Hurghada: Giftun Island with breakfast, lunch & Water Sports

Orange Bay is the star of this Red Sea day out: white sand, clear water, and a boat ride that breaks up the beach time with two snorkeling stops. I like the low $26 price, especially since lunch, drinks, equipment, and hotel transport are included. I also like the friendly safety team, with guides such as Hisham helping swimmers and non-swimmers alike.

The main catch is simple: Orange Bay can feel crowded, and its water is better for swimming and photos than reef snorkeling. The strongest coral and fish are found at the two boat-based stops, while pickup can be less exact than the rest of the day.

Key points at a glance

• Two separate snorkeling stops: You get time at reef sites before reaching the island, with masks, fins, and life jackets supplied.
• Orange Bay beach stop: Expect white sand, turquoise water, swimming, sunbathing, and roughly an hour and a half on the island.
• Banana boat or sofa ride included: A short, lively water ride adds fun without an extra charge.
• Food and drinks are covered: A light breakfast, buffet lunch, seasonal fruit, mineral water, tea, instant coffee, cola, and Fanta are included.
• Support for non-swimmers: Each boat has two to four professional guides, plus special help for anyone who is not comfortable in the water.
• Excellent value with a few transport wrinkles: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Hurghada, but outlying resorts require an added pickup option.

The day begins with a Hurghada pickup

Your day starts early, with pickup generally scheduled between 7:00 and 8:45 AM. The exact time depends on your hotel, so give accurate accommodation details when booking and keep your phone available that morning.

The included transport is air-conditioned, which matters in Hurghada’s heat. The standard meeting point is Public Beach Number 9, and the trip ends there unless your selected transfer takes you back to your hotel.

This is one part of the outing that needs a little patience. Most of the transport runs smoothly, but pickup timing has not been perfect for every booking. One passenger faced a delay of more than an hour and was dropped at the wrong hotel, while others had punctual collection and a trouble-free return. I would allow extra time in the morning and confirm the pickup point rather than assuming everything will happen to the minute.

Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga is not part of the basic Hurghada arrangement. You need to select and pay for that service at checkout. A private transfer is also available as an option.

Once you reach the boat, the day becomes more organized. Two to four guides work on each boat, and the crew explains the schedule, water safety, and what to expect at each stop. The guide team speaks English, German, Arabic, and French.

A boat ride with snacks and open Red Sea views

The boat trip is not just a transfer between stops. It gives you open views of the Red Sea and a chance to settle into the day before the water activities begin.

A light breakfast of snacks is included, useful when pickup comes early. Drinks are available during the trip, including mineral water, tea, instant coffee, cola, and Fanta. Seasonal fruit is also included, which is a welcome break from salty snacks and sun.

Bring cash for personal expenses, but do not confuse that with the cost of the basic program. The major items are already covered: transport, boat travel, island entry, snorkeling equipment, lunch, soft drinks, and the two water rides. Towels are not provided, so pack your own.

The boat may be shared with a sizeable group, and the pace is set by the full schedule rather than by each individual family. That is normal for a low-cost group excursion. If you want privacy, a private transfer is available, but the standard trip is designed around a shared boat day.

Two snorkeling stops before Orange Bay

The best water time comes at the two snorkeling locations. You receive a mask, fins, and life jacket, and a snorkeling instructor is available to explain the basics and help you enter the water.

The first stop may be in more open water. It can offer attractive coral and plenty of fish, but waves may be higher there. If you are a nervous swimmer, stay close to the guide and use the life jacket. The crew gives safety priority when people enter and leave the water, which is especially useful when the sea is moving.

The second stop is generally calmer and located near Giftun Island. Here you can expect another chance to see coral and fish without having to swim far from the boat. Conditions depend on the day, so no reef stop can promise the same visibility or marine life every time.

I would treat these stops as the main reason to book the boat trip. Orange Bay itself has clear water and a beautiful shoreline, but there is no coral area right beside the beach for snorkeling. If your main goal is underwater scenery, the two reef stops offer more value than the island stay.

Non-swimmers are not left to manage alone. A special guide is assigned to help them, and the regular crew provides support as needed. You should still be honest about your swimming ability before entering the water. A life jacket makes the activity easier, but it does not replace listening to the crew.

The snorkeling time also requires some respect for the reef. Do not stand on coral, grab marine life, or kick hard near the seabed. The guides give reminders about protecting the reef, and following them helps keep the area in good shape.

Banana boat and sofa ride for a quick thrill

The included banana boat and sofa boat rides add a playful break from snorkeling. You ride behind a boat while holding on with the group, so this is a social activity rather than a quiet swim.

The rides are suitable for families and groups who want a little speed and laughter without booking a separate water-sports package. One useful detail is that the activity is included in the listed price, not sold as an extra once you are on the boat.

Do not expect a long private session. The schedule has several parts, and the group shares the equipment. One account described getting a single banana boat ride, which is a fair reminder to view it as a short bonus rather than the center of the day.

Parasailing is not part of the standard package. You can add it only if you select that option when booking. Personal photography is also excluded, and any photos or videos bought during the day are handled directly with the photographer or photo company.

