REVIEW · HURGHADA
Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Go Shalabi · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Dolphins and snorkeling in one Red Sea run. This Hurghada trip bundles high-speed dolphin watching with Giftun-area snorkeling and Orange Bay Island beach time, so you’re not stuck choosing between sea life and a proper beach break. It’s a fast-moving day that feels like Egypt’s Red Sea in highlight form.
I also like the structure: two separate snorkeling stops (with gear and life jackets) plus a real block of time on Orange Bay Island for lunch and a swim. The one drawback to plan for is that dolphins are not guaranteed on the day, since the search happens in their natural habitat and conditions depend on boat traffic.
In This Review
- Key Things To Know Before You Go
- A Fast Speedboat Day Designed for Sea Life
- Hurghada Pickup and Timing: Where People Usually Get Stressed
- Dolphin Watching: What You Actually Should Expect
- Two Snorkeling Stops at Giftun Area Water
- Orange Bay Island: Lunch, Beach Time, and a Slow-Down Moment
- The Optional Fly View: Quick Air Time Over the Red Sea
- Price and Value: Is $47 a Fair Deal?
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)
- The Small Details That Make the Difference
- Should You Book Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch?
- FAQ
- Is dolphin spotting guaranteed on this tour?
- How many snorkeling stops are included?
- What lunch and drinks are included?
- What does the tour include besides the beach and snorkeling?
- Where exactly is pickup, and when will I receive details?
- Is there an option to fly above the Red Sea?
Key Things To Know Before You Go

- Fast boat pace for dolphin time: you’ll run out to the best areas to look for dolphins, then watch and photograph from the boat
- Two snorkeling stops: you’ll snorkel at two locations with snorkeling equipment and a guide
- Orange Bay Island + lunch included: entrance, lunch box, seasonal fruit, and soft drinks are part of the package
- On-board comfort basics: life jackets plus a shaded area and water/soft drinks on the boat
- Optional short fly-over view: there’s an option to fly for a brief period so you can see the Red Sea from above
A Fast Speedboat Day Designed for Sea Life

This is the kind of tour that makes sense if you only have a few hours in Hurghada and want your Red Sea time to feel efficient. You start with a ride on a speedboat, then the day pivots quickly into dolphin watching in open water before you transition to snorkeling and finally Orange Bay’s beaches.
The main appeal is that this isn’t just a boat trip with one quick stop. You get a sequence of experiences—dolphins first, then snorkeling, then island time—so the day stays busy without turning into a nonstop sprint to nowhere.
The boat setup is also meant for practical comfort. You’re not dealing with guesswork about safety gear: life jackets are included, and there’s a shaded area on board. In real life, that matters because Red Sea sun can move from warm to intense faster than you expect.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hurghada
Hurghada Pickup and Timing: Where People Usually Get Stressed

Logistics can make or break a day like this, and this one is clear about the basics. Pickup details are sent by email the night before, at 10 pm. That gives you a big hint: check your inbox that evening so you’re not scrambling in the morning.
The pickup point is specific. You’ll meet at the main entrance of the Main Gate hotel on the highway—not at the reception gate. Also, the driver can wait only about 5 minutes at the pickup location. After that, the schedule keeps moving, because other pickups are timed too.
One more practical note: the pickup can be tight. I saw an account where the vehicle felt packed for the number of people, and seat belts didn’t seem properly available for children. You can’t control every vehicle, but you can control your awareness. If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who needs proper seating, make sure everyone has a seat and seat belt before the van pulls away.
Dolphin Watching: What You Actually Should Expect

Dolphin time is the star of the show here, and it’s handled in a way that makes sense for wildlife. You search in the dolphins’ natural habitat rather than expecting a sure-thing dock-side encounter. That means you might see dolphins quickly, or you might spend time looking.
The tour description also flags something important: swimming with dolphins depends on conditions, including boat traffic. In other words, you’re not buying a guarantee that you will enter the water with dolphins. You’re buying a chance to find them and enjoy the moment from the boat, with swimming possible when the situation allows.
When dolphins do show up, the experience is all about motion and timing. You’ll be out in open water, watching dolphins swim and play around the boat. There’s a clear photo moment here, and you’ll want to bring your camera safely secured.
It helps to know the vibe of the crew. One guide named in an account, Momo, the captain, got a lot of praise for being attentive and friendly. That kind of captain energy matters because the whole point is for the boat to move to where the action is.
Two Snorkeling Stops at Giftun Area Water

Snorkeling is the second big reason to book this. You’ll snorkel at two different spots, with snorkeling equipment provided and guidance from the tour guide.
A helpful detail: snorkeling isn’t constant. Expect it to be done in blocks—shorter stints at each location rather than one long swim that leaves you tired. One account described about an hour total in the open sea, split across both stops. That’s a good pacing approach. It keeps you fresh, and it also makes it easier to stay focused on what you’re seeing.
What you’ll notice under the surface is the reef life typical of the Red Sea: tropical fish and coral structures. The guide gives an overview at each stop, and that matters for first-timers. You don’t want to be figuring out gear and breath control while the best fish are passing by.
Also, life jackets are on board. That’s not the same thing as snorkeling support, but it’s good to have if you get tired or need to relax between stretches of swimming.
One account preferred the first of the two snorkeling areas and described the first stop as the best. That lines up with how these tours often work: conditions and water clarity can vary, and you usually start with the most promising spot. Either way, both stops are included, so you’re not paying for just one decent moment.
Orange Bay Island: Lunch, Beach Time, and a Slow-Down Moment

