Hurghada: Elegance Yacht Cruise To Orange & Magawish island

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is the two-island plan. You get quiet time at Orange Bay, two chances to snorkel, lunch on board, and a later stop at Magawish instead of spending the whole day in one place. There is also a chance to see dolphins, though no wildlife sighting can be promised.

I like the early Orange Bay visit, when the island should feel calmer, and I like the generous food and drink package. The seafood includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, salads, and seasonal fruit, with water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and milk included. Abdull and Sayed are among the crew members specifically praised for their friendly manner and clear explanations.

The main caution is transport. Pickup from Hurghada is included, but transfers from Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, and Safaga cost extra and can take much longer, especially on the return. The boat day itself can be excellent, but the final five minutes matter: be ready when pickup arrives.

Key points to know before booking

• Two island stops: Spend about an hour at Orange Bay and another hour at Magawish, with swimming and free time at both.
• Two snorkeling stops: You receive equipment, a guide, and around 40 minutes at one reef stop, followed by another snorkeling opportunity later in the day.
• A proper seafood meal: Shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, salads, fruit, and drinks are included rather than sold separately on the boat.
• Optional parasailing: Add a five-minute flight above the Red Sea if you want an extra thrill and a high view of the islands.
• Dolphins are possible: The route can bring wildlife sightings, but dolphins remain a lucky bonus, not a scheduled part of the trip.
• Good value at $53: For a full boat outing with transfers in Hurghada, island entry, food, equipment, and drinks, the package covers most common extras.

Leaving Hurghada for a full day on the Red Sea

The day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada and a transfer to the harbor. Once there, you receive a briefing before boarding the yacht. The exact pickup details are sent by email at 10 pm the night before, so check your inbox and share the requested hotel name, address, room number, nationality, and passport photo copy in advance.

The operator can wait no more than five minutes at the pickup point. That rule is practical rather than harsh, since the vehicle may be collecting several people. I would be waiting in the hotel lobby or agreed meeting place a few minutes early, especially if you are staying at a large resort.

This is sold as a private or group experience. That difference matters. A private outing gives you more control over the day, and one party specifically found that the crew adjusted the cruise to suit their wishes. The group version should cost less per person, but you will have less say over the pace and stops.

The boat time lasts roughly seven hours according to the detailed accounts of the trip, although the exact length can shift with pickup times and sea conditions. The schedule is full but not rushed on paper: island time, snorkeling, lunch, another island, optional parasailing, and the ride home.

Orange Bay before the crowds

Orange Bay is the first major stop, with about an hour on the island. The timing is one of the smarter parts of the program. Arriving early gives you a better chance of enjoying the shallow water and beach setting before the area becomes crowded.

The island is presented as having a Caribbean feel, with bright water and a relaxed beach atmosphere. You can swim, sit, take photographs, or simply enjoy being off the boat. The stop is not about monuments or local history. It is a short Red Sea escape built around sun, sand, and clear water.

I would bring a towel, sunscreen, and a cover-up for the ride back to the boat. You also need cash for personal spending, though the package includes the main food and drinks. Keep your phone protected from spray and sand if you plan to take photographs from the beach.

One hour is enough to enjoy Orange Bay without making the day feel stuck in one place. It is also not long enough for a slow, private beach afternoon. If you want a completely quiet island experience, this may feel organized and busy. If you want to see two well-known stops in one day, the short visit works well.

First snorkeling stop and the Red Sea reef

After Orange Bay, the yacht heads to a snorkeling site. The first water stop lasts about 40 minutes, with equipment and a snorkeling guide included. This gives you a useful amount of time to look at coral and fish without turning the entire day into a single long swim.

The Red Sea is the star here. The attraction is underwater life, not a commentary-heavy sightseeing route. You may see coral formations and colorful fish close to the boat, depending on visibility, conditions, and your comfort in the water.

The guide is there to explain the activity and help organize the stop. Still, you should be comfortable following basic instructions in open water. This trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the provided information does not describe a specialized accessibility setup.

I would treat the equipment as a convenience, not a reason to leave your own mask at home if you have one you prefer. The package includes snorkeling gear, but fit and comfort can vary. Bring sunscreen that you can reapply after swimming, and remember that a towel is not listed among the included items.

Dolphins may appear during the cruise. That possibility adds excitement, but you should not book this as a dedicated dolphin-watching trip. The route offers a chance encounter rather than a guaranteed sighting.

Seafood lunch with room for seconds

After the first snorkeling stop, you return to the yacht for lunch. The meal includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad, and seasonal fruit. Unlimited mineral water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and milk are also included.

This is a strong value point. Many boat trips advertise lunch but provide a small plate and charge for nearly every drink. Here, the meal is substantial enough that one private group said it could have fed four people, though individual appetites vary.

The food is prepared by the onboard cooking team, described as top chefs in the tour information. I would keep expectations sensible: this is a meal served during a day at sea, not a restaurant tasting menu. Still, having seafood and side dishes included makes the $53 price easier to justify.

