Hurghada: Orange Bay Island Trip With Snorkeling, Lunch & Drinks

Changed pickup time without notification followed by a no-show. This tour organizer manifests a greedy culture and maplactices.

Had a good time snorkeling. The beach was gorgeous. Beautiful blue water. We did go into the paid area for some better and less crowded photo spots. Also better lounge areas. Boat crew did a great job of interacting with guests and making it fun. They had everyone up dancing on the boat ride back.

This trip is an absolute must do when here. Alex and his team were brilliant the whole day. The snorkeling was experience was brilliant and well explained. By the 2nd stop our 11 year old was happy to go snorkeling on his own with the team and we trusted them enough for this to happen. The whole day was brilliant. Orange Bay is beautiful.

We asked about group size before booking and were told max 30 people, but we were around 46 — a small boat for that many passengers. Drinks are served in small cups and lukewarm; cans and chips cost extra. The worst part was snorkeling: we ended up at the same spot as 10+ other boats, with no way to get any space away from the crowd. At Orange Bay, total overcrowding — we were only able to sit down because they let us into the island's VIP area. The food was decent.

Our Orange Bay snorkeling experience was mostly average. What I disliked most was having so many different guides, all with completely different approaches. Our first snorkeling attempt was honestly uncomfortable because the guide rushed us into the water without properly helping us adjust the gear, so we struggled a lot and almost gave up on the experience altogether. Thankfully, another guide later stepped in and was much more patient and understanding after realising it was our first time snorkeling. He calmly walked us through everything, and the second attempt ended up being really enjoyable. Because of the second guide’s patience, one of us felt comfortable enough to try diving, and it actually turned out to be a great experience. The other person, however, still chose not to continue because the earlier experience of being rushed into the very salty water had already made her uncomfortable. When she attempted the diving session, the same issue happened again, water kept getting into her gear just like during the first snorkeling experience , so she immediately left the water and decided not to continue. We were still charged an extra fee for her anyway, probably for wearing the diving gear despite not actually diving 🥲 Overall, the experience was okay, but if I were to do it again, I’d probably choose a different company, preferably one with a more organised system where one main guide leads while others assist. The food was lovely, but the drinks and fruits were not as plentiful as the advert made them seem. The Orange Bay stop itself was also just okay. The second part of the experience was parasailing, and this was absolutely beautiful. The team there was far more organised and none of them were pushy at all, which made our first-time experience genuinely enjoyable.

First time on the trip as a family of 3. Overall a great experience, definitely a value for money. Safe, friendly and straightforward. We recommend to anyone that would like to spend a day with family on the sea, visit island and do a bit of snorkelling.

We had a terrible time on this “Snorkelling” Trip. Whilst the weather was rough and prevented snorkelling it was the poor response to the conditions that surprised us. The snorkelling should have been cancelled or postponed or some alternative location or activity offered. Instead we anchored in rough swells for 2 hours getting sea sick whilst some guests went diving. We were told simultaneously that we could and couldn’t go snorkelling but that we couldn’t go to the reef. The crew had poor communication throughout and we felt generally unsafe. Orange Bay is overhyped overpriced and underwhelming. The operator left earlier than the designated departure time and nearly left three guests behind. Whilst the weather is beyond the control of the operator, their response to the conditions was in their control and we felt it was not managed well.

Boat departs from Betelgueser - a Marina right next to Hilton Hurghada Plaza. Headed for Orange Bay and on the way saw some dolphins. Arrived on Orange Bay and immediately headed to the groups sitting area where there are a bunch of bean bags in a shaded area. For two hours you can go in the sea, queue for a picture on the swing in the water (which I didn’t do). Note – drinks here are quite expensive. We had coconut water which was served in a real coconut which cost €8. Lunch – served on the boat. A selection of meats, vegetables, houmous, vegetable stew and flat white rice. Overall quite tasty. Post-lunch the boat stops for people to go snorkelling in the Red Sea. Overall, a great day away from the hotel and check out the area. Although, not a great deal of things to do on the island, it’s a place to chill and appreciate the sea-life.