After dolphins and snorkeling, the day gives you a change of pace: Orange Bay Island. This is where you stop moving as much and actually enjoy the beach.
You get entrance to Orange Bay Island, plus time to explore the scenery and take a swim if you want. There’s room to do your own thing, whether that means going for a gentle shoreline swim, hopping back in the water, or simply relaxing out of the sun.
Lunch is part of the island block, and it’s fairly standard for tours like this: a lunch box sandwich with turkey, cheese, roast beef, pickles, juice, and fruits. Seasonal fruits are also included, along with soft drinks, water, and juice on the boat during the day.
Now, here’s the honest part. A couple of accounts called the lunch mediocre or not great. You should go in with realistic expectations: this is included food that gets you fed and keeps the tour moving. If you’re hoping for a proper restaurant-style meal, you might feel disappointed. If you’re mainly here for dolphins, snorkeling, and beach time, it does the job.
You can also read our reviews of more dolphin watching tours in Hurghada
The Optional Fly View: Quick Air Time Over the Red Sea

There’s an optional add-on that lets you fly briefly so you can see the Red Sea from above. The summary mentions fly time up to 10 minutes, while the detailed plan says up to 5 minutes. Either way, it’s a short window of a different perspective—useful if you like seeing water patterns, coastline shapes, and reef outlines from overhead.
This is also the kind of activity where you should judge by your comfort level. You’re adding a physical experience to an already active day (boat + snorkeling + beach). If you’re prone to motion discomfort, consider whether the fly option is worth it for you.
Price and Value: Is $47 a Fair Deal?

At $47 per person, this tour competes on value because several key costs are wrapped into the price: hotel pickup and drop-off, speedboat ride, snorkeling equipment, guide, two snorkeling stops, life jackets, Orange Bay Island entrance, nature reserve fees, and the basics for eating and drinking (lunch box, seasonal fruits, soft drinks, water).
The real question isn’t just the price tag. It’s whether the package saves you time and hassle. Here, the tour takes care of the transport and the gear, which is often what makes Red Sea day trips expensive or complicated on your own.
What you should watch for is how you personally value dolphin time versus comfort details. If you want a smooth, high-comfort day, the boat and pickup can feel more “tour function” than luxury. Still, you’re paying for a full circuit of experiences, not a single attraction.
If dolphins show up and snorkeling conditions are good, this kind of value is easy to justify. If dolphins don’t appear, you’ll still have snorkeling and Orange Bay time, but you might wish you had more control over where the day goes.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This trip fits best if you want a well-paced day that covers three goals: wildlife (dolphins), marine life (snorkeling), and beach time (Orange Bay Island). It’s also a solid pick if you don’t want to spend your short vacation figuring out logistics.
It’s not suitable for people with back problems, since the day includes speedboat travel and likely some bumpy movement on board and during transfers.
If you’re the type who hates uncertain wildlife encounters, then treat the dolphin portion as a bonus rather than the guarantee. The tour is designed to search, not to promise.
And if you’re traveling with kids, pay attention to pickup seating and seat belts. One account raised safety concerns about car seating and seat belt access. That doesn’t mean every pickup is the same, but you should check immediately when you get in the vehicle.
The Small Details That Make the Difference

These trips live or die on the “in-between” parts:
- You’ll have drinks and water during the day, plus access to soft drinks on board, which helps you stay comfortable between activities.
- The schedule includes shaded time and safety gear, which makes it easier to handle the heat.
- Guides are part of the experience, not just silent logistics. Accounts describe snorkeling guidance as friendly and helpful, and the captain experience can set the tone for the dolphin hunt.
Also, language support is available in English and Arabic. That helps a lot for first-time snorkelers who want quick, clear instructions.
Should You Book Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch?
Book this tour if you want one organized day that hits dolphins, snorkeling, and a beach island stop without extra planning. At $47, the inclusion list is strong for anyone who values time savings and wants the gear handled for them. If dolphins show up, you’re likely to remember this day as one of your best Red Sea moments.
Skip or rethink it if dolphins are your absolute must-have and you can’t handle the possibility of no sightings. Also reconsider if your back is sensitive to boat movement, or if your priority is comfort during transfers and a higher-end lunch.
If you do book, do this one prep move: bring your swimwear, towel, and cash, and show up for pickup on time at the correct Main Gate location. That alone reduces stress, and it lets you enjoy the part of the day you actually paid for.
FAQ
Is dolphin spotting guaranteed on this tour?
No. The tour searches for dolphins in their natural habitat, and there’s a possibility you won’t spot them.
How many snorkeling stops are included?
You get two snorkeling stops, and snorkeling equipment plus life jackets are included.
What lunch and drinks are included?
You’ll receive a lunch box sandwich (turkey, cheese, roast beef, pickles), plus juice and fruits. Seasonal fruits and soft drinks are included too, along with water.
What does the tour include besides the beach and snorkeling?
It includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, a speedboat ride, a guide, entrance to Orange Bay Island, seasonal fruits, soft drinks and water, and nature reserve fees.
Where exactly is pickup, and when will I receive details?
Pickup is at the main entrance of the Main Gate hotel on the highway. Pickup details are sent by email at 10 pm the night before, and you should be ready because the driver can wait only about 5 minutes.
Is there an option to fly above the Red Sea?
Yes. There’s an optional flight view, described as up to 10 minutes in the summary and up to 5 minutes in the tour description.































