Hurghada: Orange & Giftun Island Cruise with Massage & Lunch

Orange Bay makes a fine day at sea. This Hurghada cruise combines two snorkeling stops with beach time, a buffet lunch, a massage, and a banana boat ride, so you get more than a simple boat transfer to Giftun Island. I especially like the spacious yacht and the crew’s careful help in the water. The main drawback is the long day, with about 510 minutes from pickup to return, and lunch does not arrive until around 2 p.m.

The $53 price covers hotel transport, the yacht, island entry, equipment, drinks, food, snorkeling, and the massage. That is strong value if you want a packed day without arranging each piece yourself. Bring a breakfast box or early snack, though, and remember that towels are not supplied.

Key points at a glance

• Orange Bay early in the day: You get 75 minutes for beach time and swimming, with an early arrival sometimes offering a quieter visit.
• Two different snorkeling stops: Small Giftun and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī provide time to see coral and fish rather than just making a quick photo stop.
• A spacious yacht: Several people particularly praised the clean, comfortable boat and the amount of room available onboard.
• Lunch with plenty of choice: The buffet includes salads, fish, vegetables, and BBQ dishes, with soft and hot drinks included.
• A useful massage break: The massage adds a calm pause after swimming and before the remaining water activities.

A long Red Sea day with plenty packed in

This is not a short island shuttle. The day includes road transfers, boat time, Orange Bay, two snorkeling sessions, lunch, a massage, and a banana boat ride. The schedule gives each activity a real block of time, which matters because rushed snorkeling can turn a beautiful reef into a quick glimpse through a mask.

Pickup is available from Makadi Bay, Safaga, Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna. The van ride is listed at about 45 minutes, though your actual road time will depend on your hotel and pickup order. One day before departure, the operator contacts you with the exact pickup time. You should wait outside reception five minutes before that time.

The return goes back to Hurghada, Safaga, Makadi Bay, Hurghada 1, or El Gouna. Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel, so check this point before paying. The activity includes a live guide in English, German, Russian, or Arabic.

The yacht ride sets the tone

After the van ride, you spend around 45 minutes cruising toward Orange Bay. That first stretch gives you time to settle in, take in the Red Sea, and find a comfortable spot before the first stop.

The boat is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The available feedback repeatedly praises its cleanliness, comfort, and generous space for the number of people onboard. That does not mean the yacht will feel private or empty, but it suggests a more relaxed setup than the tightly packed boats that can make a day on the water tiring.

Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included. Still, I would carry extra water and a small breakfast. One person specifically found lunch came at about 2 p.m., a useful warning if you wake early for hotel pickup. The day is active, and swimming on an empty stomach is not much fun.

The crew also seems to make a real effort with practical help. Bassem is named as a particularly friendly member of the team, and the crew has been praised for assisting people in the water and helping someone with an injured foot take part as comfortably as possible. That kind of attention matters more than polished sales language on a snorkeling trip.

Orange Bay gives you 75 minutes to slow down

Orange Bay is the first major stop, with about 75 minutes on the island. You can sit on the beach, walk along the sand, or swim in the clear water. This is the least demanding part of the day and a good chance to get your bearings before the snorkeling begins.

The stop works best if you treat it as a rest period, not only a photo opportunity. You have time to enjoy the shore instead of rushing straight back to the boat. An early arrival may also help. One account described reaching the bay early, when it felt almost empty, although you should not count on having the beach to yourself every day.

There is a practical tradeoff here. Orange Bay is a popular stop, and its appeal comes from clear water and an easy beach setting rather than solitude guaranteed at any hour. If your main goal is reef life, do not spend the entire 75 minutes taking photos. Save energy for the two snorkeling stops, which are the better part of the day for seeing fish and coral.

Small Giftun brings the first proper snorkeling session

From Orange Bay, the boat takes about 20 minutes to the Small Giftun snorkeling area. You then have around 45 minutes in the water. That is enough time to get comfortable with the mask, follow the guide, and look for coral formations and fish without being pulled out almost immediately.

The Red Sea is known for its coral and fish, and the tour information refers to more than 500 kinds of fish and 125 kinds of coral across the area. You should read that as the variety of the wider Red Sea environment, not a promise that you will see every kind in one session. Conditions, visibility, and your own swimming ability all affect what you spot.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment and guidance. If you are nervous, stay close to the guide and ask for help before entering the water. The strongest praise for this experience centers on the staff’s support during snorkeling, including showing people important reef areas and helping participants feel safe.

You must not touch marine life or plants. That protects both you and the reef. Keep your fins and hands clear of coral, follow the guide’s instructions, and resist the urge to stand on the bottom for a better photo.

Lunch on the Red Sea is a welcome pause

Lunch follows the first snorkeling stop and lasts about 45 minutes. The buffet includes salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes prepared in a traditional style. Soft drinks and hot drinks are also included, along with snacks during the day.

Food is a major value point at this price. A $53 package that includes transport, a full-day yacht, two snorkeling areas, island entry, equipment, a buffet, drinks, and a massage compares well with paying separately for a boat, food, and reef equipment. The value is even better if you make use of most of the schedule.

