Hurghada: Orange Bay Island Boat Trip, Parasailing & Snorkeling

Summary

Orange bay’s white sand, red sea snorkeling & wild sky views from hurghada

You’ll ride a boat from Hurghada to Orange Bay Island for two hours of white-sand beach time before snorkeling twice on colorful Red Sea reefs. Try parasailing for those wild aerial views, enjoy lunch onboard with drinks included, and relax knowing hotel pickup and drop-off are sorted with your local guide leading the way.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost skipped this Orange Bay boat trip because I’m not usually a “beach games” person. But by the time our toes hit that white sand — so soft it squeaked underfoot — I was already grinning like a kid. The boat ride out from Hurghada was all salt air and laughter (someone’s playlist had Egyptian pop bouncing off the waves), and our guide Samir kept pointing out little islands I’d never have noticed on my own. There was this moment when we pulled up to Orange Bay and you could see the color shift in the water — turquoise to something almost clear. Kind of hypnotic.

We got two hours on the island itself, which sounds short but felt just right. Some people went straight for volleyball or cocktails at the juice bar; I mostly wandered along the edge of the water, letting my feet sink into that weirdly cool sand. At one point I tried to order a drink in Arabic — Samir laughed and fixed it for me, but hey, at least I tried. Lunch back on board was way better than I expected (the grilled fish especially), and there was plenty of time to just sprawl out on deck before we moved on to snorkeling.

The snorkeling stops were wild — honestly, I didn’t expect so many colors under there. The Red Sea reefs are alive in a way photos don’t really show you; schools of little blue fish darting everywhere, sunlight flickering down through the water. My mask kept fogging up but it didn’t matter much. Then came parasailing — which I almost chickened out of, but Samir just said “You’ll regret it if you don’t.” He was right. Up there it’s quiet except for wind in your ears and suddenly Hurghada looks tiny behind you. That view… yeah, still think about that sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Orange Bay boat trip and water activities

• Hotel pickup and transfer to marina
• Boat cruise to Orange Bay island
• Relax on white sand beach
• Swim in shallow crystal-clear waters
• Play volleyball and enjoy cocktails
• Buffet lunch on the boat
• Two guided snorkeling sessions
• Enjoy water sports and parasailing
• Return cruise to marina
• Hotel drop-off around 4 PM

Top questions

How long is the Orange Bay boat trip from Hurghada?

The full day lasts about 8 hours including hotel pickup, with around 2 hours spent relaxing on Orange Bay Island itself.

Is lunch included on the Orange Bay tour?

Yes, a freshly prepared buffet lunch is served onboard after your time on Orange Bay Island.

Are snorkeling equipment and guides provided?

Yes, all snorkeling gear is included along with a snorkeling guide for both stops at Red Sea reefs.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Hurghada?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included with an air-conditioned vehicle.

Can families or couples book this day trip?

Bookings are accepted only for couples and families; solo travelers can’t book this tour.

What activities are offered besides snorkeling?

You’ll get time for beach games on Orange Bay Island plus water sports and parasailing over the Red Sea.

Are drinks available during the tour?

Soda, coffee or tea, and water are included during your day trip; cocktails are available at extra cost on Orange Bay Island.

Is this tour suitable for kids or infants?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle from Hurghada, use of all snorkeling equipment with a local guide at two reef stops, two hours relaxing on Orange Bay Island with access to beach games and bars, buffet lunch with drinks onboard, plus water sports and parasailing before heading back in the afternoon.