ViP Orange Bay Giftun Island Tour By Boat With Lunch in Hurghada

The Red Sea does the heavy lifting here. This Orange Bay boat trip pairs clear water and coral reefs with two snorkeling stops, beach time, lunch, soft drinks, and simple hotel pickup from Hurghada. I like the mix of active and lazy hours, and I like the price: $18.40 is remarkably low for a seven-hour boat outing with food, equipment, and drinks included.

The main caution is timing. Wind can make the crossing rough, snorkeling stops may be shortened, and some departures have returned more than two hours late. The advertised two snorkeling stops and two hours at Orange Bay are best treated as the plan, not an absolute promise.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay gives you two hours of white sand and clear water, with time for swimming, sunbathing, and photos.
• Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, with stops over coral reefs filled with fish.
• Banana-boat and sofa rides add a short burst of fun, especially for families with children.
• Lunch, water, and unlimited soft drinks are included, though the meal may be served in portions rather than as a true buffet.
• The boat carries up to 35 people, so this is a social group trip rather than a private cruise.
• Weather can change the schedule, including the number of snorkeling stops and time spent at the island.

Leaving Hurghada for the Giftun Islands

The day begins around 8:00 a.m. with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in air-conditioned transport. That is a useful feature in a resort city where the marina may not be close to your accommodation, and it removes the usual question of finding a taxi before breakfast.

From the marina, you board the boat for the trip across the Red Sea. The boat ride is part of the experience, not just transport. You get open views of the water, sunshine, and time to settle into the day before the first activity.

The group size can reach 35 people. That is small enough for the crew to keep the day moving, but large enough that boarding, collecting equipment, and entering the water may feel busy. I would choose this tour for its value and easy format, not for peace and privacy.

The boat used on some departures has been described as clean and modern, and the crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, funny, and helpful. Ahmed is singled out as a lively member of the team. That human touch matters on a water day, particularly when children or nervous swimmers need help with life jackets and snorkeling gear.

A quick turn on the banana boat or sofa

Before or around the first snorkeling stop, the tour includes a water-sports ride on a banana boat or an inflatable sofa. It sounds like a major activity in the description, but the actual ride may be brief, with each person getting roughly a minute according to one account.

That is enough for a laugh and a little speed, but do not book this as a dedicated water-sports excursion. The main point is variety. You get a quick thrill, then return to the calmer business of swimming and snorkeling.

The staff appears to keep the activity light and entertaining. That helps the mood, though the process can feel slightly chaotic when several people are getting ready at once. If you want the ride, listen carefully for instructions and have your life jacket secured before your turn.

First snorkeling stop over Red Sea coral

The first snorkeling area is intended to show you the underwater life around the Giftun Islands National Park. The water is described as clear, with coral formations and many fish. Specific sightings have included a turtle and a lionfish, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

You receive snorkeling equipment and a life jacket. A guide is available in the water, and one particularly positive account praised the snorkeling guide for helping children feel safe. That support makes this a good choice for families and first-time snorkelers, provided everyone is comfortable in open water.

I like that the tour does not assume you need to be an expert. You can enter the water when the guide allows, look around the reef, and return to the boat when the group is called back. The tradeoff is that the stop is shared with the full group, so the water may feel crowded at the start.

The quality of the stop depends heavily on the weather. Wind can make the sea choppy, reduce visibility, and make getting back onto the boat less graceful than getting off it. If the conditions are poor, the crew may shorten the stop or remove one snorkeling site from the schedule.

Lunch on board, with practical expectations

Lunch is served on the boat during the day. The description presents it as a buffet, while one detailed account says guests were served smaller portions instead. I would expect a filling included meal, but I would not book this tour specifically for a large buffet spread.

Food feedback is generally positive. People describe the meal as tasty, hot, and well prepared, with salads, meat, fruit, water, and soft drinks available. The exact menu can vary, so you should think of lunch as convenient fuel between water activities rather than a culinary event.

Unlimited soft drinks are included, along with drinking water. Fruit is also served at some point during the return journey. That is good value on a sunny day, when buying drinks separately on a boat can quickly add to the cost.

The meal also gives you a useful break. After snorkeling, you can sit in the shade or on the boat deck, eat, and watch the Red Sea instead of rushing directly into the next activity.

Two hours at Orange Bay

The main beach stop is Orange Bay on Giftun Island. You are scheduled to spend about two hours there, with time to swim in shallow clear water, sit on white sand, and take photographs.

This is the quietest and most scenic part of the outing. The island gives you a change from the boat and reef stops, and the clear water makes it easy to understand why this excursion is popular. You can treat the stop as a beach break rather than another organized activity.

Bring a cover-up, sandals, sunscreen, and something to protect your phone. The supplied information confirms swimming, sunbathing, and photography, but it does not promise lockers, changing rooms, or other beach facilities. Pack only what you need for the water and keep valuables secure.

