Hurghada: Orange & Giftun Island Cruise with Massage & Lunch

Orange Bay is the star of this Red Sea day, but the best part is the mix of easy beach time and two proper snorkeling stops. You can stretch out on the sand, swim in clear water, then see coral and fish from the boat without having to organize separate trips. I also like the spacious yacht, the plentiful food and drinks, and the calm massage while the boat is underway.

The main drawback is the length. At 510 minutes, this is a full day with a fairly busy schedule, and the transfer from some resorts can take time. Lunch comes around 2 p.m., so bring a small breakfast or snack if you get hungry early. You will also need to bring your own towel.

What makes this cruise worth considering

• Orange Bay before the busiest part of the day: You get about 75 minutes on the island for swimming and beach time.
• Two separate snorkeling stops: Small Giftun and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī offer different chances to see coral and fish.
• A spacious boat with room to breathe: The yacht is presented as a more comfortable option than a tightly packed day boat.
• Lunch with fish, salads, and BBQ dishes: The buffet gives you more than a basic sandwich stop.
• Massage and water sports included: You can balance the snorkeling with a treatment and a banana boat ride.
• Pickup from five resort areas: Transfers cover Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Makadi Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna.

A full Red Sea day, not just a quick boat ride

This trip works best if you want many pieces of a Hurghada sea holiday in one booking. You get a van transfer, a yacht cruise, an island visit, two snorkeling sessions, lunch, drinks, a massage, and a banana boat ride. That is a lot for $53 per person, especially when hotel pickup, equipment, reserve fees, and taxes are included.

The price is strongest for people who would otherwise book several separate activities. You are not paying only for access to Orange Bay. You are also getting a guide, food, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks, and support in the water. The exact value depends on how much you use the included activities, but the package is broad.

I would not choose it if you want a quiet, slow sailing day with no schedule. The program keeps moving from one stop to the next. The reward is variety, while the tradeoff is that you have less control over how long you stay in each place.

The morning transfer from Hurghada and nearby resorts

Pickup is available from five areas: Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Makadi Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna. A van ride is listed at about 45 minutes, though your actual road time will depend on the hotel and the order of pickups.

The provider contacts you one day before the trip with the exact pickup time. You should wait outside in front of your reception five minutes before that time. Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel, so check this carefully before booking if you are staying there.

The transfer is useful because you do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina. It also means the day begins early enough to reach Orange Bay before the island becomes more crowded. Bring water, sunscreen, and a small snack for the road and first part of the cruise.

Sailing out toward Orange Bay

Once you reach the Red Sea, the boat ride to the first island takes about 45 minutes. This is your chance to settle in, take in the open water, and find a comfortable place on deck before the swimming begins.

The boat is described as clean and spacious for the number of passengers. That matters on a long day. You will want somewhere to sit between water activities, and you will appreciate a little room when drying off, eating, or waiting for the next stop.

Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included. That is a practical advantage in the strong Egyptian sun, though you should still bring your own water. Cash is also recommended for the day.

Orange Bay: 75 minutes of sand and clear water

Orange Bay gives you about 75 minutes on the island. You can relax on the beach or swim in the clear water, so this stop is not only for people who want to snorkel.

The island is the most visually polished part of the trip. It offers the classic Caribbean-style Red Sea scene: pale sand, shallow clear water, and open views. You should bring sunglasses and a hat, since shade and shelter are not detailed in the provided information.

The timing matters. A 75-minute stop is long enough to swim and sit down, but not long enough to treat Orange Bay as a beach day by itself. Use the first few minutes to get oriented, then choose one main activity rather than trying to do everything.

Some excursions rush island visits. This one gives Orange Bay a useful amount of time, especially since the rest of the schedule includes two reef stops. If you mainly want a beach break with a little snorkeling, Orange Bay may be the part you remember most.

Small Giftun and the first snorkeling session

After Orange Bay, the yacht cruises for about 20 minutes to the Small Giftun snorkeling site. You then have about 45 minutes in the water.

This is where the trip shifts from beach scenery to the Red Sea’s main attraction: coral and fish. The tour describes more than 500 kinds of fish and 125 kinds of coral in the wider Red Sea. That is useful context, but you should not expect to see every species in one session. Conditions, visibility, weather, and luck all affect what appears beneath the surface.

The crew’s role is important here. Andrew and Bassem are among the names associated with the service, and careful guidance during snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of this experience. If you are nervous in open water, stay close to the guide and follow instructions. The crew is there to help you find suitable spots and feel safe.

You receive snorkeling equipment, but bring your own towel and swimwear. Do not touch coral, plants, or marine life. That protects the reef and also keeps you from harming yourself on sharp coral or unfamiliar animals.

Lunch on the yacht around 2 p.m.