An amazing trip out. Our guides were awesome, informative and friendly. Great snorkeling spots with a good amount of time at each one

Wow oh wow, what an absolute disaster of day and lucky people did not drown. It’s hard to find the words to accurately describe the shambles that unfolded throughout the day and the complete lack of organisation and safety. But I will have a go. First, pick up from our hotel was chaotic and they couldn’t find our hotel (admittedly, an incredibly minor blemish in the broader scheme of the day ahead). Second, when we got to the boat, we sat there for 1.5 hours while different men walked around to collect “extra fees” payable for some guests to their surprise (thankfully, not us but a significant delay for all on the boat). Third, the tour was pitched as a “snorkel tour” with “max 20 people”. It turned out to be a predominately scuba dive trip with a few snorkelers on board. Total passengers were 35 (almost double what was described). Fourth, we went to a dive site way off the coast in heavy seas (50km/h winds) where only the scuba divers could get to the reef as the waves were too large - swell of at least 1.5 metres. Snorkelers spent about 5 minutes in crazy choppy water off the back of the boat looking at a few small fish but nowhere near the coral reef (which was the main reason for visiting this location) because it was too choppy to safely explore the reef. Fifth, the tour was advertised as “all equipment provided”. But there were a handful of old masks, most of which had broken snorkel clips so you had to physically hold your snorkel up out of the water with your hand as you would otherwise drown. They also only seemed to have three life jackets for the whole group and only a handful of buoys. So there was no chance of getting near the reef in the hugely choppy seas which was genuinely dangerous. Sixth, after the 5 minutes of utterly unenjoyable (and dangerous) snorkelling, we then spent about 3 hours on the rocky windy boat waiting around for the divers to finish. Feeling more and more queasy with each minute that passed due to the very rough seas. Seventh, when we sought to get information from any of the crew about how much longer we would be stranded here and when was lunch, no one could be found that was in charge. Literal chaos. Eighth, there were around 6-8 boats who also had moored near this diving site. However, their crews had the common sense to leave the site after no more than 30 minutes due to the atrocious conditions. We were the only boat silly enough to stay in this unsafe location. A literal sole boat all lost at sea. Ninth, the day was advertised as “two snorkel sites of 45 minutes each”. This did not transpire. We stayed at the same inaccessible and dangerous dive site where only the scuba divers could enter the water for more than 5 minutes. Seems to me a fundamental misrepresentation of the advertised “snorkelling tour”. Finally, we were abandoned on Orange Island for 2 hours which is actually a desolate wasteland with little protection from the wind and almost no amenities. We were assured the coral reef was good here but 80% of the coral was dead and there was loads of rubbish in the water. One of the boats had also laid a fish trap which seems a little out of step with the fact you had to pay USD 5 per person to visit this island as it was a “national park”. Not sure what most countries are like, but national parks should be pristine and protected. Not somewhere to fish. Snorkelling was hugely uninspiring compared to other places we’ve been - eg Barrier Reef, Aqaba, Galápagos Islands, Costa Rica, Hawaii, etc. Hugely disappointing and we counted down the cold windswept minutes until our boat came to collect us from this desert island prison. Then back to the hotel in the random car we were collected in. We were so grateful to be back on dry land and safe at our hotel. In sum, a day characterised by a complete lack of communication, organisation, common sense and safety. Where greed was prioritised above all else. A true lowlight of the holiday. I would recommend grabbing a snorkel and jumping in your hotel pool. It would have to be more enjoyable and better organised than this circus on the sea. If you couldn’t tell from this thoroughly cathartic rant, which I typed in real time during the unfolding disaster, this was a 0/10 experience.

Excellent trip, friendly helpful staff, nice lunch, beautiful coral reef and really good value for money.

We had an amazing day on the boat! The team were so friendly, helpful and accommodating as well as creating a wonderful atmosphere. A great day! I would recommend.

Pickup 40min late, not enough snorkeling gear for everyone, very loud music on the boat which was stressful. Orange Bay island had crazy amount of tourist. Pickup to go back to hotel one hour late. Positive: nice team on the boat and the boat trip itself was beautiful.

A really good trip. A little long after pick to setting off, nearly 2 hours but our journey was further from Makadi Bay. Extra €10 for 2 for that pick up which is fair. The boat was excellent shape, safe, clear dafety briefing by the team. A fun atmopshere, well organisee snrokelling stops. A good lunch could amp up the spice a little. Orange Bay is worth a visit, nice padogas to shelter from the sun and the water is stunning. Everyhing is cash there Only downside was the on board shop which the team said was extra charge and only takes cash so please remember, The prices were steep at €5 for a soft drink but that's the only down. Would recommend this trip with this company, great crew

Amazing day and crew. Everything was well organised and everyone very polite. Highly recommended. Thank you.

