REVIEW · HURGHADA
Red Sea: Orange Island Speedboat Full Day Tour with Lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by Egyptra Travel Services · Bookable on Viator
Orange Island is a quick escape from Hurghada. This full-day speedboat-style outing gives you modern boat comfort and easy snorkeling gear so you can spend the day on turquoise water and white sand instead of organizing logistics yourself. What I like most is the smooth round-trip plan with hotel pickup and drop-off, plus the way the day is built around real water time rather than long sightseeing blocks.
One thing to plan for: meals on the island aren’t included. You’ll find restaurants and cafes for extra fees, and lunch is listed as an add-on rather than part of the base price.
In This Review
- Key Highlights at a Glance
- What Makes the Orange Island Day Feel Worth It
- Price and Logistics: What the $70 Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
- Pickup to Marina: Getting Started Without Stress
- The Speedboat Ride: Comfort, Shade, and a Quick Route
- Stop 1: Orange Bay on Orange Island for Sand Time and Snorkel Prep
- Stop 2: Giftun Islands Snorkeling with Two 20-Minute Reef Sessions
- What’s Included for the Water (and What You Should Bring)
- Toilets, Showers, and Shade: The Comfort Stuff That Changes Everything
- How to Think About the Time: A Short Tour with Real Water Focus
- Who Should Book This Orange Island Speedboat Tour
- Should You Book It? My Practical Verdict
- FAQ
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- How long is the tour?
- Is snorkeling equipment included?
- What food is included during the day?
- Are there snorkeling stops at Giftun?
- Does the island have facilities like toilets or showers?
Key Highlights at a Glance

- Small group size (max 10): easier pacing and less crowd pressure at the stops
- Orange Bay + Giftun National Park: two different moods—sand-and-rest, then reef-and-snorkel
- Two snorkeling windows: each one is 20 minutes at Giftun’s best spots
- Onboard perks: mineral water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, plus shaded areas
- Island facilities: toilets/showers, sun loungers, and shaded space on Orange Island
What Makes the Orange Island Day Feel Worth It

In Hurghada, it’s easy to find day trips that try to cram too much in. This one keeps the focus where it should be: sea travel, beach time, and snorkeling at the National Park. You’re not hunting for a meeting point, either—you’re collected and returned by the tour setup.
The value also comes from what’s bundled. Your speedboat ride isn’t just transport; it includes essentials for being in the water (mask, fins, and life vest) and credits you with island admission and national park entry fees. That matters because those are the line items that can quietly add up when you try to DIY it.
Price and Logistics: What the $70 Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

At $70 per person, I think the best way to judge this tour is by counting the included pieces you’d otherwise pay for. You’re getting round-trip transfers in Hurghada, a modern speedboat, and onboard refreshments (mineral water, soft drinks, seasonal fruits). On top of that, the snorkel kit is included, and the Giftun island admissions and National Park entry fees are included too.
What’s not included is the food-and-drink situation on the island. The tour description is clear that you’ll have access to restaurants and cafes for extra fees, and lunch is offered for an additional cost. So if you know you always buy meals out, budget extra.
Also note the timing: the tour is listed at about 5 hours total. That’s a good fit if you want a sea day without losing your whole vacation day to travel and waiting. It’s not the best fit if you’re chasing an all-day, do-nothing, all-in-the-water marathon.
Pickup to Marina: Getting Started Without Stress

This is the part you’ll feel in the first 15 minutes. Because hotel pickup and drop-off are included, the day starts with a clear handoff: you’re not trying to catch a taxi at a specific time or negotiate for directions.
It also helps that the service is built around a small group—maximum 10 travelers. Smaller groups tend to mean fewer delays. They also make it easier to get moving quickly once you reach the marina.
One more human detail that really stands out from the kind of service reported: the driver Adnan gets credit for being friendly and speaking strong English, and for taking time to share history along the way. Even if you only get a short chat, it can turn the transfer into something useful rather than dead time.
The Speedboat Ride: Comfort, Shade, and a Quick Route

The speedboat is described as modern and comfortable, and that’s exactly what you want in the Red Sea. The ride isn’t just about getting from A to B—it sets your expectations for the day. A more comfortable boat makes the difference between arriving relaxed versus arriving already tired.
On board, you’ll have mineral water and soft drinks, plus seasonal fruit. You also get a shaded area on the boat, which matters in Egypt when the sun can feel relentless even when the sea looks inviting.
The crew is part of the comfort equation too. The captain is listed as experienced, which you’ll appreciate if conditions get a little choppy. Even if you don’t think about it at the time, an experienced operator is one less thing to worry about while you focus on enjoying the water.
Stop 1: Orange Bay on Orange Island for Sand Time and Snorkel Prep

Orange Bay is part of the protected island area in the Giftun region, and the whole pitch is about clear, shallow water and beaches you can actually enjoy. You’ll be looking at white sand, coral surroundings, and sea that’s described as crystal-clear turquoise.
A few specifics help you plan your own day inside the day:
- The bay is about 1.5 km in stretch.
- The water depth is listed as up to 5 meters, which often makes for comfortable floating and easy snorkeling conditions for many people.
You’ll have Orange Bay access for a set chunk of time (the schedule information gives a couple-of-hours style window). That’s long enough to do the essentials without feeling rushed. I like that you’re not forced into a tight snorkel-only itinerary. You can swim, float, and take photos, and you still get your reef time later at Giftun.
Facilities are a quiet win here. The island offers toilets and showers, plus shaded areas and sun loungers. When you come back to land after time in the water, having a place to rinse off and cool down makes the day feel more “vacation” and less “day trip.”
Stop 2: Giftun Islands Snorkeling with Two 20-Minute Reef Sessions

