Hurghada: Orange & Giftun Island Cruise with Massage & Lunch

Orange Bay is the star of this trip: pale sand, clear water, and a welcome break from Hurghada’s busy shore. You get beach time, two snorkeling stops, lunch, a massage, and a banana boat ride in one long day on the Red Sea. The spacious yacht and helpful crew are major advantages. I also like the generous food and drink service. The main drawback is timing: lunch may not come until about 2 p.m., so bring a breakfast box or snack.

I especially like two things here. First, the crew gives practical help in the water, which matters if you are a nervous swimmer. Second, the program does not rely on snorkeling alone: you can stretch out on Orange Bay, rest during the cruise, or enjoy the massage. The $53 price is strong value for a hotel transfer, yacht, food, equipment, reserve fee, and several activities.

What makes this Red Sea day worthwhile

• Orange Bay comes early, giving you time on the beach and in the water before the later snorkeling stops.
• Two separate reef stops let you see more than one underwater area, with coral and many kinds of Red Sea fish.
• A massage is included, a rare extra on a standard island cruise and a welcome pause between water activities.
• Lunch includes fish, BBQ dishes, salads, and vegetables, with soft and hot drinks provided through the day.
• The boat is spacious and clean, according to the practical details shared by recent customers, with room to sit without feeling packed in.
• Pickup covers five resort areas, although you must bring your own towel and wait outside reception at the agreed time.

From your hotel to the Red Sea

Your day begins with pickup from one of five areas: Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Makadi Bay, Safaga, or El Gouna. The van ride is listed at about 45 minutes, though your exact time depends on your hotel and the other pickups.

The provider contacts you one day before the trip with the pickup time. Wait outside, in front of reception, five minutes before that time. Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel, so check this before paying.

The drive is simply the link between hotel and boat, but it affects how much energy you have for the water. If you are staying in Safaga or El Gouna, the road transfer may feel like a larger part of the day. If you are in Hurghada, you should have an easier start.

Bring a small breakfast or substantial snack. The included snacks help, but one recent passenger noted that lunch arrived around 2 p.m. That is late if you leave your hotel early. Pack water too, even though drinks are supplied.

The yacht ride across the Red Sea

Once aboard, the first cruise lasts about 45 minutes. This is your chance to settle in, find a shaded place, and take in the open water before the island stop.

The yacht is sold as a luxury boat, and the useful detail is not fancy decoration. It is space. Recent customers found the boat clean and roomy for the number of people aboard. That makes a real difference on an eight-and-a-half-hour outing. You can sit between activities instead of spending the day shoulder to shoulder.

Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included. The crew also keeps the mood light and stays available when people need help. Names that come up in the experience are Andrew and Bassem, though the exact crew working your departure may differ.

Do not expect a quiet private charter. This is a shared cruise with a set program. Still, the combination of open deck space, food, swimming, and rest gives it a more comfortable feel than a basic transfer boat.

Seventy-five minutes at Orange Bay

The first major stop is Orange Bay, where you have about 75 minutes. You can sit on the beach, swim in clear water, or simply enjoy the view from shore.

This stop gives the day a useful change of pace. Snorkeling requires attention, balance, and effort. Orange Bay lets you slow down before the reef sessions begin. If you are traveling with someone who prefers not to snorkel, this is also the easiest part of the day for them to enjoy.

Some departures may reach the bay early enough for a calmer visit. One customer described arriving early and having much of the bay to themselves. That is not a guarantee, but it shows why the start time can matter. Orange Bay can feel far more peaceful before the day fills up.

The water is the main attraction, but remember that the sun is strong. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not supplied, despite the other equipment included in the price.

Snorkeling at Small Giftun

After Orange Bay, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes to the Small Giftun snorkeling site. You get around 45 minutes in the water.

The Red Sea is the reason to book this trip. The program is designed around coral formations and reef fish, with the possibility of seeing a wide range of marine life. The supplied information refers to more than 500 types of fish and 125 kinds of coral in the region. You should not treat those figures as a promise for one swim, but they explain the appeal of these protected waters.

Crew members accompany and guide swimmers at the snorkeling sites. That is especially useful if you want help finding good coral or feel unsure in open water. Customers have singled out the staff for helping people feel safe and for finding ways to assist less confident swimmers.

You still need to respect the reef. Do not touch marine life or plants. Avoid standing on coral, and follow the crew’s directions in the water. Bring your own camera if you want photos, but protect it carefully from salt water.

