Hurghada: Royal Luxury VIP Cruise to Orange Bay with Lunch

Red Sea beauty comes with a full day of activity. This Hurghada cruise combines Orange Bay, two snorkeling stops, a buffet lunch, a massage, drinks, and banana-boat fun for $53 per person. I especially like the small-group format and the attentive crew, with guides such as Andrew, Fox, Ibrahim, Jaser, and Salam praised for helping people feel safe in the water.

I also like the amount included in the price: hotel transfers, equipment, life vests, food, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks, fruit, and a massage. The main consideration is time. Orange Bay gets about 75 minutes, while the whole outing can run from early morning until evening, especially if you are collected from a resort outside Hurghada.

Key points at a glance

• Orange Bay before the crowds: An island stop with pale sand, clear water, and roughly 75 minutes to swim, relax, and take photos.
• Two reef stops: Snorkeling takes place at Small Giftun and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī, with colorful fish and coral.
• A genuinely full package: Lunch, drinks, snacks, fruit, equipment, transfers, marine fees, and massage are included.
• Helpful water staff: Snorkeling guides assist weaker swimmers and point out fish and coral during the water sessions.
• Extra fun on Magawish Island: A banana boat ride adds a short burst of speed near the end of the day.
• Long but well-filled schedule: Allow about 510 minutes, plus roughly an hour of road transfers in total.

What this Red Sea day is really like

This is not a quiet sail with one quick photo stop. It is an active boat day built around several short experiences, so you can switch between swimming, snorkeling, eating, resting, and light water sports.

The advertised price is $53 per person. That is strong value if you plan to use the included food, drinks, equipment, massage, and hotel transfer. A separate boat trip with transport and reef activities can quickly cost a similar amount before extras are added.

The boat is described as clean, spacious, and suitable for a small group. That matters in Hurghada, where some boat excursions can feel crowded. You should still expect a social day, but the small-group setup gives the crew more time to help with masks, life vests, and water confidence.

The tone is friendly and service-focused. Andrew is praised as a strong guide, Fox for keeping the program moving, and Ibrahim for helping people notice unusual fish. The exact crew may change, but the useful point is clear: this is not a trip where you are simply pointed toward the sea and left to manage alone.

Hotel pickup and the ride to the marina

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna. The van ride is listed at about 30 minutes, though your real road time depends on your resort and the order of pickups.

You are asked to wait outside the reception, five minutes before the agreed collection time. The pickup details are sent one day before the activity, so check your phone and hotel messages rather than assuming the boat leaves from the closest marina.

The early start is worth noting. One schedule had collection at 6:40 a.m. and return around 6:00 p.m. If you are staying in Safaga or El Gouna, allow extra energy for the road portions. Bring a light sweatshirt or jacket in cooler months, as the first part of the morning can feel chilly before the Red Sea sun gains strength.

The 45-minute cruise out to Orange Bay

Once aboard, the day begins with a 45-minute boat ride across the Red Sea. Drinks are available, and the boat gives you time to settle in before the first major stop.

The open water is part of the pleasure, not just a transfer. You can sit back, watch the coast recede, and get used to the boat before swimming. If you are prone to seasickness, stay where the motion feels easiest and use the time to get comfortable.

The boat is presented as a luxury yacht, with space to sit, relax, and move between shaded and open areas. The exact layout can vary, but cleanliness and room to spread out are recurring strengths of this experience.

Orange Bay: beautiful, popular, and brief

Orange Bay is the visual star of the day. The island has powdery sand, shallow clear water, and the kind of tropical appearance that makes people reach for their phones before they even step ashore.

You have about 75 minutes here. That gives you time for a swim, photos, and a little lounging, but not a long, slow beach afternoon. Some schedules reach the island early, when it is quieter and just opening, which can make the stop feel far more peaceful.

I would treat Orange Bay as a scenic island visit rather than the main swimming session. The best use of your time is to take photos soon after arrival, then swim or sit by the water. Bring cash if you want to buy anything on the island. Drinks and snacks there are not part of the included boat package, and one cocktail was described as expensive for its size and heavy on ice.

The short stop is the clearest drawback for anyone hoping to spend most of the day on sand. If you want a beach-focused outing, a dedicated island trip may suit you better. If you want variety, Orange Bay works well as one part of a larger day.

Small Giftun and the first reef session

After Orange Bay, the boat heads to Small Giftun for about 45 minutes of snorkeling. This is where the day changes from beach scenery to Red Sea wildlife.

Equipment and life vests are supplied. Guides remain involved, which is especially useful if you are new to snorkeling, nervous in open water, or not a confident swimmer. One participant who could not swim received close help from the staff, and first-time snorkelers were able to take part with support.

The reef areas may offer colorful fish, coral formations, rays, turtles, sea angels, and, if luck is on your side, dolphins. These animals are wild, so nobody can promise a sighting. The value is in having two selected reef stops, which gives you two chances to see marine life in different conditions.

I like that the guides do more than point out the ladder. Ibrahim was praised for showing special fish and explaining what people were seeing. That small touch turns a quick swim into a better introduction to the Red Sea.

The 45-minute slot includes getting ready, entering the water, snorkeling, and returning to the boat. Move promptly when the crew gives instructions, especially if several people need equipment at once.

