Hurghada: Private Sunset Cruise to Giftun island with Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada trip is the change of pace: you leave the hotel behind on a private speedboat, stop over coral reefs, spend time on a white-sand beach, and return as the sun drops over the Red Sea. Dolphins may appear along the route, though no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

I like the private boat format, especially for couples or a small family who want more space than a large group cruise. I also like the two separate snorkeling stops, since they give you more than one chance to see fish and coral in clear water.

The main compromise is lunch. It is included and practical, but feedback describes the lunch box as ordinary rather than a highlight. You are paying mainly for the boat, privacy, island time, and sunset, not for a gourmet meal.

Key points to know before booking

• A private speedboat for up to two people: The $195 price is per group, not per person, making it more appealing for a couple than for a solo visitor.
• Two snorkeling stops: You get two chances to see Red Sea fish and coral, with equipment, life jackets, and drinks provided.
• A choice of island or sandbank: The outing may visit Orange Bay, Magawish Island, or Abu Moquar sandbank, depending on the selected plan and conditions.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: The route offers a chance to see them in open water, but nature controls the schedule.
• Sunset is part of the return trip: The ride home is planned around the changing light over the Red Sea.
• A five-minute flight can be added: Ask about the optional flight add-on if you want a view of the sea from above.

Leaving Hurghada by private speedboat

Your day begins with hotel pickup and ends with a return to the same hotel. The boat ride is the real centerpiece, giving you a faster, more personal way to reach the Giftun area than a crowded group vessel.

The boat includes a shaded area, locally described as a taneda, along with a stereo system, life jackets, and soft drinks. That shade matters in the Red Sea sun. You can enjoy the open water without spending the entire trip exposed to direct heat.

Pickup instructions deserve close attention. The exact details are sent by email at 10 pm the night before, and you need to wait at the main entrance of your hotel’s main gate by the road. Do not wait at the reception entrance unless the operator specifically tells you to.

The boat cannot wait more than five minutes at the pickup point. You should be ready early, especially since the vehicle may be collecting other people before reaching the marina.

Give the operator your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. These details are not busywork. A wrong hotel entrance or room number can create a poor start to a trip that depends on a tight pickup route.

What the $195 private price really buys

The listed cost is $195 per group of up to two people. That works out to $97.50 each for a couple, before any extra pickup or optional flight fee. Compared with a basic shared boat, it is not the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea, but it offers a more controlled day.

You are paying for the private speedboat, hotel transfers, snorkeling equipment, two stops, island entry, nature reserve fees, lunch, fruit, mineral water, and soft drinks. You also get a shaded place on the boat and life jackets, so several small expenses are already covered.

The value improves if you care about privacy. You can avoid the noise and fixed rhythm of a large group boat, and the crew can respond to your needs more easily. One piece of feedback specifically praised the crew for accommodating changes to the boat, which suggests some flexibility may be possible, though you should request changes early rather than assume they are guaranteed.

The value is less convincing if your main goal is a long beach day or an elaborate meal. The lunch box is included for convenience, but it should be viewed as fuel between activities. Bring cash for anything extra and for personal spending on the islands.

Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area is not part of the standard price. It can be added during checkout. Check this cost before booking, since the transfer may affect the total value considerably.

Two snorkeling stops in Red Sea water

The snorkeling portion is built around two separate stops. That is useful because sea conditions and visibility can vary. If one site is less clear or the fish are less active, the second stop gives you another chance.

The supplied equipment includes masks and other basic snorkeling gear, while life jackets are available for safety. You should still bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well, but the included equipment keeps the tour simple for casual snorkelers.

Expect to see coral formations and colorful fish in clear water. The appeal is not just the number of fish, but the chance to see a living reef close to the surface. You can swim at your own level, follow the guide’s suggestions, and return to the boat when you are ready.

The guide can point out marine life and offer snorkeling tips. Captain Wissam and guide Faris are names associated with this experience, and the crew has received strong praise for its friendly service and ability to accommodate guest needs. Crew assignments can change, so do not treat those names as a guarantee for every departure.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of the sea from a boat. This is not a dry sightseeing cruise. Anyone with back problems should think carefully before booking, since the speedboat ride, boarding, and movement on the water may be uncomfortable.

Choosing between Orange Bay, Magawish, and Abu Moquar

The destination is described as one of several Giftun-area choices: Orange Bay, Magawish Island, or Abu Moquar sandbank. That gives the trip some flexibility, but it also means you should confirm which location applies to your booking.

Orange Bay is associated with a broad beach stop and easy time in shallow turquoise water. Magawish Island offers the same basic appeal: sun, sand, and a break from the boat. Abu Moquar is described as a sandbank, so expect a more open, bare setting rather than a developed beach facility.

The exact stop may depend on the option chosen, weather, sea conditions, or the day’s operating plan. Do not book this expecting one precise beach unless your confirmation clearly names it.

What stays consistent is the rhythm. You snorkel, reach a beach or sandbank, eat lunch, swim, and relax before returning by speedboat. The setting is simple and natural, with the sea doing most of the work.

Bring a hat and towel. A jacket is also listed as useful, which makes sense for the ride back when the wind picks up after sunset. Your beach time may feel warm, while the return boat can feel cooler and more exposed.

Lunch, fruit, and drinks between swims

Lunch comes as a box, along with fruit, mineral water, and soft drinks. This setup keeps the day moving and avoids the need to search for a restaurant on the island.

