Hurghada: Yacht Trip 2 islands, Diving & Snorkeling W Lunch

The best part of this $27 Red Sea cruise is the variety packed into one day. You get a white-sand island stop, two chances to see coral and fish, lunch on board, and a little water-sports silliness before returning to Hurghada. It is a practical choice if you want several sea activities without booking them separately.

I like the friendly crew and strong value, especially with equipment, food, drinks, hotel transfers, and national park fees included. I also like that beginners can choose an introductory scuba session, while confident swimmers can stick with snorkeling. The main caution is crowding: the boat and Orange Bay may feel busy, and some paid extras, such as instant coffee and photos, cost more.

Key points at a glance

• Orange Island beach time: You get about 1.5 hours on white sand for swimming, sitting, and taking in the Red Sea.
• Two reef stops: Snorkel with supplied mask, fins, and life vest, and choose the introductory scuba option if booked.
• Lunch and drinks included: A buffet lunch, light breakfast snacks, soft drinks, and hot drinks are provided on board.
• Water sports finish: A banana boat or sofa ride adds a playful, fast-moving end to the day.
• Transfers need attention: Hurghada pickup is included, but outlying resorts may cost extra and pickup times are confirmed after booking.
• A busy outing: The boat may be quite full, and Orange Bay can be crowded during popular periods.

What a full day on the Red Sea looks like

This is a morning-to-late-afternoon boat outing from Hurghada, built for people who want plenty of activity in one booking. You are collected from your hotel or accommodation in Hurghada and taken in air-conditioned transport to the marina.

The precise pickup time comes after booking, so keep your morning free rather than scheduling another early activity. If you stay in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Al-Ahya, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga, check the transfer supplement before paying. The standard complimentary pickup applies to Hurghada.

At the marina, you meet the crew, collect your snorkeling equipment, and board the boat. The supplied gear includes a mask, fins, and life vest. Bring your own towel, since towels are not included, and keep sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and some cash in a small day bag.

The boat ride gives you time to settle in and enjoy the open Red Sea. This is not a quiet private charter, though. One account describes a boat that was already quite full, and music may be loud for some people. If you prefer a calm ride, find your place on deck early and pack earplugs if noise bothers you.

Orange Island gives you 90 minutes on the sand

The first main stop is Orange Island, also called Orange Bay in some descriptions. You have about 1.5 hours here, which is enough for a swim, a rest on the sand, and a few photographs without turning the entire day into a beach visit.

The appeal is simple. You step off the boat into clear water beside a white-sand beach, then choose your own pace. You can sit in the sun, cool off in the shallows, or use the stop as a break before the reef activities begin.

I would keep your expectations sensible. Orange Island is a popular stop, not an untouched beach. At busy times it can feel crowded, and one detailed account found the stop less appealing than the reef time. If you dislike organized beach areas or want long stretches of empty sand, this may be the weakest part of the day.

Still, the stop works well for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can head into the water while someone else stays on the beach. Families can also use the break to relax before the more active portions of the cruise, although children need parental supervision during water activities.

Two reef stops bring the best underwater time

After Orange Island, the boat heads to the first reef location. This is where the trip becomes more than a scenic cruise. With a mask, fins, and life vest, you can look down through clear water at coral formations and the fish that live around them.

The introductory scuba option adds a different way to see the reef. It is available only if you select that option when booking, and the package includes one introductory session plus scuba equipment. If you have never tried scuba before, this can be a useful first taste without committing to a full certification course.

You do not need to choose scuba to enjoy the day. Snorkeling is included for everyone, and it lets you stay near the surface while still seeing the reef ecosystem below. I like this setup because a group does not have to share one skill level. One person can try the introductory session while another stays with a mask and fins.

The second reef stop comes after lunch. It gives you another chance to swim and observe the underwater life, which matters because sea conditions and visibility can change during the day. If your first stop is busy or the water is less clear than expected, the later stop gives you another opportunity.

Follow the crew’s instructions at both sites. The Red Sea may look calm from the boat, but conditions can change, and a life vest is a sensible choice if you are not a strong swimmer. This excursion is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems.

Lunch on board keeps the schedule simple

After the first reef stop, you return to the boat for a buffet lunch. You can eat while looking out over the Red Sea, then rest before the next swim. That arrangement saves time and keeps the day moving instead of sending the group back to shore for a meal.

Light breakfast snacks are also included, along with unlimited drinks on board. The stated drinks include sodas and hot drinks. This is useful in the sun, but bring cash if you want to buy anything beyond what is supplied. A small paper cup of instant coffee was priced at 10 euros in one account, a sharp reminder to check the cost of extras before ordering.

