Hurghada: Royal Luxury VIP Cruise to Orange Bay with Lunch

The best part of this full-day cruise is the variety. You move from powdery sand at Orange Bay to coral reefs, a generous boat lunch, a massage, and a final banana boat ride without having to arrange separate outings. It is a long day, but the program keeps changing.

I like the two guided snorkeling stops and the steady care from the crew, especially for beginners and non-swimmers. I also like the value: at $53, you get hotel transfers, food, drinks, equipment, marine fees, and several activities. The main drawback is time. Orange Bay gets about 75 minutes, while the whole trip can run from early morning to early evening.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay comes early: Arriving near opening time can mean quieter sand and clearer space for photos.
• Two reef stops are included: Small Giftun and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī each receive about 45 minutes.
• The food and drinks are covered: Expect fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, vegetables, salads, fruit, juices, hot drinks, soft drinks, and snacks.
• The crew works well with beginners: Guides help with masks, life vests, snorkeling, and water activities.
• The boat day is long: Allow 510 minutes, plus the pickup and return drive.
• Scuba is not part of the listed price: It may be offered onboard for an extra fee, so ask before agreeing.

A full Red Sea day for $53

At $53 per person, this is priced as an all-day package rather than a simple boat ride. Your hotel transfer, guide, marine fee, lunch, drinks, equipment, massage, Orange Bay visit, two snorkeling stops, and banana boat ride are included.

That matters in Hurghada, where a low headline price can grow once you add transport, food, gear, and drinks. Here, you can leave your wallet in your bag for most of the day. You still need cash for anything not listed, such as optional extras or purchases on Orange Bay.

The tour runs for 510 minutes, or eight and a half hours. With the stated 30-minute van ride each way, you should expect a substantial part of the day to be taken up by transport and harbor movements. One departure involved pickup at 6:40 a.m. and a return around 6 p.m., so do not treat this as a short morning outing.

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna. You receive the meeting details one day before the activity and should wait outside your hotel reception five minutes before the agreed time.

Reaching Orange Bay before the crowds

After the van ride, you board the yacht and spend about 45 minutes cruising toward Orange Bay. The boat ride gives you time to settle in, take in the Red Sea, and enjoy the first drinks or hot beverage of the day.

Orange Bay receives about 75 minutes. Its appeal is simple: pale sand, clear shallow water, and an easy setting for photographs and a swim. It has a Caribbean-style look, but this is still a popular stop, not an isolated desert island.

Timing can make a real difference. Arriving early may give you a quieter beach and more room to enjoy the sand. Later in the day, the island can feel busier. If Orange Bay is your main reason for booking, the limited stop may feel short. One hour and fifteen minutes is enough for a look, a swim, and photographs, but not a slow beach day.

You can also buy food or drinks on the island, but these are not part of the included package. Bring cash if you want to spend beyond what is provided on the yacht.

Small Giftun and the first coral reef

The first water stop is at Small Giftun, with about 45 minutes for snorkeling. The Red Sea is the star here. You can expect clear water, coral formations, and colorful fish, with the guide pointing out what you are seeing rather than leaving you to float alone.

The crew supplies snorkeling equipment and life vests. That is useful if you are new to the activity or do not want to pack your own mask and fins. Several people who had never snorkeled, or who were uneasy in open water, found the staff reassuring and helpful.

You do not need to be a strong swimmer to take part, but you should be comfortable following safety instructions in the water. Tell the crew early if you cannot swim or feel nervous. The staff can provide support, but this remains a sea activity, not a pool lesson.

Marine life can include many fish species, and the program notes the possibility of rays, sea turtles, sea angels, and dolphins. These sightings are never guaranteed. Think of them as possible rewards, not promises. Coral conditions and visibility can change with weather, season, and sea conditions.

Lunch, a massage, and the easy middle of the day

After the first snorkeling stop, lunch is served on the boat for about 45 minutes. The open buffet includes fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four kinds of salad, bread, and local fruit. Fresh juices, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are available throughout the day under the all-inclusive arrangement.

The food is one of the stronger parts of the package. The range gives you a choice between meat, fish, vegetables, rice, pasta, and salads, rather than forcing everyone into one simple dish. You can go back for more, which is welcome after a morning in the sun and water.

Expect boat-trip food, not a restaurant meal. Most of the feedback is strongly positive, though one account noted that some dishes were not as crisp as freshly cooked food. If you have allergies, tell the crew in advance and repeat the request when you board. The staff have been described as accommodating, but the supplied information does not promise a dedicated allergy menu.

The included massage is a pleasant change of pace. It is not the reason I would book the cruise, but it adds a small luxury touch between active stops. You can sit back, dry off, and enjoy the calm water instead of rushing from one activity to the next.

Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī and the second snorkeling stop

The second 45-minute snorkeling stop takes place near Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī. Having two separate reef stops is more useful than spending the whole day at one site. The scenery underwater can vary, and if the first stop has poor visibility, the second gives you another chance.

Guides on the boat include people named Ibrahim, Andrew, Fox, Jaser, and Salam in the supplied tour information and past guest accounts. Ibrahim is especially associated with guiding people toward unusual fish and explaining what they are seeing. Crew names and assignments can change, but the practical point is clear: you are not simply handed equipment and sent into the water.

The snorkeling sessions are also a good reason to book this instead of a basic island transfer. You get a closer look at the Red Sea’s coral and fish, with equipment and supervision included. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on the yacht and sunbathe, though bring a towel and protect yourself from the sun.

The boat is described as clean and spacious, with room to move between the seating, dining area, and open sections. Some feedback calls for a little maintenance, so the word luxury should be understood as a comfortable yacht-style day out, not a private superyacht charter.

Banana boats at Magawish Island

The final activity is a banana boat ride near Magawish Island, scheduled for about 45 minutes. This gives the day a livelier finish after the quieter snorkeling and massage.

The exact amount of riding time within that block can vary because groups share the activity. One account described the rides as shorter than expected, so do not book this cruise solely for a long water-sports session. It is best viewed as a fun extra included in a broader day.

You can also choose not to take part. The boat offers enough variety for people in the same group to make different choices. One person can ride the banana boat while another relaxes, takes photographs, or enjoys a drink.

The crew and the small-group feel

Crew service is the most consistent strength of this excursion. The staff are described as friendly, attentive, and especially good with children, solo visitors, first-time snorkelers, and people who cannot swim. They help with safety, equipment, and getting comfortable in the water.

That support makes a real difference. Many people hesitate before trying snorkeling because the sea feels unfamiliar. A patient guide who checks your mask, points out fish, and stays nearby can turn that hesitation into the best part of the day.

The tour is marketed as a small-group experience, though the exact number of people is not provided. One useful detail is that the boat was not overly crowded on some departures. Still, you should not expect a private boat. You are sharing the yacht, buffet, water activities, and snorkeling sites with other passengers.

The languages offered are Arabic, English, German, and Russian. Communication is generally built into the experience, but the level of explanation may depend on which guide is leading your departure.

What to pack, and what can make the day easier

Bring sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A light jacket or hoodie is also sensible for the early morning boat ride, especially in cooler months. Once the sun is high, the sea breeze can feel welcome, but the first cruise may be chilly.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and use sun protection often. You will spend a lot of time outdoors, even when you are not in the water. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch if you want photographs from the boat or reef stops.

If you are interested in scuba, ask about the cost and details before you book or before you agree onboard. Scuba is not included in the advertised $53 price, although it may be offered as an optional extra. The included activities are snorkeling, the island stop, massage, and banana boat ride.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The boat, van, island, and water activities require transfers and movement on uneven or wet surfaces. If mobility is a concern, ask the provider directly before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Who should book this Red Sea cruise?

I would choose this for a first visit to Hurghada when you want one organized day that covers several classic Red Sea activities. It works particularly well for families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants support while trying snorkeling for the first time.

It is also a good fit if you value convenience. Hotel pickup, food, drinks, gear, and a guide are already arranged. You do not need to compare separate reef boats, island transfers, and water-sports operators.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet private charter, a long stay on Orange Bay, or serious scuba instruction. The schedule is active and structured, and Orange Bay is only one part of the day. The boat may feel busy when everyone is eating or preparing for the water.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want strong value and plenty of variety for $53. The best reasons are the two reef stops, attentive water-sports crew, generous food and drink package, and the chance to see Orange Bay without arranging transport yourself.

Go in knowing that it is a long day with a fixed schedule. Orange Bay is a short visit, wildlife sightings are never certain, and optional scuba or photographs may cost extra. For most people seeking an easy, full Red Sea day with both relaxation and activity, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the Royal Luxury VIP Cruise last?

The activity lasts 510 minutes, or eight and a half hours. The van transfer is listed as about 30 minutes each way, depending on the pickup location.

Where does hotel pickup operate?

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The open buffet includes fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four salads, and bread. Local fruit, fresh juices, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are also included.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. They are scheduled at Small Giftun diving site and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī, with about 45 minutes at each location.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included.

Is scuba included in the $53 price?

No. Scuba is not listed among the included services. It may be offered as an optional extra onboard, so ask about the price before agreeing.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in Arabic, English, German, and Russian.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A light hoodie or jacket can also be useful for the early boat ride.