The lunch timing deserves attention. It may be around 2 p.m., so breakfast at your hotel can feel far away by then. Bring a small snack, even though snacks are included, because pickup times and the morning schedule can leave you hungry.

Expect a practical boat buffet, not a fine-dining meal. Still, the food has received unusually warm praise, including comments about the variety and generous portions. I would plan on lunch being filling and useful rather than the reason to book the trip.

Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī offers a second look underwater

After lunch, the boat heads toward Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī for another 45-minute snorkeling session. This second stop is important because the Red Sea can look different from one reef area to the next. If your first swim was spent learning how to use the mask or adjusting to the water, this is your chance to relax and pay attention.

The reef is the main attraction. Look for changes in coral color, small fish moving through the formations, and larger fish in open water. You may see a good range of marine life, but sightings are never guaranteed. The correct expectation is a chance to observe a healthy underwater setting, not a private aquarium.

Two sessions also let you manage your energy. You can take the first stop slowly, rest through lunch, and choose how much time to spend in the second water session. If you are a confident swimmer, you may want to use both full periods. If you tire easily, tell the crew and take breaks.

The instructions also ask you to bring a camera, but protect it carefully around salt water. Sunscreen is essential, as is a hat for the time spent on deck. Use reef-safe habits where possible, and never touch the fish, coral, or plants.

The massage and banana boat add variety

A massage is included as part of the day and is one of the features that separates this trip from a basic snorkeling cruise. The timing is not given in the schedule, so the exact place in the day may vary. In practical terms, it gives you a quiet break after swimming and before the final water activity or return cruise.

I like this addition because a full day on a boat can become repetitive. You move from swimming to eating to resting, and the massage adds a genuinely different kind of pause. It is also useful for couples or mixed groups, since not everyone needs to spend every minute in the water.

The banana boat ride lasts about 45 minutes in the schedule. It provides a more playful finish for people who want extra motion and group fun. You should not feel pressured to join if you prefer to rest, but the trip presents water sports as an included extra rather than an optional paid add-on.

After that, you have about 25 minutes of boat time before the return van. By then, the day will feel full. The schedule is well suited to people who prefer one organized outing rather than several separate bookings, but it may be too busy for someone seeking a quiet, slow cruise.

What the $53 cost really buys you

At $53 per person, this is a strong package for a full day in the Red Sea. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, yacht transport, Orange Bay, natural reserve entry, snorkeling equipment, two reef stops, lunch, snacks, hot and soft drinks, a massage, taxes, and the banana boat activity.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A cheaper boat trip may cover the water and one swim, but you could then pay extra for food, equipment, island entry, or water sports. Here, most of the day’s costs are collected into one booking.

The price does not buy complete independence. You follow a fixed schedule, share the yacht with other people, and spend much of the day moving between stops. If you want to choose your own reef, leave the island whenever you wish, or spend hours in one quiet cove, a private charter would suit you better, though it would not offer the same budget.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans may change.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families with older children, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants a broad Red Sea experience in one day. Beginners benefit from the equipment and crew support, while stronger swimmers get two proper sessions rather than one brief swim.

It also suits people who care about comfort. The yacht has been praised for having room to sit and move around, and the crew’s friendly service is one of the most consistent strengths. If you appreciate drinks appearing when needed, help in the water, and a boat that does not feel cramped, this package makes sense.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long organized days, or group activities. The van ride, boat transfers, island stop, two swims, lunch, massage, and banana boat ride add up to more than eight hours. The trip is varied, but it is not restful from beginning to end.

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, a camera, and cash. The operator specifically says to bring your own towel. Cash may be useful for personal spending or tips, although no extra paid activity is listed as necessary.

Should you book the Orange Bay cruise?

Book it if you want good value and variety rather than a bare-bones snorkeling run. The most convincing reasons are the spacious yacht, kind and attentive crew, two 45-minute reef sessions, filling buffet, and included massage. Bassem and the wider boat team receive particular praise for keeping people comfortable and helping with snorkeling.

Skip it if your ideal Red Sea day means silence, privacy, or complete control over the schedule. Also skip it if waiting until roughly 2 p.m. for lunch would be difficult, unless you bring a breakfast box or snacks.

For most people staying in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, or El Gouna, this is a well-rounded way to spend a day on the water. At $53, it offers enough included time and equipment to make the cost feel fair, with the massage and banana boat ride providing welcome extras rather than empty padding.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The full activity lasts 510 minutes, or about 8 hours and 30 minutes. This includes hotel transport, boat travel, Orange Bay, two snorkeling sessions, lunch, the massage, and the banana boat ride.

What locations offer pickup?

Pickup is available from Makadi Bay, Safaga, Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna. Exact pickup time is provided by the activity provider one day before departure.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport by van are included for the listed locations. Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel.

Which languages are available for the guide?

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

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 schedule includes two snorkeling stops. Each snorkeling session is planned for about 45 minutes, one at Small Giftun and one at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī.

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 should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, a camera, snacks, and cash. You must bring your own towel, and you should not touch marine life or plants.