Hurghada Excursions – Sightseeing Tours & Day Trips
Hurghada Luxury Sailing Trip to Orange Bay with Lunch
Hurghada Luxury Sailing Trip to Orange Bay with Lunch
Enjoy a Red Sea sailing experience with snorkeling, Orange Bay island time and lunch.
Luxury Sailing · Red Sea · Snorkeling · Full Day
The Hurghada luxury sailing trip to Orange Bay is the finest full-day boat excursion available on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Unlike standard group boats, the luxury sailing experience means a smaller vessel, a more attentive crew, better snorkeling spots, and the distinctive pleasure of arriving at Orange Bay under sail — the island’s turquoise lagoon framed by the white canvas of the mainsail.
Orange Bay — located within the protected Giftun Island National Park, approximately 17 km east of Hurghada Marina — is Egypt’s most beautiful island destination. Crystal-clear water with 20–30 metres visibility, pristine white sand beaches, coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels a world away from the resort hotels. This guide covers the full itinerary, what’s included, pricing, marine life guide, and everything UK travellers need to know.
Luxury sailing vs standard boat: Standard Orange Bay group boats carry 40–80 people and use motorised vessels. The luxury sailing experience uses a traditional sailing yacht with a maximum of 20–25 guests, dedicated snorkeling guides, premium equipment, and a sit-down buffet lunch — not a box meal. The difference in experience is significant.
01.Why Choose the Luxury Sailing Trip to Orange Bay?
| Feature | Luxury Sailing | Standard Group Boat |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel type | ✓ Traditional sailing yacht | Motor boat / party vessel |
| Group size | ✓ Max 20–25 people | 40–80+ people |
| Lunch | ✓ Sit-down buffet onboard | Box meal or basic buffet |
| Snorkeling guide | ✓ Dedicated diver guide per group | 1 guide per 15–20 people |
| Experience | ✓ Premium, relaxed, immersive | Rushed, crowded, noisy |
| Price per person | From €55–€75 | From €25–€40 |
02.Full Day Itinerary — Hour by Hour
What happens during your trip
Air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your hotel lobby. Transfer to Hurghada Marina (Betelgueser Marina, adjacent to Hilton Hurghada Plaza) takes 10–30 minutes depending on hotel location. Pickup times from El Gouna, Makadi Bay, and Sahl Hasheesh vary — confirmed 24 hours before.
Meet the crew, receive your snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, life jacket, snorkel tube), and attend a safety and technique briefing. The crew includes dedicated underwater guides who accompany all snorkelers. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks served as the yacht leaves the marina.
The yacht anchors at a carefully selected coral reef site — typically Abu Ramada or a reef within the Giftun National Park. Visibility here regularly exceeds 20 metres. Dedicated guides accompany you into the water to point out marine life: clownfish (Nemo), parrotfish, angelfish, moray eels, garden eels, and vivid hard and soft coral formations. Beginners and non-swimmers are provided life jackets and guided from the platform. Duration: approximately 60–75 minutes.
The 45-minute sail to Orange Bay passes through open Red Sea waters — often where spinner dolphins are spotted. The crew watches for dolphins and will slow the vessel if pods appear nearby. Time on deck to dry off, sunbathe, and photograph the coastline.
Orange Bay is one of Egypt’s most beautiful island beaches — powder-soft white sand, a shallow turquoise lagoon ideal for swimming, shaded wooden cabanas and hammocks, and overwater swings that become the most-photographed feature of any group. 2+ hours of free time to swim, sunbathe, or join optional water sports: banana boat rides, paddleboarding, and kayaking (charges vary by activity).
The sit-down buffet lunch is one of the highlights consistently praised in reviews. Typical spread: grilled chicken, kofta, Egyptian rice, molokhia, salad bar, hummus, fresh bread, and fruit. Soft drinks and water included. Shaded dining area on the main deck with open Red Sea views. Vegetarian and allergy options available on request.
On the return route, the yacht anchors at a second snorkeling site — typically with different coral formations and fish species to the morning stop. An hour for a second session or optional rest onboard for those who prefer to sunbathe.
The afternoon return sail catches the late sun turning the Red Sea from turquoise to deep gold. Arrive at Hurghada Marina and transfer directly back to your hotel in the air-conditioned vehicle. Return typically between 16:30 and 17:30 depending on hotel location.