Buffet lunch on the Red Sea

Lunch is served aboard the boat after the first snorkeling stop. The open buffet includes fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four types of salad, bread, and local fruit.

This is a practical meal for an active day. You get familiar, filling food rather than a tiny plated serving, and you can return for more if you are hungry after swimming. Fresh juices, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks, and fruit are included throughout the day.

Food quality is generally described as a strong point, with praise for fresh choices and a good selection of hot dishes. One account found the food tasty but noted that it was not cooked directly on the boat, so some items were less crisp than they might be on land. I would set expectations accordingly: this is a generous boat buffet, not a restaurant meal.

If you have an allergy, tell the crew early. The staff have been described as accommodating, but it is still wise to explain your needs before serving yourself.

Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī and the second reef stop

The second snorkeling session takes place at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī and lasts around 45 minutes. By this point, you have had lunch and may feel more relaxed in the water, especially if the first stop was your introduction.

This second stop gives the trip useful balance. If the first reef is busy, visibility changes, or you do not spot much wildlife, you have another chance. Clear water and colorful fish are the main promise, while rays, turtles, sea angels, or dolphins remain possible rather than guaranteed.

You can also choose not to enter the water. One person who did not snorkel still enjoyed watching the activity and sunbathing on the boat. That makes the cruise suitable for mixed groups, provided everyone is comfortable spending many hours aboard.

The excursion is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Getting on and off the boat, reaching the swimming areas, and taking part in the water activities require reasonable mobility.

Massage, drinks, and a banana boat ride

A massage for each person is included, adding a pleasant break between the more active parts of the day. It is a short onboard treatment rather than a full spa appointment, but it fits the cruise well. After snorkeling, even a brief massage can feel like a welcome reset.

The all-day drinks service is another useful inclusion. Soft drinks, fresh juices, tea, coffee, hot drinks, snacks, and fruit are available, so you do not need to carry a day’s worth of refreshments. You should still bring cash for personal purchases and a towel from your hotel.

The final activity is at Magawish Island, where you get about 45 minutes for a banana boat ride. This brings some playful speed to a day that otherwise alternates between floating and relaxing. The ride itself may be short for each person if the group is large, so think of it as a fun extra rather than the main reason to book.

Afterward, the boat cruises for about 30 minutes back toward port, followed by the return van transfer.

Is $53 good value?

For this particular mix of inclusions, I consider $53 a good price. You are paying for a full-day boat program, two reef stops, Orange Bay, transfers from several resort areas, a buffet, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, life vests, marine fees, and a massage.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, lunch, reef access, and equipment. It is also useful for a first Red Sea outing because you do not need to arrange several pieces yourself.

The price does not include anything not specifically listed. That means you should budget for personal purchases on Orange Bay and any optional extras offered aboard. Scuba activity may be available for an additional fee, but it is not part of the $53 package described here.

A photographer may also offer paid images. One couple was quoted 1,400 Egyptian pounds for a set, which they considered too expensive compared with the tour price. You can use your own phone for many photos, but protect it carefully around salt water.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this for you if you want several Red Sea experiences in one day and prefer a guided plan to arranging separate trips. It suits couples, families with children who can follow water-safety instructions, solo visitors, and first-time snorkelers.

It is also a good choice if some people in your group want to swim while others prefer to stay aboard. The boat has enough going on that non-swimmers can still enjoy the views, food, massage, and relaxed sailing.

You may want another option if your priority is spending several hours on Orange Bay. The island stop is scenic but short. You may also find the day tiring if you dislike early starts, long boat outings, or a schedule with several timed activities.

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and cash. Wear swimwear under your clothes, and pack a light layer for the morning in winter. The cruise is offered with Arabic, English, German, and Russian-speaking guides, though the guide assigned to your boat can vary.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Hurghada schedule depends on weather or other excursions.

Should you book the Royal Luxury VIP Cruise?

Book it if you want value and variety. The strongest reasons are the caring crew, two proper snorkeling sessions, a clean and spacious boat, generous refreshments, and a full lunch. The extra massage and banana boat ride make the $53 price particularly attractive.

I would be most confident recommending it to a first-time snorkeler or anyone who wants support in the water. Guides such as Ibrahim have been praised for explaining marine life, while the wider crew has helped nervous swimmers and solo visitors feel included.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day, a private yacht, or a short excursion. For everyone else, this is a long but well-packed introduction to Hurghada’s Red Sea: Orange Bay for the photographs, the reefs for the real discovery, and the crew for keeping the day moving.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about 510 minutes, or 8.5 hours. The day also includes approximately 30 minutes of van travel to the marina and 30 minutes back, depending on your pickup location.

Where can hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is available in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

Where can hotel drop-off take place?

Drop-off is available in El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Hurghada, Makadi Bay, and Safaga.

How long do you spend at Orange Bay?

The planned visit to Orange Bay lasts about 75 minutes.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life vest are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is an open buffet with fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four salads, and bread.

Are drinks included all day?

Yes. Soft drinks, fresh juices, hot drinks, snacks, and three types of local fruit are included throughout the day.

Is a massage included?

Yes. A massage is included for each person aboard.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

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