The scheduled two hours may not always be delivered in full. One account records about an hour and a half at Orange Bay, while another describes a longer stay under a changed group arrangement. Wind, sea conditions, and the day’s running order can all affect the beach time.

You should also know that Orange Bay is a developed beach stop, not an untouched desert island. Its appeal is the white sand, bright water, and easy access from Hurghada. If you want complete solitude, this group excursion will probably feel too organized.

A second reef stop, when conditions allow

The itinerary includes a second snorkeling stop after the island visit. This gives you another chance to see coral and fish, and it can be worthwhile because reef conditions differ from one site to another.

In practice, the second stop is the part most vulnerable to weather and delays. Some departures have included only one snorkeling site, with the crew citing wind or rough water. That is a reasonable safety decision, but it can be disappointing if you selected the trip mainly for snorkeling.

The schedule can also run late when both snorkeling stops are completed. One departure returned more than two hours behind schedule after a long day at sea. If you have a dinner reservation, airport transfer, or evening show, leave a wide margin.

I would not call this a tightly timed tour. Think of it as a flexible day on the water. That flexibility helps the crew respond to conditions, but it makes the experience less suitable for anyone with a fixed evening commitment.

What the $18.40 price really buys

At $18.40 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive way to reach Orange Bay from Hurghada. The price covers hotel pickup and return, about seven hours on the boat, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, water, soft drinks, the island stop, and the banana-boat or sofa activity.

You must add the national park fee of €5 per person. There are also transfer supplements: €5 from Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay, and €10 from El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga.

Even with the park fee, the package offers strong value. A separate taxi, boat trip, meal, drinks, and snorkeling rental would likely be harder to arrange at this cost. The low price does mean you should accept a shared boat, a fixed group schedule, and a meal that may be more basic than the word buffet suggests.

Group discounts are available, and the maximum group size is 35. If you are traveling with friends or family, the price makes it easy to add a full day on the Red Sea without spending heavily.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want several classic Hurghada activities in one booking. You get a boat ride, reef snorkeling, water sports, an island beach, lunch, drinks, and hotel transport without having to arrange each part yourself.

Families are well served by the format. Children can try the inflatable ride, swim from the boat, and spend time on the beach. The snorkeling guide’s help with younger swimmers is a useful sign, though every child should still be supervised closely.

It also suits couples and groups of friends who want an affordable, sociable day. The crew’s humor and friendly approach seem to be a major part of the appeal, and the boat provides plenty of shared activity.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, get seasick, or need an exact return time. Windy conditions have made the crossing uncomfortable for some people, and the trip may run late. If your priority is premium service, quiet sailing, or a private reef site, pay more for a smaller boat.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you are ready for the first water stop. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, and a waterproof phone pouch.

Use the life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer. Even strong swimmers may prefer it when wind or waves make the water rough.

Keep breakfast light if you are prone to seasickness. The information provided does not specify whether seasickness medication is available, so bring anything you normally use.

Do not plan a tight evening schedule. The official duration is about seven hours, but delays have happened when the sea is windy or both snorkeling stops are completed.

Ask the crew about the photo and video service before you pose. Professional photos are taken on some boats, but one person specifically wished they had been able to collect the videos afterward. Confirm the price, delivery method, and what is included before agreeing to be filmed.

The tour accepts mobile tickets, confirms bookings at the time of purchase, and allows service animals. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility guidance for the boat, beach, or water entry, so ask the operator before booking if you have mobility needs.

Cancellation and weather rules

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since wind can also affect the itinerary without canceling the entire day, it is worth asking the crew what has changed if one snorkeling stop is removed.

Should you book the Orange Bay tour?

I would book this tour if you want the best amount of Red Sea activity for a low price. The strongest parts are the beautiful Orange Bay stop, clear reef water, kind crew, included food and drinks, and hotel pickup. The 4.8 rating from 155 ratings and 95 percent recommendation fit that overall picture.

I would book with realistic expectations. This is a group boat trip, lunch may be portioned rather than buffet-style, snorkeling stops can change, and the return may be late. If you can accept those points, Billy Tours offers a practical and cheerful day at sea for very little money.

FAQ

How much does the Orange Bay boat tour cost?

The listed price is $18.40 per person. A €5 national park fee is not included, and some pickup areas require an additional transfer charge.

How long does the experience last?

The boat excursion lasts about seven hours. The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m., but the return can be later than planned in windy conditions or when the full itinerary takes longer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Free transfer to and from Hurghada hotels is included. Extra transfer charges apply from Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga.

How much time is spent at Orange Bay?

The planned stay is two hours at Orange Island in Giftun Islands National Park. Weather and the day’s schedule can reduce or change that time.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and life jackets, along with two planned snorkeling stops when conditions allow.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, water, and soft drinks on the boat are included. The meal is described as a buffet, though it may be served in portions on some departures.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The national park fee is €5 per person and must be paid separately.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel your booking for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.