Hurghada: Elegance Yacht Cruise To Orange & Magawish island

Orange Bay is the star of this Red Sea day, especially if you reach it before the crowds. You get a quiet hour on pale sand and clear water, then two island stops, coral reefs, a seafood lunch, and the option to see the coast from a parasail.

I like the two-island plan, which gives you more variety than a simple snorkeling boat trip. I also like the generous food and drinks, including shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, salads, fruit, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and water.

The main drawback is the logistics. Pickup details arrive late the night before, and the boat will wait no more than five minutes. If you stay in Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga, you must add long-range transport, and the return drive can take much longer than the morning pickup.

Key points to know before you book

• Orange Bay before the crowds: You spend about an hour at the island, with time for swimming, photos, and a quiet look at its Caribbean-style setting.
• Two planned snorkeling stops: You receive equipment and a guide, with coral reefs and colorful Red Sea fish as the main attraction.
• A substantial seafood lunch: Expect shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, salads, seasonal fruit, and drinks served during the cruise.
• Optional five-minute parasailing: Add the ride if you want a quick aerial view of the Red Sea.
• Private trips can be flexible: A private booking may let you shape the timing and route more closely to your wishes.
• Strict pickup timing: Share your exact hotel details and be ready early. The operator allows no more than five minutes at a pickup point.

A full Red Sea day from Hurghada

At $53 per person, this is priced as a fairly complete day on the water rather than a bare-bones boat transfer. Your fee covers hotel pickup and return within Hurghada, the boat, entry to both islands, snorkeling equipment, a guide, lunch, fruit, and drinks.

That matters because small extras can add up quickly on a boat outing. Here, water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, milk, and food are included. Parasailing is also included if you select that option, but do not assume it comes with every booking unless you choose the correct package.

The experience is available as a group or private trip. A group outing keeps the price manageable and gives the day a social feel. A private trip costs more, but it may be worthwhile if you care about your own pace, have a small family group, or want more say in where and when you stop.

One private party of two spent roughly seven hours on the boat and was able to request changes to the route. That kind of flexibility is the clearest reason to choose private. It is not a guarantee that every private trip will follow the same schedule, so confirm the details when booking.

Getting from your hotel to the harbor

The day starts with hotel pickup in Hurghada, followed by a transfer to the harbor and a short briefing before boarding. You need to send your hotel name, address, room number, nationality, and a copy of your passport photo as requested by the operator.

Pickup information is sent by email at about 10 p.m. the night before. That is late enough to be inconvenient, especially if you like to plan breakfast or arrange a second activity. Check your email before going to bed and make sure you understand the meeting point.

Be ready at the stated location and time. The activity provider can wait no more than five minutes because other passengers may be scheduled for pickup. This is not the kind of excursion where a relaxed, last-minute stroll down to reception works well.

For hotels outside Hurghada, an extra transfer is available during checkout. The added service covers Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay. Ask about the extra cost before paying, and remember that the return journey may take longer because of multiple hotel stops.

One useful lesson from the private-trip experience is to consider private pickup as well as a private boat. A shared return transfer from Makadi Bay took more than twice as long as the morning journey. If you are staying well outside Hurghada, that time difference can affect your evening plans.

Orange Bay before the main crowd

After the briefing, the boat heads to Orange Bay. The schedule allows roughly an hour there, with an early arrival designed to give you a calmer setting before more boats appear.

Orange Bay is the easygoing part of the day. You can swim, take photographs, sit near the water, and enjoy the pale sand and shallow coastal setting. The comparison to the Caribbean comes from the bright water and beach feel, not from a long or remote island expedition.

The one-hour limit is both useful and restrictive. It keeps the day moving and leaves time for snorkeling and Magawish, but it does not allow a slow, all-morning beach visit. If your priority is lying on the sand, you may find the stop short. If you want a sample of several Red Sea sights in one day, the timing works better.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash. There are no pets allowed, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The boat, island access, and water activities require a reasonable level of movement.

Snorkeling over Red Sea coral

The first snorkeling stop lasts about 40 minutes, with equipment and a snorkeling guide supplied. The purpose is to see coral formations and colorful fish in the Red Sea rather than simply swim near the islands.

This is one of the most valuable parts of the trip for anyone who wants more than beach time. Orange Bay gives you sand and swimming, while the reef stop changes the pace and puts the focus below the surface.

The itinerary includes two snorkeling stops in total. One is scheduled before lunch, and another follows the meal near Magawish. A review of a private outing described three snorkeling sessions, but you should treat the advertised plan of two stops as the standard arrangement.

Bring your own towel and use sunscreen before boarding. You will want to protect your skin during the boat ride, while waiting to enter the water, and during the island stops. Cash is worth carrying for personal purchases or optional expenses, though the stated food and drinks are covered.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the guide about the conditions and stay within the area directed by the crew. The supplied information confirms a snorkeling guide and equipment, but it does not promise a particular reef, water depth, or visibility on your date.

Lunch with shrimp, calamari, and fish

After the first snorkeling session, you return to the boat for lunch. The menu includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad, seasonal fruit, and drinks.

This is more than a light snack between swims. The meal is designed to carry you through a full day in the sun, and the range of dishes gives you several choices if you do not want one particular seafood item. Tea, coffee, milk, unlimited soft drinks, and mineral water are also included.

Food quality can vary with the day and sea conditions, so I would not book this solely as a dining experience. Still, the meal adds real value to the $53 price, especially compared with buying lunch and drinks separately at a beach resort.

If you have a dietary restriction, ask before booking. The supplied details list the menu but do not provide vegetarian, allergy, or religious meal arrangements. Do not assume a substitute will be available without written confirmation.

The boat setting is part of the appeal. You can eat between island visits instead of losing time returning to Hurghada. After lunch, the group sails toward Magawish for the afternoon portion of the outing.

Magawish for a second swim

Magawish Island brings another hour of swimming and snorkeling. This second island stop helps the day feel varied rather than like one beach visit followed by a long ride home.

You can use the time for another look at the water, a swim, or a second chance to snorkel if you preferred the reef to the beach. The experience includes entry to Magawish, so there is no separate island admission to arrange.

The schedule is tight enough that you should think of Magawish as a focused stop, not a full island exploration. The supplied plan does not promise a walking tour, cultural visit, or specific beach facilities. Its value is the chance to spend more time in the Red Sea after lunch.

For many people, this second stop will be the reason to choose this trip over a one-island cruise. You get another setting, another swim, and a fresh stretch of the day instead of repeating the same beach routine.

Parasailing for a five-minute view

Parasailing is an optional five-minute activity. From above the water, you get a quick view of the Red Sea, the boat, and the islands.

Five minutes is brief, so set your expectations accordingly. This is a short thrill added to the day, not a major part of the cruise. If you already enjoy water activities and want one extra burst of excitement, it can be a good addition.

Select the parasailing option when you book if you want it included. The tour information does not specify age limits, weight limits, or weather rules, so ask the operator if any of those conditions affect your booking.

If you dislike heights or prefer a quiet afternoon, you can skip it and use the time for swimming or relaxing. The two islands and snorkeling stops remain the main substance of the excursion.

Guides, crew, and the private option

The tour is conducted in English and includes a professional guide and snorkeling guide. Abdull and Sayed are named as members of the team in the trip feedback, and their role appears to combine clear explanations with a friendly, social atmosphere.

That personal touch matters on a boat day. You spend several hours with the crew, and the best guides help you understand the plan, know when to return to the boat, and feel comfortable in the water. The available feedback also points to a captain, guide, and cook working together on the private outing.

The private option deserves special attention. One private group of two had the boat for about seven hours and was able to make requests about the route. The food was plentiful enough that the group felt it could have served four people.

Do not assume a private boat is necessary for everyone. Solo visitors and couples watching their budget may prefer the group rate. Families and small groups who value control over the schedule may find that paying more prevents the usual waiting and helps them make better use of the day.

How the $53 price measures up

At $53, the package is strongest for people who want several inclusions in one payment. You receive transport within Hurghada, boat travel, two island entries, snorkeling equipment, a guide, lunch, fruit, and a wide range of drinks.

The value is less clear if you only want a quiet beach visit. Orange Bay and Magawish each receive about an hour, so much of the day is spent moving between stops, eating, and snorkeling. That is a good balance for an active day, but not for a long, slow stay on one island.

The price also depends on your hotel location. If you stay in Hurghada, the advertised pickup and drop-off are included. From Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga, the extra transfer charge changes the final cost.

Before comparing prices, check whether another boat trip includes food, drinks, island entry, equipment, and transport. A lower headline price may not be lower after adding those items. This package is especially practical if you want lunch and soft drinks handled in advance.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip for an active beach holiday, a couple wanting two island stops, or a family that likes swimming and snorkeling more than sightseeing on land. It also suits anyone who wants a little excitement from parasailing without booking a separate activity.

The private version makes sense for small groups that want control over timing. It may also help if you are celebrating something or simply dislike waiting for a large group.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike strict pickup times, or want a guaranteed quiet beach. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the five-minute pickup rule leaves little room for delay.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Check your email for the pickup message around 10 p.m. the night before, and confirm the meeting point before sleeping.

Should you book the Orange Bay and Magawish cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled Red Sea day with two islands, two planned snorkeling stops, seafood lunch, drinks, and an optional five-minute parasail. The package gives you a good amount for $53, particularly when you stay in Hurghada and do not need the extra transfer.

Choose the private option if flexibility matters more than price. The private outing can give you more control over the route and may spare you some group waiting, though the exact schedule should be confirmed.

Skip it if you want a long stay on one island, have mobility limitations, or cannot manage a firm pickup schedule. For everyone else, this is a practical way to combine beach time, coral reefs, food, and open-water views in one day.

FAQ

What is included in the Orange Bay and Magawish cruise?

The trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, the boat cruise, entry to Orange Bay and Magawish Island, a snorkeling guide, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a professional guide, seafood lunch, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, tea, coffee, milk, and mineral water.

Is parasailing included?

A five-minute parasailing ride is included only if you select the option that includes it. Check your package during checkout.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad, and seasonal fruit. Drinks include soft drinks, mineral water, tea, coffee, and milk.

Can I book pickup from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga?

Yes. Long-range pickup from those areas is available as an add-on during checkout. The standard included pickup and drop-off apply to Hurghada.

When will I receive my pickup details?

Pickup details are sent by email at about 10 p.m. the night before the trip. You should also provide your hotel name, address, room number, nationality, and a copy of your passport photo.

What should I bring, and is the trip suitable for everyone?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.