Orange Bay Island

Orange Bay is the main prize here: warm, shallow Red Sea water, pale sand, and an easy day away from Hurghada’s heat. You cruise out by boat, spend about two hours on the island, then visit snorkeling sites and finish with a short banana boat or inflatable sofa ride. It is a lot of activity for $23.17, especially with lunch, drinks, gear, and transport included.

I like the friendly, hands-on crew, who help keep the group together and encourage nervous swimmers to use life jackets. I also like the simple value: air-conditioned pickup, a clean boat, food, cold and hot drinks, beach equipment, snorkeling gear, and water sports are bundled into one price. The main catch is that Orange Bay can feel crowded, and the snorkeling time may shrink if the sea is rough.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours at Orange Bay: Swim in warm, shallow water, relax under an umbrella, and use the supplied sun loungers.
• Two planned snorkeling stops: Look for coral, tropical fish, barracuda, jellyfish, and familiar reef fish such as clownfish.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch is served on the boat, with hot and cold drinks available through the day.
• Water sports at the finish: Expect a banana boat and inflatable sofa ride, though the rides can be very brief.
• Small maximum group: The tour accepts up to 20 people, giving the crew a reasonable chance to help with swimming and snorkeling.
• Extra costs to check: Transfers from Makadi, Safaga, and El Gouna cost more, and environmental or government fees are not included.

Leaving Hurghada for the Giftun Islands

Your day begins with an 8:30 am pickup from your Hurghada hotel. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in the Egyptian heat, especially if your hotel sits well inland from the marina. Pickup from other areas may be possible on request, but Makadi, Safaga, and El Gouna carry an extra transfer charge.

At the marina, you board the boat and begin a cruise of about 20 minutes toward Orange Bay on Giftun Island. This is short enough to avoid a long, tiring crossing, but still gives you time to settle in, look over the Red Sea, and get ready for a day in the water.

The boat experience seems to be one of the stronger parts of the trip. The Funtime 2 boat has been described as clean, modern, and comfortable, with room to sit or sunbathe when the group is not full. The maximum group size is 20, though the boat may feel busier when several groups share the same outing.

Hot and cold drinks are provided throughout the day. That small detail saves you from having to buy drinks at every stop, although you should still bring cash for purchases on Orange Bay and for any optional extras.

Two hours on Orange Bay’s shallow water

Orange Bay gives you the longest single stop of the day, about two hours. The appeal is straightforward: sand, clear water, sun loungers, umbrellas, and time to swim without having to keep moving from one activity to the next.

The water around the beach is warm and shallow, making this the easiest part of the day for anyone who is not confident in the sea. You can walk in, float, or sit in the water while children play nearby. The setting is highly photogenic, with bright blue water and a sandy beach that feels very different from Hurghada’s built-up shore.

Still, Orange Bay is not a quiet, untouched island. It is a popular stop, and the beach can feel packed at busy times. Some of the extra features, such as swings in the water, may involve a long wait. One report described a queue of more than 30 minutes for a swing, partly because people held places instead of moving on.

There is not a long list of things to do on the island itself. You mainly swim, sit on the beach, take photos, and buy drinks or small extras. Those drinks can cost more than the tour beverages, so carry Egyptian cash. There are no card machines or ATMs at the beach, according to the practical details supplied for the trip.

You may also find extras such as henna or photography available. These are not part of the advertised price. If you want photographs, check exactly how you will receive them. One account found the pictures were sent through WhatsApp rather than delivered as standard digital files.

The two-hour stay is enough to enjoy the place, but not enough for a slow, empty-beach afternoon. If you want maximum island time, you may find the schedule a little tight. The tour is built as a full activity day, not as a simple beach transfer.

Lunch, drinks, and a practical boat setup

After the beach stop, the boat serves lunch. The meal is included, and the food has been described as filling, with several choices available. It is best to think of it as a practical boat lunch rather than a restaurant meal, but it does the job well between swimming sessions.

The crew also keeps drinks available during the day. That makes the $23.17 price more attractive, since food and basic refreshments can quickly add up on a marine excursion. You should bring your own towel, however. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but towels are not listed among the inclusions.

The staff receives some of the strongest praise connected with this trip. Moaaz is singled out for being helpful from pickup through the return, and Memo is remembered as a supportive guide who helped keep the group together. The crew has also taken time with people who were afraid of the water and encouraged non-swimmers to join using life jackets.

That support is important because snorkeling from a boat can be intimidating. You are not simply handed a mask and sent over the side. The best reports describe staff staying close, guiding the group, and making sure people do not drift away from the boat.

Service is not perfect every time. One account describes a captain shouting at the crew, and another describes an awkward tip request at the end of the day. Tipping is not included in the tour price, so bring a small amount of cash if you wish to thank the crew. You should not feel required to tip more than you can afford.

