Orange Bay boat trip from Hurghada
From €25 per person, transfer included
Orange Bay is the developed beach on Giftun Island, in the Red Sea, about 15 km off Hurghada. The trip takes the day, roughly 8am to 4pm: a boat crossing with snorkelling stops, lunch and unlimited drinks on board, then two hours on white sand. With our partner Hurghada Habibi it starts at €25 per person, hotel transfer included.
Where Orange Bay is and how you get there
Orange Bay is on Giftun Kebir, the big island facing Hurghada, some 12 to 17 km from shore depending on the harbour, and you only get there by boat.
On a map, Giftun is a long strip of land parked east of the town. "Orange Bay" is its best-known beach: wooden jetties, palm-leaf parasols, swings planted in the shallows. The reefs around it are inside the Giftun protected area, which is why the water is so clear. The partner collects you from your hotel and brings you back.
How the day goes
The rhythm is simple, and the captain tweaks it to suit the sea on the day.
- Around 8am: hotel pick-up, then off from the harbour.
- Crossing to Giftun, with one or two snorkelling stops over the reefs.
- Lunch served on board, drinks unlimited.
- About two hours on Orange Bay beach: swimming, sunbeds, snorkelling off the shore.
- Back to the harbour, then your hotel, around 4pm.
The crossing is part of the fun. You leave the marina, the coast shrinks behind you, and the water changes colour in front of your eyes: navy blue out at sea, then an almost neon turquoise over the sandy patches.
Snorkelling at Orange Bay: what you'll see
Around Giftun you snorkel over coral reefs in water that's usually very clear, alongside parrotfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish and clownfish tucked into their anemones.
Take it slowly. Beginners swim too fast, get puffed and miss everything. Float, face down, and let the reef come to you. Keep an arm's length from the coral, for its sake and yours. The float lent on board keeps you at the surface with zero effort, which makes all the difference if you're not a strong swimmer.
Masks and snorkels are usually lent on board. If you own a mask, bring it: it'll fit better, and less fog means more fish.
Best time of year for Orange Bay
Year-round, with a soft spot for October to November and April to May, when the sea sits between 23 and 27°C and the deck stays pleasant.
In winter the water drops to around 22°C. Still swimmable, just keep your towel close. The north wind tends to pick up in the afternoon, one reason the boats head out early.
What to bring
- Swimmers on from the start, and a dry pair for the way back
- Towel, sunglasses, a cap that stays on in the wind
- Reef-friendly sun cream, put on half an hour before boarding
- A UV rash vest: when you snorkel, your back burns without you noticing
- Water shoes for the coral patches near the shore
- A waterproof pouch for your phone
- A few notes for a tip to the crew
Orange Bay prices and booking
Hurghada Habibi runs Orange Bay from €25 per person, with return transfer, yacht, island entry, lunch and unlimited drinks, snorkelling and a float; partner price, confirmed on WhatsApp.
Just the beach? The Boxi water taxi
Want Orange Bay without the full 8am to 4pm day? The public Boxi water taxi leaves Hurghada at 9am, 11am or 1pm, advertised at €25 with hotel pick-up and island entry. No lunch on board and no snorkelling stops: it's the light option, beach time at your own pace. Book it through our WhatsApp, we know the team.
Orange Bay or Paradise Island?
Same price, same island, two different days: Orange Bay for snorkelling on the crossing, Paradise Island for easy swimming and a slow beach day.
In a week, do both.