Makadi: Giftun Island Speedboat Cruise to Orange Bay & Lunch

The best part of this outing is the speedboat ride across the Red Sea, followed by two snorkel stops near the Giftun Islands and a long pause on white-sand Orange Bay. You get clear water, coral reefs, colorful fish, and a fair chance of spotting dolphins without spending the day on a large excursion boat.

I like the quick ride to the first site, which takes about 20 minutes, and the fact that you visit two separate snorkel areas rather than repeating one patch of reef. I also like the friendly, hands-on guiding, especially for children. Sabry has been praised for helping a young swimmer feel comfortable in the water.

The main drawback is comfort. A fast boat can feel cold and bumpy, and at least one departure used a large inflatable boat to transfer people, leaving several passengers wet and unsettled. If you get seasick or have back problems, think carefully before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Two 20-minute snorkeling stops: You get separate chances to see coral, tropical fish, and possibly sea turtles.
• Orange Bay is the main beach break: Expect pale sand, clear shallows, swimming, lunch, and free time in a popular island setting.
• The speedboat saves time: You reach the first snorkel site in roughly 20 minutes instead of spending much of the morning on a slower boat.
• Lunch has two levels: A cheese and roast beef lunch box is included, while an island meal or seafood lunch can be added at checkout.
• Bring a jacket and water shoes: The boat can feel cold at speed, and shells and stones may make bare feet uncomfortable.
• Pickup is strict: Be at the hotel entrance by the road, not the reception gate, and be ready on time because the driver waits no more than five minutes.

Speeding out from Hurghada toward Giftun National Park

Your day starts with hotel pickup in Hurghada, followed by a transfer to the marina. The exact pickup details arrive by email at about 10 pm the night before, so check your inbox before bed and make sure the operator has your correct nationality, hotel, address, and room number.

This is not a good morning for sleeping through the alarm. Pickup is on time, and the driver waits no more than five minutes. The meeting point is the main entrance of your hotel, the one beside the road, not an inner reception gate. That small detail matters at large resort properties, where the wrong entrance can cost you the whole trip.

Once you reach the marina, you meet your guide, receive a short introduction, and board the speedboat. You can book a private or shared departure. A shared boat keeps the $53 price reasonable, while a private option may suit families or friends who want more control over the pace, though the supplied information does not state the private supplement.

The speedboat is the reason to choose this outing over a standard large-boat cruise. You cover the open water quickly and spend less time in transit. The boat also has a shaded area, stereo system, and life jackets, so you can sit out of the sun when needed.

The tradeoff is motion. A fast boat can be lively, particularly in open water, and the wind makes the ride feel cooler than the beach. One useful tip is to pack a light sweater or jacket even on a warm day. If you are prone to seasickness, the combination of speed, wind, and a smaller boat may not suit you.

Two short snorkel stops with different chances to see marine life

The first snorkeling site comes within about 20 minutes. You receive snorkeling equipment and have roughly 20 minutes in the water. That is enough time for a good look at the reef, but it is not an unlimited swim, so use the first few minutes to settle your mask and find a comfortable rhythm.

The Red Sea is the star here. Clear water makes it easier to see coral and colorful fish, and sea turtles may appear. Dolphin sightings are also part of the appeal, although no wildlife encounter can be promised. The crew can watch for dolphins from the boat, but you should treat them as a lucky bonus rather than the central reason to pay.

After the first stop, you return to the speedboat and continue to a second snorkeling location. The two-stop plan gives you a better chance of finding pleasant water conditions and active marine life. It also breaks up the swim time, which works well if you are new to snorkeling or want to alternate between the water and the shaded boat.

The guide’s help can make a real difference here. Sabry, in particular, has been singled out for assisting a child with snorkeling. That suggests this trip can work for families with young swimmers, provided children are comfortable in open water and wear the supplied life jackets when needed. You still need to supervise children closely, since the activity takes place away from shore.

Remember that these are short stops. If your main goal is extended reef exploration, a dedicated snorkeling day on a larger boat may give you more water time. This speedboat trip is better for a compact mix of reef viewing, fast transport, and an island visit.

Arriving at Orange Bay, the Caribbean-style island stop

After snorkeling, you head to Orange Bay. The setting is designed for an easy visual reward: pale sand, clear shallow water, and a tropical feel that makes the island a strong photo stop.

Orange Bay is not presented as a remote, untouched beach. It is a popular destination, and busy periods can make the main areas feel crowded. You can look for a quieter corner, but you should not expect solitude. The appeal is simple and immediate: swim, lie in the sun, take pictures, and enjoy a change from the moving boat.

There is also a practical quirk. Bare feet may be expected on parts of the island, but shells and stones can hurt. Water shoes are useful for getting around comfortably, even if you need to carry them in your backpack and remove them in certain areas.

The island pause gives you time to recover from the boat and snorkeling. That matters because the morning includes salt water, sun, wind, and repeated movement. Use the shaded area when you have had enough sun, drink water regularly, and keep sunscreen handy.

Lunch choices, from a simple box to seafood

A lunch box is included in the base price. It contains a cheese sandwich and a roast beef sandwich, with seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water also provided. This is a practical meal rather than a major food event, and it works well if you want to keep the outing simple.

You can add lunch on the island during checkout, with a seafood upgrade available as well. The supplied information describes local dishes and drinks at the island meal. If food is an important part of your day, check the exact add-on price and menu before paying, since the $53 rate covers the lunch box rather than automatically including the full island meal.

