Hurghada: Elegance Yacht Cruise To Orange & Magawish island

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is the chance to visit two island stops in one day, with Orange Bay scheduled early, before the area becomes crowded. You’ll also have two snorkeling stops, a seafood lunch, and time to swim in the clear Red Sea.

I like the combination of quiet island time and active water stops. I also like that the price includes hotel pickup in Hurghada, equipment, food, drinks, and both island entry fees. The main drawback is the tight pickup system: you need to be ready on time, and long transfers from areas such as Makadi Bay or Safaga cost extra and can add a lot of road time.

Key points

• Orange Bay comes first: Spend about an hour on a calm island beach before the busiest part of the day.
• Two snorkeling stops: You’ll have about 40 minutes at one coral reef stop, followed by another swim and snorkel session near Magawish.
• Seafood lunch is included: Expect shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, tuna salad, green salad, and seasonal fruit.
• Dolphins are possible: Sightings are not guaranteed, but they have been part of some outings.
• Parasailing is optional: The selected option includes a 5-minute flight above the Red Sea.
• Good package value: At $53 per person, the trip covers transfers in Hurghada, boat travel, food, drinks, gear, guides, and island entries.

Two islands, two different moods

This outing gives you a full day on the water rather than a single beach stop. You’ll leave Hurghada harbor by boat, visit Orange Bay, stop at a reef, eat lunch aboard the boat, continue to Magawish Island, and return to the harbor for your hotel transfer.

That plan works well because the two islands serve different purposes. Orange Bay is the relaxed beach stop, with time to sit, swim, and enjoy the pale sand and shallow water. Magawish gives you another hour by the sea, with more time for swimming and snorkeling after lunch.

I would choose this trip if you want variety. A boat tour with only one island can feel repetitive after a few hours. Here, you get beach time, reef time, lunch, a second island, and the possibility of parasailing.

The pace is not slow. You need to board when asked, follow the guide between stops, and be ready when the boat leaves. If you prefer to spend an entire day in one quiet place, this may feel too scheduled.

Leaving Hurghada harbor

Pickup is included from hotels in Hurghada. The exact pickup details are sent by email at about 10 p.m. the night before, so check your messages before going to sleep and confirm the meeting point.

This detail matters because the pickup operation allows only about five minutes of waiting. Other people may be collected after you, so the boat transfer cannot hold for a late arrival. I would be ready in the hotel lobby before the stated time, with swimwear already under your clothes and your towel and sunscreen packed.

The standard pickup covers Hurghada. If you stay in Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga, you need to add long-range transportation during checkout. That extra drive can change the value of the trip, especially from Safaga or the farther resort areas.

You are also asked to send a passport photo copy, your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. Treat this as a required preparation step, not a last-minute formality.

Orange Bay before the crowds

Orange Bay is the first island stop, with about an hour to enjoy the beach and surrounding water. The early timing is one of the better ideas in the schedule. The island can feel calmer before more boats arrive, giving you time for photos, a swim, or simply a break from the busy streets of Hurghada.

The setting is often compared with the Caribbean because of its pale sand and clear water. I would keep expectations sensible: this is an organized island stop, not an untouched private beach. The attraction is the color of the water and the chance to relax between boat rides.

You will not spend the entire morning here. About an hour is enough to enjoy the beach, but it is not enough for a long, unhurried island day. Keep your belongings together and listen for the boarding instructions, since the schedule continues to the snorkeling site.

Orange Bay is also a useful first stop for people who are unsure about spending several hours in the water. You can start with a swim near shore before deciding how much snorkeling you want to do later.

The first reef stop

After Orange Bay, the boat heads to a snorkeling area. The stated water time at this stop is about 40 minutes, with a guide and snorkeling equipment provided.

The Red Sea is the main reason to book this outing. You can expect coral formations and colorful fish beneath the surface, though underwater visibility and marine life depend on conditions that day. Dolphins are possible in the wider area, but the operator cannot promise a sighting.

The guide matters here. Abdull and Sayed are among the guides associated with this experience, and the strongest praise focuses on the friendly, attentive way the crew explains the activities and looks after people on board. You should still be comfortable in open water before joining. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment, but you may prefer to bring a familiar mask if you already own one. That is not required, but it can make the water time more comfortable.

A 40-minute stop is long enough to see fish and coral without making the morning feel exhausting. It is also short enough that confident snorkelers may wish they had more time. The second water stop near Magawish helps solve that problem.

A proper seafood lunch at sea

After snorkeling, you return to the boat for lunch. The menu includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad, and seasonal fruit.

Food is one of the most praised parts of this trip. The meal is more substantial than the usual light snack served on short boat outings, and the amount can be generous. One private outing had enough food for more people than were on board, which suggests you should not expect to leave hungry.

I like this part of the schedule because it places lunch between the two island visits. You can dry off, eat, and rest before getting back into the water. Soft drinks, mineral water, tea, coffee, and milk are included, so you do not need to budget for basic refreshments on the boat.

The meal is seafood-focused, which is worth noting before booking. If you do not eat seafood, the rice, pasta, salads, and fruit give you other choices, but the menu is clearly built around shrimp, calamari, and fish.

Food quality can vary with the day and the boat, so I would not book solely for a restaurant-level meal. Still, the amount included and the range of dishes make the lunch a real part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

Magawish Island after lunch

After lunch, the boat continues to Magawish Island. You get about an hour here for swimming and snorkeling in the water around the island.

