Orange Bay Island Snorkelling Boat Trip with Lunch Hurghada
- Duration8 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirmed before you pay
- Secure payment
Overview
Spend a full day on the Red Sea with our Orange Bay Island boat trip from Hurghada. You sail to the protected Giftun Islands, snorkel at two reef stops, eat a lunch buffet on board and then enjoy two hours of free time on the pale sand and turquoise shallows of Orange Bay. Guides travel on every boat, with extra help for non-swimmers, so the day suits couples, families and first-time snorkellers. It is a shared group trip, and hotel pickup is included depending on the option you choose.
Highlights
- Sail to Orange Bay on Giftun Island, one of the most photographed beaches on the Hurghada coast
- Two snorkelling stops with equipment provided, over healthy Red Sea coral
- Lunch buffet and unlimited water, tea, coffee and soft drinks on board
- Two hours of free time on the island to swim, sunbathe or walk the shoreline
- Guides on every boat and a special guide to support non-swimmers
- Toilets and showers on the boat, and entry fees to Orange Bay covered
- Optional parasailing flight above the sea, depending on the option you choose
Full Description
Orange Bay on Giftun Island
Orange Bay is the beach everyone means when they search for an Orange Bay Island trip from Hurghada. It sits on Giftun, the larger of the Giftun Islands, a protected marine area a short sail off the coast. The bay is known for its soft white sand, water that shifts from pale green to deep blue and calm, shallow edges that make it easy for children and cautious swimmers.
Our boats anchor offshore and you spend about two hours here after the snorkelling. You can swim, lie under a parasol, walk the beach or simply watch the colours change. Many guests ask whether Orange Bay is worth visiting; the answer is yes if you want a relaxed beach day with reef close by, and the morning departure keeps you ahead of the afternoon heat.
Snorkelling the Red Sea reef
The Red Sea is famous for visibility and for reefs that start close to the surface, which is why a snorkelling trip from Hurghada works so well for beginners. We stop twice at reef sites chosen for the day's weather and sea conditions. Typical sights include parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, anemones with clownfish and fields of hard and soft coral, and occasionally larger visitors such as turtles or rays.
Masks, snorkels and fins are provided, and the crew explains the basics before you get in. If you cannot swim, a special guide stays with you, and the boats carry two to four guides so someone is always watching the water. Please do not touch or stand on coral; the reef is the reason this area is protected, and good snorkelling here depends on keeping it healthy.
The boat day, lunch and facilities
The Orange Bay boat trip is a shared day cruise, so you travel with other guests from many countries and the atmosphere is friendly and unhurried. After the first snorkelling stop the crew serves a lunch buffet with hot dishes, rice, pasta and salads, and refreshments are available all day. Decks offer shade and sun, and there are toilets and showers on board, which makes the long day comfortable for families.
The trip lasts around eight hours including the transfer, and departure is in the morning. If you choose an option with hotel transfer, an air-conditioned vehicle collects you from the Hurghada pickup area and brings you back. If you choose an option without transport, you meet the boat at the departure point shown on your voucher. Some outlying resort areas carry an extra pickup fee, which is shown at checkout.
Parasailing above the Red Sea
Some options add a parasailing flight, a good choice if you want a view of the coastline and the Giftun waters from the air. You are clipped into a harness behind a speedboat and lifted gently above the sea for a few minutes, with the crew managing take-off and landing from the platform. It is not included in the standard package, so pick an option that lists parasailing in its inclusions.
Parasailing depends on wind and sea conditions, and the crew may postpone or cancel it for safety on rough days. Weight and health limits apply, so tell the team on arrival if you are unsure. Most guests do it before the free time on the island, then relax on the sand with the rest of the group.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup or meeting pointDepending on your option, an air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your Hurghada hotel in the morning, or you go straight to the departure point on your voucher.
- Boarding and sailingYou board your boat, receive a short briefing and sail towards the Giftun Islands, with refreshments available on deck.
- First snorkelling stopThe crew anchors at a reef site, hands out equipment and guides you into the water to snorkel.
