Hurghada: Orange & Giftun Island Cruise with Massage & Lunch

Orange Bay is at its best when you arrive early, before the beach fills up and the famous clear water loses some of its quiet charm. This full-day trip pairs that island stop with two snorkeling sites, a buffet lunch, a massage, and a banana boat ride, so you get much more than a quick beach transfer. I like the spacious yacht and the patient in-water help from crew members such as Bassem and Andrew. I also like that the schedule gives each activity proper time instead of racing from one stop to the next.

The main thing to consider is the long day. Pickup, sailing, island time, two snorkeling sessions, lunch, and water sports take about 8 hours and 30 minutes, with roughly 45 minutes by van at each end. Lunch comes fairly late, around 2 p.m. on some departures, so bring a small breakfast or snack even though food and drinks are included.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay comes early: You spend 75 minutes on the sandy beach and in the clear water, with early arrival offering a quieter visit.
• Two proper snorkeling stops: Small Giftun and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī each receive about 45 minutes in the water.
• A spacious yacht matters: The boat gives you room to sit, eat, change pace, and rest between activities.
• Lunch is substantial: Expect salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes rather than a light sandwich.
• Massage is included: A short soothing treatment adds a welcome break after swimming.
• Pickup covers a wide area: Service is available from Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Makadi Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna, but not Viva Blue Hotel.

What this Red Sea day is really like

This is a boat day built around variety. You are not spending the whole time snorkeling, and you are not spending the whole time on a crowded beach. Instead, the outing moves through several moods: a hotel pickup, a gentle boat ride, Orange Bay, reef time, lunch, another reef stop, and a little water-sports fun before heading home.

At $53 per person, the package offers good value if you plan to use most of what is included. The price covers transport, a guide, the yacht, island access, natural reserve fees, snorkeling gear, lunch, hot and soft drinks, snacks, massage, and the banana boat activity. Buying each part separately would usually be less convenient, even if you prefer a shorter day.

I would choose this trip for a first Red Sea outing or for a couple who wants a mix of swimming and rest. It is also a practical choice if one person enjoys snorkeling more than the other. The beach, food, massage, and boat give non-snorkelers plenty to do while the reef fans spend time in the water.

Pickup from five Hurghada-area locations

The day begins with a van pickup from one of five areas: Makadi Bay, Safaga, Hurghada, Hurghada 1, or El Gouna. The listed drive takes about 45 minutes, though the exact road time depends on your hotel and the pickup route.

The provider contacts you one day before the trip with the exact pickup time. Wait outside, in front of your hotel reception, five minutes before that time. This is worth taking seriously in resort areas, where the van may have several stops to make.

Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel. If you are staying there, check before booking rather than assuming a nearby hotel pickup will be arranged.

Once aboard, you have a live guide in English, German, Russian, or Arabic. The crew’s role is more than pointing out the next stop. The strongest practical feature of this outing is the help in the water. Bassem and Andrew are among the crew members praised for keeping people calm and showing them where to look while snorkeling.

The 45-minute cruise to Orange Bay

From the coast, the yacht travels for about 45 minutes toward Orange Bay on Giftun Island. This first stretch lets you settle into the boat and sea air before the main activities begin.

The yacht is described as clean, comfortable, and spacious for its passenger load. That matters on a long day. A cramped boat can make a pleasant sea trip feel tiring, especially after lunch or between snorkeling sessions. Here, you should have room to sit and recover rather than being in the water or on the beach every minute.

Soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included. Still, I would bring water and a breakfast box or another small snack. The day’s lunch may not arrive until around 2 p.m., and the early pickup can make that wait feel longer than expected.

Orange Bay: 75 minutes on sand and shallow water

Orange Bay is the first major stop, with about 75 minutes to use as you like. You can sit on the beach, walk along the sand, or swim in the clear water.

The appeal here is simple. Orange Bay gives you a change from the yacht and a chance to enjoy the Giftun Island setting without needing to snorkel. The water is the star, and the beach is a good place to relax if you want a break from fins, masks, and saltwater.

Timing makes a difference. Arriving early can mean a calmer beach and more open space, while a later arrival may feel busier. The tour’s early position in the schedule is one of its better choices. You get island time before the day’s heat and before the full rhythm of swimming, eating, and activities sets in.

Do not expect a private island experience. Orange Bay is a popular stop, and the beach atmosphere can change with other boats and groups. Still, 75 minutes is enough to enjoy it without letting the beach take over the whole day.

Small Giftun: the first 45-minute reef stop

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

This is where the trip becomes more than a scenic island outing. The Red Sea is known for its coral and fish, and the stated marine-life figures are impressive: more than 500 kinds of fish and 125 kinds of coral can be found in the wider area. You should not expect to identify hundreds of species during one session, but the variety helps explain why these reefs are the main reason to book a boat trip from Hurghada.

The crew accompanies snorkelers and points out useful areas. That is especially helpful if you are new to snorkeling, nervous in open water, or unsure how to conserve energy with fins. You are told not to touch marine life or plants, a rule that protects both you and the reef.

The water is described as clear, but visibility depends on the sea and weather on the day. Bring a camera if you have a waterproof one, but do not let photographs replace looking around you. The best part of a reef stop is often a few quiet minutes watching fish move through the coral.