If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not explain how special requests are handled. Ask before booking rather than assuming substitutions will be available. The listed menu contains several seafood items, so this is not the best choice if you do not eat fish or shellfish.

The meal also breaks up the water activities at the right moment. You get time to dry off, eat, and enjoy the ride before the second island stop. Tea, coffee, and milk are useful extras if you want something warm after snorkeling.

Magawish Island for a second swim

After lunch, the boat sails to Magawish Island. You have about another hour here, with time to swim and snorkel in the surrounding water. The second island gives the day a different rhythm: Orange Bay is the early beach stop, while Magawish follows a meal and a period on the boat.

Two island visits are useful for anyone who wants variety. You can compare the feel of each stop, take more photographs, and get a second chance to enjoy the water if the first snorkeling session was cut short by nerves, equipment, or conditions.

The program lists two snorkeling stops, though one detailed account describes three snorkeling outings. The exact number may depend on the departure and how the crew arranges the day. The dependable promise is two snorkeling stops, so use that as your planning baseline.

Magawish is also a good fallback if your first water session was not your best. You may feel more comfortable after getting used to the equipment and sea conditions. On the other hand, if you are not keen on repeated swimming, you may find the day water-heavy. There is no major cultural visit or inland sightseeing to break up the cruise.

Five minutes above the Red Sea

Parasailing is available as an optional extra, listed as a five-minute flight. If you select it, you rise above the water for a broad view of the yacht, islands, and Red Sea.

Five minutes is short, but that is normal for this sort of add-on. Think of it as a quick burst of height and excitement, not a long aerial excursion. It suits you if you want one memorable thrill beyond snorkeling and swimming.

The activity is included only if the parasailing option is selected at booking. The supplied information does not state the additional price, so check the checkout details before you pay. If you dislike heights or prefer a calm day, skip it and enjoy the boat or island time instead.

What $53 really covers

At $53 per person, the package offers solid value for a full-day sea outing. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, the boat cruise, entry to both islands, a professional guide, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, lunch, fruit, and a broad selection of drinks.

That list matters because the cost is not just for a boat seat. You are paying for transport, food, access fees, and the basic equipment needed for the main activities. The optional parasailing is the main advertised extra, while long-distance pickup is charged separately.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Hurghada proper and plan to use the included transfer. The calculation changes if you are in Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga. Long-range pickup is available as an add-on, but the drive can make the day much longer.

One account described a 35-minute ride from Makadi Bay in the morning and a return journey of about one hour and 15 minutes in a shared bus. That is a useful warning: paying for a private transfer may be worthwhile if you value time and comfort, especially after a full day in the sun.

Friendly crew and the practical details

The crew is a major part of the experience. Abdull and Sayed are specifically praised for being warm, sociable, and clear when explaining the activities. Another account describes a captain, guide, and cook caring for a small private party throughout the day.

That level of attention is more likely on a private booking than on a busy group boat. If you want help with snorkeling, meal service, and schedule changes, private travel may justify its higher cost. If you mainly want the route and included activities, the group option should give you the essentials at a lower price.

The working language is English. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets are not allowed, and the activity is not designed for people with mobility impairments.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still changing. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those are useful safeguards, but read the final booking terms carefully if you add long-range transport or parasailing.

Who should book this Hurghada yacht trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full Red Sea day with variety. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and small groups that want island time, snorkeling, lunch, and a little excitement without arranging each part separately.

It is also a good match if food matters. The included seafood meal is more substantial than the light snacks found on some boat outings, and the unlimited water and soft drinks keep the onboard spending simple.

A private booking makes the most sense for a small group that wants flexibility. One private party was able to make requests during the cruise, and the crew adjusted the day around them. For solo visitors or budget-minded pairs, the group version may be the more sensible choice.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet, isolated island or a focused dolphin trip. Orange Bay and Magawish are popular stops, and the day is built around scheduled activities. You should also think twice if long road transfers make you uncomfortable or if you do not enjoy repeated swimming.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want to pack a lot into one day at sea: two islands, two snorkeling stops, seafood lunch, drinks, and optional parasailing. At $53 from Hurghada, it covers enough essentials to offer good value, especially when you use the included hotel transfer.

Before paying, confirm the pickup point, check the email sent the night before, and decide if private transport is worth the extra cost. If you are staying outside Hurghada, that transfer choice may affect your enjoyment more than the boat itself.

My practical call is simple: choose the group trip for value, choose private travel for control, and add parasailing only if you want a short extra thrill. Go for the sea, coral, islands, and food. Treat dolphin sightings as a lucky bonus.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as a paid add-on during checkout.

How many islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Orange Bay and Magawish Island. The planned stay is about one hour at each island.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included, along with snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide. One stop lasts about 40 minutes, while the timing of the second stop can vary.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The seafood lunch includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad, and seasonal fruit. Water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and milk are also included.

Is parasailing included?

Five-minute parasailing is included only when you select the parasailing option. The additional cost should be checked during checkout.

Can I see dolphins?

You may see dolphins during the cruise, but a sighting is not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets are not allowed, and the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.