Safaga: Giftun Island Speedboat Cruise to Orange Bay & Lunch

Red Sea beauty comes quickly here. This $60 speedboat trip gives you two snorkeling stops, a beach break at Orange Bay, lunch, and a chance to watch dolphins around Giftun National Park. I especially like the fast boat ride, which reaches the first snorkeling area in about 20 minutes, and the easy mix of coral reefs, open water, and soft sand in one outing.

I also like that the price includes hotel pickup, equipment, drinks, fruit, park fees, and the island entry fee. The main caution is that the day depends heavily on sea conditions and the exact program operating that day. Do not expect a quiet, private-island experience if you join a shared departure, and do not count on a seafood meal: lunch is included, but one reported program change replaced a seafood dinner with fish and chips.

Five things to know before booking

• Two snorkeling stops last about 20 minutes each, giving you two chances to see coral and fish rather than relying on one short swim.
• Orange Bay is the main relaxation stop, with white sand, clear water, lunch, and free time after snorkeling.
• The speedboat saves time, reaching the first snorkeling site in roughly 20 minutes from the marina.
• Dolphin sightings are possible, not guaranteed, so enjoy them as a bonus rather than the main promise of the day.
• The $60 price covers a lot, including transportation, guide, boat, equipment, food, drinks, entry fees, and nature reserve charges.
• Pickup is strict, with the driver waiting no more than five minutes at your hotel’s main road entrance.

From hotel pickup to the Hurghada marina

The day begins with pickup from your hotel, followed by a transfer to the marina. The operator sends pickup details by email at about 10 p.m. the night before, so check your inbox before going to bed and confirm the meeting point.

This detail matters in Egypt, where large hotels can have several entrances. Your pickup point is the main entrance by the road, not the reception gate or an internal hotel area. You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number accurately.

The five-minute waiting limit is worth taking seriously. This is not a flexible private taxi pickup where the driver can circle back later. Be ready early, especially if your hotel has security checks or a long walk to the road. Missing the vehicle could mean losing the outing, so set an alarm and wait outside at the stated entrance.

The experience is described as a private or shared speedboat trip. That choice can change the feel of the day. A private boat should give you more control over the pace, while a shared boat may offer better value but less say over how long you stay in each place. Confirm which option your booking includes before paying.

The marina introduction is brief. You meet the guide, receive basic instructions, and board the speedboat. Life jackets are included, and the boat has a shaded area and stereo system. I would use the shade during the hottest part of the day, even if the open-air seats look more tempting at first.

The speedboat ride to Giftun National Park

The ride to the first snorkeling site takes about 20 minutes. That short crossing is one of the strongest parts of this trip because you spend less time getting from point to point and more time in the water.

A speedboat also gives you a better sense of the Red Sea. You leave the marina behind, skim across clear water, and approach the protected area around the Giftun Islands. The open ride can be lively and windy, so keep your belongings secure and use sunscreen before boarding rather than waiting until you arrive.

The boat includes an onboard shaded area, but space and comfort may depend on whether the departure is private or shared. If you are prone to motion sickness or have back problems, think carefully before booking. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with back problems, and a fast boat crossing can be bumpy.

The guide speaks English or Arabic and handles the basic flow of the day. The included equipment removes the need to bring your own mask and snorkel, though you still need to bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. The operator does not allow pets.

Two 20-minute snorkeling stops

The tour includes two snorkeling sites, each lasting about 20 minutes. That is not a long time in the water, but two separate stops are useful. You get a second chance if the first location has poor visibility, stronger current, or a crowded surface.

The Red Sea is the star here. The advertised marine life includes colorful fish, coral reefs, and possible sea turtles. One strong point from the feedback is the snorkeling itself, along with a dolphin sighting. Those are the moments most likely to make the day feel special.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is an organized boat outing, not a specialist marine expedition. Dolphin sightings cannot be promised, and the exact fish or coral you see will depend on weather, water clarity, and luck. The guide can take you to the planned sites, but nature decides what appears beneath the boat.

At each stop, you can swim among the reef, look for fish, and return to the boat when the time ends. If you are not a strong swimmer, wear the life jacket and stay close to the guide or boat. The equipment is included, but the listing does not specify sizes or whether flotation aids beyond life jackets are available, so ask before departure if you need something specific.

I would treat the 20-minute periods as focused swims rather than long, lazy sessions. Apply sunscreen before entering the water, but use reef-conscious sunscreen if possible. Avoid touching coral or marine life. Coral can be damaged easily, and even a small scrape can spoil the rest of your day.

Watching for dolphins around the islands

Dolphins are part of the appeal, but this should remain a pleasant possibility rather than a guarantee. The speedboat gives the guide a good platform for scanning the water, and the Red Sea outing may bring you near dolphins during the crossing or island route.

If dolphins appear, the boat may pause so you can watch them. Keep your phone ready, but do not spend the whole trip staring through a screen. A quick sighting can be over before you frame a photograph.

The most praised elements of this experience are the snorkeling and dolphins. That tells you where the tour delivers its best emotional payoff. Orange Bay is attractive, but the time in open water is what gives this outing its sense of adventure.

Orange Bay and the Caribbean-style beach stop

After snorkeling, the speedboat continues to Orange Bay. The appeal is simple: white sand, clear water, and a tropical beach setting that feels very different from the marina and hotel zone.

Orange Bay is designed for easy enjoyment. You can sit on the sand, swim, soak up the sun, or walk around the island during the free period. It is a good change of pace after the two snorkeling stops, especially if some members of your group prefer relaxing to spending more time in the water.