Orange Bay: beautiful water, busy beach

The island stop gives you time to slow down. Orange Bay has white sand and striking shades of clear blue water, making it the most photogenic part of the trip. You can swim, sit on the beach, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the break from the boat.

The island entry fee is included, so you do not need to pay another admission charge on arrival. You have about an hour and a half at the island, enough for a swim and some photos without turning the stop into a full beach day.

The tradeoff is crowds. Orange Bay is popular, and many boats may be using the same beach. The water near shore is pleasant for swimming, but you should not expect a quiet, untouched beach or a coral garden directly off the sand.

That distinction matters when comparing excursions. If you want calm beach time and attractive photos, Orange Bay earns its place. If you want reef life, the boat stops are more rewarding. One sensible change would be replacing the island stop with a quieter beach that also has coral close to shore, but this trip is built around the familiar Orange Bay experience.

Lunch, fruit, and drinks on a full-day schedule

The buffet lunch is included and is served on the island or boat, depending on the day’s setup. Food includes a selection of buffet dishes, with seasonal fruit available as well.

The meal is more than a minor convenience. A full day in the sun, with swimming and boat activity, makes regular food and water important. You do not need to return to Hurghada to find lunch, and soft drinks are available throughout the outing.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, tell the operator in advance so a suitable meal can be arranged. Do not wait until you are already on the boat.

The food has received especially strong praise, with several people finding it better than expected for an excursion meal. Still, this is a group buffet, not a restaurant tasting menu. Come for a practical, filling lunch that keeps the day moving.

Safety, guides, and the feel of the crew

The strongest part of the operation is the staff. Guides are described as friendly, involved, and quick to help, while safety remains a clear priority when people climb aboard, enter the water, or return to the boat.

Hisham is singled out as a particularly helpful guide. He explains the schedule, keeps people informed, and remains available throughout the day. Other crew members are described as funny and welcoming without making people feel pressured to buy extras or join every activity.

That last point matters in Egypt, where some excursions can feel pushy around photos and add-on sales. Photography is available for purchase, but you are not required to buy it. If you do purchase images or video, follow up directly with the photographer or photo company afterward.

The guide setup works well for mixed groups. Families can stay together, couples can take beach time at their own pace, and non-swimmers can receive extra help. You should still expect a shared schedule, announcements, and some waiting while the full group takes part.

What the $26 price really covers

At $26 per person, this is a strong-value day if you plan to use the included features. The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, air-conditioned transport, the ferry boat, Orange Bay entry, two snorkeling stops, equipment, guides, breakfast snacks, buffet lunch, fruit, soft drinks, and banana boat or sofa rides.

Buying those pieces separately would usually cost more, and you would spend time arranging transport and equipment. The package also reduces small decisions during the day, since food, basic drinks, and water gear are already handled.

The value is weaker if you only want a quiet island visit. Orange Bay itself is not isolated, and the beach stop is relatively short. It makes most sense as part of the whole package: reef snorkeling, water sports, lunch, and beach time in one outing.

Pay attention to extras. Towels, personal expenses, photography, pickup from several resort areas, and parasailing are not included in the basic price. Ask about your pickup area before booking so a low headline price does not become a surprise at checkout.

Who should book this Orange Bay trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, first-time visitors to Hurghada, and groups looking for a simple full-day Red Sea outing. The guides, life jackets, and special assistance for non-swimmers make it approachable for mixed abilities.

It also suits anyone who wants more than a beach transfer. You get two reef stops, a boat ride, a buffet lunch, a short water-sports session, and free time on the island.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet beach with few people or serious reef photography. Orange Bay can be crowded, and the open-water snorkeling stop may have waves. A dedicated reef excursion or smaller boat could suit you better, though it would likely cost more.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, towel, camera, and cash. Check the weather forecast, since rough conditions can change or cancel the trip. The operator says it will notify you about changes caused by weather.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a lot included for $26 and like a social day with several activities. The snorkeling stops, helpful guides, lunch, drinks, and included water rides give the package real value.

Book with realistic expectations about Orange Bay. It is a pretty, popular beach stop, not a quiet reef sanctuary. Confirm your pickup details, bring a towel, tell the operator about food allergies, and focus your snorkeling hopes on the two boat stops. With those points in mind, FTS Travels offers a well-priced and well-supported day on the Red Sea.

FAQ

Where does the trip start and end?

The standard meeting point is Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada. The activity ends back at the meeting point, while hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada are included.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup usually takes place between 7:00 AM and 8:45 AM, depending on your hotel location. You need to provide accurate hotel details when booking.

Are snorkeling equipment and instruction included?

Yes. The trip includes a mask, fins, life jacket, two snorkeling stops, and a snorkeling instructor. Two to four professional guides work on each boat, with extra help available for non-swimmers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, seasonal fruit, and drinks are included. Drinks include mineral water, tea, instant coffee, cola, and Fanta. Tell the operator about allergies or dietary restrictions in advance.

Is the banana boat ride included?

Yes. Banana boat and sofa boat rides are included in the standard activity. Parasailing is available only if you select that option separately.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, a camera, and cash. Towels are not included, and personal expenses and photography are extra.