Makadi: Giftun Island Speedboat Cruise to Orange Bay & Lunch

The best part of this trip is the fast ride across the Red Sea. Within about 20 minutes, you can reach your first snorkeling site, then spend the day moving between coral reefs, open water, and Orange Bay’s white sand rather than sitting on a large tour boat for hours.

I like the two separate snorkeling stops, which give you a better chance to see fish, coral, and perhaps sea turtles in changing water. I also like the easy package: pickup, boat, equipment, drinks, fruit, island entry, and lunch are covered for $53 per person. Guide Sabry has been especially helpful with nervous swimmers.

The main caution is the transport. Pickup can involve an early start and a bus ride that collects other people, and boarding may mean using a smaller rubber dinghy. If you get seasick, dislike a wet ride, or need firm footing, read the details carefully before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Two 20-minute snorkeling stops: Swim over Red Sea coral and watch for colorful fish and sea turtles.
• Orange Bay beach time: Relax on white sand, swim, eat, or find a quieter corner on the island.
• Speedboat rather than a large cruise boat: The ride is quick and lively, but wind and spray can make it chilly.
• Lunch choices: The standard package includes a cheese and roast beef lunch box, with island and seafood lunch upgrades available.
• Useful extras included: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, soft drinks, mineral water, seasonal fruit, guide service, and island entry are covered.
• Strict pickup timing: Be at the hotel’s main roadside entrance on time. The driver can wait no more than five minutes.

A quick ride from Makadi to Giftun National Park

This outing is built around time on the water, not a long transfer to a distant harbor. After pickup, you go to the marina, meet the guide, receive a short introduction, and board the speedboat.

The first snorkeling site is reached in roughly 20 minutes. That short crossing is one of the trip’s strongest points. You get more time for the actual Red Sea experience, and the speedboat gives you a lower, more open view of the water than a large vessel.

There is a tradeoff. A speedboat can feel exposed, especially when it is moving quickly. One person found the ride cold enough to warrant a jacket, and that is useful advice even in warm weather. Wind over wet skin can make the crossing surprisingly chilly.

You will have an onboard shaded area, a stereo system, and life jackets. The boat is meant to be comfortable, but it is still an active sea trip rather than a quiet ferry ride. Keep your towel and sunscreen close, and protect anything that should not get splashed.

The trip can be booked as a private or shared speedboat outing. The supplied details do not give a fixed group size, so ask at booking if having the boat to yourself matters. A private arrangement should give you more control over where you sit and how you use free time, while a shared trip usually keeps the price more attractive.

Two snorkeling stops with coral and sea life

The itinerary includes two snorkeling stops, each planned for about 20 minutes. That is not a long time in the water, but two locations are useful because conditions and visibility can vary across the Giftun Islands.

You can expect colorful fish around coral reefs, with sea turtles possible in the area. The point is not a long technical swim. This is a straightforward, guided look at the Red Sea, suitable for people who want a taste of its underwater life without committing to a full-day specialist excursion.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as are life jackets. If you are unsure in the water, tell the guide before entering. Sabry is specifically noted for assisting a swimmer, which suggests that the staff can offer practical help rather than simply point toward the reef and leave you to manage alone.

Still, you should be comfortable with basic water activity. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, and the boat movement can be uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness. If you need a long, stable platform or a gentle entry into the water, a larger boat may suit you better.

Use sunscreen before boarding and reapply after swimming. A towel is essential. Water shoes are also a smart addition. The island has stones and shells that can hurt bare feet, even though you may need to walk barefoot on parts of the beach. Put the shoes in your backpack rather than leaving them at the hotel.

Orange Bay is the beach centerpiece

After the snorkeling stops, the boat heads to Orange Bay. The setting is the classic Red Sea postcard: white sand, clear water, and a bright tropical feel. This is the part of the trip for people who want less activity and more time to swim, stretch out, and enjoy the shore.

Orange Bay is not simply a photo stop. You have time to relax on the beach, swim, explore, or sit down for lunch. If you prefer quiet, look around before choosing a place to settle. The island can be very busy, but quieter spots may be available away from the main gathering areas.

That busy atmosphere is worth considering. Orange Bay is popular because it is attractive, so do not expect an untouched beach with complete solitude. You are choosing a convenient, photogenic island visit with food and facilities, not a private desert island experience.

The water is the main draw. You can swim from the beach, cool off after snorkeling, or simply sit near the shore. Bring cash for any personal spending, since cash is specifically recommended for the outing. The included drinks and water help, but you may still want money for optional purchases or add-ons.

What lunch really means on this outing

The standard meal is a lunch box with a cheese sandwich and roast beef. You also receive soft drinks, mineral water, and seasonal fruit. This is practical food for a day outdoors, 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 to a proper meal matters to you, choose the island option in advance rather than assuming the lunch box includes a served meal.

The timing makes the lunch choice important. The island is where you have the chance to eat at leisure, while the boat stops are short and focused on swimming. A lunch upgrade may make sense if you want the meal to feel like part of the island visit rather than something you eat between activities.

The included food is a good value for a $53 outing, especially with the boat, entry fee, gear, drinks, fruit, and transport included. Just keep your expectations clear: the base meal is a packed lunch, not a seafood banquet.