Food quality can never be guaranteed to suit every taste, but the buffet is a meaningful part of the value here. At $27 per person, you are not paying only for the boat ride. You are also covering lunch, drinks, equipment, island access, transfers within Hurghada, and the water activity. That makes the price attractive if you plan to use most of the inclusions.

Banana boat or sofa ride adds a noisy finale

Once you have eaten and had your second reef stop, the outing finishes with a water activity. You can ride a banana boat or a sofa pulled by a speedboat. These are short, playful activities rather than serious sports, and they suit anyone who wants a burst of fun between swims.

The banana boat has been described as less action-packed than expected, so do not book this expecting an extreme thrill ride. It is better viewed as a social extra, especially for families and groups of friends. If you want a peaceful day, you can treat it as optional entertainment rather than the main reason to book.

The water activity also explains why a towel matters. You will already have been swimming and snorkeling, and there is no towel service included. Pack a dry change of clothes if you want the ride back to your hotel to be more comfortable.

The crew earns much of the praise

The staff are one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The crew has been described as friendly, cheerful, professional, and attentive from beginning to end. That matters on a boat with many moving parts: equipment, swimming stops, lunch, beach transfers, and water sports.

The languages offered are English, German, Arabic, French, and Russian. That gives you a fair chance of finding useful help during the day, though the exact crew mix can vary. No individual guide names are provided, so book this for the overall crew service rather than expecting a particular guide.

The weakest service point is outside the boat. One pickup ran 30 minutes late, and the driver’s phone use and driving were described as unsafe. That is a serious concern, even though it appears to relate to one transfer rather than the boat team. If your pickup is delayed, contact the provider instead of assuming the driver is nearby, and keep your morning schedule flexible.

How the $27 price compares with the experience

At $27, this is a low-cost way to combine a yacht outing, island access, reef stops, snorkeling gear, food, drinks, and a water ride. The value is strongest if you want a full schedule and will use the included equipment and activities.

The price is less impressive if your ideal day is a quiet, uncrowded beach visit. Orange Island may be busy, the boat may be full, and music may be louder than you like. You are paying for a shared excursion with many inclusions, not a private yacht and secluded shore.

Watch for add-ons. Photos and videos may be sold during the trip, and the price and follow-up are handled by the photo company or photographer. Coffee and other purchases may also cost extra. Bring cash, but ask the price before accepting anything not clearly included.

The booking terms are fairly flexible. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours before departure qualifies for a full refund. Weather can force a reschedule or cancellation, in which case the trip may be refunded. Exact pickup details arrive after booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a busy, good-value day on the water rather than a private or slow-paced escape. It suits first-time visitors to Hurghada who want to sample snorkeling, try an introductory scuba session, see an island beach, eat lunch, and return to town the same afternoon.

It also works for mixed groups. Swimmers, beach sitters, first-time scuba participants, and people who simply want the boat scenery can all find something to do. Children can join, but adults should supervise them closely during swimming and water sports.

You may want a different option if you are pregnant, have back or heart problems, or strongly dislike crowded boats. You should also think twice if you want guaranteed quiet, a long stretch of empty beach, or a carefully paced small-group experience.

For the best day, wear swim clothes from the start, protect yourself from the sun, bring a towel and cash, and board ready for a shared outing. Keep valuables limited, since the day involves repeated movement between boat, beach, and water.

Should you book the Orange and Giftun Islands trip?

Book it if your priority is variety and value. For $27, you get a full Red Sea day with two reef stops, Orange Island, lunch, drinks, gear, transfers in Hurghada, and a banana boat or sofa ride. The crew service appears to be the most reliable highlight.

Skip it if you want solitude or a polished private charter. The boat may be full, Orange Island can be crowded, music may be loud, and the shore transfer may not be perfectly punctual. For most active visitors on a budget, though, the low price makes the compromises reasonable. Choose the introductory scuba option if you want to try it, and treat snorkeling as the dependable main attraction.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included from Hurghada?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off, along with air-conditioned transport, are included for accommodations in Hurghada. Extra fees may apply from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Al-Ahya, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga.

What islands does the boat visit?

The trip includes Orange Island and Giftun Island. The scheduled beach stop at Orange Island lasts about 1.5 hours.

Is scuba equipment included?

One introductory scuba session and scuba equipment are included if you select the scuba option when booking. Snorkeling equipment, including a mask, fins, and life vest, is provided.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes light breakfast snacks, a buffet lunch on board, unlimited drinks, soft drinks, and hot drinks.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a towel, and cash. Towels are not included, and cash may be useful for optional purchases, photos, or videos.

Can the trip be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The trip depends on weather conditions and may be rescheduled or refunded if it is cancelled. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.