Sail to the Maldives of the Red Sea, pearl-white sand, turquoise water and three reef stops.
About this trip
Orange Bay sits 16 nautical miles north of Hurghada Marina, on the eastern flank of Giftun Island National Park. The boat ride takes about 90 minutes each way and passes two of the busiest reefs in the bay, both protected since 1995. Most groups stop at Erg Somaya first, where the corals start in waist-deep water and the visibility regularly reaches 25 metres. The second stop is closer to the island and shallower, better for first-time snorkelers and kids. By midday you anchor at Orange Bay itself and walk into the water from a wooden jetty straight onto bone-white sand.
Trip highlights
- Two snorkeling stops at vibrant reefs
- 2 hours on the white-sand island of Orange Bay
- Buffet lunch on board
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
What you will see underwater
The reef edge is dense with parrotfish, sergeant majors, butterflyfish, and the occasional moray. Hawksbill turtles show up on most days at the second reef. The island's shallows are full of needlefish and small barracuda. Bottlenose dolphins follow the boat on the way back if you leave Orange Bay between 14:00 and 15:00.
Identify every fish and coral you'll meetBest time to go
Open year-round. October to April brings the calmest seas and water around 23°C. May to September is hotter on land but the water is 27°C and the visibility peaks. Avoid the tail end of December if there is a strong northerly wind, the captain will reroute to a sheltered bay.
Travel tips
Bring a rash vest if you sunburn easily, the sun reflects hard off the white sand. Cash tips for the captain and crew are appreciated, $5 to $10 per guest is the local norm. The boat has a freshwater shower and a clean toilet. Wifi is patchy, treat the day as a phone-off day.
Bringing kids?
Children from 4 years old are welcome. The shallow island side is calf-deep for the first 20 metres, perfect for first-time snorkelers. Child-size masks and vests are stocked on every boat.
What's included
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, vest)
- Buffet lunch on board
- Soft drinks, tea & water
- Certified captain & crew
- Insurance
- Underwater camera (extra)
- Alcoholic drinks (extra)
- Tip for captain & crew (optional)
Daily itinerary
Approximate. Subject to weather and sea conditions.
- 07:30Hotel pickup
- 08:30Boarding
- 10:00Arrive at the island
- 10:30First reef snorkel
- 12:00Beach time on the island
- 13:00Buffet lunch
- 14:30Second reef snorkel
- 16:00Return cruise
- 17:00Hotel drop-off
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before the trip start time and get a full refund. After that, we can usually reschedule but cash is non-refundable.
Guest reviews
25 verified reviews from real guests
Op het laatste moment geboekt en geen spijt. Het water was turquoise en kristalhelder. Boeken zeker weer.
Топ
Вся семья в восторге. Снорклинг на рифах — куча рыбы. Обязательно поедем снова.
Perfect day on the water
We booked last minute and so glad we did. Orange Bay sand was so soft and the lagoons stunning. Pickup was on time and crew super friendly.
Незабываемо!
Забронировали в последний момент, не пожалели. Снорклинг на рифах — куча рыбы. Обед на борту вкусный, порций хватало.
Einfach Wahnsinn. Schnorcheln an den Riffen — viele Fische, top Sicht. Mittagessen an Bord war reichlich und lecker.
Onvergetelijk!
Het hoogtepunt van onze vakantie. Snorkelen bij de riffen — veel vissen. Ophalen bij hotel op tijd, crew vriendelijk.
Felejthetetlen!
Utolsó pillanatban foglaltuk, és örülünk neki. Az Orange Bay homokja lélegzetelállító. Foglalás egyszerű, ár tisztességes.
Незабываемо!
Просто вау. Снорклинг на рифах — куча рыбы. Забрали из отеля вовремя, экипаж дружелюбный.
Show all 25 reviews
Вся семья в восторге. Песок на Orange Bay невероятно мягкий. Рекомендую всем, кто едет в Египет.
Exceeded expectations
We booked last minute and so glad we did. Snorkeling at the reefs was top-tier, lots of fish. Lunch on board was tasty and plenty.
تجربة لا تُنسى!
حجزنا في آخر لحظة ومبسوطين جداً. المياه فيروزية وصافية، منظر مش طبيعي. الغداء على المركب لذيذ.
Top expérience
Tout simplement bluffant. L'eau était turquoise et limpide. Réservation simple, prix juste.
أنصح بشدة
أحلى يوم في الإجازة. السنوركلينج كان فوق الوصف. هحجز معاهم تاني أكيد.
Einfach Wahnsinn. Der weiße Sand von Orange Bay ist sensationell. Beim nächsten Mal definitiv wieder.
Cel mai frumos moment al vacanței. Snorkeling pe recifuri — mulți pești. Recomand oricui vizitează Egipt.
Întreaga familie s-a distrat. Snorkeling pe recifuri — mulți pești. Recomand oricui vizitează Egipt.
أفضل يوم في الرحلة
حجزنا في آخر لحظة ومبسوطين جداً. السنوركلينج كان فوق الوصف. هحجز معاهم تاني أكيد.
Pur și simplu wow. Apa era turcoaz și cristalină. Rezervare ușoară, preț corect.
Top-Erlebnis
Einfach Wahnsinn. Der weiße Sand von Orange Bay ist sensationell. Buchung mühelos, Preis fair.
What an incredible day! Orange Bay sand was so soft and the lagoons stunning. Pickup was on time and crew super friendly.
Tout simplement bluffant. Le sable d'Orange Bay est paradisiaque. Recommandé sans hésiter pour qui visite l'Égypte.
Egyszerűen csodás
A vakáció fénypontja. Snorkelezés a zátonyokon — rengeteg hal. Ebéd a hajón finom és bőséges.
Loved it
Smooth booking, smooth day. Snorkeling at the reefs was top-tier, lots of fish. Booking was effortless and price was honest.
Worth every penny
Our family had a brilliant time. The water was unreal — turquoise and crystal clear. Lunch on board was tasty and plenty.
Absolut traumhaft
Unsere Familie war begeistert. Schnorcheln an den Riffen — viele Fische, top Sicht. Mittagessen an Bord war reichlich und lecker.
Trip-specific questions
How do I get to Orange Bay from my hotel?
Air-conditioned shuttle picks you up from your hotel reception around 07:30. The drive to Hurghada Marina takes 10 to 25 minutes depending on your zone. The driver carries a list with your name.
Will I see dolphins?
Bottlenose dolphins follow most return boats between 14:00 and 15:00. Sightings happen on around 70 percent of trips. We never chase pods, the encounter only counts when they choose to swim with the boat.
Is the food good for vegetarians?
The buffet always includes rice, two cooked vegetables, fresh salad, hummus, baba ghanoush, fruit and bread. Tell the captain in advance for vegan or gluten-free meals.
