The Giftun Island Orange Sea Excursion from Hurghada

Clear water, coral reefs, and a day at sea. The Giftun Island Orange Sea Excursion offers an easy way to leave Hurghada’s hotels behind for Orange Bay, two snorkeling stops, and a Red Sea boat ride. I like the included hotel pickup and the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a guide are covered. I also like the modest price, about $23.81 per person, though the extra $10 tax and entrance charge can make the final cost less tidy than it first appears.

The main tradeoff is time. You get about two hours on Orange Island, and one French-language review found that this felt short, especially with the crowds on the beach. The snorkeling can be excellent, but the quality of the two stops may vary, so this is best seen as a relaxed day on the water rather than a specialist reef excursion.

Quick take: what matters most

• Orange Bay is the star of the day: You get roughly two hours on the island, with white sand, clear water, swimming, and time to relax.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Equipment, life jackets, and a snorkeling guide are provided, with coral and tropical fish as the main attraction.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the package: A buffet meal, water, and soda are included, though cans of soda and chips may cost extra.
• Pickup is offered from Hurghada hotels: Transfers are included for Hurghada, but not for Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Safaga.
• The trip lasts about seven hours: The stated start time is 8:30 a.m., giving you most of the day without committing to an overnight or very late return.
• The group can reach 30 people: That keeps the price low, but the beach and boat experience may feel shared rather than private.

What this Hurghada boat trip actually offers

This is a full-day Red Sea outing built around three things: a boat ride, a stop at Orange Bay on Giftun Island, and snorkeling at two separate points. You leave Hurghada by vehicle, reach the departure point, and then spend much of the day on the water.

The trip is priced as a budget-friendly excursion rather than a private charter. At $23.81 per person, the package covers a surprising amount: transport from your Hurghada hotel, the boat, about two hours on Orange Island, lunch, water, soda, banana and sofa rides, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and a guide.

That low headline price needs a little care. A required tax and entrance fee of $10 per person is not included unless you select an option that includes it. Also, the wording about drinks deserves attention. Water and some soda are included, but one review says canned soda and chips cost an extra $2. You should ask what is covered before buying anything on board.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not a tiny boat outing, but it is still more manageable than a large ferry-style day trip. If you want quiet swimming, a personal guide, or long unhurried time at each reef, this is not the right format. If you want an affordable day with a clear plan, it makes sense.

Starting from Hurghada at 8:30 a.m.

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation and transport to the boat departure point. The advertised start time is 8:30 a.m., and several comments praise the pickup for being on time and well organized.

That matters in Hurghada. Hotel areas spread along the coast, and a delayed transfer can eat into your island time before the boat even leaves. A dependable pickup gives the trip a better start, though you should still confirm your pickup details when booking.

The transfer exclusions are important:

• Pickup is offered from Hurghada hotels.
• Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh are not included.
• Transfers from El Gouna and Safaga are not included.

If you stay outside Hurghada, check the cost and meeting arrangement before paying. The tour has a mobile ticket, and confirmation is sent at booking, so keep the booking details easy to reach.

Once on the boat, the trip becomes less about getting somewhere and more about being outside. The crew keeps an eye out for dolphins during the cruise, but dolphin sightings are not guaranteed. Treat that as a pleasant possibility, not a promised part of the day.

Cruising toward Orange Bay and Giftun Island

The boat heads out toward Orange Island and the Giftun Islands, with time to look across the Red Sea and settle into the rhythm of the trip. The strongest praise goes to the crew. Comments describe the staff as friendly, helpful, funny, and keen to make sure everyone enjoys the day.

That warm service can make a big difference on a shared boat. Snorkeling is easier when the crew explains where to go, helps with equipment, and keeps an eye on the group. The package includes a snorkeling guide and life jackets, which is useful for beginners and anyone who feels unsure in open water.

The boat itself has also received good marks for being clean and pleasant. That is a simple detail, but it matters when you are spending several hours onboard. The meal is served during the trip, and multiple comments praise it as better than expected for an excursion buffet.

Do not expect a luxury yacht. The appeal is the combination of scenery, food, swimming, and activities at a low price. You will share the boat with other people, and the pace follows a set group schedule.

Orange Bay: beautiful water, limited time

Orange Bay is the visual highlight. The island has soft white sand and clear water that works well for swimming. You get about two hours there, enough for a swim, a walk along the sand, and some time to sit and enjoy the setting.

I would treat this stop as a beach break, not a private island escape. The bay can be crowded, and one review calls the island beautiful but expensive. The water has a striking color, but food, drinks, or other purchases on the island may cost more than you expect.

Two hours sounds generous until you factor in getting off the boat, finding a place to sit, swimming, taking photos, and returning before departure. One French review felt the time was too short. If your main aim is to spend a long, quiet afternoon on the beach, this schedule may leave you wanting more.

Still, the stop works well for a first visit to the Giftun area. You do not need to arrange a separate island transfer, organize beach equipment, or figure out where to swim. The boat brings you there, gives you a clear window of free time, and collects you again.

The included banana and sofa rides add some light entertainment. These water sports are a good fit for families and groups of friends, though they also make the excursion feel more like a shared activity day than a quiet nature trip.

