Hurghada: Elegance Yacht Cruise To Orange & Magawish island

Two islands, one Red Sea day. This Hurghada yacht trip combines Orange Bay, Magawish Island, two snorkeling stops, lunch, and optional parasailing for $53 per person. I especially like the early visit to Orange Bay, before the area gets crowded, and the generous mix of food and drinks served aboard the boat. The main point to consider is transport: pickup from distant resort areas can take much longer than the sea trip itself.

The outing is available as a group cruise or private trip. Guides such as Abdull and Sayed have earned praise for friendly service and clear explanations, while the boat crew handles the day’s practical details. Dolphins may appear, but they are a lucky sighting rather than a promise.

Quick points before you book

• Orange Bay comes first: You get about an hour on the island, with a better chance of enjoying its calm setting before the crowds arrive.
• Two separate snorkeling stops: The schedule gives you time in the water at coral reefs, with colorful fish and a snorkeling guide to help.
• Lunch is more than a light snack: Expect shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, salads, seasonal fruit, and drinks.
• Parasailing is optional: A five-minute flight gives you a short but exciting view over the Red Sea.
• Private trips offer more control: One private party was able to shape the sailing day around its own wishes and had a captain, guide, and cook looking after two people.
• Long transfers need planning: Pickup from Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga costs extra and can add a lot of road time.

What the $53 price really covers

At $53 per person, this is a fairly full day on the Red Sea rather than a simple boat ride. Your price includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Hurghada, the boat cruise, entry to both islands, snorkeling gear, a guide, lunch, fruit, and drinks.

That matters because small extras can quickly add up on a sea excursion. Here, you are not expected to pay separately for standard snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, tea, coffee, milk, and mineral water. Orange Bay and Magawish entry are also included.

The value is strongest if you plan to use most of the inclusions. If you love swimming, snorkeling, and being out on the water, the price covers several different parts of the day. If you only want a short island visit and prefer to stay dry, you may not get the same value.

The private option changes the calculation. A private group can cost more overall, but the flexibility can be useful for families or small parties who want more control over timing and stops. One private party of two had three crew members caring for them and was able to request changes to the route. That is a very different experience from sharing space with a larger group.

Hotel pickup sets the tone for the day

The trip begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada, followed by transport to the harbor. Pickup information is sent by email at about 10 p.m. the evening before, so check your inbox and make sure the meeting point is clear.

The operator asks for a copy of your passport photo, your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. Have those details ready when booking. The information is practical, but the late pickup notice means you should not wait until morning to sort out where you need to stand.

Be at the stated pickup point on time. The vehicle can wait no more than five minutes because other hotel pickups follow. If your hotel uses a large entrance, a main road, or more than one lobby, confirm the exact spot in advance.

For hotels outside Hurghada, long-range pickup is an extra-cost add-on. It is available for Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay. This is not a minor detail. One private party traveling from Makadi Bay spent about 35 minutes getting to the harbor, then more than an hour on the return bus because of additional stops.

If you have a choice, a private transfer is worth considering for a small group that values time. A shared transfer costs less, but the journey home may be considerably longer than expected.

Orange Bay before the crowds arrive

After a safety briefing at the harbor, you board the yacht and sail toward Orange Bay. The planned stay is about one hour, and the early timing is one of the best parts of the schedule.

Orange Bay is known for its pale sand and shallow-looking Caribbean-style setting. The appeal is simple: you get a change from the open boat and a chance to walk, swim, or sit near the water. The stop gives the day a relaxed opening before the more active snorkeling portion.

Arriving before larger crowds can make a real difference. An hour is not long enough for a slow, unplanned beach day, but it works well as a first stop. Use it to take photos, stretch your legs, and enjoy the island atmosphere without trying to pack in too much.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular day-trip destination, not a deserted island. The early visit helps, but conditions can change with the day’s schedule and other boats.

You should also bring cash. The tour information recommends it, and cash is useful for personal purchases or optional extras even though the main food and drink service is covered.

Snorkeling the Red Sea coral reefs

The first snorkeling stop lasts about 40 minutes. A snorkeling guide is included, and equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

The Red Sea is the main reason to choose this outing. At the snorkeling sites, you can expect coral formations and colorful fish beneath the boat. The water time is long enough to get comfortable and look around, though it may feel short if you are an enthusiastic snorkeler.

The guide is especially helpful if you are new to snorkeling or want a clearer idea of where to look. Stay close enough to follow instructions, and remember that conditions at sea can affect visibility. The chance to see dolphins is part of the appeal, but no operator can guarantee a sighting.

Some private parties reported three water stops during their day, while the standard description promises two snorkeling stops. That difference may come from the private arrangement or the conditions on a particular day. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask what is planned for your specific booking.

Bring sunscreen and reapply it. You may spend more time exposed to the sun than you expect, especially between swims. A towel and swimwear are essential, and a dry cover-up is sensible for the boat ride even though it is not listed as required.

Seafood lunch with a full plate

After the first snorkeling session, you return to the yacht for lunch. The menu includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad, and seasonal fruit.

This is one of the strongest parts of the package. It is not merely a sandwich between activities. The meal is meant to be substantial, which is useful after swimming and spending time in the sun. Drinks include unlimited soft drinks and mineral water, plus tea, coffee, and milk.

