Hurghada: Orange Bay Island Boat Trip w/ Breakfast and Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is the mix: two reef stops, two hours on Orange Bay, buffet meals, and a banana boat or sofa ride, all for about $34. You get a full Red Sea day without paying separately for every small activity.

I like the strong support for non-swimmers, including a special guide and help in the water. I also like the generous food and drink setup, with breakfast, lunch, fruit, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water included.

The main thing to consider is the crowd. Orange Bay can feel busy, and the beach time may seem short if you want a long, quiet stretch by the water. Wind can also cancel the banana boat or sofa ride.

Key points before you book

• Two reef stops: Each snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to see coral and fish without rushing.
• Two hours at Orange Bay: You get enough time for swimming, photos, and a relaxed walk on the island.
• Food is included twice: Breakfast is served early, followed by a larger lunch with chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, salads, and potatoes.
• Good help for beginners: Guides such as Abdul, Ahmed, Arabi, Nemo, and Ezz have been praised for helping nervous swimmers and children.
• Optional hotel pickup: Transfers are included in some options, but pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga costs extra.
• Weather matters: Strong wind may cancel the water ride, and seasickness can make the long day uncomfortable.

A full Red Sea day for $34

At $34 per person, this is one of the better-value ways to spend a day on the water in Hurghada. The price includes air-conditioned transport when selected, boat service, two snorkeling stops, equipment, island entry, breakfast, lunch, fruit, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, and the banana boat or sofa ride.

That matters because boat excursions often add costs for drinks, equipment, or access to the island. Here, the extras are mostly already covered. You still need cash for personal purchases at Orange Bay, where drinks can cost around £10 to £15 according to the supplied information.

I would judge the value by what you want from a day at sea. If you want a quiet private boat and long time in one place, this is not the right choice. If you want several activities, meals, and plenty of staff attention in one package, the price is very fair.

The standard trip lasts seven to eight hours. That is a long outing, but the schedule breaks it into short sections: sailing, breakfast, a safety briefing, two reef stops, lunch, island time, the water ride, and the return journey.

Getting to the boat and starting the morning

Pickup depends on the option you choose. Some bookings include air-conditioned transportation, while others require you to reach the meeting point yourself. If you stay in Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or El Quseir, check the transfer charge carefully before paying.

For the self-arrival option, search for Moreno Horizon & Spa on Google Maps. Use the second gate rather than the main entrance, tell security that you have a boat trip, then follow the Zanetta signs toward the beach.

For hotel pickup, look for a vehicle with a Zanetta sign in the windshield. You should wait at the main hotel entrance or assigned pickup point 10 minutes early. Pickup details are normally sent the evening before, so keep an eye on your messages.

The boat ride itself takes roughly an hour and a half at the start. That first stretch gives the crew time to explain the day and lets you settle into the boat. The group may have two to four guides, and languages listed for the trip include English, German, Arabic, and Russian.

Breakfast, safety, and settling into the boat

Breakfast is a practical start rather than a luxury hotel spread. The buffet includes two kinds of fruit, salad, two kinds of cheese, toast, jam, chocolate, and hot dog.

I would eat a little even if you are eager to get into the water. Snorkeling, sun, and boat movement can leave you hungry before lunch. One useful point from the supplied feedback is that breakfast was considered less impressive by at least one person, while lunch received stronger praise. Keep your expectations sensible, and treat breakfast as fuel for the morning.

A safety briefing lasts about 25 minutes. This is especially useful if you are snorkeling for the first time or have not used a mask and fins before. The crew also provides equipment and has a special guide for non-swimmers.

That support is not just a line on the program. Several people with no swimming experience, limited confidence, or limited mobility received hands-on help getting into the water or back onto the boat. A six-year-old also received attentive help during the day. You still need to tell the crew clearly if you are nervous, cannot swim, or need physical assistance.

The first 45-minute snorkeling stop

The first snorkeling stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes. That is enough time to listen to the guide, adjust your mask, swim around the boat, and look for coral and fish.

The Red Sea is the main reason to book this trip. The supplied feedback describes clear water, colorful coral, large numbers of fish, and sightings such as an eel. One person was surrounded by fish after a guide offered fish food in the water. Fish feeding can be debated from an environmental point of view, so I would focus on observing the reef carefully and following crew instructions.

The guides receive the strongest praise here. Abdul, Arabi, Ahmed, Nemo, and other crew members are repeatedly described as funny, calm, friendly, and helpful. For a first snorkeling experience, that can make a major difference. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part, but you should be comfortable being in the sea with support.

Bring a towel and biodegradable sunscreen. The sun can feel intense even when the air is not especially hot. A hat is useful during the periods when you are sitting on deck.

The second reef stop

The second stop lasts another 45 minutes, so the snorkeling portion totals about an hour and a half. This is a real advantage over short boat trips that offer one quick swim before heading to the island.

Two stops also give you a second chance if your mask leaks, the first water entry feels intimidating, or you spend the first few minutes learning how to breathe through the tube. The exact reef scenery can change with the conditions, but the supplied feedback consistently highlights clear water, coral, and many fish.

The downside is that the sea may not always be calm. One January outing was described as too windy, and strong wind can affect both comfort and the water ride. People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking a seven to eight-hour boat day. Sit where the crew advises, drink water, and bring suitable weather clothing.