They're were no watersports as advertised, 1 stop for snorkeling and only 90 minutes at Orange bay. Boat staff were nice.

It's a rip off. There's no watersports and diving is extra. Nothing to do on the boat at when you get to Orange island they overcharged for everything. £5 for chips £7 for redbull, £10 for "private beach club". It's not even nice. The beaches are just same as hurghada no difference at all. They market as Maldives of Egypt 🤣🤣 not even close. Ive been all over but this is a rip off

Horrible, horrible experience. Overcrowded boat, very short snorkeling trip with dead corals. Then 1.5 hours instead of 2 hours on the island. My wife was severely sea sick so we had to rush to the bathroom and spend all the time there. The "guide" abandoned us. Just asked "okay?" And left without giving any information on where we meet up later. I was trying to get info on where our boat is from the authorities on the island, but our ship name wasn't in the manifest. And then the"guide" had a gall to angry insist that he explained me everything. Bad communication with the management company too for the tour. Avoid, avoid this. Ruined the day.

Amazing trip! Hotel pick up on time, day before time confirmation via WhatsApp. Boat nice and clean. We went to coral reef and there was so many fishes in between us… I didn’t know where to look. Warm food, water, tea, coffee included basic but wasn’t bad at all. Orange bay… beautiful views, water crystal clear… bear £6-7, cocktails £10-14

I really think write this becouse I not make bad reviews or no, but i think better if know this the future travellers. Pick up me in time front of my time it's fine but after when we arrived the to the boar I'm invisible. Sign the papers but no explanation what we do all day. We go middle of see and people ready to dive. The instructor ask every visitors one by one wo want diving....except me. And when I ask possible maybe diving just ignore me. Weird. If I know this I also want it, so everyone dive just not me and just a first thing. The snorkeling also not say anybody when start and when I see the people do it and ask it blame me why not go. And funny i pay extra money to extra experience and give me this, What a costumer service. Not just me Wait the lunch becouse 1 pm everyone be hungry. But also not say to me and when I go everyone the lower deck I see start the lunch. I want to take my part say one guide don't take to much... wtf? It's all inclusive and include and don't take to much? This point I say I don't care just I want go back to home and just now go to the island. Every minutes I feel I'm not exist and look across me like a ghost. The all stuff just jump around two Russian women like they the central of the universe. And when we arrived the orange bay come the next surprise: the money what I pay to paragliding and other watwrsports is not avaliable in here, is other location. Anyway, the guide say 15:30 meet the meeting point until freee time. When and other guys go back 15:10 everybody on the boat. And rhe way back in the boat they want a tip to the nice day....no way. But after the trip I go the airport and I hope never come back to Egypt.

I really think write this becouse I not make bad reviews or no, but i think better if know this the future travellers. Pick up me in time front of my time it's fine but after when we arrived the to the boar I'm invisible. Sign the papers but no explanation what we do all day. We go middle of see and people ready to dive. The instructor ask every visitors one by one wo want diving....except me. And when I ask possible maybe diving just ignore me. Weird. If I know this I also want it, so everyone dive just not me and just a first thing. The snorkeling also not say anybody when start and when I see the people do it and ask it blame me why not go. And funny i pay extra money to extra experience and give me this, What a costumer service. Not just me Wait the lunch becouse 1 pm everyone be hungry. But also not say to me and when I go everyone the lower deck I see start the lunch. I want to take my part say one guide don't take to much... wtf? It's all inclusive and include and don't take to much? This point I say I don't care just I want go back to home and just now go to the island. Every minutes I feel I'm not exist and look across me like a ghost. The all stuff just jump around two Russian women like they the central of the universe. And when we arrived the orange bay come the next surprise: the money what I pay to paragliding and other watwrsports is not avaliable in here, is other location. Anyway, the guide say 15:30 meet the meeting point until freee time. When and other guys go back 15:10 everybody on the boat. And rhe way back in the boat they want a tip to the nice day....no way. But after the trip I go the airport and I hope never come back to Egypt.

Amazing snorkeling experience in Hurghada! Crystal-clear water, colorful reefs, and a very professional crew. Everything was well organized and safe. Highly recommended!

We went on a day when it was ridiculously hot. The island was busy and not the cleanest. The sea was nice, not much chance of shade. Very busy and unfortunately us tourists don’t look after things so it’s a bit messy. (Not sure of how truthful this was but we were told the boats empty their toilet waste there which the fish eat) 🤢 kinda put me off.

I was disappointed with the description of this activity vs the reality. I booked this tour as it was written (and I did a screen shot) because the maximum amount of passengers was max 20. At the start if the boat trip it was 50!!!! So, basically this was not what i booked, of course once you are there, there is nothing to do. They pick us up at 7:30 am, arrived to the boat 8:15 and did not leave the harbor until 9:52. so more than 2 hours doing nothing. The snorkeling was nice, but i had similar things at the hotel, the crew were kind (not their fault). The cherry on the cake was to visit the “Orange Bay National Park” which was a huge bar, market, etc. from where you cant leave and walk around on your own. So you basically pay a fee to enter to a bay, totally regulated by them without any possibility to do something than consuming or making instagram pics by a photographer This was not what I had in mind … i hope this helps others.

Snorkelling tour with not enough snorkelling equipment…… we had one decent mask between 3 of us. Two pairs of goggles and one snorkel you had to hold. No flippers provided. No coffee left, but water plentiful. Lunch and fruit were good. Poor snorkelling - saw more off the pier at the hotel. Orange bay is beautiful but very expensive as you cannot take your own food and drink there. We saw some dolphins but I actually felt quite sorry for them as there were about 5 large boats and some speed boats zooming in and out. Water sports cancelled due to wind. Not great for people who will struggle with mobility as no boardwalks to get on/off boat - we had to climb up a tyre off the pier….. staff were ok. Some were very nice - some rude and did nothing but smoke. Also when we got to the pier in the morning we had no idea which boat to get on! Luckily we had a nice driver who wondered around with his phone trying to help us. Enjoyable day on the boat with family, beautiful views, but wouldn’t book again.

Fantastic day do it again . Snorkeling great . Staff super. Orange bay great . Food and drink always there if needed snorkeling guy was great helping my lad.

Only 1h in orange bay but 2h promise in réservation, why ? Départ marina at 10h30, pick up 7h , why ? Not soda in board only water, why ? And just 1 fun activity (banana) We are sad...

Well, I scheduled the experience for 08h30, the company call me asking me to be at 07h30 because the hotel was far and the boat will leave at 09h00. The driver arrived at 08h05, 35m delay, we arrived to the boat moreless at 08h45m. We stayed stopped until 10h05, the time the boat left, at about 11h00 the boat stopped and it stayed stopped for more than an 1 hour, I asked a crew member what was happening and he told me that there was a mechanic issue and the captain was trying to fix, we just arrive at orange bay at 13h50, left at 15h15, the return time was scheduled to be at 16h30, because of the delay only one stopped for snorkeling was made (moreless 30m) which in my opinion was very short, because I think this is the best part of this experience. Orange Bay island for me was a disappointment, lot of people, very commercial, the crystal-clear waters are at the beginning where the water level reached your knees, if you go a litle further there's no visibility because the water as a lot of sand mixed in. The clear waters are where the boats stop, in my opinion would be better to dive from the boat, the island is only worth if you really want to post a photo on you'r social media app.

The snorkelling was generally excellent, with plenty of beautiful coloured fish to swim through. It would have been better if they offered fins (it was mask ands snorkel only). The staff were all excellent and friendly, and the lunch on board was nice. The negatives: The actual trip to Orange Bay was very rushed. Only 1.5 hours was allowed, which meant, by the time you'd had a drink and worked out where things were, it was time to leave again. It would have been better to have more time to explore, relax, and enjoy the absolutely beautiful place. The trip also advertised "water sports" as part of the package. This was practically non-existent. When I asked about it, they brought out a banana boat and we had - literally - about 15 seconds of a slow pull, and that was it. In general this was a nice trip. I think they should remove "water sports" from the title though, as it is misleading.

The morning started with delays, boat not arriving, and a series of issues, but in the end the company found us a boat with nice crew and good snorkeling and diving. We had fun with the parasailing too.

It's worth every penny. Good value. And you get a lot. Boat to orange island/giftun island Drinks all free on boat and you get to take gorgeous pics Snorkeling more than enough time in both stops - just amazing! Even for a non swimmers like me and daughter. They have a diver with you and a ring so you don't have to be afraid.. Parasailing was amazing too!!! And we did the banana boat too And had lunch!! Soo much for thr price!! Great value!

Due to the weather we had to rescedule the Trip. Thanks to Mohamed from Egyptra Travel we went two days later without any Problem or extra cost.

Amazing staff that made the trip worthwhile. Beautiful boat and beautiful trip. Never seen so many colourful fish before this.

