Hurghada: Orange & Giftun Island Cruise with Massage & Lunch

The best part of this full-day Red Sea cruise is the mix of slow and active moments. You can spend time on Orange Bay’s beach, swim in clear water, snorkel over coral, eat a proper lunch, and finish with a massage instead of rushing from one stop to the next.

I like the spacious yacht, which gives you room to sit and move around, and I like the attentive crew support in the water. The lunch includes salads, fish, and BBQ dishes, while snacks, soft drinks, and hot drinks keep the day moving. The main drawback is the long schedule: at 510 minutes, this is a full commitment, and the noon sun can feel strong if you forget sunscreen, a hat, and water.

Key points at a glance

• Orange Bay early in the day: Spend 75 minutes on the beach or in the clear water around Giftun Island.
• Two separate reef stops: Snorkel for about 45 minutes at Small Giftun and another 45 minutes near Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī.
• A comfortable yacht: The boat has space to sit, eat, relax, and enjoy the sea without feeling packed in.
• Lunch with real variety: Expect salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes rather than a single basic meal.
• Massage and water fun: A soothing massage is paired with a banana boat ride for a pleasant change of pace.
• Useful pickup range: Transfers are available from Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Makadi Bay, Safaga, and El Gouna, but not from Viva Blue Hotel.

A full day on the Red Sea, from beach time to reef time

This trip works because it does not make snorkeling carry the whole day. You get beach time, a yacht ride, food, a massage, and a water activity alongside the reef stops.

Royal Cruise Hurghada sells it as a luxury-style outing, and the details support that claim more than the usual basic boat trip. The yacht is described as clean and spacious, drinks are served throughout the day, and the crew takes an active role in helping people feel safe in the water. Bassem is one crew member specifically praised for his care and good humor, while Andrew is also named as part of the helpful team.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. This is not a private yacht charter. It is a planned group excursion with set stops and a fixed route. The value comes from having many elements bundled together for $53 per person, not from complete privacy or a custom itinerary.

Pickup from five resort areas

The day begins with a van transfer from your hotel area. Pickup zones include Makadi Bay, Safaga, Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna. The listed transfer time is about 45 minutes each way, though your actual ride depends on where you stay and how many pickups are needed.

The provider contacts you one day before the trip with the exact pickup time. Wait outside, in front of your reception, five minutes before that time. This is worth taking seriously in resort areas, where a van may have several hotels to cover.

Viva Blue Hotel is the one stated exception. Pickup is not available there, so check the meeting arrangement before paying. The return follows the same broad list of drop-off areas, including Hurghada, Safaga, Makadi Bay, and El Gouna.

The 45-minute yacht ride to Orange Bay

After the van transfer, you board the yacht for about 45 minutes on the Red Sea. This first stretch gives you time to settle in, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy the open water before the main stops begin.

The boat is central to the experience. You are not simply being carried from one snorkeling point to another. You can sit in the sun, find shade if available, have a soft or hot drink, and watch the coast recede. The crew also serves snacks, which matter because lunch comes later in the day.

One practical point: bring a small breakfast or snack of your own. The included snacks help, but one person noted that lunch arrived around 2 p.m. If you wake early for hotel pickup, you may not want to wait that long for a substantial meal.

Orange Bay gives you a beach break

Orange Bay is the first major stop, with about 75 minutes on the island. You can choose between relaxing on the beach and swimming in the clear water.

This is a useful change after the transfer and first boat ride. If you are not a confident snorkeler, or if you simply want an easier morning, Orange Bay lets you enjoy the sea without spending the whole time looking below the surface. If the water is calm, swimming here may be the most relaxing part of the day.

The timing also matters. Arriving early can make the beach feel calmer, though conditions and other boats vary. Do not expect an untouched private island. Orange Bay is a popular stop, and the appeal is its bright water, beach setting, and easy access rather than solitude.

Keep your towel and sunscreen handy. Towels are not included, and the sun reflects strongly off both the water and the pale beach. A hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a waterproof way to protect your phone or camera are sensible choices.

Two reef stops for fish and coral

After Orange Bay, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes to the Small Giftun reef area. You get approximately 45 minutes to snorkel here, with equipment included.

The Red Sea is the star of the day. The trip description points to more than 500 kinds of fish and 125 kinds of coral across the region. You cannot expect to see every species in one outing, but two separate snorkeling stops give you a better chance of seeing different reef shapes and fish activity than a single brief swim.

The crew support is an important part of this stop. You are guided toward useful areas and helped in the water when needed. That makes the outing more approachable for a first-time snorkeler, although you should still be comfortable following safety directions and entering the sea.

Do not touch the coral, plants, or marine life. This protects the reef and prevents injuries to you and the animals. Even a quick touch can damage delicate coral, so keep your hands off the bottom and watch your fins.

The second snorkeling stop is near Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī, after lunch. It lasts another 45 minutes. Having the stops split around the meal is sensible: you get active time before lunch, a chance to rest and eat, then another look at the underwater world later.

Water clarity, wind, and sea conditions can affect what you see. The trip promises access to coral and marine life, not a guaranteed list of fish. Bring a camera if you have one, but do not let photography distract you from watching where you swim.

Lunch arrives with fish, salads, and BBQ dishes

Lunch is served on the Red Sea for about 45 minutes. The buffet includes salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes, with enough variety for different tastes.