Lunch on board after the water

Lunch is served onboard and lasts about 45 minutes. The buffet includes chicken wings, chicken strips, kofta, two kinds of rice, spaghetti, four kinds of salad, and oven potatoes.

This is more substantial than a simple snack, which makes sense after swimming and sitting in the sun. The range also works reasonably well for mixed groups. You can choose meat, rice, pasta, potatoes, and salads rather than relying on one dish.

Lunch received particularly warm comments, with several people calling it tasty or fresh. One person specifically compared it to restaurant-quality food. That does not mean you should expect a fine-dining meal on a boat, but it does suggest the lunch is a strong part of the package.

Fruit is served after snorkeling or after the island, depending on the day’s exact order. Drinks are available throughout the trip, including mineral water, tea, instant coffee, cola, Sprite, and Fanta. Alcohol is not allowed, so plan around a fully nonalcoholic day.

Two hours on Orange Bay Island

Orange Bay is the trip’s main relaxation stop. You have about two hours to enjoy the beach, swim, take photos, or simply sit by the water.

The island is described as having very blue water and attractive sandy shores. This is the part of the trip where you can slow down after the activity-heavy morning. If you have children in your group, the open beach time may be easier than spending the whole day snorkeling.

Still, keep the setting realistic. Orange Bay is a popular stop, and it can be crowded. You are not booking an isolated beach. The appeal is the bright water, easy access, and a pleasant island break, not solitude.

Two hours is enough for a taste of the island, but it may feel brief if you want to swim, eat, browse, and relax without watching the clock. One useful approach is to decide in advance what matters most. I would swim first, take photos later, and leave a little time to dry off before returning to the boat.

Bring cash. Personal drinks on the island can be expensive, and the included boat drinks do not necessarily cover purchases once you leave the vessel.

Banana boat or sofa ride

The included banana boat or sofa ride adds a short burst of fun after the calmer island stop. The activity takes about 30 minutes in the schedule, though the exact time may depend on operating conditions and group arrangements.

This is a good bonus for families, couples, and groups of friends who want more than snorkeling. It is not the reason I would book the trip, but it improves the value because you get a separate water activity without another charge.

Strong wind can lead to cancellation. That is a sensible safety decision, not a service failure. If the sea is rough, the ride may also be uncomfortable for anyone with back problems or low confidence in the water.

Parasailing is available as an add-on. If you choose it, select private transfer for the return because the parasailing finish may be later than the main group’s departure.

The crew and the feel of the day

The crew shapes this experience more than the food or the boat. Names associated with the trip include Abdul, Ahmed, Arabi, Nemo, Ezz, Fox, Amor, and Sameer. Your actual team will depend on the boat and date, but you can expect a lively, social style rather than a quiet sailing trip.

Music and jokes are part of the atmosphere. That suits people who like an upbeat group outing. If you prefer silence, reading, and a small private crew, the standard shared option may feel too energetic.

The strongest practical feature is the crew’s attention to nervous swimmers. A guide can help you enter the water, stay close while you learn, and return to the boat. Tell them what you need instead of trying to appear confident. That is how you get the most from the snorkeling stops.

Private groups and private boats are available as paid options. A private arrangement may suit a family celebrating a birthday or anyone who wants more control over the pace. Birthday cake is also available as an add-on.

What to pack for a better day

Pack lightly, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Hat and sunscreen
• Biodegradable sunscreen for reef areas
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Cash for Orange Bay
• Any personal medication you need during a full-day outing

The boat has two toilets and a shower, which is useful after snorkeling and before the ride back. You should still wear practical clothing and keep valuables secure.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and the booking can be reserved with later payment. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date rather than assuming a fixed departure.

Who should book this Orange Bay trip?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to combine snorkeling, a beach stop, meals, and a bit of action in one day. It is also a good fit for families, mixed-age groups, and people who are unsure about snorkeling because the crew provides extra support.

It suits social travelers who enjoy music, jokes, and a busy boat atmosphere. The strong guide presence is a real benefit for children and adults who are not confident swimmers.

I would be more cautious if you suffer from seasickness, have heart problems, or want a peaceful private beach. Crowds at Orange Bay, wind-related changes, and the long time on the water are the main drawbacks.

Should you book it?

Book this Orange Bay boat trip if you want a lot included for $34 and you value friendly help in the water. The two reef stops, solid lunch, unlimited soft drinks, island access, and water ride make the day good value.

Before booking, check your pickup location and budget extra cash for the island. If you can accept a shared, lively boat and the possibility that wind changes the plan, this is a practical way to see the Red Sea around Hurghada.

FAQ

How long does the Orange Bay boat trip last?

The activity lasts about seven to eight hours, including the boat ride, meals, snorkeling, island time, and water ride.

How much does the trip cost?

The listed price is $34 per person.

Are hotel transfers included?

Transportation depends on the option selected. Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, and El Quseir requires an extra transfer charge.

Where is the meeting point without pickup?

Search for Moreno Horizon & Spa on Google Maps. Enter through the second gate, tell security you have a boat trip, and follow the Zanetta signs to the beach.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Each is scheduled to last about 45 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included, along with unlimited mineral water, tea, instant coffee, cola, Sprite, and Fanta. Fruit is also served during the day.

Is the banana boat ride always available?

The banana boat or sofa ride is included, but it may be cancelled in strong wind.

Can non-swimmers join the trip?

Non-swimmers can join, and a special guide is available to help them. The trip is not suitable for people with heart problems or those prone to seasickness.