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

The Red Sea does the heavy lifting here. I like how this trip mixes hands-on snorkeling with a full onboard breakfast and lunch, and I especially enjoyed the way guides coached first-timers like Abdul and Ahmed. The one possible drawback: the included banana boat or sofa ride can get cancelled if the wind is strong.

For a day that runs 7–8 hours, it feels pretty well-paced, with safety briefing before you hit the water and then a relaxed stretch of time on Orange Bay Island. You’ll also appreciate the extra support for non-swimmers (there’s a special guide), and the crew energy is real, with names like Arabi, Nemo, and Ezz showing up in the stories people share.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Two snorkel stops with included equipment: You get a real chance to see fish and coral, not just one quick water break.
• Guides actually help you feel safe: A special guide supports non-swimmers and first-timers.
• Buffet breakfast and lunch are built in: You’re not guessing about food once you’re out on the water.
• Orange Bay gives you 2 hours on the beach: Sun, swimming, and just slowing down.
• Banana boat/sofa rides are weather-dependent: Strong wind can mean no thrill ride that day.
• Bring cash for the island: A few basics on-site may cost extra, even with your package included.

Hurghada to Orange Bay: A 7–8 Hour Day That Moves, But Isn’t Rushed

This excursion is designed as a full outing, not a quick half-day. Plan for roughly 7–8 hours total, with time spent traveling by ferry and then shifting gears between breakfast, safety, snorkeling, lunch, and island time.

You’ll travel with air-conditioned transportation when your option includes it. Even if you’re meeting the boat yourself, the day is structured so you’re not wondering what comes next. That matters in Hurghada, where timing can make or break your sanity.

What Your $34 Buys: Meals, Snorkeling Gear, and Entry Fees

At $34 per person, the value comes from what’s already locked in. You’re paying for more than “a boat ride to a beach,” because the package includes the stuff that usually adds up.

Here’s what you get as included basics:

• Breakfast buffet (with fruit, salad, cheese, toast, jam, chocolate, and hot dog)
• Lunch buffet (chicken wings, kofta, rice, spaghetti, multiple salads, oven potatoes)
• Unlimited drinks: mineral water, tea, instant coffee, cola, sprite, Fanta
• Two snorkeling stops plus snorkeling equipment
• Orange Bay entry fees
• 2 toilets and a shower onboard
• Seasonal fruit after snorkeling or on the island (depends on the program)

That’s why this feels like good math. If you’ve ever tried to piece together food, transport, and snorkeling separately in the Red Sea, you know the price can climb quickly. This package aims to keep you fed and supplied while you’re out there.

The Red Sea Water Time: Safety Briefing and Two Snorkel Stops

You get a safety briefing before you go in, and that’s a big deal if it’s your first time snorkeling. The briefing is scheduled as part of the day, and the whole operation is set up with multiple guides onboard, typically 2 to 4.

Then you get two snorkeling sessions, each about 45 minutes. That’s the practical advantage: you have time to get comfortable, see what you came for, and still have a second stop to compare coral and fish activity.

What to do during the snorkel stops:

• Keep your mask on and focus on slow, controlled breathing.
• Follow the guide’s directions for where to float and how to move.
• Don’t fight the current if there is one. Instead, let the guide show you the easiest way to stay in the snorkeling zone.

Also, there’s a special guide for non-swimmers, which is exactly what you want if you’re nervous about the water. People mention this kind of support (especially for first-timers), and the day is clearly built to help you get in and out confidently.

Orange Bay Island: 2 Hours to Unplug, With a Realistic Crowd Check

Orange Bay Island is the payoff. You’ll have about 2 hours of free time to relax on the pristine shore and enjoy the beach at your own pace.

Two hours is enough to:

• swim for a while,
• soak up sun,
• take photos,
• and eat the included snacks depending on how you time your day.

The trade-off is that you are sharing the island with other boats. Some people note the island can be busy, so if you’re very sensitive to crowds, keep your expectations flexible and arrive ready to enjoy the water and views rather than chasing total solitude.

One smart tip: plan for extra small purchases by bringing cash. Reviews and practical realities suggest that what you want on-site might not be included, even when your main package is.

Breakfast and Lunch on the Boat: Not Fancy, But Convenient and Filling

I like how the food is handled because it’s simple and predictable. You don’t have to hunt for lunch once you’re out at sea, and the buffets keep you from waiting around while everyone decides what to eat.

Breakfast is a proper spread: two kinds of fruit, salad, two kinds of cheese, toast, jam, chocolate, and hot dog. It’s not “health food,” but it’s practical for a long day of sun and water.

