Makadi: Giftun Island Speedboat Cruise to Orange Bay & Lunch

The best part of this trip is the speedboat ride itself. You reach the Giftun Islands quickly, then trade the boat’s spray for clear Red Sea water, coral reefs, and colorful fish. Two snorkeling stops give you a better chance to see marine life than a single quick swim.

I like the mix of active snorkeling and easy beach time, and the $53 price covers transport, equipment, lunch box, drinks, island entry, and a guide. The main caution is the transfer and boat ride: one outing involved a long shared pickup, a crowded bus, and a small rubber boat transfer that left people wet and wobbly.

Key points to know

• Two 20-minute snorkeling stops: You get two chances to see coral, fish, and possibly sea turtles.
• Orange Bay is the relaxed finale: Expect white sand, clear water, lunch, swimming, and time to sit in the sun.
• The speedboat saves time: The first snorkeling site is about 20 minutes from the marina.
• A $53 package: Hotel pickup, guide, equipment, lunch box, drinks, fruit, entry fees, and return transport are included.
• Bring more than swimwear: A towel, sunscreen, cash, jacket, and water shoes will make the day easier.
• Pickup timing matters: You must wait at the hotel’s main roadside entrance and be ready on time. The boat cannot wait more than five minutes.

Speeding toward Giftun National Park

This is a half-day Red Sea outing built around quick movement and simple pleasures. After pickup, you go to the marina, meet the guide, and board a private or shared speedboat. The first snorkeling area is roughly 20 minutes away, so you spend less time sitting on a large tour boat and more time near the islands.

That speed comes with a trade-off. A fast boat can be chilly when the wind picks up, even in Egypt’s warm climate. Bring a light sweater or jacket, especially if you are sensitive to wind or plan to sit in the shaded onboard area after swimming.

The boat has life jackets, a shaded section, and a stereo system. The speedboat format feels more personal than a large vessel, but it also means more exposure to spray and movement. If you are prone to seasickness or dislike choppy water, this is worth thinking about before booking.

The trip is available as a private or shared outing. The supplied details do not specify the exact size of each shared group, so ask at checkout if the group size matters to you. A private boat should give you more control over the pace, but the listed price is the shared-style starting price and private arrangements may differ.

The first snorkeling stop, about 20 minutes out

Your first stop comes soon after leaving the marina. The idea is straightforward: the boat anchors near a reef, you put on the provided mask and fins, and you have about 20 minutes in the water.

That is not a long snorkeling session, but it is enough for a focused look if you are comfortable in the sea. You can expect coral formations, small colorful fish, and the possibility of seeing sea turtles. Visibility depends on the day and the water, so nobody can promise a particular animal.

A guide is present to help with the activity. Sabry received especially warm praise for assisting a young snorkeler, so families may appreciate having someone nearby who pays attention to less confident swimmers. Still, you should be comfortable following basic water instructions and wearing a life jacket if needed.

The reef stop is best for people who want a taste of Red Sea snorkeling without spending a full day at sea. If coral and marine life are your main reason for booking, you may wish the swim periods were longer. The two-stop format helps, but each session is still around 20 minutes.

A second reef for a different look at the Red Sea

After the first swim, the boat moves to another snorkeling area. This second stop gives you a fresh section of reef rather than repeating the same view. You can swim, look for fish and coral, or stay aboard and enjoy the sun.

I like this arrangement because it spreads the water time across the outing. If the first stop is crowded or visibility is poor, the second stop gives you another chance. On the other hand, the scheduled 20-minute duration leaves little room for a slow start. If you need extra time to adjust to the mask, ask the guide for help right away.

The boat also carries seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. Those small supplies matter in the sun, particularly when you are swimming and sitting in salty air. They are included rather than treated as a surprise extra.

Water shoes are a smart addition. The island has stones and shells that can hurt bare feet, and the boat boarding point may also feel rough underfoot. One practical note from the trip details says you can only go barefoot on the island, so keep water shoes in your bag and use them for the approach or other parts of the day as appropriate.

