Hurghada: Giftun Island Orange Bay Speedboat Cruise & Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the combination of fast open-water cruising and two proper snorkeling stops. You get reef time, island time, and a smaller boat instead of spending the whole day on a large excursion vessel. I especially like the friendly, hands-on guiding reported from crew members such as Mido, Ahmed, Wissam, and Kareem.

I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, shade on the boat, and hotel transfers. Orange Bay is beautiful, but it can feel crowded and commercial, and the speedboat ride can get rough when the wind picks up. If you want a quiet beach with no other visitors, this is not that.

Key points at a glance

• Two reef stops: You get about 20 minutes at each snorkeling site, with guides helping you find fish and coral.
• Small speedboat setting: The private-group format gives the trip a more personal feel than a large boat cruise.
• Orange Bay beach time: Plan for about 1.5 hours on soft sand with clear water and plenty of photo spots.
• Pickup needs care: Confirmation arrives by email or WhatsApp at about 10:00 PM the night before, and the waiting point is your hotel’s main entrance by the road.
• Wind matters: The ride may be bumpy, so bring a towel, spare clothes, and possibly a light rain jacket or poncho.
• Good overall value: At $174 per group of up to two, the price makes the most sense for a couple or private pair who want boat time and snorkeling without a large crowd.

Leaving Hurghada for the open Red Sea

Your day begins with hotel pickup, but do not treat the listed start time as exact. Pickup can shift by about an hour in Hurghada and up to 90 minutes in extended areas such as Safaga, Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay.

The operator sends the final pickup details around 10:00 PM the night before. You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. On the morning itself, wait at the main entrance of the hotel by the road, not inside reception or at a secondary gate.

Look for a white or black bus with the GoShalabi logo. The driver can wait only about five minutes, so this is not the morning to linger over breakfast. Extended pickup from the outlying resort areas costs extra and must be selected when booking. If you have not arranged it in advance, you may need to pay at the harbor, and cancellations are not accepted after 6:00 PM the day before for that service.

At the marina, you meet the English-speaking guide and receive a short safety briefing. The speedboat then heads out toward Giftun Islands National Park. The first reef is usually reached in about 20 minutes, which is much quicker than a slower group boat.

Two snorkeling stops, each with a different feel

The snorkeling is the heart of the excursion. You stop at two sites for around 20 minutes each, giving you a useful amount of time in the water without turning the whole day into a long swim session.

The crew supplies masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets. Guides commonly stay active in the water, pointing out coral and fish and helping less confident swimmers. One especially useful detail from the day-to-day operation is that guides have assisted nervous swimmers with buoyancy aids and personal support. That can make a real difference if you are trying snorkeling for the first time.

Expect colorful fish and coral formations in clear Red Sea water. Some outings have included sightings of turtles, dolphins, flying fish, and moray eels, but these are lucky encounters, not part of the guarantee. Dolphins have been spotted on the way back as well as near the islands.

The 20-minute limit at each site is both a benefit and a drawback. It keeps the schedule moving and gives you two locations, but confident snorkelers may want more time. If you are new to snorkeling, the shorter stops may feel just right. If you already spend hours in the water, the island portion may feel like a long break between swims.

Ask the guide about the conditions before entering. The Red Sea can look calm from shore and feel choppy once you are out in open water. One crew has even offered to change the date when the wind was strong, though you should not assume that option will always be available.

Orange Bay, beautiful but not deserted

After the snorkeling stops, the boat makes the short run to Orange Bay. The final approach takes about five minutes, and you get around 1.5 hours on the island.

Orange Bay has pale sand, shallow clear water, and an easy tropical look. You can swim, sit in the sun, take photos, or simply enjoy time away from the boat. There are plenty of picture-friendly spots, and the water often gives the beach its strongest appeal.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. Orange Bay is a popular stop, not an untouched beach. It can become busy, especially later in the day, and the time passes quickly. An early departure is the best choice if you want a calmer first impression and more room for photos.

Some people will find the island too commercial compared with a remote beach. Others will appreciate the facilities, easy access, and simple hour-and-a-half break. I see it as a scenic beach stop rather than a wilderness experience.

Be aware that food and drinks on the island can be expensive. One example from the trip described an ice cream and waffle purchase costing about £10. The boat provides mineral water, soft drinks, and seasonal fruit, so bring cash only if you plan to buy something extra or pay for optional services.

The speedboat ride is part of the attraction

This is not just a transfer between stops. The speedboat is one of the main reasons to choose this outing.

You get open views, wind, spray, music, and a quick run across the water. The onboard shaded area is useful when the sun becomes intense, and the stereo adds a lively feel. Crews such as Captain Islam, Captain Ahmed, Captain Kareem, and Captain Wissam have been praised for keeping people comfortable and explaining where the boat is heading.

The tradeoff is motion. A fast boat can bounce hard when the sea is rough. Several useful packing tips come directly from the experience: bring a towel, a change of clothes, and a light rain jacket or poncho. Even in warm weather, spray and wind can leave you wet before you reach Orange Bay.