Lunch follows a similar structure, with a mix of proteins and carbs: chicken wings, kofta, two kinds of rice, spaghetti, oven potatoes, and several salads. If you’re traveling with people who don’t want to eat the same thing every day, this variety helps.

Also, you get unlimited soft drinks included. So you can stay hydrated without constantly buying water.

Banana Boat or Sofa Ride: Included Thrill, Weather Can Win

After island time, the package includes an extra thrill: banana boat or sofa ride for about 30 minutes. The key detail is right in the rules of the day: it might be cancelled in case of strong wind.

That means you should treat it as bonus fun, not a guarantee. If the wind is up, your plan should still work because you still have snorkeling and beach time as the core of the day.

If the ride does happen, wear what you can swim in and bring a towel. You’ll want to dry off fast after you’re done.

Crew Energy and Guide Support: Why People Leave Smiling

The biggest consistency I see in the stories is the crew attitude. The trip runs with multiple guides onboard and aims to keep you comfortable and moving at the right pace.

Names that come up often include Abdul, Ahmed, Arabi, Nemo, Ezz, and Amor. People talk about guides being funny, upbeat, and genuinely helpful, especially for first-time snorkelers.

There’s also a strong service vibe described around comfort: helping guests get in and out, coaching you while you snorkel, and keeping the day enjoyable even when conditions shift. One reason this trip gets high marks is that it doesn’t treat safety and fun as separate things.

There’s also an add-on in the package options: a birthday cake if you select it. If you’re celebrating, that’s a nice built-in touch rather than trying to plan it yourself last-minute.

Who This Trip Is For (And Who Should Think Twice)

This excursion fits best if you want a Red Sea day that’s active but not complicated. It’s great for:

• first-time snorkelers (you get equipment and guide support),
• families and mixed groups who want variety (snorkeling plus beach),
• people who prefer an organized day with food and drinks handled.

It’s not suitable for:

• people with heart problems,
• people prone to seasickness.

That’s not meant to scare you off, but it’s practical. Boat days can mean motion, and the water time is a real part of the schedule.

Practical Tips That Make the Day Better

A few things make this trip smoother from the moment you meet the group.

What to bring

• hat
• swimwear
• towel
• sunscreen (and biodegradable sunscreen)
• cash
• weather-appropriate clothing

Biodegradable sunscreen is worth taking seriously in marine areas. And bringing your own towel means you’re not stuck improvising once you’re back onboard.

What to expect with drinks and extras

Unlimited drinks are included (water, tea, instant coffee, cola, sprite, Fanta). But if you buy other items on-site or during the day, budget accordingly. Some people report that purchased drinks can run around £10–15 each, so I’d treat anything beyond your included beverages as a separate spend.

Meeting point reality

This option notes that pickup isn’t included unless you choose an extra transfer. If you’re meeting at the start, look for Moreno Horizon & Spa on Google Maps, then go to the second gate (not the main entrance). Tell security you have a boat trip, follow Zanetta signs, and head to the beach where your boat waits.

So, Should You Book It for Orange Bay?

If your priority is a Red Sea day that checks multiple boxes—snorkeling with real support, a proper lunch, and an actual beach break—this is an easy “yes” for most people. The value is strong because the package includes entry fees, two snorkeling stops with gear, and food and drinks that would otherwise cost extra.

I’d especially book this if you’re bringing someone who’s nervous about snorkeling. The special guide for non-swimmers is the kind of detail that makes the difference between sitting on the boat and actually enjoying the water.

But if you’re very prone to motion sickness, or you’re chasing the one-and-only, totally quiet island experience, you might want to rethink it. The day’s best moments involve time out on the water and sharing Orange Bay with other boats.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada Orange Bay Island boat trip?

It runs about 7–8 hours.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. You get a breakfast buffet onboard.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You get a lunch buffet onboard.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

There are two snorkeling stops.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks are included, including mineral water, tea, instant coffee, cola, sprite, and Fanta.

Is pickup from Hurghada included in this option?

No. Pickup is not included in this option, but it can be added for an extra charge during checkout.

Where is the meeting point if I am not using pickup?

Go to Moreno Horizon & Spa on Google Maps, enter through the second gate, then follow Zanetta signs to the beach.

Are banana boat or sofa rides included?

Yes, the banana boat or sofa ride is included, but it might be cancelled in case of strong wind.

Who should not book this trip?

It’s not suitable for people with heart problems or people prone to seasickness.