Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the mix of wild dolphin watching and two separate snorkeling stops, all done from a small speedboat rather than a large sightseeing boat. You also get time at Orange Bay, where pale sand and clear water make a pleasant break from the open sea.

I like the personal feel, especially when the boat has only a few people aboard. I also like that water, soft drinks, juice, fruit, shade, life jackets, and snorkeling gear are included. The main drawback is simple: dolphins are wild, and you may not see them. The packed lunch has also received poor marks, so think of it as fuel, not a highlight.

At a Glance: What Makes This Trip Worth Considering

• Wild dolphin search by speedboat: You look for dolphins in their natural setting rather than at a captive attraction.
• Two snorkeling stops: Plan on about an hour in the water in total, often in two sessions of roughly 30 minutes.
• Orange Bay on Giftun Island: You get beach time, swimming, and a chance to rest after the sea activity.
• Small-boat atmosphere: Some departures feel more personal than a large group boat, with music possible on board.
• Optional view from above: The tour offers a short flight over the Red Sea, listed as up to 5 minutes in the detailed description and up to 10 minutes in the highlights.
• $47 includes the basics: Hotel pickup in Hurghada, boat transport, entry fees, equipment, lunch, drinks, fruit, and a guide are covered.

Speeding Out From Hurghada

Your day begins with hotel pickup and a transfer to the speedboat departure point. The operator sends the exact pickup details by email at about 10 p.m. the night before, so check your inbox before bed and keep the message handy in the morning.

Pickup is strict. You need to wait at the hotel’s main entrance, described as the Main Gate on the highway, rather than at the reception entrance. The boat can wait no more than five minutes at the stated meeting point. Pickup may arrive 5 to 10 minutes late because of other hotel stops, but you should still be ready on time.

The included pickup applies to Hurghada hotels. If you are staying in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay, the longer transfer is an extra add-on at checkout. Give the operator your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number, since those details affect the morning collection.

The transfer vehicle is one area where expectations should stay modest. One account described poor air conditioning and extra seats fitted into the rear of a small vehicle without seat belts. That is a serious safety concern, especially for children. I would confirm the pickup arrangement before booking if safe seating is a priority for your family.

Once on board, your guide explains the route and the day’s activities. The speedboat gives you a fast, open-air ride, but it can also mean a rougher trip than a larger vessel. If you have back problems, this outing is not suitable.

Searching for Dolphins in the Open Red Sea

The captain heads into open water and searches for dolphins in the places they are most likely to appear. This is not a guaranteed animal encounter. The dolphins are wild, and heavy boat traffic can make swimming near them unsuitable even when they are spotted.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain. You may see dolphins quickly, as one five-star account did, or spend much of the search looking across open water without a clear sighting. The tour description is right to warn you about this. No responsible operator can promise a close encounter with a wild animal.

If dolphins appear, you can watch them from the boat and take photos. The description also promotes swimming with dolphins when conditions allow, but this depends on the animals, the captain, and the number of nearby boats. Do not book this tour solely for a guaranteed swim with dolphins.

The speedboat is well suited to the search because it can cover water quickly. It also creates a more direct connection with the sea than a crowded excursion boat. On the other hand, the ride can feel fast and exposed, so bring a secure phone case and avoid carrying loose items on deck.

Captain Momo is specifically praised for being friendly and attentive. The crew’s attitude matters here because the dolphin search has no fixed script. A helpful captain can make a quiet spell feel relaxed rather than disappointing.

Two Snorkeling Stops, With About an Hour in the Water

After the dolphin search, the boat stops at the first snorkeling location. The guide supplies the mask, fins, and other equipment, then gives you a short explanation before you enter the water. Life jackets are available, which is useful if you are not a strong swimmer or simply want extra support.

The two stops are valuable because Red Sea conditions and marine life can vary from one site to the next. You may see tropical fish and coral formations in clear water, though the exact sights depend on weather, visibility, and the condition of each site.

Plan for about an hour of snorkeling overall. One detailed account describes two sessions of roughly 30 minutes in quick succession. That is enough time to see plenty without turning the entire day into a long water workout, but it can still leave you tired before lunch, especially in wind or waves.

The first snorkeling location may be the stronger of the two, so make the most of it. Listen to the guide’s instructions, stay close enough to follow the group, and keep your pace comfortable. The second stop comes after Orange Bay and may feel less energetic if you have already spent time swimming and riding in the sun.

You should bring your own towel and swimwear. The boat includes drinking water, soft drinks, juice, seasonal fruit, and a shaded area, which helps during the surface intervals. Sunscreen is not listed among the items supplied, so pack it yourself.

Orange Bay and Giftun Island Beach Time

The boat then heads to Orange Bay, part of the Giftun Island area. This is the most relaxed part of the schedule. You can swim in clear water, snorkel again, walk along the beach, or simply sit in the shade and recover from the morning’s activity.

Orange Bay is attractive because it changes the pace. After the speedboat ride and open-sea snorkeling, the island gives you a stable place to eat and rest. The beach is the setting, not just a quick photo stop, with time to enjoy the shoreline before returning to the mainland.

The island can become crowded. A five-star account found a 1 p.m. departure helpful because Orange Bay was quieter at that time. You should not assume the beach will be empty, but departure time may affect how much room you have around the water and seating areas.