I would treat the meal as a picnic rather than a reason to book. One clear piece of feedback calls the lunch mediocre, while still rating the overall experience highly. That tells you where the money is going: the private boat and sea time matter more than the food.

Eat when the crew serves it, then use the beach stop for swimming and rest. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking, since no special meal details are provided. Do not assume a wide choice of dishes from the lunch-box format.

Fruit and drinks are useful extras on a hot day. Even so, bring cash and consider carrying any small personal snacks you know you will want. The operator specifically advises bringing cash, but the supplied details do not state where cards are accepted.

Looking for dolphins on the way

Dolphins are one of the most exciting possibilities on this route. The open Red Sea gives you a chance to see them swimming and playing in their natural setting, and several people have enjoyed dolphin sightings during the trip.

Still, dolphins are wild animals, not a scheduled stop. The captain cannot promise that they will appear, stay near the boat, or allow close viewing. You should see a sighting as a lucky bonus rather than the main reason to pay for a private cruise.

Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the whole ride staring at a screen. The surrounding islands, open water, and changing light are part of the experience even if no dolphin appears.

If dolphins do show up, follow the guide’s instructions and avoid crowding the edge of the boat. A private boat gives you a better chance to focus, but it does not turn wildlife into a performance.

The optional five-minute flight

You can add an option to fly for up to five minutes and see the Red Sea from above. The supplied details do not identify the exact equipment or flight format, so ask the operator for the safety briefing, boarding method, and extra cost before adding it.

This is best for someone who wants a short burst of adventure rather than a long aerial activity. The contrast is appealing: first you look below the surface while snorkeling, then you see the islands and water from above.

Do not assume the flight is included in the $195 price. It is an add-on, available through the website or in person. Confirm the total before departure so there are no surprises.

Anyone uneasy with heights, boat movement, or back strain should ask questions before choosing it. The standard trip already offers plenty of time on the water, so skipping the flight does not make the cruise feel incomplete.

Sunset on the return ride

The sunset is the final act of the outing. After the snorkeling and beach stop, you return toward Hurghada by speedboat while the light softens over the sea.

This is one reason the trip works well as a private experience. You can sit in the shaded area, listen to music from the boat’s stereo, and watch the color change without the pressure of a crowded schedule around you.

Bring the jacket listed in the practical information. Wind on a fast boat can make the return feel cooler than the beach stop, especially as daylight fades.

The timing also gives the day a clear shape. You begin with an active morning or afternoon on the water, spend time swimming and eating, then finish with a quieter ride back. The sunset is not a separate shore stop, but a scenic part of the return journey.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to a couple who wants a private day at sea and does not mind paying more for personal space. It also suits a small family that values hotel pickup, included equipment, and a simple all-in-one plan.

It is a good match for you if you want:

• Two chances to snorkel rather than one quick swim
• Time on a white-sand beach or sandbank
• A chance of seeing dolphins
• A speedboat rather than a large shared vessel
• A sunset return to Hurghada
• The option of a short flight over the sea

It is less suitable if you want a luxury meal, a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or a long, slow beach stay. The trip combines several activities, so each part has a limited amount of time.

People with back problems should avoid booking unless a medical professional says the boat and transfers are suitable. You should also be ready for a strict pickup schedule and for boarding the boat from the main gate rather than the hotel reception area.

Practical preparation for the day

Pack a hat, towel, jacket, and cash. The hat protects you during beach time, the towel handles the snorkeling stop, and the jacket helps on the boat ride home.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and use secure footwear for the beach and boat. The supplied information does not specify whether beach shoes are provided, so bring them if you prefer extra protection for your feet.

Use reef-friendly sunscreen if you have it, and reapply after swimming. The Red Sea sun can feel strong even when the boat is moving and the breeze makes the air seem cooler.

Keep valuables to a minimum. You will be moving between hotel, boat, water, beach, and lunch, and the supplied details do not promise a secure storage service.

The tour is offered in English and Arabic. If you have questions about the beach choice, lunch, flight option, or pickup, ask before the day begins rather than waiting until you reach the marina.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful if your Hurghada plans are still shifting, but you should still check the final booking conditions for any add-ons.

Should you book this Giftun Island sunset cruise?

Book it if you want a private Red Sea day built around the boat ride, not just a transfer to a beach. The strongest reasons are the two snorkeling stops, the chance to see dolphins, the white sand and clear water, and the sunset on the return.

The $195 group price makes the most sense for two people sharing the boat. I would be comfortable recommending it to a couple who values privacy and a flexible feel more than a high-end lunch.

Skip it if the meal is central to your plans, if you need a fully accessible boat experience, or if you cannot tolerate a firm five-minute pickup rule. If you do book, confirm the chosen destination, any long-range transfer fee, and the optional flight price in advance.

FAQ

How much does the private sunset cruise cost?

The price is $195 per group of up to two people. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay can be booked as an additional option.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a speedboat cruise, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, island entry, nature reserve fees, a lunch box, fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, a shaded area on the boat, and life jackets.

Which locations can the boat visit?

The trip may visit Orange Bay, Magawish Island, or Abu Moquar sandbank. Confirm the exact destination or selected option when booking.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The route gives you a chance to see dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings depend on nature and cannot be guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, jacket, and cash. A jacket is useful for the boat ride back after sunset.

When will I receive pickup information?

Pickup details are sent by email at 10 pm the night before the trip. You must wait at the main entrance of your hotel’s main gate by the road, and the activity provider can wait no more than five minutes.