Lunch follows the first snorkeling session and lasts about 45 minutes. Expect a buffet with salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes. Soft drinks and hot drinks are included, and snacks are available during the wider trip.

The food is more substantial than the usual packed lunch found on short boat outings. The range of salads and cooked dishes should suit people who want something light as well as those ready for a full meal after swimming.

The schedule places lunch fairly late, around 2 p.m. This is the one timing issue I would plan around. Have breakfast before pickup and pack a small snack, even though snacks are included. You may be swimming and sitting in the sun for several hours before the main meal.

You eat on the boat, which saves another transfer and keeps the day flowing. It also lets you stay in your wet-weather rhythm: swim, dry off, eat, and prepare for the second reef stop.

Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī and the second reef stop

The yacht then cruises toward Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī for another 45-minute snorkeling session. Two separate water stops are a real advantage because one site may have better visibility, calmer water, or more interesting coral than the other on the day you visit.

You should not expect both locations to feel completely different. The value is in having a second chance. If the first swim is busy or the water is less clear, the next site may give you a better look at fish and coral. If you love snorkeling, these two sessions are the core of the trip.

The schedule gives you enough time to enjoy the water without making either stop an all-day affair. You can focus on slow swimming and looking closely rather than treating the reef like a racecourse.

Remember the basic reef rules. Do not stand on coral, touch plants, or chase marine life. The best photographs come from keeping your distance and letting fish move naturally around you.

Massage, banana boat, and the ride home

The massage is one of the unusual extras in this package. It takes place while sailing on the calm Red Sea, giving you a quiet break between the more active parts of the day. It will not replace a full spa treatment, but it adds a welcome moment of rest after swimming and sun.

The banana boat ride adds a playful finish. A 45-minute slot is listed for the water activity, though the overall timing may include preparation and turns. This is a good choice if you want a little fun after the reef stops. If you prefer to rest, the boat gives you a place to sit instead.

The final boat ride takes about 25 minutes, followed by the van transfer back to your drop-off point. Drop-offs cover Hurghada, Safaga, Makadi Bay, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna.

By the end, you will probably be ready for a shower and a quiet evening. That is not a complaint. A full day in the sun, with swimming and boat travel, uses more energy than the relaxed pace may suggest.

Comfort, safety, and the crew

The crew is central to this experience. The strongest details are practical: help while snorkeling, friendly service, regular drinks, and attention to comfort. One crew member assisted a passenger with an injured foot and still found a way to help her take part in snorkeling. That sort of care matters more than polished sales language.

The guide languages are English, German, Russian, and Arabic. The provider also includes a live guide, so you should have help understanding the plan and the water activities.

The yacht is described as spacious and clean, which is especially important on a 510-minute outing. Still, this remains a shared boat trip. You will follow a group schedule, and the experience is not designed around private timing.

The package includes a separate entrance for skipping the line, though the exact use of that entrance is not detailed. Natural reserve entry fees are included, so you do not need to budget an extra charge for that part.

What to pack for the Red Sea

Pack lightly, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen
• A camera
• Water and a small snack
• Cash

Use reef-safe habits even though no special sunscreen type is specified. Apply sunscreen before boarding and reapply after swimming, while keeping it away from your eyes and avoiding contact with coral or marine plants.

A camera is worth bringing for the island and reef scenery, but protect it from salt water. If you are prone to seasickness, the provided information does not specify medication or sea conditions, so ask your doctor or pharmacist before the trip rather than guessing.

Who should book this Orange Bay cruise?

I would recommend this excursion to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a broad Red Sea experience without arranging each part separately. It suits you especially well if you want a comfortable yacht, guided snorkeling, a real buffet lunch, and a little pampering.

It is also a good match for nervous swimmers because the crew provides guidance and support. You still need to be comfortable entering the water, but you do not have to find the reef sites or manage the equipment alone.

Snorkeling fans should appreciate the two 45-minute sessions. Beach lovers will like Orange Bay. People who prefer a calm day can skip or limit the banana boat and enjoy the boat, drinks, lunch, and massage.

I would hesitate if you dislike long group outings, need a late start, or want to spend most of the day on one quiet beach. The 510-minute schedule is the deal: lots of included activity, but less freedom to set your own pace.

At $53 per person, the combination of transport, yacht time, island access, two snorkeling stops, equipment, lunch, massage, drinks, and water sports makes this a strong value. The best reason to book is not one single attraction. It is the way the day combines the Red Sea’s main pleasures in one organized 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 boat program and transfers.

What locations offer hotel pickup?

Pickup is available from Makadi Bay, Safaga, Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Drop-off is included for Hurghada, Safaga, Makadi Bay, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna.

Is pickup available from Viva Blue Hotel?

No. Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included, at Small Giftun and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet with salads, fish, vegetables, and BBQ dishes.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included.

Is the massage included?

Yes. A massage is included during the cruise.

Which languages are available for the guide?

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