Giftun Islands is where the day shifts from relaxed beach mode to focused reef snorkeling. This area is described as a National Park with snorkeling spots that are considered unique.
Instead of one long snorkeling block, you get two snorkeling stops, each lasting 20 minutes. That structure is actually practical. Shorter reef sessions help you stay comfortable—especially if you want to enjoy the view without feeling exhausted. It also makes it easier to manage for a mixed group where everyone has different comfort levels.
During the snorkeling portions, you’ll be using the included equipment—mask, fins, and a life vest. If you’re a confident swimmer, the life vest still helps you feel secure while you adjust to breathing and buoyancy. If you’re less confident, it can turn snorkeling from stressful into doable.
One trade-off: 20 minutes can feel short if you’re fully hooked once you see fish. But the flip side is that you’re still likely to have energy for the rest of the day’s sand-and-swim time.
What’s Included for the Water (and What You Should Bring)

The tour includes the core gear for snorkeling: mask, fins, and life vest. That alone is a big convenience, especially if you’re traveling light. You won’t need to rent gear at the marina or worry about sizes.
You also get mineral water and soft drinks onboard and seasonal fruit, plus shaded areas on the boat. On the island, there are sun loungers, shade, toilets, and showers. In other words, the day is designed for the full cycle: boat ride, water time, then landing with basic comfort.
What you should bring is the stuff that keeps you comfortable and ready:
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- Sunscreen and a hat for time on the beach (and for photos)
- Water-friendly footwear if you prefer it for sandy or coral-edge zones
- A dry bag for phone and passport
- A change of clothes for the return ride
If you plan to buy snacks or lunch on the island, bring cash or card options if available through the island cafes and restaurants. The tour setup doesn’t include island meals in the base price.
Toilets, Showers, and Shade: The Comfort Stuff That Changes Everything

It’s tempting to skip “comfort details” when you’re planning a sea tour. Then you reach the island, you swim longer than you expected, and you wish there were somewhere to rinse and cool down.
Here, the setup is thoughtful. Orange Island is listed with toilet and shower facilities, plus shaded areas and sun loungers. The speedboat also has shaded space, and that’s helpful because you’re likely to be in the sun at multiple points—boarding, waiting, and beach time.
Shade is a big deal when you’re traveling in a warm coastal climate. It keeps the day from feeling like a constant sun exposure test. It also makes it easier to stay comfortable between the snorkeling sessions and beach lounging.
How to Think About the Time: A Short Tour with Real Water Focus
A total duration of about 5 hours means you’ll be on the move. That’s the model: quick, efficient, and built around the sea experience rather than long land stops.
If you’re the type who likes structured blocks—swim here, snorkel here, rest there—this works well. You get Orange Bay time for beach and water relaxation, then Giftun snorkeling stops, and you’re back on the way to Hurghada at the agreed return time.
Where the tour is not trying to compete is in all-day lounging. If you want hours upon hours on the island with no switching locations, you might feel you’re moving through the day quickly. But if you’d rather spend limited time than waste a vacation day on transit, this timing is a plus.
Who Should Book This Orange Island Speedboat Tour
This tour is a strong match if you want:
- Simple logistics from Hurghada with pickup and drop-off
- A day that’s mostly water time, not sightseeing
- Included snorkeling gear so you don’t carry or rent equipment
- Small-group pacing (max 10) that keeps things from feeling chaotic
- Basic island comfort: shade, sun loungers, and toilets/showers
You might consider a different option if:
- You want a full meal plan included in the price
- You’re hoping for long snorkeling sessions that last well over 20 minutes at once
- You’re prone to motion sensitivity and need a slower, less speedboat-focused plan (this isn’t listed as rough-water dependent, but speedboats can feel quick)
Should You Book It? My Practical Verdict
I’d book this Orange Island day trip if your goal is a clean, efficient Red Sea day: modern speedboat, sand time at Orange Bay, and National Park snorkeling at Giftun with the gear already handled. The $70 price feels fair because it includes transfers, admissions, snorkeling equipment, and onboard drinks and fruit—things that normally cost extra if you mix-and-match on your own.
The main reason not to book is also simple: you’ll pay extra for food and drinks on the island, since meals aren’t included in the base package. If you’re okay budgeting for that, you’ll likely appreciate how the day is designed—comfortable boat, real beach time, and a couple of snorkeling sessions that give you a taste without burning you out.
FAQ
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada.
How long is the tour?
The duration is listed at about 5 hours.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, and life vest) is included.
What food is included during the day?
Mineral water and soft drinks are provided on board, along with seasonal fruits. Food and drinks on the island are not included, and restaurants and cafes are available for extra fees.
Are there snorkeling stops at Giftun?
Yes. There are two snorkeling stops at Giftun Islands, and each stop is listed as 20 minutes.
Does the island have facilities like toilets or showers?
Yes. Toilet and shower facilities are available on the island, along with shaded areas and sun loungers.