Food quality can vary from day to day on any group boat, but the meal received particularly warm praise. One private party found the quantity sufficient for four people despite having only two guests. Another person rated the food better than the meal at their hotel.

Do not expect a fine-dining restaurant at sea. The setting is casual, and the experience depends on the boat’s kitchen and crew that day. Still, the range of seafood and side dishes makes this unusually solid for a day cruise at this price.

If you have dietary restrictions, confirm them before departure. No specific alternatives are provided in the tour information, so you should not assume that substitutions are available.

Magawish Island gives you a second water stop

After lunch, the yacht sails to Magawish Island. You have about an hour there for swimming and snorkeling.

This second island stop keeps the day from feeling like a single beach visit followed by a long boat ride. You get another chance to enter the water, compare the setting with Orange Bay, and enjoy the Red Sea at a slower pace after lunch.

The schedule is well balanced for people who want variety. Orange Bay offers the island experience early, the first snorkeling stop adds marine life, lunch provides a break, and Magawish brings you back into the water.

Again, an hour passes quickly. If you spend too long taking photos or sitting on the beach, you may have little time to swim. I would use Orange Bay for a relaxed introduction and save some energy for Magawish, especially if the second stop is when you feel ready to snorkel properly.

The two-island plan is also useful for mixed groups. Someone who gets tired of snorkeling can enjoy the islands and boat, while stronger swimmers still have two chances to get in the water.

Five minutes above the Red Sea

Parasailing is available as an option. The flight lasts five minutes and gives you a view of the Red Sea from above.

Five minutes is brief, but that is normal for a parasailing add-on. Think of it as a short thrill rather than a full activity. You rise above the water, see the yacht and islands from a new angle, then return to the boat.

This is a good choice if you want one burst of adventure without giving up much snorkeling or island time. It is less appealing if you dislike heights or would rather keep the day focused on swimming.

The supplied information does not give the additional price, so check the cost at checkout before selecting it. The standard inclusions list parasailing only if that option is chosen.

The yacht, crew, and private-trip difference

The crew is an important part of this experience. Abdull and Sayed are specifically praised for being friendly, sociable, and clear when explaining what happens next. A professional captain, guide, and cook may be assigned on a private trip.

That personal service can make the day feel easy. You do not need to work out the island entries, snorkeling locations, lunch service, or return transfer yourself. The guide also helps keep the schedule moving, which matters when several activities need to fit into one day.

The group version is likely the better deal for solo visitors and couples who want a lower price. The private version suits a family, group of friends, or anyone who dislikes fixed routines. A private booking can also help if you want more say over the route or time spent at each stop.

There is one practical limitation: the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to manage hotel pickup, harbor boarding, movement around the boat, and transfers between land and water. Ask the operator before booking if you have any concern about stairs, boarding, or swimming access.

Pets are not allowed.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The exact departure time is not provided, so rely on the pickup email sent the night before. The full outing can take much of the day. A private party reported roughly seven hours on the boat, while the total door-to-door time can be longer when road transfers are included.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• A passport copy if requested during booking

You should also protect your phone from water. The tour information does not promise dry storage, so use a waterproof pouch if you plan to take photos while swimming.

The sea can be bright and exposed even when the air feels comfortable. Drink water throughout the day. Unlimited mineral water is included, but you still need to remember to use it.

For the best experience, treat the schedule as active but not exhausting. You will be moving from hotel to harbor, yacht to island, water to boat, lunch to another island, and finally back to shore. Good sun protection and a sensible pace will make the second half much more enjoyable.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want several Red Sea experiences in one day and do not want to arrange separate transport, island entry, equipment, food, and guides. It is particularly suitable for couples, families, and first-time visitors to Hurghada who want a straightforward introduction to Orange Bay and Magawish.

It also works well for people who like a little of everything. You can snorkel, swim, eat seafood, visit two islands, cruise, and add parasailing. You do not need to be an expert swimmer, but you should be comfortable around boats and water.

I would hesitate if you dislike organized group outings, need a quiet and flexible schedule, or have limited mobility. The five-minute pickup rule and possible long return transfer may also frustrate you if you are staying outside Hurghada.

The overall rating of 4.7 from 70 ratings fits the package: strong service, good food, attractive stops, and plenty included for the price. The weak points are mainly communication about pickup and the extra travel time from outlying resorts.

Should you book the Orange Bay and Magawish cruise?

Book this trip if you want a value-packed Red Sea day with two island visits, two planned snorkeling stops, a real seafood lunch, and optional parasailing. The early Orange Bay stop and friendly crew add real value, while the included drinks and equipment keep the final cost predictable.

Before paying, check three things: your exact pickup point, the extra charge for long-range transfer, and the price of parasailing. If you are staying in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay, a private transfer may save enough time to justify its cost.

For most active visitors based in Hurghada, this is an easy recommendation. It gives you a full taste of the Red Sea without forcing you to organize every piece yourself.

FAQ

Where does the yacht cruise take place?

The experience takes place in the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt, with pickup from hotels in Hurghada and sailing to Orange Bay and Magawish Island.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $53 per person.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada are included. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as an added long-range transfer service.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included, along with snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, salad, tuna salad, and seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes unlimited soft drinks, mineral water, tea, coffee, and milk.

Is parasailing included?

Five-minute parasailing is included only when you select the parasailing option.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You should also provide the requested passport copy and correct booking details.

Is the trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.