Hurghada: Elegance Yacht Cruise To Orange & Magawish island

Orange Bay is the early highlight here. You leave Hurghada by boat, reach the island for about an hour, and get time in the calm shallows before the busiest part of the day. The route then adds Magawish Island, two snorkeling stops, lunch, and a possible dolphin sighting, so this is a full Red Sea day rather than a quick island transfer.

I like the two-island plan, which gives you a better mix of sandy beach time, swimming, and coral reefs. I also like the practical inclusions: seafood lunch, unlimited water and soft drinks, equipment, and hotel pickup are all covered, while guides including Abdull and Sayed are praised for clear explanations and good humor.

The main thing to consider is the transfer. Pickup information arrives by email at 10 p.m. the night before, and the vehicle can wait only five minutes. If you are staying in Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga, the extra drive can also make the day much longer unless you add a long-range transfer or private pickup.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay comes first: You get about an hour on the island before the larger crowds arrive.
• Two separate island stops: Magawish follows lunch and gives you another hour to swim and snorkel.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Bring your own towel, but mask and snorkel equipment are supplied.
• The lunch is substantial: Expect shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, tuna salad, green salad, and seasonal fruit.
• Parasailing is optional: A five-minute flight is available if you select that option when booking.
• Private trips can change the day: One private party was able to shape the route and enjoyed a crew of three caring for two passengers.

Orange Bay before the crowds

The day begins with a hotel pickup in Hurghada and a transfer to the harbor. After a short briefing, you board the yacht and head toward Orange Bay, with the first island stop planned for roughly one hour.

That timing matters. Orange Bay is known for its pale sand and shallow, clear water, and arriving early gives you a quieter stretch of island time. The setting has a Caribbean feel, at least in appearance, with bright water and a relaxed beach stop rather than a sightseeing site packed with monuments or shops.

You can use this hour to swim, take photos, or simply sit near the water. If you want the most peaceful part of the day, this is probably it. The stop is not designed as a long beach stay, so you should think of Orange Bay as a scenic first chapter, not a full resort day.

I appreciate the way the itinerary places the island visit before snorkeling and lunch. You get dry land and open views first, then the more active water portions later. The tradeoff is that one hour passes quickly, especially if you spend time getting on and off the boat.

Red Sea snorkeling with two water stops

After Orange Bay, the yacht heads to a snorkeling site for about 40 minutes. A snorkeling guide is included, and equipment is supplied, which keeps the morning simple for anyone who does not want to pack their own gear.

The appeal is the coral and colorful fish of the Red Sea. The first stop gives you a focused chance to look below the surface rather than just swim near the island. If sea conditions are good, this can be the most rewarding part of the trip for anyone interested in marine life.

The schedule includes two snorkeling stops, with another chance near Magawish after lunch. That is a useful feature. If your first swim is cut short by nerves, water conditions, or simply wanting more time, you get a second opportunity later.

You should bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. Cash is also recommended. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and you should be comfortable moving around a boat and getting into the water. The supplied details do not promise a particular fish species or guarantee dolphins, so treat wildlife sightings as a welcome possibility rather than the main reason to book.

A few people on the boat may see more than others depending on where they swim and how long they stay in the water. Listen to the guide, use the equipment carefully, and avoid expecting an aquarium-style display. The Red Sea setting is the attraction, but nature does not work to a timetable.

A seafood lunch served at sea

Once you return to the yacht, lunch is served. The meal includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad, seasonal fruit, and drinks.

This is more than a light snack between swims. The menu gives you a proper midday meal, which matters on a day spent in the sun and moving between water stops. Unlimited mineral water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and milk are also included.

The food has received particularly strong praise, with one person saying it was better than the meal at their hotel. That is not a guarantee of the same result for everyone, but it does point to one of the trip’s best value points. You are not paying separately for a restaurant lunch on the island or relying only on packaged refreshments.

The wording around the menu varies slightly, with rice and pasta both included in the meal description. If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not confirm special options, so ask before booking rather than assuming the kitchen can adjust the meal.

Lunch also creates a natural pause. By this point, you have already had the island stop and first snorkeling session, so sitting down with a cold drink can make the second half feel less rushed.

Magawish Island after lunch

After the meal, the yacht sails to Magawish Island. You have about an hour there for swimming and snorkeling in the Red Sea.

Magawish makes the route feel more varied. Orange Bay gives you the first beach stop, while Magawish comes after lunch and gives you another chance to enjoy the water. If you prefer swimming to sitting on sand, this second island may be the more useful stop because it is paired with the later snorkeling session.

The exact feel of the stop will depend on the sea and weather that day. The important point is that Magawish is not just a quick photo pause. The schedule allows around an hour, enough for a swim and some relaxed time before the return cruise.

If you are booking a shared trip, keep your watch on the schedule. The yacht must return for the group, and the activity provider says the pickup service can wait no more than five minutes at the start of the day. That same general rule of staying on time is sensible during the island visits.

Optional parasailing above the Red Sea

A five-minute parasailing flight is available if you select the option. This adds a short burst of height and gives you a view of the water, islands, and yacht from above.

