Hurghada: Royal Luxury VIP Cruise to Orange Bay with Lunch

Orange Bay is the star of this full-day Red Sea cruise. You get powdery sand, clear shallow water, and a bright island setting before returning to the boat for two snorkeling stops, lunch, a massage, and water sports. The day runs about eight and a half hours, so this is a proper outing rather than a quick swim trip.

I like the small-group feel and the crew’s hands-on help, especially for first-time snorkelers and people who are not confident swimmers. I also like the value: at $53, you get transport, food, drinks, equipment, a massage, island time, and several water activities in one price.

The main catch is time. Orange Bay gets about 75 minutes, and much of the day is spent moving between stops. If you want a quiet beach day with long hours on land, this is not the right choice.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay comes early: Arriving early can mean a quieter island, better photos, and more room to relax.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Small Giftun and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī offer time in the water with guides and equipment provided.
• The boat day is long but well filled: Pickup can begin around 6:40 a.m., with some returns near 6 p.m.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, salads, bread, fruit, and drinks.
• A massage is included: It is a short relaxation break while the boat is underway, not a spa treatment.
• Scuba is usually an optional extra: You may be offered a paid introductory scuba session onboard, but it is not part of the listed base price.

Why this cruise works as a full Red Sea day

Hurghada is often sold through its water. The coast itself is dry and resort-heavy, while the real color begins offshore, where coral reefs and fish replace hotel pools and paved promenades. This cruise gives you a broad sample of that setting in one day.

You begin with a minibus pickup from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, or El Gouna. The transfer to the marina is listed as about 30 minutes, though your exact road time will depend on where you stay and how many pickups are made.

At the port, you board the yacht and settle in for a 45-minute cruise. The point of this first ride is not just transport. It gives you time to find a seat, take in the open water, and get ready for a day built around swimming and snorkeling.

The tour is described as a small-group trip, and that matters. A smaller boat group usually makes it easier to get help with a mask, ask questions, or stay near a guide in the water. It also makes the boat feel less like a floating crowd, though the exact number of people can change from one departure to another.

Orange Bay, the beach stop with limited time

Orange Bay is the most postcard-like part of the outing. The island stop lasts about 75 minutes, with shallow clear water and pale sand that give it a Caribbean feel in the middle of the Red Sea.

Some departures reach the island early, before it fills up. That is a real advantage. You can take photos, sit by the water, or wade in without spending the entire stop looking for space. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, and keep cash handy if you want to buy something on the island.

Do not treat Orange Bay as a half-day beach visit. Seventy-five minutes passes quickly once you factor in getting off the boat, walking to a comfortable spot, taking photos, and returning on time. One practical approach is to take your photos first, then use the remaining time for a swim or quiet break.

The island is also the part most likely to feel commercial. You are visiting a popular excursion stop, not an empty desert island. That does not make it unattractive, but it helps set the right expectation.

Small Giftun and the first look below the surface

After Orange Bay, the boat heads to Small Giftun for about 45 minutes of snorkeling. This is where the day shifts from beach scenery to the Red Sea’s main attraction: coral and fish.

Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included. Guides help organize the activity and can point out fish and coral rather than leaving you to float around without context. Ibrahim has been singled out for showing unusual fish and helping people understand what they are seeing, while other crew members have been praised for staying close to nervous swimmers.

That support is useful if you are trying snorkeling for the first time. Several people have taken to the water despite being uneasy or unable to swim well, helped by flotation gear and the crew’s attention. You still need to be comfortable entering the sea, but you do not need to be an expert swimmer.

The underwater views depend on conditions, light, and the exact reef visited. You might see colorful fish and coral, and there is a chance of rays, sea turtles, dolphins, or other Red Sea wildlife. Those sightings are not guaranteed, so book this for the reef experience, not for a promise of dolphins.

If you are prone to seasickness, the boat’s movement may be more noticeable on the ride than at the snorkeling sites. One practical tip is to eat lightly before pickup, bring water, and tell the crew early if you feel unwell.

Buffet lunch with a practical choice of food

Lunch is served onboard during a 45-minute Red Sea stop. The open buffet includes fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four types of salad, bread, and three kinds of local fruit.

That is a useful spread for a mixed group. You can choose something familiar if you are cautious with food at sea, or build a larger plate after spending time in the water. Several meals have been praised for variety, freshness, and generous portions, while one honest account found the food good but not quite as crisp as a meal cooked to order.

The important point is that lunch is part of the price. You are not left to buy an expensive meal at the island. Fresh juices, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are also available throughout the day under the all-inclusive setup.

If you have a serious allergy or a strict diet, speak with the crew before serving yourself. The food has been described as accommodating, but the supplied information does not give a detailed allergy menu or guarantee for special diets.

Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī and the second snorkeling session

The second snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī. This gives you another chance to see the reef after lunch, when you may feel more relaxed with the equipment and water.