Two snorkeling stops on the return route

The excursion includes two snorkeling stops, each intended to offer a different look at the Red Sea. Coral reefs and tropical fish are the main attraction, and the strongest comments describe lovely snorkeling with impressive fish and corals.

You receive snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, and help from a guide. That setup is useful if you do not want to pack your own mask and fins. It also gives beginners a clearer way to enter the water and follow the group.

The quality of a reef stop depends on conditions, visibility, and the exact site used that day. One review found both stops uninteresting, while other comments praised the fish and coral. That difference is worth taking seriously. You may see colorful marine life, but no short group trip can promise a perfect reef at every stop.

The two stops take place after the island visit, according to the tour description. If you are eager to snorkel, this order may feel backward. You might spend your best energy swimming at Orange Bay, then find the later stops less appealing. If snorkeling is your priority, conserve your energy and ask the guide about the conditions before entering the water.

You should also remember that sea conditions can change the experience. The trip requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Calm water usually makes swimming and snorkeling more comfortable, but the tour does not promise any particular wildlife sighting.

Lunch, water, and the small extra charges

Lunch is served buffet style on board. A comment specifically praised the meal as far better than expected, which is encouraging for a budget excursion. Water and soda are included, so you should not need to go thirsty during the day.

The phrase buffet drinks needs a little interpretation. Water and soda are listed as included, but a review warns that canned sodas and chips cost $2 extra. Bring a little cash or ask the crew what is included before ordering anything beyond the standard drinks.

The food is not the reason to book this trip, but it improves the value. A boat day without lunch forces you to buy food at island prices or go hungry until the afternoon. Here, you can eat without arranging a separate meal, then continue with the water activities.

The included drinks are also practical in the Egyptian sun. You will spend hours outdoors, so make use of the water provided. The description does not specify every dish or dietary option, so anyone with strict food requirements should confirm those details before booking.

How the $23.81 price measures up

At $23.81 per person, this is one of the more accessible ways to combine an island stop and snorkeling from Hurghada. You are not paying only for a boat ticket. The price includes hotel transport within the stated area, a boat trip, two hours on Orange Island, a buffet meal, water, soda, equipment, a guide, life jackets, and two water sports.

Add the required $10 tax and entrance fee, and the advertised total becomes closer to $33.81 per person if that charge is not already selected. That remains reasonable for a seven-hour outing, but you should compare the final checkout price rather than the starting figure.

The value is strongest if you plan to use everything included. Families and first-time visitors can make good use of the beach, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and banana or sofa rides. The value is weaker if you dislike group activities or mainly want serious snorkeling, since the reef stops may not satisfy an experienced snorkeler.

A private boat would give you more control but would cost more. This shared trip keeps the price down by using a fixed schedule and a group of up to 30 people. For many people staying in Hurghada, that is a fair exchange.

Who should book this day at sea

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want a simple introduction to the Red Sea without planning several separate activities. The pickup, meal, equipment, guide, island stop, and water sports are bundled together.

It suits:

• First-time visitors to Hurghada
• Families wanting swimming and playful water activities
• Couples looking for a low-cost day outdoors
• People who do not own snorkeling equipment
• Anyone who wants a beach stop without arranging a private boat

I would think twice if your priority is solitude. Orange Bay can be crowded, and the group size may reach 30. The island visit is also limited to about two hours, so it does not provide a full lazy beach day.

I would also choose another format if you are an experienced snorkeler who wants long sessions at carefully selected reefs. The two stops may be enjoyable, but the feedback is mixed. This is a broad, easygoing excursion with snorkeling included, not a specialist marine tour.

Practical details before you book

The tour lasts about seven hours and begins at 8:30 a.m. You should allow the whole morning and afternoon for it, since hotel pickup and return are part of the day.

The experience is subject to weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, and the trip is capped at 30 people. The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility statement, so contact Vip Trips before booking if you have mobility, medical, or swimming concerns.

The supplier is Vip Trips. The overall rating is 4.5 from 35 reviews, with especially strong praise for punctual pickup, friendly staff, clean boat, food, and the beauty of Orange Bay. The less positive feedback centers on the limited island time, extra charges, and snorkeling stops that may feel ordinary on some days.

Should you book the Orange Sea Excursion?

Book it if you want good value and a full schedule. For a modest price, you get an island visit, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and fun water rides, all with pickup from a Hurghada hotel.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet beach, or guaranteed outstanding snorkeling. The honest way to view this trip is as a well-priced Red Sea sampler. Orange Bay supplies the scenery, the crew supplies the energy, and the reef stops add a chance to see fish and coral. Just confirm the $10 charge, ask about extra drink costs, and keep your expectations realistic about crowds and timing.

FAQ

How long is the Giftun Island Orange Sea Excursion?

The excursion lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return transport are included for hotels in Hurghada. Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga are not included.

How much time do I get on Orange Island?

The tour includes about two hours on Orange Island.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided?

Yes. The package includes snorkeling gear, life jackets, and a snorkeling guide for two snorkeling stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with water and soda. Canned soda and chips may cost an additional $2.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the excursion is canceled because of poor weather.