Snorkeling conditions can vary with wind, visibility, and the day’s sea state. The itinerary gives you two sites, which is helpful because the second may offer a different view of the reef.

Lunch, drinks, and the useful massage break

After the first snorkeling session, you return to the Red Sea for a 45-minute lunch period. The buffet includes fish, BBQ dishes, salads, vegetables, and other hot food. Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included as well.

This is not just a quick sandwich between stops. The meal is substantial enough to serve as the day’s main food, and the range suits people who want grilled food as well as lighter salads. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the provider before booking because no special menu is specified.

The massage is one of the best extras in the package. After a van ride, boat movement, sun, and time in the water, even a short treatment can feel useful rather than decorative. It gives you a reason to stay aboard and rest while the cruise continues.

The exact massage format and duration are not provided, so do not book this expecting a spa treatment with a detailed menu of options. Think of it as a soothing onboard session during a long day at sea.

The second reef at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī

The second snorkeling stop is at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī, with about 45 minutes in the water. Having two sites is a real advantage. You have another chance to see coral and fish if the first stop is not ideal for visibility or if you simply want more time in the sea.

The crew’s presence remains important here. You can ask for help with equipment, directions, or getting into the water. Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately.

This is also the point where fatigue may set in. You have already spent time on the island and completed one swim. If your shoulders or back are tired, it is perfectly reasonable to sit this stop out and enjoy the yacht. The program allows for relaxation, not just activity.

Use sunscreen again after getting out of the water. The Red Sea sun can feel mild when you are surrounded by water, but exposure adds up quickly.

Banana boat fun before the ride home

The itinerary includes a 45-minute banana boat session on the Red Sea. This adds a playful, faster moment to a day otherwise split between sitting, swimming, and snorkeling.

It suits people who want more than a calm island cruise. If you prefer a quiet day, you can treat it as an optional burst of fun rather than the main purpose of the trip. The supplied details do not promise that every person must take part, so ask the crew about the arrangements on your departure.

The final boat ride lasts about 25 minutes before you return to land. From there, the van takes you back to Hurghada, Safaga, Makadi Bay, or El Gouna. After such a long day, the hotel drop-off is more than a minor convenience.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53 per person, this is good value if you plan to use most of what is included. You are paying for hotel pickup and drop-off, a full-day yacht trip, Orange Bay, two snorkeling sites, equipment, lunch, drinks, snacks, massage, banana boat activity, a guide, and the natural reserve entry fee.

A cheaper boat trip might cover only transport and snorkeling. Here, the massage and island stop broaden the day, while lunch removes another expense. The spacious boat also matters because comfort becomes valuable after several hours in the sun.

The price is less compelling if you want a short, private excursion or dislike structured group activities. You are committing about 510 minutes, or eight and a half hours, to the program. That is a full day, not a quick morning outing.

Bring some cash. The instructions specifically recommend it, though no particular onboard purchase is defined. Keep valuables limited and carry only what you need for the sea.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a varied Red Sea day without arranging each piece yourself. It works well for couples, families with older children, and first-time snorkelers who value staff support. The English, German, Russian, and Arabic guide options make communication easier for a wide range of visitors.

It is also a good choice if you want a mix of activity and rest. You can swim, snorkel, ride the banana boat, eat, sit on the beach, and have a massage. That variety prevents the day from becoming six straight hours in the water.

You may want a different plan if you need a private boat, want to control the schedule, or dislike early pickups and long shared outings. The program is carefully timed, and the late lunch means breakfast planning is wise.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility while you finalize your Hurghada plans.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want strong value and a full Red Sea experience in one package. The best reasons are the two reef stops, the early Orange Bay visit, the roomy yacht, the included massage, and a crew that helps people in the water.

I would not book it expecting a private, silent escape or a guaranteed empty island. Instead, expect a well-filled shared day with plenty of food, several activities, and useful downtime. Bring a breakfast box, towel, sunscreen, hat, camera, water, and cash. For $53, that is a sensible way to see Orange Bay and Giftun Island without piecing together your own boat trip.

FAQ

How long does the Orange Bay and Giftun Island cruise last?

The activity lasts 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours, including the van transfers, boat travel, island visit, snorkeling, lunch, massage, and banana boat ride.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from Makadi Bay, Safaga, Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna. Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel.

Which languages are available for the guide?

The available languages are English, German, Russian, and Arabic.

Are snorkeling equipment and entry fees included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and the natural reserve entry fee are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet with fish, BBQ dishes, salads, and vegetables. Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are also included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, snacks, and water.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.