The beach is also the most photogenic part of the day. Expect bright sand, shallow-looking clear water, and plenty of opportunities for photographs. Bring a towel because there is no reason to spend the whole stop in wet swimwear.

The word Caribbean is used to describe the feel of Orange Bay, but keep the comparison in proportion. You are visiting a popular island stop connected to an organized excursion, not a deserted beach. The exact level of peace and privacy depends on the number of boats present.

You also need sun protection here. The beach offers exposure rather than natural shade, while the boat has a shaded section. Bring sunscreen, a hat if you use one, and cash for any personal purchases. The supplied information does not state that extra activities or purchases are covered by the tour price.

Lunch, fruit, and drinks on the island

Lunch is included and served during the Orange Bay stop. You receive a lunch box, local dishes, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. That is useful because you do not need to organize food separately while spending the day offshore.

The meal is best understood as practical excursion food, not a restaurant visit. You are being fed during an active beach and boat outing, with the focus on keeping the day moving. If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied details do not say what alternatives are available, so ask the operator before departure.

There is one point to clarify before booking. A past account describes a program change in which a promised seafood dinner became fish and chips. This current experience is presented as a lunch outing, not a seafood dinner, so you should not book it expecting a particular seafood menu. If the meal matters to you, confirm the menu and serving location in advance.

The included drinks are a welcome touch in the Egyptian sun. Even so, I would carry any medication or personal snacks you need. The operator supplies water and soft drinks, but the details do not promise a full range of special food or drinks.

What the $60 price really covers

At $60 per person, this trip offers solid value if you want several Red Sea activities in one day. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, the speedboat, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, lunch, fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, life jackets, island entry, and nature reserve fees.

That bundled structure matters in Hurghada and the surrounding Red Sea resort area. Separate transport, boat hire, equipment rental, food, and park charges can quickly become inconvenient. Here, the main costs are collected in one booking.

The value is strongest for you if you want variety. In one outing, you get:

• A fast boat journey
• Two reef swims
• Possible dolphin watching
• Beach time
• Lunch and drinks
• Transport from your hotel

The price is less compelling if your only goal is a long snorkeling session. Each snorkeling stop lasts about 20 minutes, and part of the day goes toward transfers, boarding, lunch, and the island stop. A specialist snorkeling trip might suit you better if underwater time is your top priority, but no alternative is described here, so compare carefully before booking elsewhere.

Parasailing is available if you select the add-on. It is not part of the standard package unless you choose it, so check the final price before assuming it is included.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want a simple introduction to the Red Sea. The itinerary gives you several types of scenery without requiring you to plan separate activities.

It also suits you if you like active mornings followed by an easy beach break. The snorkeling requires swimming, but you can spend more time on the boat or beach if you prefer not to stay in the water for long.

This is not the best fit for people with back problems, anyone wanting a very slow and quiet boat trip, or visitors expecting a secluded island. The speedboat is comfortable in the sense that it is quick and equipped with shade, but the ride can still be rough on the body.

It may also disappoint you if you expect guaranteed dolphins, a long gourmet lunch, or a full day of uninterrupted snorkeling. The experience is a broad, accessible outing, not a specialist or luxury cruise.

Practical packing advice for the Red Sea

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Those three items are specifically requested and cover the most obvious gaps in the included package.

Wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes if you want to enter the water quickly at the first stop. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch or sealed bag, since the boat and snorkeling sites put it close to splashes.

Use the boat’s shade when you need a break from direct sun. The beach stop is a good place to swim and relax, but it is also where sun exposure can catch up with you after an active morning.

Bring only what you need. The tour does not allow pets, and you will be moving between hotel, marina, boat, snorkeling sites, and island. A small waterproof bag is more useful than a large suitcase.

Booking details that can affect your day

Pickup instructions arrive by email at about 10 p.m. the night before. Check that message carefully because it should tell you where and when to meet the vehicle.

Provide your correct nationality, hotel name, full address, and room number. The main entrance by the road is the required pickup point. Reception staff may not be able to redirect the driver once the vehicle is waiting elsewhere.

The operator offers reserve-and-pay-later booking, which helps if you want to keep your plans flexible. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You should still check the exact terms shown at checkout.

The experience is offered in English and Arabic. If you need another language, the supplied details do not confirm that one is available.

Final verdict: should you book Orange Bay?

Book this trip if you want a reasonably priced Red Sea sampler with fast transport, two short snorkeling stops, a pretty beach, lunch, and a chance to see dolphins. The strongest reasons to go are the efficient speedboat route and the combination of coral reefs with Orange Bay in one outing.

I would skip it if you have back problems, need a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or want a quiet private beach with a long, unhurried snorkeling session. Before paying, confirm whether your boat is private or shared, check the lunch expectations, and make sure you can reach the hotel pickup point on time.

For most active visitors staying around Hurghada, the $60 package is a fair deal. It gives you a full Red Sea day without making you arrange each part separately. Just remember that the sea controls the wildlife, the beach may not feel empty, and the boat schedule runs on time.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat trip depart from?

The trip includes hotel pickup and takes you to the marina from your hotel. The supplied details describe the excursion as departing from Hurghada.

How long does it take to reach the first snorkeling stop?

The first snorkeling spot is reached in about 20 minutes by speedboat.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Each stop lasts about 20 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. The meal is described as local dishes and a lunch box.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Can I see dolphins?

Dolphins may be seen during the trip, but sightings are not guaranteed. Dolphin watching is one of the possible highlights of the Red Sea cruise.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets are not allowed, and pickup is at the hotel’s main entrance by the road.