I see the lunch setup as a useful choice rather than a flaw. Some people want a quick sandwich and more beach time. Others would prefer to sit down for local dishes or seafood. Having both options lets you match the meal to your budget and appetite.

Bring cash anyway. It is listed among the items to pack, and you may want it for optional extras or personal purchases. Parasailing is available as an add-on, but it is not part of the standard price.

How the $53 price works for your day

At $53 per person, the price covers more than a boat ride. Hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, speedboat transport, snorkeling gear, two snorkel stops, island entry, a lunch box, drinks, fruit, and life jackets are included.

That makes the outing a fair value if you want several elements in one booking. Organizing the marina transfer, reef access, boat, equipment, and Orange Bay entry separately would take more time and may not save money. The value is strongest for someone staying in Hurghada who wants a compact Red Sea experience without committing to a full-day boat program.

The price is less attractive if you want long snorkeling sessions, a quiet beach, or a large, stable vessel. You are paying for speed and variety, not a slow cruise with lots of room or an extended stay at one reef.

Remember that some costs can rise at checkout. Pickup from Safaga and Soma Bay is available as an add-on, as are island lunch, seafood lunch, and parasailing. Ask yourself what you actually want before selecting extras. The basic package already includes the essentials for swimming and snorkeling.

The transfer details that can shape the experience

The long-range pickup from Safaga and Soma Bay is not included in the standard arrangement, so select it as an add-on if you are staying in those areas. The published location is Hurghada, and the normal pickup plan is built around hotels there.

The road transfer can also affect your comfort. A pickup from a resort area may involve collecting other people before reaching the marina. One reported departure involved an early pickup from Stella Gardens followed by about an hour of driving around in a full bus. That does not mean every transfer will be identical, but it is a sensible reason to confirm the pickup time and allow for a busy shared route.

At the marina, some departures may require a short transfer using a large inflatable boat before reaching the main speedboat. This can be wobbly, and you may get wet. Wear swimwear under your clothes, keep valuables protected, and do not carry anything aboard that cannot handle spray.

The activity is not suitable for people with back problems. Seasickness is not listed as a formal restriction, but the smaller, faster boat makes this a real consideration. If you are uncertain, a larger boat is likely to feel steadier, though it will not offer the same quick pace.

What to pack for a more comfortable boat day

Pack a towel, sunscreen, cash, and your passport copy if requested for daily permissions. The operator asks for a passport copy in advance, so send it when required rather than waiting until the morning of departure.

I would also add a light jacket or sweater. The ride can feel surprisingly cold once the speedboat picks up pace, even when the air is hot on land.

Water shoes are another smart choice. They help around shell-covered or stony sections of the island and make moving between the boat, water, and beach easier. Keep them in a small bag if you need to go barefoot on parts of Orange Bay.

Bring a waterproof pouch for your phone and room key. This is practical advice for any boat outing, but it is especially useful here because spray and wet transfers are possible. Do not assume the shaded area will protect every item from splashing water.

Who will enjoy this Giftun Island trip most

This outing suits you if you want a fast, active half-day-style escape from Hurghada with several highlights packed together. It works well for couples, groups of friends, and families with confident children who want reef time, beach time, and a speedboat ride in one booking.

It is also a good choice if you dislike long hours on a slow excursion boat. The first snorkel stop comes quickly, and the boat gets you between locations with less time spent crossing the sea.

You may want another type of trip if comfort is your first concern. People with back problems should not book it, and anyone with serious seasickness concerns should consider a larger boat. You should also look elsewhere if your ideal island day means quiet sand and long, uninterrupted snorkeling.

The crew’s friendly approach is one of the strongest reasons to consider it. The guide speaks English and Arabic, and hands-on help in the water can be valuable for first-time snorkelers. Still, conditions and group dynamics can vary on a shared trip, so a private booking may be worth considering if personal attention is your top priority.

Should you book the Orange Bay speedboat cruise?

I would book this for the mix of speed, reef time, and beach scenery. At $53, the basic package covers the main practical costs, and the two 20-minute snorkeling stops give you more variety than a single-water-stop outing.

I would not book it without thought if you dislike small boats, cold wind, wet transfers, or busy beach stops. Pack a jacket, water shoes, and a towel, confirm your pickup point, and choose the lunch add-on only if the sandwich box does not suit you.

Choose this cruise for a lively Red Sea sampler. Choose a larger boat for a steadier ride and more space. That simple distinction should make the decision clear.

FAQ

What is included in the $53 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, speedboat transport, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, island entry, a lunch box, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, shaded seating, a stereo system, and life jackets.

How long is each snorkeling stop?

Each of the two snorkeling stops lasts about 20 minutes.

Can I see dolphins or sea turtles?

Dolphins may be watched for during the speedboat trip, and sea turtles may be seen while snorkeling. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch served on Orange Bay?

The standard package includes a lunch box with cheese and roast beef sandwiches. You can add an island lunch or upgrade to seafood lunch during checkout.

Is hotel pickup available from Safaga and Soma Bay?

Long-range pickup from Safaga and the Soma Bay area is available as a paid add-on during checkout.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, cash, and a passport copy if requested for daily permissions. A light jacket and water shoes are also useful.

Is the cruise suitable for people with back problems?

No. The activity is specifically listed as unsuitable for people with back problems.