People with back problems should not book this activity. The boat ride can be bumpy, and the water entry and exit require care. Children have enjoyed the outing with attentive crew members, but parents should decide based on their child’s comfort with speed, spray, and snorkeling.

Guides make the small-group format work

The tour is listed as a private group, though the exact number of people can vary by booking. One group of eight described having a personal experience with two guides, while other outings have involved smaller groups.

That scale matters. A guide can spend more time helping one nervous swimmer, adjusting the snorkeling plan, or keeping an eye on children. Mido, Ahmed, Yousif, Hassan, Rashid, and Mahmoud are among the guides specifically praised for patience, humor, and personal attention. Crew names can change, so treat these as examples rather than a promise of who will be assigned to you.

The best guides do more than point toward the reef. They explain what is happening, help you enter the water, keep the group together, and make the boat feel relaxed. Some crews play music and keep the mood lively. Others focus more quietly on safety and fish spotting.

There is also a photographer on some departures. Photos and videos may be offered for an additional fee. You are responsible for your own phone, sunglasses, bags, and other belongings, so keep valuables secured and do not leave them unattended at the marina or on the island.

Food, drinks, and what the price really includes

The advertised price is $174 per group of up to two people. For a couple, that works out to $87 each before any long-distance transfer add-on or optional parasailing. The package includes the speedboat, guide, snorkeling equipment, two reef stops, island entry, water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, life jackets, and hotel pickup and return from the covered Hurghada areas.

That is a solid package if you want a private or small-group boat experience. You are paying for speed, flexibility, and a more personal outing rather than a basic ferry ride to a beach.

There is one point to check carefully before paying: the experience title refers to lunch, but the listed inclusions clearly mention fruit and drinks rather than a full meal. One account described an included lunch, while another advised bringing your own snacks if you have particular food needs. I would confirm the meal arrangement directly and pack a snack either way.

Parasailing is available only if selected as an add-on. One account found the parasailing session very short for the extra cost, around two minutes. I would treat it as an optional thrill, not a reason to choose this tour, and check the price and expected duration before adding it.

Timing, cancellations, and practical planning

The total outing lasts about four to six hours, depending on your pickup area and the day’s timing. The core water program includes roughly 1.5 hours around Giftun Island, two short snorkeling stops, and 1.5 hours at Orange Bay.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. That is useful in Hurghada, where wind can affect comfort on the water. Check the exact departure time when you book, since availability changes by day.

Bring:

• Sun hat
• Towel
• Cash
• Spare clothes
• Light rain jacket or poncho
• Passport copy or the required personal details for pickup confirmation

Pets are not allowed. You should also be comfortable managing your own belongings, since the operator does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged items.

Currency can matter for extras. One useful tip is to carry euros as well as local cash, since some purchases such as photos, drinks, or harbor charges may be quoted in different currencies. Ask the price before agreeing to anything.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada trip most

I would choose this for a couple who wants a half-day Red Sea outing with a private feel and a good mix of activity and downtime. It also suits families with children who are comfortable on a fast boat, provided everyone can manage the motion and water conditions.

First-time snorkelers are well served by the equipment and hands-on guides. The shorter water stops make the activity approachable, and you can spend the rest of the day sitting on the beach or under the boat’s shade.

It is less suitable for anyone with back problems, a strong dislike of speed or choppy water, or a firm wish for a silent and empty beach. Serious snorkelers may also want a longer reef session than this schedule allows.

Should you book the Orange Bay speedboat cruise?

Yes, if you want a lively Red Sea day with two snorkeling stops, a fast boat, and a photogenic beach in one package. The strongest reasons to book are the attentive crew, small-group feel, included equipment, and easy combination of reef time and island relaxation.

Go in knowing that Orange Bay can be busy, the boat can bounce, and a full lunch is not clearly confirmed in the package details. Book an early departure if possible, pack for spray, confirm pickup and food arrangements, and skip the parasailing add-on unless its price and duration suit you.

At $174 for up to two people, this is good value for a private pair who will use the boat, snorkeling, and beach time. It is a practical choice for seeing more of the Red Sea without committing to a full-day cruise.

FAQ

How long does the Orange Bay speedboat trip last?

The experience lasts about four to six hours. The exact duration depends on your pickup area and the day’s schedule.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for the listed Hurghada areas. Long-distance pickup from Makadi Bay, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay costs extra and must be selected as an add-on.

Where should I wait for pickup?

Wait at the main entrance of your hotel by the road, not at the reception entrance or inside the hotel. The vehicle has a GoShalabi logo and can wait only about five minutes.

What is included for snorkeling?

The package includes snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, life jackets, and an English-speaking guide. Each snorkeling stop lasts about 20 minutes.

Is lunch included?

The package details clearly include seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water, but they do not clearly confirm a full lunch. Bring a snack and confirm the meal arrangement before booking if food is important to you.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.