The tour includes the nature reserve fee and entrance to Orange Bay, so you do not need to budget a separate entry charge. Still, bring cash because the practical information asks you to do so, and island activities or personal purchases may not be included.

What Lunch Really Means Here

Lunch is a packed box with a turkey, cheese, and roast beef sandwich, pickles, juice, and fruit. The ingredients make it a useful mid-tour meal, but this is not a sit-down island lunch or a fresh seafood spread.

This is the weakest part of the experience. One account called the lunch awful, while another described the food and transport as mediocre. I would pack a small snack if you need more than a basic sandwich, though you will also have fruit, water, and soft drinks available.

The fruit platter and drinks receive a more favorable impression than the sandwich itself. They are especially welcome after two water sessions and time in the sun. Eat before you become overly hungry, since the activity schedule may not pause for a long meal.

The Optional Flight Over the Red Sea

The tour offers an optional short flight so you can see the Red Sea from above as well as from the water. The detailed description says up to 5 minutes, while the highlights refer to up to 10 minutes. Confirm the exact duration and price when booking, since the supplied details are not consistent.

This option could appeal to you if you want one more memorable view without adding a full separate excursion. It also gives non-swimmers or tired participants another way to enjoy the setting. The tour data does not provide enough detail about the aircraft, safety equipment, or extra cost, so ask before committing.

I would treat the flight as an optional bonus, not a reason to book the whole trip. The main value remains the speedboat, snorkeling, dolphin search, and Orange Bay visit.

How the $47 Price Compares

At $47 per person, the tour bundles many separate costs into one half-day outing. You receive hotel pickup and return in Hurghada, the speedboat ride, a guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, two snorkeling stops, Orange Bay entry, nature reserve fees, lunch, water, soft drinks, juice, fruit, and shaded seating.

That makes the price reasonable if you plan to use most of the package. A separate boat ride, snorkeling trip, and island visit could easily take more time and require more planning. The small speedboat format may also feel more personal than a large group vessel.

The value drops if your main goal is a guaranteed dolphin encounter or a high-quality meal. Those are the two parts the tour cannot promise. I see this as a good-value activity for someone who wants several Red Sea experiences in one compact outing, not as a specialist wildlife tour.

The advertised rating is 4.4 from 61 ratings, which fits the mixed picture: strong marks for the boat crew, snorkeling, and island setting, with weaker points around lunch and ground transport. The most praised features are the friendly staff, quick dolphin sightings when luck cooperates, useful snorkeling time, and the more personal feel of a small group.

Who Will Enjoy This Speedboat Day

I would recommend this trip to active couples, friends, and families with older children who want variety. You need to be comfortable with a fast boat, open water, swimming, and a flexible wildlife search.

It also suits you if you want a shorter outing. One account found the roughly 4.5-hour duration just right. You get a full sequence of activities without giving up the entire day.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, dislike speedboat rides, or need guaranteed animal sightings. Families should also verify that the transfer vehicle has proper seats and working seat belts before departure.

The language support is English and Arabic. If you need detailed help in another language, confirm that before booking. Cancellation is allowed for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still shifting.

What to Pack and How to Prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Keep valuables to a minimum because the boat is an active setting, and secure anything you bring before the speedboat gets moving.

Use the shaded area during breaks, drink water often, and pace yourself at the snorkeling stops. Even an experienced swimmer can feel tired after repeated time in open water, especially with sun and wind.

Give the operator your nationality, hotel details, address, and room number accurately. On the morning of the trip, wait at the correct main entrance and be ready early. The strict five-minute limit means a relaxed breakfast at the hotel lobby is safer than cutting pickup close.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want a lively Red Sea sampler: a fast boat, a chance to see wild dolphins, two snorkeling sessions, and beach time at Orange Bay for $47. The crew, especially Captain Momo when assigned, appears to be a major strength, and the small-boat format can make the day feel personal.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed dolphin swim, a polished lunch, or fully dependable ground transport. For most active visitors who accept those limits, this is a well-priced way to fit several Hurghada highlights into about 4.5 hours. Just bring realistic expectations, arrive early, and treat the dolphin sighting as luck rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does this tour take place?

The tour operates from Hurghada in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate and visits the Orange Bay area of Giftun Island.

What is included in the $47 price?

The price includes Hurghada hotel pickup and drop-off, a speedboat ride, guide, lunch box, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, two snorkeling stops, Orange Bay entry, nature reserve fees, water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, and a shaded area on the boat.

Will I definitely see dolphins?

No. Dolphins live in their natural habitat, so sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I swim with the dolphins?

The tour offers the chance to swim with dolphins in the open sea when conditions allow. This may not be possible if there are too many boats nearby or if the dolphins do not approach.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. The total snorkeling time may be about one hour, often split into two sessions of around 30 minutes.

What food is provided?

You receive a lunch box with a turkey, cheese, and roast beef sandwich, pickles, juice, and fruit. Seasonal fruit, water, and soft drinks are also provided during the outing.

Is hotel pickup included from all nearby resorts?

Standard pickup is included from Hurghada hotels. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as a paid add-on.

Where should I wait for pickup?

Wait at the main entrance, identified as the Main Gate on the highway. Pickup is not from the reception gate or reception area.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and cash. You should also bring sunscreen for time in the open sun.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, partly because of the speedboat ride and open-water activities.