This is one of the stronger value points. A basic snorkeling cruise may include a meal that feels like an afterthought. Here, the range of dishes makes lunch more useful, especially after swimming. The meal has also been described as plentiful, which is welcome given the late timing.

Do not confuse a buffet on a yacht with a five-star hotel restaurant. Choices can depend on the day and the boat’s kitchen setup. Still, fish, grilled food, salads, and vegetables cover the essentials better than a simple sandwich lunch.

You get soft drinks and hot drinks as well. Carry extra water anyway, particularly in the warmer months. The supplied guidance also recommends bringing cash, though no specific onboard charge is stated.

The massage is more than a marketing extra

The massage adds a quiet pause to a busy day. You can enjoy it while the boat is moving across the calm Red Sea, giving tired shoulders and legs a chance to recover after swimming.

This is a modest onboard treatment, not a full spa appointment. The value is in the timing. After a morning transfer, beach stop, and reef swim, even a short soothing massage can make the second half of the trip feel easier.

The massage also helps this tour appeal to couples and people who want more than an active snorkeling outing. One person called it a major bonus, and that makes sense: it is an unusual inclusion at this price point.

If you dislike being touched by a stranger or want a long treatment, this should not be the main reason you book. Think of it as a relaxing extra attached to the cruise.

The banana boat ride adds a loud, playful finish

After the second snorkeling stop, the schedule includes about 45 minutes of banana boat activity on the Red Sea. This brings a different kind of fun to the day, with more speed and group energy than the quiet reef stops.

You do not have to treat the water sports as the central reason for booking. The cruise already offers a good balance without them. But if you like simple, playful rides on the water, this gives the afternoon a lift.

The itinerary lists the banana boat period as 45 minutes, though the exact time spent riding can vary with group arrangements and conditions. Listen to the crew and use the safety equipment provided.

A final 25-minute boat ride brings you back toward shore, followed by the van transfer to your drop-off area. From pickup to return, the day lasts about 510 minutes, so plan for most of your daylight hours to be occupied.

Is $53 good value?

At $53 per person, the price is strong if you want several activities in one booking. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the yacht, Orange Bay, natural reserve entry, snorkeling equipment, two reef stops, lunch, drinks, snacks, massage, the banana boat ride, taxes, and a guide.

Buying each part separately would usually create more decisions and extra costs. Here, the main value is convenience. You pay once and receive transport, food, equipment, and a full day at sea.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short snorkeling session. You would be paying for the long boat day, island time, lunch, massage, and water sports. It also may not suit you if you prefer a private boat or a small custom group.

The 4.9 rating from 69 bookings fits the strongest features: crew kindness, boat comfort, food, and the fact that activities are not rushed. The most useful praise is practical rather than flashy. People found space to sit, received help while snorkeling, had drinks available, and felt the boat was clean and pleasant.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip for couples, first-time snorkelers, families with older children, and anyone who wants an easy all-day Red Sea outing with plenty built in.

It is especially suitable if you like variety. You can spend one hour on the beach, another hour in the water, then eat, rest, receive a massage, and try a water ride. You do not need to plan separate bookings.

You may want a different trip if you dislike long days, group schedules, strong sun, or several hours on a boat. Non-swimmers can still enjoy Orange Bay, lunch, the views, and the massage, but the snorkeling and water activities are major parts of the program.

Languages offered are English, German, Russian, and Arabic. That helps if you want clear instructions before entering the water or need to ask the crew for help.

What to pack for a smoother day

Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, camera, water, and a snack. The provider lists all of these, and each has a practical reason.

Apply sunscreen before boarding and reapply after swimming. Pack cash, since the trip information specifically advises it. A light bag is best, with anything valuable protected from spray and wet hands.

The rules are simple: do not touch marine life or plants. Follow them carefully. The reef is part of what you came to see, so leave it as you found it.

My verdict: book it if you want variety, not solitude

I would book this cruise if I wanted a well-filled day at sea for $53, especially with lunch, equipment, transport, massage, and two snorkeling stops included. The spacious boat, helpful crew, good food range, and unhurried schedule give it more substance than a quick island transfer.

I would skip it if my main goal were a private reef trip, a quiet empty beach, or a short activity. For most people staying in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, or El Gouna, though, this is a practical way to combine Orange Bay, Giftun Island, coral reefs, food, and relaxation in one day.

FAQ

How long does the Orange Bay and Giftun Island cruise last?

The total activity lasts 510 minutes, or about 8 hours and 30 minutes. This includes hotel transfers, the yacht ride, island time, snorkeling, lunch, the massage, and the banana boat activity.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, the full-day yacht trip, Orange Bay, two snorkeling spots, snorkeling equipment, natural reserve entry, lunch, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks, massage, the banana boat ride, and taxes.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from Makadi Bay, Safaga, Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and El Gouna. Pickup is not available from Viva Blue Hotel.

When will I receive my exact pickup time?

The activity provider contacts you one day before the excursion with the exact pickup time. You should wait outside, in front of your hotel reception, five minutes before that time.

Are towels provided?

No. Bring your own towel, along with swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. One takes place at Small Giftun, and the other is near Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī. Each snorkeling session is scheduled for about 45 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch is a buffet with salads, vegetables, fish, and BBQ dishes. Soft drinks and hot drinks are also included.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English, German, Russian, and Arabic.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately.