Hurghada: Elegance Yacht Cruise To Orange & Magawish island

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is the variety. You get Orange Bay and Magawish Island in one day, with time for swimming, two planned snorkeling stops, lunch at sea, and the chance to spot dolphins. I like the early visit to Orange Bay, before the beach becomes crowded, and I like that the price includes food, drinks, equipment, and transfers rather than leaving you to add up costs on board.

The main thing to consider is the transport. Hotel pickup is included from Hurghada, but a long drive from Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga costs extra. Pickup timing also needs care, since the boat operator can wait only five minutes.

Key points at a glance

• Orange Bay before the crowds: Spend about an hour on a calm island beach with clear Red Sea water and a Caribbean-like feel.
• Two island stops in one day: Swim and relax at Orange Bay, then continue to Magawish Island after lunch.
• Snorkeling is central to the day: Two stops and equipment are included, with a guide to help you get started.
• A full seafood lunch is included: Expect shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, tuna salad, green salad, seasonal fruit, and drinks.
• Parasailing is optional: Choose a five-minute flight for a brief aerial view of the Red Sea.
• Friendly, attentive guiding: Abdull and Sayed are among the guides named in the feedback, with clear explanations and a relaxed manner.

What the $53 price really covers

At $53 per person, this is priced as a full-day Red Sea outing rather than a simple boat transfer. Your fare covers hotel pickup and return within Hurghada, the cruise, entry to both islands, a snorkeling guide, equipment, lunch, fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and milk.

That list matters because marine trips often advertise a low starting price and then charge separately for island entry, equipment, lunch, and drinks. Here, most of the costly parts are already bundled. If you would otherwise pay for a meal, a boat ride, and a separate water activity, the package offers solid value.

The value is strongest for people who want an easy, organized day. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the harbor, find snorkeling gear, or search for lunch on an island. The tradeoff is that a shared trip follows the operator’s schedule, and the day includes other people unless you choose the private option.

The optional parasailing needs a careful look at the booking choice. The supplied details say five minutes of parasailing is included if that option is selected. If you want it, check that it is part of your chosen package rather than assuming it comes with the basic fare.

Leaving Hurghada for Orange Bay

The day starts with a hotel pickup and a transfer to the harbor. You should have your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and some cash ready before the vehicle arrives. The pickup details are sent by email at 10 p.m. the night before, so check your inbox and confirm the meeting point.

The five-minute waiting limit is important. If you are staying in a large resort, be at the stated pickup point early. Also send the requested passport photo copy, nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. These details help the operator match you with the correct transfer.

At the harbor, you receive a briefing before boarding. The activity is offered in English, and a professional guide accompanies the cruise. If you prefer a quieter, more flexible day, choose the private format when available. One private booking included a captain, guide, and cook for two people, with the passengers able to request changes to the route.

The shared option should suit you if price and convenience matter most. The private option makes more sense for couples, families, or small groups who want control over timing and stops. It will cost more, but the added space and flexibility can be useful, especially if you are traveling from a distant resort area.

Orange Bay for one quiet hour

Orange Bay is the first main stop, with roughly an hour to enjoy the island. The timing is one of the clever details of the plan: arriving before the crowds gives you a better chance to appreciate the beach without a wall of people around you.

Expect a simple island break built around swimming, photographs, and relaxing near the water. The setting is described as similar to the Caribbean, with pale sand and clear water. You are not coming here for a museum, a village, or a long cultural visit. The appeal is the sea itself and a change from Hurghada’s hotel strip.

Bring cash if you want to buy anything extra, and keep your sunscreen handy. The included drinks and water help, but you should still protect yourself from the strong sun. A towel is not listed among the inclusions, so bring your own.

The one-hour stop gives the day a good rhythm. You get enough time to swim and enjoy the beach, but not so much that the trip becomes only an island-lounging outing. If you want a full morning on one island, this is not that kind of excursion. The point is to combine two locations with snorkeling and lunch.

Snorkeling over Red Sea coral

After Orange Bay, the boat heads to a snorkeling site for about 40 minutes. The plan includes two snorkeling stops, equipment, and a snorkeling guide. That makes this more than a scenic cruise. You are given a real chance to see coral and colorful fish in the Red Sea.

Your guide should explain the basics and help organize the water activity. Abdull and Sayed are specifically named among the guides associated with the trip, and the strongest praise centers on clear explanations, good humor, and attention to passenger comfort. That is useful if you are not a confident swimmer or have not snorkeled recently.

The water conditions can affect how much you see, so keep expectations sensible. The trip offers access to coral reefs and fish, not a guarantee of dolphins or perfect visibility. Dolphins are possible, and some people have seen them, but they are wild animals and not a scheduled part of the route.

The information lists two snorkeling stops. A private booking described three snorkeling outings, which suggests that the private format may allow more flexibility. Do not assume the standard group trip includes three. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask which version of the route applies to your departure.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but you should still bring your own mask if you have one that fits well. That is practical advice for any water activity, not a criticism of this tour. A comfortable mask can make the difference between enjoying the coral and spending the stop adjusting your gear.

Seafood lunch with plenty to eat

After the first snorkeling stop, lunch is served on board. The meal includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad, and seasonal fruit. Unlimited mineral water and soft drinks are included, along with tea, coffee, and milk.