This second island stop gives the day a different rhythm. Orange Bay comes before the main snorkeling and lunch, while Magawish follows the meal and offers another chance to cool off. If you prefer a less hurried outing, this is also the point where you can choose to swim rather than snorkel.

Two island entries are included in the price. That helps the $53 cost make sense, since the package is not limited to transport and a boat ride. You are paying for a sequence of stops, equipment, food, drinks, guides, and transfers within Hurghada.

The exact feel of Magawish will depend on the boat schedule and sea conditions. Do not expect to control every minute of the stop in a group outing. If you book a private option, the crew may have more flexibility, and a private party has been able to request changes to the route and timing.

Parasailing above the Red Sea

Parasailing is an optional extra included only when you select that option. The flight lasts five minutes, giving you a short aerial view of the sea and the islands.

Five minutes is brief, but that is normal for a parasailing add-on. I would see it as a quick thrill rather than a separate activity. It can be a good choice if you want one memorable view from above without giving up much swimming time.

Because the supplied details do not give the separate parasailing price or exact operating conditions, check the checkout options before paying. The listed experience includes parasailing only if that option is selected.

You should also expect weather and sea conditions to affect water activities. No specific weather guarantee is provided, so keep your plans flexible and check the operator’s instructions.

Boat comfort and the private option

The experience is available as a private or group outing. That difference can shape the day more than the island names do.

A group trip usually means sharing the boat, following a fixed timetable, and accepting the operator’s route for the day. That keeps the cost down and suits people who want a social outing without planning every detail.

A private trip is better for families, couples, or small groups with specific preferences. One private outing was described as lasting about seven hours on the boat, with the captain, guide, and cook looking after just two people. The group was also able to request changes to the route, which is a meaningful advantage if you value control.

Private transport can matter as much as a private boat. One outing from Makadi Bay took about 35 minutes going out but more than an hour on the shared return transfer. If you are staying outside central Hurghada, paying for private pickup may save time and frustration.

The experience is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the boat, getting in and out of the water, and using the islands may be difficult if you need step-free access or regular assistance.

What the $53 price really covers

At $53 per person, the package has solid value for an active day on the Red Sea. Your price includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, the boat cruise, Orange Bay and Magawish entry, a snorkeling guide, two snorkeling stops, equipment, lunch, fruit, unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee, milk, and mineral water.

That is a lot of included cost in one booking. You avoid arranging a separate harbor transfer, renting snorkeling gear, buying lunch, and paying island fees during the day.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Hurghada and plan to use most of the inclusions. It is less straightforward if you need long-range transport from Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi Bay, El Gouna, or Sahl Hasheesh. Add that cost before comparing this trip with another boat outing.

The rating of 4.7 from 70 reviews suggests a strong record, but I would focus on the details behind the praise. The most consistent strengths are the guides, seafood lunch, organization aboard the boat, snorkeling, and occasional dolphin sightings. The main caution is communication about pickup points, so read the late-night email carefully.

Packing for a day on the water

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. I would also use a small waterproof bag for your phone, passport copy, and any money you carry.

You receive unlimited water and soft drinks, but cash is still listed as useful. Keep it secure and bring only what you expect to spend, since the supplied details do not specify which optional costs may arise during the day.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is conducted in English, so you should be comfortable following English instructions from the guide, especially during boarding, snorkeling, and departure times.

If you are prone to sunburn, apply sunscreen before pickup and again during the day. The Red Sea sun can feel pleasant when you are on the boat, but you are exposed for long periods.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a packed Red Sea day with several types of activity. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and small groups who want island scenery without arranging separate transport and meals.

It is especially useful for a short Hurghada stay. Two islands, two snorkeling stops, lunch, and a possible dolphin sighting give you a broad taste of the coast in one day.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fixed schedules, group transfers, or getting in and out of the water. I would also check the long-range pickup price before booking from a resort outside Hurghada.

Should you book the Orange Bay and Magawish trip?

Book this cruise if you want value, variety, and a full day of sea activities for $53 from Hurghada. The seafood lunch, included equipment, two island stops, and helpful guides make it more than a basic boat transfer.

Choose the private option if time and comfort matter more than the lowest price. If you are staying in Makadi Bay, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay, compare the added pickup cost and consider private transport.

I would book it for snorkeling, island time, and the chance of seeing dolphins, not for a guaranteed wildlife encounter or a long, quiet beach day. Arrive early for pickup, read the meeting instructions closely, and you’ll give yourself the best chance of enjoying what this busy but well-filled Red Sea day offers.

FAQ

What is included in the Hurghada yacht cruise?

The trip includes Hurghada hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat cruise, Orange Bay and Magawish entry fees, a snorkeling guide, two snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, a professional guide, seafood lunch, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, tea, coffee, milk, and mineral water.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $53 per person. Long-range pickup from Makadi Bay, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as an added option during checkout.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The cruise visits Orange Bay and Magawish Island. You spend about an hour at each island according to the planned schedule.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. The first water stop lasts about 40 minutes, followed by another swimming and snorkeling stop near Magawish Island.

Is parasailing included?

Parasailing is included only if you select the parasailing option. The flight lasts five minutes.

Can I see dolphins during the trip?

Dolphin sightings are possible, but they are not guaranteed. Dolphins have been seen during some outings.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, and tuna salad. Seasonal fruit is also included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited soft drinks and mineral water are included, along with tea, coffee, and milk.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You should also check your email for the pickup details sent the night before.

How late can I arrive for pickup?

The activity provider can wait no more than five minutes because other hotel pickups are scheduled. You should be at the stated meeting point on time.