Orange Bay, white sand and a busy postcard view

Orange Bay is the trip’s main beach stop. The water is clear, the sand is pale, and the setting has the tropical look promised by the name. You get time to swim, sit on the beach, take in the view, and explore at your own pace.

The word island can create the wrong expectation. This is a popular stop, not a deserted beach. It can be busy, especially around the main beach and lunch areas. If you want a quieter corner, move away from the busiest section when the guide allows it, but keep track of the meeting time.

The beach itself is valuable because it changes the rhythm of the day. Snorkeling requires attention and physical effort. Orange Bay lets you dry off, eat, and rest without having to keep your face in the water. Families and mixed groups often benefit from this balance because not everyone wants to snorkel for the full outing.

The island visit also makes this a better choice for people who want photographs and beach time, not only reef viewing. Just remember that the prettiest shore areas can also be the most crowded. Keep cash handy for any optional purchases, though the provided information does not list specific island extras.

Lunch, drinks, and what you actually receive

The standard package includes a lunch box with a cheese sandwich and roast beef sandwich, along with soft drinks, mineral water, and seasonal fruit. That is useful for a half-day trip, but it is not the same as a full restaurant meal.

You can add lunch on the island during checkout, and a seafood lunch upgrade is also available. If sitting down for a proper island meal is important to you, choose that option in advance rather than assuming the lunch box includes it.

The description also refers to local dishes and drinks served during island lunch. Since the standard included item is specifically described as a lunch box, check which meal option you selected before departure. This avoids confusion when you reach Orange Bay.

The food is best viewed as fuel for a day on the water. You will be swimming, sitting in the sun, and riding in wind, so a simple meal may be exactly what you want. If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not explain available alternatives. Ask before booking rather than relying on the standard sandwiches.

Getting there from Makadi, Hurghada, Safaga, or Soma Bay

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The activity is based in the Red Sea Governorate, and the main service area is Hurghada and nearby resorts such as Makadi.

Pickup instructions are unusually important here. The meeting point is at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not the reception gate or an internal lobby area. You need to give the correct hotel name, address, room number, and nationality, and provide a passport copy for daily permissions.

The exact pickup details arrive by email at about 10 p.m. the night before. Check your inbox before going to bed, then set an alarm and be at the roadside entrance early. The provider can wait no more than five minutes because other people are being collected.

One outing included an early pickup from Stella Gardens followed by about an hour of additional collection stops. The bus was full, which made that part uncomfortable. This is the main weakness of a shared transfer, especially when your hotel is not close to the marina.

Long-range pickup from Safaga and Soma Bay is available as an add-on. Because extra driving can change the feel of a half-day tour, check the added cost and expected pickup time before you pay. If you are staying far from Hurghada, a private transfer may be worth asking about.

The speedboat transfer deserves a careful look

The usual boat experience is described as fast and comfortable, but the route to the boat may not always be identical. One outing used a large rubber dinghy to transfer people from shore, and nearly everyone became wet. The boat also felt wobbly to some passengers.

That detail matters if you have back problems, poor balance, or strong seasickness. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with back problems, and the combination of a fast ride, a small transfer craft, and reef stops can be tiring.

If you are comfortable on moving water, the speedboat is the reason to choose this trip over a slower large-boat excursion. It gets you to the snorkeling grounds quickly and gives the day a lively feel. If you prefer a steady platform, ask whether a larger boat is available instead.

Bring a dry bag or a plastic pouch for phones and room cards. The operator includes an onboard shaded area, but shade does not keep spray off loose belongings. The listed requirements mention a towel, sunscreen, and cash, and I would treat all three as essential.

How the $53 price holds up

At $53 per person, this is a solid package if you want several services bundled together. You receive hotel transportation, a guide, speedboat cruise, snorkeling equipment, two reef stops, island entry, a lunch box, fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, and return transport.

The value improves for people who would otherwise need to arrange a taxi, rent snorkeling gear, and pay an island entry fee separately. You also avoid planning the boat route and reef stops yourself.

The price is less attractive if you are mainly seeking long snorkeling sessions. Each stop lasts about 20 minutes, and a portion of the day may go toward hotel pickups, transfers, lunch, and beach time. In that case, a longer dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better, though the supplied information does not give prices for alternatives.

Parasailing is available only if you select the add-on. It is not part of the basic $53 package. A seafood lunch is also an optional upgrade, so check the checkout screen carefully before assuming those extras are included.

The reserve-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful if your Red Sea plans may change, but pickup and passport details still need attention.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this for an active half-day near Makadi or Hurghada, especially if you want a mix of reef time and a beach stop. It suits couples, friends, and families with children who can manage a short snorkeling session and a fast boat ride.

It is also a good fit if you want a smaller, quicker-feeling boat experience rather than a full day on a large vessel. The guide assistance can help less confident swimmers, though you should still tell the guide about your comfort level before entering the water.

I would think twice if you have back problems, severe seasickness, or a strong dislike of crowded transfers. The early bus collection, full vehicle, possible rubber dinghy transfer, and fast ride can make the day harder than the beach photographs suggest.

The experience is offered in English and Arabic. The actual guide assignment can vary, but Sabry is a name associated with attentive snorkeling help. You can also choose parasailing as an add-on if you want something beyond swimming and snorkeling.

Smart packing for a smoother day

Pack a towel, strong sunscreen, cash, and a light jacket. The jacket may seem unnecessary at the hotel, but the wind from a fast speedboat can feel cold after you leave the water.

Add water shoes, a dry bag, and a spare plastic bag for wet clothing. The island shore has stones and shells, and the boat ride can leave you damp. Keep your phone protected even if you plan to take only a few photos.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and arrive ready at the correct hotel entrance. Since the pickup vehicle may leave after five minutes, waiting at reception can mean missing the trip.

Should you book this Giftun Islands trip?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced mix of two short reef swims, a fast boat ride, and Orange Bay beach time. The package is easy to understand, includes the key costs, and gives you more variety than a simple snorkeling transfer.

Skip it, or ask for a larger boat, if you have back problems, get seasick, or want long, quiet time underwater. Also question the shared transfer if your hotel is far from Hurghada or you dislike early collection rounds.

For most active visitors staying in Makadi, the strongest case is value. You get the Red Sea, Giftun National Park, Orange Bay, lunch, equipment, and transport in one outing. Just pack for spray, expect some crowds, and treat the 20-minute snorkeling stops as a pleasant introduction rather than a full reef expedition.

FAQ

Where does this Giftun Islands cruise depart from?

The tour includes hotel pickup and takes you to a marina near Hurghada before you board the speedboat. Pickup from Makadi is included, while long-range pickup from Safaga and Soma Bay can be added during checkout.

How long is the first boat ride?

The first snorkeling stop is reached in about 20 minutes by speedboat from the marina.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The trip includes two snorkeling stops. Each stop lasts about 20 minutes.

What marine life might I see?

You may see colorful fish, coral reefs, and possibly sea turtles. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

What food is included?

The standard lunch box includes a cheese sandwich and a roast beef sandwich. Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are also included.

Can I eat lunch on Orange Bay?

Yes. You can add an island lunch during checkout, including an optional seafood lunch upgrade.

Is parasailing included?

No. Parasailing is available only when selected as an add-on.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Water shoes, a jacket, and a way to protect your phone from spray are also practical choices based on the boat and island conditions.

Where will I meet the pickup vehicle?

Wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not at the reception gate or another internal entrance. The exact pickup details are sent by email at about 10 p.m. the night before, and the vehicle can wait no more than five minutes.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with back problems.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Arabic.