Pickup can shape your whole morning

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada and the surrounding service area listed for the tour. For hotels in Safaga and Soma Bay, long-range pickup is available as a paid add-on during checkout.

The pickup point is important. You need to wait at the main entrance by the road, not at the reception entrance or an interior hotel gate. The exact pickup details arrive by email at about 10 p.m. the night before, so check your inbox before going to bed.

Be ready early and keep your phone available. Pickup is treated strictly, and the activity provider can wait no more than five minutes because other people are also being collected. The booking process asks for your nationality, hotel name, address, room number, and a passport copy for daily permissions. Provide these details accurately.

The road transfer may be longer than you expect. One outing involved a 6:50 a.m. pickup for a 9:00 a.m. booking, followed by about an hour of collecting other people. The bus was described as full and uncomfortable. That may depend on the hotel route and the day, but it is a real consideration if you dislike early starts or crowded transfers.

At the marina, boarding may involve a smaller rubber dinghy before reaching or getting onto the main speedboat. This can be wobbly, and people may get wet. Wear swimwear under your clothes, keep your bag secure, and avoid carrying anything that cannot handle spray.

How the $53 price compares

At $53 per person, this is a solid package if you want several Red Sea activities in one outing. The price includes hotel transport, a guide, speedboat travel, two snorkeling stops, equipment, life jackets, island entry, a lunch box, fruit, drinks, and water.

You are paying for convenience as much as for the scenery. You do not need to arrange a marina transfer, rent snorkeling equipment, or buy separate access to Orange Bay. For a visitor staying in Hurghada or Makadi who wants a simple day at sea, that reduces planning and removes several small costs.

The value is weaker if your priority is a large, steady boat, a long time in the water, or a quiet island. A big boat may feel safer for people with seasickness, although it will not provide the same quick, lively ride. The standard snorkeling time is also limited to two 20-minute stops, so serious underwater enthusiasts may want a longer specialist trip.

Parasailing is available only if you select that add-on. Do not assume it is part of the base $53 price. The same applies to long-range pickup and upgraded meals. Check the checkout choices so the final cost matches what you want.

Who will enjoy this speedboat day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a half-day-style Red Sea outing with a little of everything: snorkeling, swimming, beach time, lunch, and a quick boat ride. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable around water.

It is also a good fit if you like an active schedule but do not want to spend a full day on a large cruise vessel. The two short snorkeling stops keep the pace moving, while Orange Bay gives you time to slow down.

You may want another type of outing if you have back problems, are strongly prone to seasickness, or dislike unstable boarding. The smaller boat and rubber dinghy transfer can be part of the experience, and not everyone finds that fun.

The trip also may not suit you if you want a secluded beach. Orange Bay can be busy, and its appeal comes from easy access, clear water, and a polished island stop rather than isolation.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Pack lightly. Bring a towel, sunscreen, cash, and water shoes. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, and carry a light sweater or jacket for the speedboat. The ride can feel cold once you are wet, even under a warm sun.

Keep your passport copy and booking details ready for the required daily permission process. Confirm your hotel information and make sure you know the roadside pickup point.

If you are new to snorkeling, tell the guide. You do not need to be an expert, and the guide can help you get started. Stay within the instructed area and use the life jacket if you need extra support.

For the best use of your time, treat the snorkeling stops as short previews rather than long reef sessions. Take in the coral and fish, then save some energy for swimming and beach time at Orange Bay.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Red Sea plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Giftun Island trip?

Book it if you want good variety for a moderate price and like the idea of reaching the snorkeling sites quickly. The two reef stops, Orange Bay, lunch, drinks, equipment, and transfers create a useful package, and the staff appear particularly attentive when someone needs help in the water.

Before booking, make sure you can handle an early pickup, a possibly crowded transfer, wind, spray, and a smaller boarding boat. Choose the island or seafood lunch upgrade if a proper meal matters, and add parasailing only if you specifically want it.

For most active visitors staying around Hurghada or Makadi, this is a worthwhile Red Sea introduction. For anyone who values stability, quiet, or long snorkeling sessions above all else, choose a larger boat or a more specialized sea trip instead.

FAQ

How much does the Makadi Giftun Island speedboat trip cost?

The listed price is $53 per person.

What is included in the price?

The trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, speedboat travel, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, island entry, a lunch box, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, shaded onboard space, a stereo system, and life jackets.

How long is each snorkeling stop?

Each of the two snorkeling stops lasts about 20 minutes.

What marine life might I see?

You may see colorful fish, coral reefs, and sea turtles. The trip also offers the chance to watch dolphins from the speedboat.

Is lunch served on Orange Bay?

The standard package includes a lunch box with a cheese sandwich and roast beef. You can add lunch on the island during checkout, including an optional seafood lunch upgrade.

Is the speedboat private?

The activity can be booked as either a private or shared speedboat trip. Confirm the arrangement you want when booking.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Water shoes are useful because stones and shells can make walking on the island uncomfortable. A light jacket or sweater may also help during the fast boat ride.

Where is hotel pickup?

Pickup is at the hotel’s main entrance by the road. It is not at the reception gate or another interior entrance.

How strict is the pickup time?

Pickup is strict. The provider can wait no more than five minutes, so you should be ready at the stated location on time.

Is the trip suitable for people with back problems?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with back problems. It may also be uncomfortable for people who are prone to seasickness because the boat and boarding transfer can be wobbly.