Two separate stops are valuable because the underwater conditions can change from one site to the next. If the first reef feels busy or visibility is less than ideal, the second gives you another opportunity. It also suits mixed groups: someone who watches from the boat during the first stop may feel ready to try the water later.

The crew’s role is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Guides have been described as patient with beginners, attentive to safety, and willing to show specific fish and coral. If you are nervous, tell the snorkeling guide before entering the water rather than trying to keep up with a group.

There is also an optional scuba opportunity on some departures. It is not included in the $53 base price, so confirm the cost before agreeing. First-time scuba participants have received close instruction and encouragement, but you should view this as an optional add-on, not a guaranteed part of your booking.

Banana boat rides and the final return

After the second snorkeling stop, the itinerary includes about 45 minutes at Magawish Island for a banana boat ride. The activity is a short, playful change of pace after several hours of swimming and sitting on the boat.

The program also refers to other inflatable water activities, including a large inflatable chair. These rides are more about laughs than sightseeing. They are a good fit if you want a little speed and motion, but you can skip them and remain on the yacht if you prefer a quieter end to the day.

The boat then cruises for about 30 minutes before the return van takes you back to your hotel area. The full schedule totals 510 minutes, or eight and a half hours, not counting possible delays from pickups, marina procedures, or sea conditions.

This is worth planning around. The day may start early and finish in the late afternoon or early evening. One schedule had pickup around 6:40 a.m. and return near 6 p.m. Bring a light hoodie or jacket for the first boat ride, especially outside the hottest summer months. The breeze can feel cool early in the day, even when the afternoon becomes hot.

What the luxury label means here

The yacht is described as clean, spacious, and comfortable, with enough room to sit, eat, sunbathe, and move between activities. The experience feels more polished than a basic transfer boat because food, drinks, equipment, entertainment, and a massage are bundled together.

Still, keep the word luxury in proportion. This is an active group excursion, not a private yacht charter. You follow a fixed route, share the boat, and move on when the schedule says it is time. One person found the vessel in need of some maintenance, while most descriptions focus on its cleanliness and space.

The included massage is a pleasant extra. It gives you a short chance to relax while the boat is calm, but it should not be confused with a long professional spa appointment. Think of it as a simple onboard treatment added to a busy day.

A photographer may also be onboard. Photography is not included in the tour price, and the cost should be confirmed before you agree to a package. You can bring your own phone in a waterproof pouch and take your own photos, but protect it carefully around the water.

The real value at $53

At $53 per person, this is strong value if you plan to use most of the inclusions. A comparable day would need to cover hotel transport, marina access, a yacht trip, two snorkeling sessions, gear, lunch, drinks, fruit, snacks, an island stop, water sports, and a massage. Here, those costs are grouped into one booking.

The price is less compelling if you only want to sit on a boat. You are paying for a full program, and the day works best when you take part in at least some of the snorkeling, island visit, and water activities.

The all-day drinks and snacks are particularly handy in the heat. You do not need to keep buying bottled drinks onboard, though you should still bring cash for personal purchases and any optional extras.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup is included, but wait outside your hotel reception five minutes before the agreed time, using the pickup details sent the day before.

Who should book this day

I would choose this cruise for couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and first-time snorkelers who want a broad Red Sea introduction without arranging separate activities.

It also suits people who want support in the water. The crew has helped nervous swimmers and beginners, and the availability of life vests and snorkeling guides makes the first attempt less intimidating.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility, since the activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the yacht, entering the water, and joining the beach and banana boat stops all require physical movement.

The tour is also less suitable if you want a long, quiet stay at Orange Bay. You get a scenic island visit, but the schedule gives equal weight to reefs, lunch, water sports, and the boat ride.

Should you book the Royal Luxury VIP Cruise?

Book it if you want one busy, well-priced day that combines Orange Bay with two snorkeling sites and plenty of extras. The strongest reasons are the attentive crew, beginner-friendly water support, broad lunch, unlimited drinks, and the chance to see two different reef areas.

Skip it if you want private sailing, extended island time, or a slow beach day. At 510 minutes, this is a long active schedule, but the variety makes the time worthwhile for most people who come to Hurghada to enjoy the Red Sea.

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, cash, and a light layer for the early ride. Then let the crew handle the timing, food, equipment, and water activities.

FAQ

How long does the Royal Luxury VIP Cruise last?

The listed duration is 510 minutes, or eight and a half hours. Pickup and drop-off times can vary by hotel location and departure schedule.

Where does hotel pickup operate?

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off transfers are included in the price.

What languages are available?

The tour offers live guidance in Arabic, English, German, and Russian.

Is Orange Bay included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a 75-minute visit to Orange Bay Island.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included, at Small Giftun diving site and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is an open buffet with fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four salads, and bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Fresh juices, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks, and three kinds of local fruit are included throughout the day.

Is scuba included in the price?

No. Scuba is not listed among the included services. An optional paid scuba session may be offered onboard.

Is the massage included?

Yes. A massage for each person onboard is included.

What should you bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, and cash.

Can you cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.