Was meant to start at 9am, but we sat at the dock till 11am. Was way overbooked and we counted over 50 people when there should have been 30 max. Due to this there was not enough equipment for snorkelling and diving a lot of which was faulty and had to wait around for everyone to have a go. No watersport as advertised and no breakfast or snacks. Other guests were very upset having left their hotels at 7:30am and lunch not being served till 3:00pm. Orange island visit was around 1hr 20mins not 2 hours. Staff were good and snorkelling was nice but judging from the vibe on everyone onboard it was a disappointing experience for all

Amazing experience❤️ We celebrateted my sons birthday and everything was perfect. Food was delicious, staff was very kind and professional

While I have given this experience only 3 Stars I should say that the Boat trip, Capt Nemo and his crew and the activities and service onboard were of a 5 star quality I have given less because the tour operator originally gave a pickup time of 8.20am (as cruise started at 9am so that was fair enough) but then promptly changed it to 7.20am stating that this was "Based on the instructions of the Egyptian Coast Guard" and that "the departure time of the trip will be changed to 8.20am". LIES!!! We got picked up at the ridiculously early pick up time and then proceeded to sit on said boat until 9.10am with no sign of any Coast Guard officials in sight (as apparently they were meant to be there "checking the boat and the papers"). Oh and curiously people were still only boarding the boat at 8.50 which is strange if all the pick up times were to have been changed to facilitate an 8.20 launch. Clearly they just lied to suit the needs of the driver/pickup schedule for that day. If you can book on Capt Nemo's Maria Gon boat tour then I would 100% recommend doing it just NOT through this tour operator.

Amazing day! Bring a towel and beach shoes as orange bay beach was hot! Crew and team were amazing! Definitely recommend to everyone who comes to Egypt. Thankyou Nemo and crew!

Had a great time , good value for money , very good team they can’t do enough to make your day the best

They really tried to make your day perfect. Everything was clear what we would be doing and how to do it safe. And the food was really good and plenty considering the limited means on the boat.

The trip was well worth it, not to be missed. The team was friendly and helpful. Safety was their number one priority which was great. I was apprehensive going on this trip as a non swimmer. However, I was well looked after by the staff which is very reassuring and got to see the marine life in the coral reef! Orange bay was stunning.

Not great for disabled as you need to transfer on 2 boats! I had help from lovely crew on board! Take passport or a picture of they need for government! Amazing Orange bay loved it just not long enough there!

My best day in Egypt. My first snorkelling and it was amazing! Staff food and experience was great. Would recommend!

Fantastic day out, super safe and great staff, would highly recommend to anyone wanting to do a boat trip in Hurghada 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

All in all a good trip and good value for money but with room for some improvements. Suggested improvements: 1. Just write boattrip to Orange Bay included and not luksusurious as the boat was with 30+ people onboard with limited seats. 2. Price of getting photos from the photograher should be mentioned up front so people can decide whether they might want or not. Photographer can focus and delays can be minimized. 3. Write short bananaboat trip included as it was short and not very fast - mostly a photosession. But good anyway. 4. Don’t write that snacks are included as there was no free snacks. Fruit was included and good. As said: All in all good, good value for price and very good and nice guides/staff on the boat.

I didn’t do any snorkelling myself, I just wanted a boat trip and to visit orange bay island, but those who did really enjoyed it. The crew were great, and it was a very enjoyable day. Unfortunately no one told me the island itself is “Cash only”, so couldn’t buy anything, so bare this in minds when you visit & learn from my mistake.

Snorkelling was great and Orange Island beautiful however the boat trip was rather disorganised - acess to the boat was literally a plank of wood - no one greeted us and explained what would be happenning - just told us to take off our shoes and go upstairs .... Do not pay for photos from them its a con - I am still waiting for them to send me the underwater photos i paid for ....

The crew were really nice and accommodating. Our guide was Adam and was fantastic also the photographer he was great too! I was nervous in the water but the crew made you feel safe at all times. All of us had a fantastic time! Just wish we had longer at orange bay.

Excellent day trip to Orange Bay, and the snorkelling experience was amazing, the divers were very helpful. The guide Adam was very good at explaining everything. Only things to improve would be the pick up times were delayed. We were waiting around 20 mins for the driver to pick us up. And if we got more time at orange bay that would be better as we only got 1 and a half hours. But overall experience for the price was amazing 😊

We had a great time from start to finish the staff on the boat were amazing and really looked after us we had a fantastic time would highly recommend them