Board and travel towards the Giftun islands.
Enjoy the snorkelling stops during the cruise.
Relax at Orange Bay and enjoy the meal programme.
03.Marine Life Guide — What You Will See at Orange Bay
Clownfish (Nemo) Living in sea anemones in the shallow reef. Bright orange-and-white. Will not swim away — come within 30 cm. Parrotfish Large, vivid blue-green fish that eat coral and produce white sand. Their crunching is audible underwater. Pufferfish Round, spiny fish found near coral heads. Gentle and slow-moving. Do not touch — they inflate as a defense mechanism. Moray Eels Green or spotted eels in reef crevices — intimidating-looking but non-aggressive unless provoked. Your guide points them out safely. Green Sea Turtles Frequently sighted in the Giftun National Park waters. They feed on seagrass and corals — slow and unbothered by snorkelers. Spinner Dolphins Frequently spotted en route to Orange Bay. Playful, acrobatic, and often ride the bow wave of the yacht. Sightings are not guaranteed but common in morning hours.
04.Pricing — Included & Not Included
| Experience | Tour price | Pricing unit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | €55 | per adult |
+What’s Included
- Hotel Transfer ·
- Snorkeling Equipment ·
- Buffet Lunch ·
- Soft Drinks
Included
+What’s Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Hurghada, El Gouna — extra charge applies from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh)
- Full day on a luxury sailing yacht (approx. 8.5 hours total)
- Two snorkeling stops with dedicated underwater guides
- Full snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel tube, life jacket)
- 2+ hours at Orange Bay beach (sunbeds, hammocks, island access included)
- Sit-down buffet lunch onboard (hot dishes, salads, bread, fruit)
- Unlimited soft drinks and water throughout the day
Not Included
−What’s Not Included
- Alcohol and premium drinks (purchased onboard)
- Optional water sports at Orange Bay (banana boat ~€8–€10, paddleboard ~€10)
- Professional onboard photos/GoPro footage (optional, purchased from crew)
- Tips for crew (EGP 50–100 / ~£1–£1.50 pp is appreciated)
Children aged 0–12 receive a 50% discount. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
05.Tips & Packing Checklist
Pack: Swimwear, towel, change of clothes, reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, waterproof phone case/camera, EGP cash for tips and optional extras, motion sickness tablets (if prone — sea conditions vary).
Apply reef-safe sunscreen at home, not on the boat.
Standard sunscreen chemicals damage coral. Buy reef-safe SPF 50 before travel (available in Hurghada supermarkets). Apply 30 minutes before entering the water.
Bring an underwater camera or waterproof phone case.
The second snorkeling stop is often the most photogenic — a fresh reef with good visibility. A GoPro hire from the crew is available but expensive (~€25). A waterproof phone case (~£8 on Amazon) is the better option.
Book the earliest available departure.
Orange Bay beaches fill up by midday. Arriving before 11:30 AM means quieter beaches, better snorkeling spots, and the famous overwater swing available for photos.
Wear a rash guard or UV vest.
The combination of Red Sea sun and reflective water means sunburn happens faster than you expect, even with sunscreen. A long-sleeve rash guard gives full protection while snorkeling.
06.Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Orange Bay luxury sailing trip suitable for non-swimmers?
Yes. All guests are provided with life jackets. Non-swimmers can enjoy the boat, the sun deck, and Orange Bay beach without entering the water. Guides assist nervous or beginner snorkelers from the platform. Several traveller reviews specifically praise the crew’s patience with first-time snorkelers.
Will we definitely see dolphins?
Dolphin sightings are common but not guaranteed. The route passes through spinner dolphin territory and the crew watches actively for pods. Many reviews mention dolphin encounters, including one review that described seeing dolphins “glimpse” during the return journey. March–November is the most reliable period for sightings.
What is the age minimum for this trip?
The trip is suitable for all ages. Children aged 5+ can snorkel with life jacket assistance. Children under 5 can enjoy the beach and boat safely. Several reviews specifically mention the experience being excellent for families with children aged 5–16.
What if the weather is bad?
The trip operates in most weather conditions. If sea conditions are unsafe, the tour is cancelled and you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund. Water sports on the island may be suspended in high winds — this is confirmed by the crew before departure.
Check tour dates, pickup & inclusions
Tell us your preferred date, group size and hotel area. Our team will confirm the actual offer and the booking details.
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