and onboard comfort

A hot buffet lunch is served on the island, with dishes such as French fries, spaghetti, rice, oven-roasted potatoes, chicken nuggets and kofta, plus four kinds of salad and seasonal fruit. It is simple and generous food that suits families and children, and there is plenty of choice. Eat after your first swim, when the appetite is at its best.

Unlimited juice, cola, mineral water, tea and coffee are included, so you stay hydrated in the heat. Drinks bought on the island are extra, and videos and photos are available for purchase. The boat has shade and the island has facilities, so the day is comfortable even for those who are not used to long outings. A rest in the shade after lunch is a good plan before the second snorkel.

Planning your day: pickup, timing and what to bring

Pickup is at about 08:00 from your hotel, with the vehicle arriving within a window of up to about 30 minutes before. The trip lasts about eight hours, returning to your hotel in the afternoon. Our team sends your exact pickup time the evening before on WhatsApp, so keep your phone close.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun cream, a hat, sunglasses and a change of clothes. A waterproof phone case is useful. Small groups are available if you prefer a quieter boat, and our team can explain the choices when you book. The Red Sea is warm all year, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for a day at sea.