It is best treated as an optional extra, not a core part of the cruise. The main value comes from the two islands, snorkeling, lunch, and time on the water. Parasailing suits you if you want a quick thrill and a different view, but you should check that the option is selected during checkout if you want it included.

The supplied details do not give a separate price for the add-on, so confirm the total before paying. If you dislike heights or prefer a slower day, the snorkeling and island time already provide plenty to do.

What the yacht day feels like in practice

The route is designed as a full day at sea, with roughly seven hours mentioned for one private trip. You should expect a schedule rather than a completely free-form boat outing: harbor transfer, briefing, Orange Bay, snorkeling, lunch, Magawish, optional parasailing, and the cruise back.

The private version can offer more flexibility. One private group of two had a captain, guide, and cook aboard, and was able to make requests about the route. That arrangement may suit couples or small groups who value personal attention and are willing to pay for a more private outing.

A group trip is likely the better value if you want the same main stops without paying for the boat on your own. The information does not give a fixed maximum group size, so ask about the expected number of people if crowding is important to you.

The guides are a strong part of the day. Abdull and Sayed are specifically praised for being friendly, sociable, and clear when explaining the activities. Another account describes the crew as attentive throughout the day. English is the listed language, so you should be able to follow the safety briefing and snorkeling instructions in English.

Dolphins may be seen during the cruise, but no sighting is guaranteed. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not let the possibility distract you from the island and reef stops that are actually scheduled.

Pickup details that can affect your morning

For a smooth start, provide the correct hotel name, address, room number, nationality, and a copy of your passport photo as requested. Pickup details are sent by email at 10 p.m. the night before, which is later than some people may prefer.

Read that message closely. One private party initially received a less convenient meeting instruction and then arranged a hotel-lobby pickup after contacting the provider. That worked out, but it shows why you should check the meeting point instead of assuming the driver will automatically come to your door.

The included transfer applies to Hurghada. Extra pickup service can be booked for Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay during checkout. These areas are farther from the harbor, and one return journey from Makadi Bay took about 75 minutes in a shared bus, compared with about 35 minutes on the way out when only two people were being collected.

That difference is worth considering when you compare the price. A cheaper shared transfer may cost you more time at the end of the day. If you are staying outside Hurghada, look at the private pickup add-on before deciding that the base price is the full cost.

Is $53 a good value?

At $53 per person, the price is strong if you plan to use most of what is included. You are paying for a boat cruise, hotel pickup and return within Hurghada, entry to Orange Bay and Magawish, a guide, two snorkeling stops, equipment, lunch, fruit, and a broad selection of drinks.

You also get a route with several distinct parts rather than one beach stop. Two islands, reef time, lunch, and the return cruise create a useful mix for a first visit to Hurghada’s Red Sea coast.

The price becomes less simple if you need a long-range transfer or want the private version. Those extras are available during checkout, but the supplied information does not state their prices. Check the final amount before booking, especially if you are staying in a resort area outside Hurghada.

I would see this as good value for a first-time visitor who wants a planned day on the water and does not want to arrange a boat, lunch, equipment, and transfers separately. If you already have a private yacht or only want serious reef time, the island visits and fixed schedule may feel less important.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families with confident swimmers, and small groups looking for a simple Red Sea day. It works especially well if you want a little of everything: beach, snorkeling, seafood, photos, swimming, and an optional aerial activity.

The private option is worth considering for two or more people who care about flexibility. The private party described a crew of three for two passengers, and the group could make requests during the day. That level of attention is not something to assume on a shared boat.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike getting in and out of boats, or need a very quiet day with no fixed timetable. The activity is also less attractive if your hotel is far from Hurghada and you are not prepared for a longer transfer.

Cancellation is flexible enough for normal holiday planning: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-and-pay-later booking is also available, so you do not have to pay immediately when securing your place.

Should you book Orange Bay and Magawish?

Book this cruise if you want a well-filled Red Sea day at a reasonable starting price. The strongest reasons are the two-island route, the included seafood lunch, the two snorkeling sessions, and the friendly, attentive guide service associated with Abdull and Sayed.

Choose the private version if personal attention and route flexibility matter more than keeping the cost down. If you are staying in Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga, price the transfer add-on first. For most people staying in Hurghada, this is an easy way to combine the coast’s main pleasures without arranging each part yourself.

FAQ

Where does the cruise take place?

The cruise departs from the Hurghada area in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate and visits Orange Bay and Magawish Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as an add-on during checkout.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. One is scheduled after the Orange Bay visit, and another takes place after lunch near Magawish.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide are included.

What food is served for lunch?

The seafood lunch includes shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, salad, and seasonal fruit. The meal information also lists tuna salad and green salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited mineral water and soft drinks are included, along with tea, coffee, and milk.

Is parasailing part of the standard price?

A five-minute parasailing flight is included only if you select the parasailing option when booking.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets are not allowed.

When will I receive the pickup details?

Pickup details are sent by email at 10 p.m. on the night before the trip. Check the message carefully for the meeting point and timing.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also be ready to move around a boat and enter the water for snorkeling.