Coral and fish at two snorkeling stops

The snorkeling portion usually includes two stops around the island. This is where the trip becomes more than a beach outing. You get a chance to see coral and Red Sea fish in their natural setting, with equipment supplied and guides nearby.

The water has produced sightings of large schools of fish, barracuda, jellyfish, clownfish, and other reef life. You should not treat any one sighting as guaranteed, since marine life and visibility change from day to day. The point is the chance to see a real reef environment rather than an aquarium-style display.

You need basic comfort in the water to get the most from these stops, but you do not need to be an expert swimmer. Life jackets are available, and the crew has helped people who cannot swim take part in a guided way. If you are nervous, tell the guide early rather than staying silent on the boat.

Weather matters here more than it does at the beach. Rough water can make snorkeling less pleasant and may lead the boat to reduce the number of stops. On one outing, the group completed only one stop because of strong wind. Another had shorter snorkeling time because the sea was rough.

That is a sensible safety adjustment, but it can be disappointing if snorkeling is your main reason for booking. If you want the calmest conditions, avoid making firm plans around the exact number of minutes in the water. The itinerary gives you two sites, but the captain may alter the plan for safety.

The equipment is included, and enough gear has generally been available for the group. You should still check your mask fit before entering the water. A leaking mask can turn a good reef stop into a frustrating one, and the crew can usually help adjust it.

Banana boat and inflatable sofa ride

The final activity is a water sports stop with a banana boat and an inflatable sofa ride. It adds a playful finish, especially for families and groups of friends. The crew handles the equipment, and the activity is included rather than sold as a separate beach extra.

Keep your expectations modest. The banana boat ride may last only around 20 seconds and can consist of a quick circle near the boat. That is enough for a laugh, but not a long high-speed adventure. If you are booking mainly for water sports, this part may feel short.

The activity works best as a bonus after the island and snorkeling. It gives children and active adults something silly to look forward to, while anyone who prefers not to ride can remain on the boat. The day is not built around serious watersports instruction.

After the final stop, the boat heads back to the marina, usually arriving around 4 pm. You then return to your hotel by vehicle. With pickup around 8:30 am and a return in the late afternoon, this is a full day, so avoid scheduling an evening activity that requires you to arrive at a precise time.

What the $23.17 price really covers

At $23.17 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a full-day sea trip with hotel pickup, a boat ride, a beach stop, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and two water sports. The low price makes sense because the schedule combines several shared activities rather than offering a private boat or long, quiet time on the island.

The value is strongest if you plan to use most of the inclusions. A family can save by not buying separate lunches and drinks, while a couple may appreciate having transport and equipment handled in one booking. The maximum group size of 20 also helps keep the trip from becoming a giant boat excursion.

You must calculate the real price before booking. Transfers from Makadi, Safaga, and El Gouna cost extra, and environmental or government fees are not included. One example involved an additional €5 per person for the transfer and another €5 per person for environmental fees. Confirm these charges before you commit, especially if you are staying outside Hurghada.

You may also want cash for island drinks, photography, henna, and a tip. None of these costs changes the strong basic value, but they can make the final spend higher than the headline price.

Who will enjoy this Orange Bay day

I would choose this tour for a family, a first-time Red Sea visitor, or anyone who wants several activities without arranging each one separately. The guides have shown patience with children, nervous swimmers, and people who need help staying with the group.

It also suits you if you want a social boat day rather than a private escape. You will share the boat, beach, lunch, and activities with other people. The atmosphere can be fun and friendly, but Orange Bay itself may be crowded.

Strong swimmers and serious snorkelers may want to look closely at the weather forecast and ask how much time is normally spent at the reef. If the sea turns rough, you may get one shorter snorkeling stop instead of two. Beach lovers who want a quiet island may also find the stop too busy.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while later cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Should you book Orange Bay Island?

Book it if you want a very affordable, all-in-one Red Sea day with a beach, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a few playful water activities. The crew support, especially for children and people who are uneasy in the water, adds real value.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet beach, long snorkeling sessions, or a full-length banana boat ride. Also check the extra fees if you are staying outside Hurghada. For most visitors based in Hurghada, though, the combination of price, scenery, and variety makes this a sensible way to spend a day on the Red Sea.

FAQ

What time does the Orange Bay tour start?

Pickup and the tour start at about 8:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately seven hours, with the boat usually returning to the marina around 4 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Air-conditioned pickup from hotels in Hurghada is offered. Pickup from other destinations may be available on request, but transfers from Makadi, Safaga, and El Gouna cost extra.

Are lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Lunch, hot and cold drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included.

How many snorkeling stops are planned?

The itinerary includes two snorkeling stops. Rough sea conditions can lead to a shorter session or only one stop.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.