Lunch on board, with a late serving time

After the first snorkeling session, the yacht serves a buffet lunch during a 45-minute Red Sea cruise. The food includes salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes, with enough variety for different tastes.

This is more useful than a token meal. A full day of swimming and sun can leave you hungry, and a proper buffet helps you recover before the second reef stop. The food has received especially strong praise for taste and variety, with some diners finding it better than meals at their 5-star hotels.

The timing deserves a clear warning. Lunch can be served around 2 p.m. Bring a snack for the morning, particularly if you have children, an early hotel pickup, or a large appetite. Snacks are included, but your own breakfast box gives you more control.

Drinks are available throughout the day, including soft drinks and hot drinks. Bring cash as well. The supplied information specifically advises carrying money, though it does not state what extra charges you might face.

Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī: the second 45-minute snorkeling session

The second snorkeling stop is at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī, with another 45 minutes in the water. Two separate reef sessions are a strong feature because conditions and sightings can vary. If the first stop is busy or the water is less clear than hoped, the second gives you another chance.

You may also feel more comfortable by this point. The first session lets you adjust your mask, fins, and breathing. On the second, you can spend less time finding your rhythm and more time watching the coral and fish.

This is still a sea activity, not an aquarium visit. You might see colorful fish and coral formations, but no operator can promise a particular species or perfect visibility. Listen to the guide, stay with the group, and avoid touching the reef. Sunscreen is essential, though use it responsibly around the water and follow any crew guidance.

If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew early. The strongest part of the service is the willingness to help people feel safe, and the crew has assisted less mobile snorkelers so they could still take part.

Banana boat fun and the ride home

After the second snorkeling stop, the program includes a 45-minute period on the Red Sea with a banana boat ride. This adds a playful note to a day that could otherwise become a sequence of swimming and sitting.

You do not have to treat the banana boat as the main event. Think of it as an optional burst of energy after lunch and snorkeling. If you prefer a quiet afternoon, the yacht and sea air still give you a place to rest.

The return boat ride takes about 25 minutes, followed by the van transfer back to your drop-off area. The listed drop-off locations are Hurghada, Safaga, Makadi Bay, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna.

By this point, you will likely be tired. That is not a flaw, but it is why I would avoid scheduling an important evening plan immediately afterward. The total 510-minute duration is accurate as a full-day commitment, and transfer times can make the outing feel even longer.

The massage is a small luxury with real value

The massage is easy to overlook when you see a snorkeling cruise packed with activities. In practice, it helps break up the day.

A massage after swimming, sun exposure, and boat movement gives you a chance to sit still. It is particularly welcome after the first reef stop, or later in the day when you want something gentler than another water activity.

Do not book this expecting a spa treatment with a long menu of options. The information promises a soothing massage, not a detailed treatment plan or a private wellness session. Its value is as a relaxing extra included in the day, not as the central reason to choose the cruise.

What to bring for a better day

The operator provides snorkeling equipment, but you need to bring the basics:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water and a small snack
• Camera
• Cash

Wear clothing that is easy to manage around a boat and bring a dry layer if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear during the return trip. You should also keep your belongings secure and follow the crew’s instructions around the water.

Do not touch fish, coral, or plants. That protects the marine environment and prevents cuts or stings. The reefs are the reason this day is worthwhile, so treat them as something to observe, not handle.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a well-rounded Red Sea day rather than a single-purpose snorkeling trip. Couples, first-time snorkelers, and families with older children may appreciate the balance of beach time, reef time, lunch, massage, and water sports.

It is also a good match if you care about comfort. The yacht has received praise for being spacious, clean, and pleasant, and the crew provides drinks and help when needed. That can make a large difference on an outing lasting most of the day.

You may want a different plan if you dislike group boat trips, prefer a short private charter, or want to spend nearly all your time underwater. The Orange Bay stop and banana boat ride mean this is a mixed activity schedule, not a specialist reef expedition.

At $53, the value is strongest when you use the lunch, snorkeling equipment, massage, island visit, and water activities. If you plan to skip swimming and spend the day seated, a shorter sightseeing cruise could suit you better.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the starting time and pickup area before you commit, especially if you are staying outside the main resort zones.

Should you book the Orange and Giftun Island cruise?

Book this trip if you want one easy package that covers the main Red Sea highlights without arranging transport, food, gear, and island access separately. The two 45-minute snorkeling stops, early Orange Bay visit, spacious yacht, helpful crew, and included massage give the day a strong mix of activity and downtime.

I would book it with three small preparations: bring breakfast, pack your own towel, and keep cash with you. If you accept the long day and the possibility of a shared boat atmosphere, this is a very solid-value choice for seeing Orange Bay and the Giftun area from Hurghada.

FAQ

How long does the Orange and Giftun Island cruise last?

The activity lasts 510 minutes, or about 8 hours and 30 minutes. This includes hotel pickup and drop-off, van transfers, the yacht trip, Orange Bay, two snorkeling stops, lunch, the massage, and water activities.

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.

What languages are available for the guide?

Live guides are available in German, English, Russian, and Arabic.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, and the natural reserve entry fee are included in the price.

Is lunch included?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option lets you book without paying immediately.