This is one of the strongest parts of the value. You are not left hungry after swimming, and you do not need to carry a packed meal. One private booking described the food as generous enough for four people, even though only two were eating. Another especially positive account praised the taste and said it compared favorably with the food at the person’s hotel.

Naturally, food quality can vary with the day and the cooking onboard. Still, the menu is more substantial than a token sandwich or small snack. The presence of a cook on private trips also gives the meal a more personal feel.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not promise special menus. Ask before booking rather than relying on the standard seafood spread. The listed dishes contain several seafood items, so this is not the right lunch plan if you need a strictly seafood-free meal.

Magawish Island after lunch

After eating, the cruise continues to Magawish Island. You have about an hour there for swimming and snorkeling in the open water. This second island stop gives you a different setting from Orange Bay and prevents the outing from feeling like a single beach visit with a boat ride attached.

The practical benefit is choice. You can swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy the view from the island. If you used much of your energy at the first stop, Magawish can be a slower break. If you want more time in the water, this is another chance to use the included equipment.

The two island stops also spread the day out nicely. Orange Bay comes first, then snorkeling and lunch, followed by Magawish. You are not rushing from one activity to another every few minutes. At the same time, the schedule is active enough to suit people who would find a full day of sitting on a boat dull.

Remember that the islands are natural beach and water stops, not fully developed sightseeing destinations with a long list of attractions. You book this trip for the Red Sea, not for monuments or local town life.

Five minutes above the Red Sea

Parasailing is available as an optional extra in the selected package. The flight lasts five minutes, which is brief but enough for a quick aerial view of the water and islands.

I would treat this as a fun add-on rather than the main reason to book. Five minutes is not a long flight, but it fits neatly into a day already filled with swimming and snorkeling. It may appeal to you if you want one burst of excitement without giving up much time in the water.

Ask about the exact package during checkout. The inclusion list says parasailing is covered if the option is selected, while the general trip description calls it an added option. That distinction is easy to miss and worth checking before payment.

Shared cruise or private boat?

The group trip is likely the better buy for solo passengers and couples who want the lowest price. It includes the major costs and gives you a structured day with a guide, food, and equipment.

A private trip is more compelling for small groups. A private booking described having the boat for about seven hours, with the captain, guide, and cook responding to requests. That arrangement can make a difference if you want more control over snorkeling time or a later return.

There is also a transport issue. One private booking from Makadi Bay took about 35 minutes going to the harbor, while the return by shared bus took around 75 minutes. The slower return came from dropping off other passengers, not from the boat itself. If you are staying outside Hurghada, paying for a private pickup may save time and frustration.

A private booking can also be worthwhile in late March, when the earlier sunset matters. One account enjoyed watching the sun go down from the sea after a 10 a.m. pickup. That timing may not apply to every departure, so ask about the schedule if a sunset return is important to you.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad sample of Hurghada’s Red Sea attractions in one outing. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, seafood, island scenery, and a little optional adventure.

It also works well for first-time visitors who do not want to arrange several separate activities. The guide, transfers, equipment, meals, and island fees are handled together.

Families and couples should consider the private option if they value personal space. A group of friends may also find the flexible route worthwhile. The shared trip is more suitable if you are comfortable following a set schedule and want to keep the price near $53.

This is not a good fit for someone with significant mobility limitations. The tour involves hotel transfer, harbor boarding, movement around a boat, island access, and water activities. Pets are not allowed.

Booking details worth getting right

The activity offers reserve now and pay later, which can help if you are still arranging your Hurghada schedule. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

For pickup, read the late-night email carefully. Send your correct nationality, passport photo copy, hotel address, and room number as requested. If your accommodation is in Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga, select the long-range pickup add-on during checkout.

Keep cash with you even though the core services are included. You may want it for personal purchases or extras. Bring swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and any preferred snorkeling mask, while remembering that the standard equipment is supplied.

Should you book the Orange Bay and Magawish cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled Red Sea day with two island visits, coral snorkeling, a substantial seafood lunch, and simple hotel-to-harbor logistics. At $53, the inclusion of food, water, soft drinks, gear, guides, island entry, and Hurghada transfers makes the price attractive.

Choose the private version if you care about space, route control, or avoiding a long shared return from a resort outside town. Skip it if you want a quiet cultural tour, dislike boat-based activities, or need an accessible excursion with little physical movement.

For most active visitors staying in Hurghada, this is a practical way to see more than one island without turning the day into a complicated series of bookings. Just confirm the pickup point, check the parasailing option, and arrive early. The boat will not wait long.

FAQ

What is included in the Orange Bay and Magawish cruise?

The trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, the boat cruise, entry to Orange Bay and Magawish Island, a snorkeling guide, two snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, a professional guide, seafood lunch, seasonal fruit, unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee, milk, and mineral water. Parasailing is included only if that option is selected.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The standard information lists two snorkeling stops. A private booking may have a different arrangement, so ask the provider if you want additional time in the water.

Is parasailing included?

Parasailing is an optional five-minute activity. It is included only when you select the package with parasailing.

What food is served for lunch?

The seafood lunch includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, and tuna salad. Seasonal fruit is also included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Hurghada. Long-range pickup from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, and Safaga is available as a paid add-on during checkout.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You may also prefer to bring your own snorkeling mask if you have one that fits you well.

When will I receive the pickup details?

The pickup details are sent by email at 10 p.m. the night before the trip. Check the message carefully and arrive at the meeting point on time.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.