- Lunch buffet on boardA hot lunch buffet is served on the boat, with water, tea, coffee and soft drinks.
- Second snorkelling stopA second reef site gives you another chance to see fish and coral, with guides in the water or on the boat.
- Free time at Orange Bay IslandYou spend about two hours on the white sand and in the shallows to swim, relax or take photos.
- Return to HurghadaThe boat sails back to the marina in the afternoon, and you are taken back to your hotel if your option includes the transfer.
What's included
- Lunch buffet
- Unlimited refreshments (water, tea, coffee and fizzy sodas)
- Two snorkelling stops with snorkelling equipment
- Two hours of free time at Orange Bay Island
- Orange Bay entry fees
- 2 to 4 guides on each boat and a special guide for non-swimmers
- Toilets and showers on board
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Parasailing
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Guests with serious back, heart or neck problems, or anyone who has been advised not to swim or snorkel
- Pregnant women, especially for the parasailing option
- Wheelchair users, because boarding and the beach involve steps and soft sand
- Children under 3 years old, because the boat and sea day are not suitable for very young infants
- Anyone who dislikes being on a boat or is prone to seasickness on longer sails
Meeting point
If you choose an option with hotel transfer, we collect you from your hotel inside the Hurghada pickup area, usually up to an hour before the 08:30 start; you confirm your hotel name at checkout and wait at the main entrance. Hotels in Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay and Safaga may carry an extra pickup fee, shown at checkout. If you choose an option without transport, you meet at the Orange Bay boat departure point in Hurghada; the exact location appears on your voucher.
Important information
- Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen; a light cover-up is useful on deck
- Wear or carry non-slip sandals for the boat and the beach
- Take any seasickness tablets before departure if you tend to feel unwell at sea
- Do not touch, stand on or collect coral, shells or marine life; the area is protected
- Be ready at your hotel entrance 10 minutes before your pickup time
- Tips for the crew are not included and are optional
- Sea and wind conditions can change the route, stops or parasailing; the captain's safety decisions are final
- Bring a small amount of cash for souvenirs or any optional extras on the island
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Orange Bay Island boat trip cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, for example with or without hotel transfer, or with parasailing. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and for children.
Is hotel pickup included?
It depends on the option. Options with hotel transfer include air-conditioned pickup and drop-off within the Hurghada pickup area, while options without transport start at the departure point on your voucher. Some outlying resort areas have an extra pickup fee shown at checkout.
How long is the Orange Bay trip from Hurghada?
The whole day lasts around eight hours, including the sail, two snorkelling stops, lunch and about two hours of free time on the island. Departure is in the morning, around 08:30.
Is the Orange Bay boat trip suitable for children?
Yes, children from 3 years old can join, and the shallow water at Orange Bay is popular with families. Children must be supervised at all times, and parents should bring sun protection and a change of clothes.
Can I join if I cannot swim?
Yes. Non-swimmers can stay on the boat or the beach, and a special guide supports guests who want to try snorkelling with a flotation aid. Let the crew know when you board.
What should I wear and bring to Orange Bay?
Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen and sandals. Snorkelling equipment is provided, and lunch and refreshments are included, so you do not need to bring food.
Can I book the Orange Bay trip for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Choose your date in the booking panel to see which days are open; booking early is wise in the high season.
What is the difference between the options?
All options include lunch, refreshments, two snorkelling stops, Orange Bay entry and free time on the island. They differ in whether hotel transfer is included and whether a parasailing flight is added, so check the inclusions of each option before booking.
Is Orange Bay worth visiting?
Yes, if you want white sand, clear water and reef snorkelling in a single easy day. It is one of the most popular day trips from Hurghada, and the morning start helps you enjoy it before the afternoon crowds.
What is the best time to visit Orange Bay?
Spring and autumn are comfortable, with warm sea and mild air, and summer is hot but good for swimming. Winter days are pleasant, though the water is cooler and some guests prefer a thin wetsuit.
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