Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch

REVIEW · HURGHADA

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch

  • 4.461 reviews
  • From $47
Book on GetYourGuide →

Operated by Go Shalabi · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating★ 4.4 (61)Price from$47Operated byGo ShalabiBook viaGetYourGuide

Dolphins first, coral after, island lunch included. This Hurghada trip is built around dolphin watching from a speedboat and two snorkeling stops in the open sea, then you get real beach time at Orange Bay on Giftun Island. The main drawback to plan for: dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, since you’re searching in natural habitat and boat traffic can affect when swimmers get a good moment.

If you like active days, this one moves. You’ll ride out from Hurghada by boat, snorkel at two different locations, and end on the islands with lunch, shaded boat time, and life jackets available.

One more practical consideration: the tour is not suitable for people with back problems, and pickup vehicles vary, so you’ll want to make sure you’re seated safely with proper seat coverage during transport.

Key highlights at a glance

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Key highlights at a glance

  • High-speed speedboat dolphin search: Head out fast, then watch the crew navigate to the best chances for sightings.
  • Swim-with-dolphins option: You may get a chance to swim in open sea when conditions allow and boats aren’t overwhelming.
  • Two snorkeling stops, not just one: Plan on about an hour of total snorkeling time across both locations.
  • Orange Bay on Giftun Island: More than a quick stop; you get island time with a shaded boat ride and entrance included.
  • Lunch box + drinks on the day: Turkey and cheese, roast beef, pickles, juice, fruits, plus soft drinks and water.
  • Optional short flight over the Red Sea: A quick aerial add-on can be up to 10 minutes, depending on the option used.

Speedboat Dolphins Off Hurghada: What the Open-Sea Search Really Means

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Speedboat Dolphins Off Hurghada: What the Open-Sea Search Really Means
This tour’s core hook is simple: dolphins in the Red Sea, chased at speed and watched in the open-water routine the guide follows. You start with hotel pickup in Hurghada, then head to the boat departure point and get out to the areas where dolphins may be active.

The important part is how it’s managed. Dolphins are in their natural habitat, so the crew searches based on real-time conditions instead of promising an automatic “dolphin guarantee.” The trip even notes that dolphins might not be spotted, especially if there are too many boats around, which matters if you’re coming with high expectations.

If your goal is to maximize your odds, I’d take that as a positive rather than a warning label. It means the day is designed to look for dolphins and adjust, not just run a scripted schedule regardless of what’s happening in the water.

A few more Hurghada tours and experiences worth a look

Orange Bay & Giftun Island: Why the Beach Time Feels Worth It

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Orange Bay & Giftun Island: Why the Beach Time Feels Worth It
After dolphins and snorkeling, you shift from “moving fast” to “slowing down” with Orange Bay island time. Orange Bay is part of the Giftun Islands area, and the tour includes entrance to Orange Bay Island, plus nature reserve fees.

That entrance detail matters because it reduces the headache on your side. You’re paying for the access and the day structure that gets you there, rather than needing to sort out anything once you’re on the water.

On the islands, you’ll have time to explore and enjoy the scenery, with a choice of how you spend your time: swim again, snorkel if you want more water time, or just relax on the beach. This mix is a big part of why the day works even if snorkeling isn’t your only priority.

Two Snorkeling Stops at Giftun: Gear, Timing, and Reef Expectations

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Two Snorkeling Stops at Giftun: Gear, Timing, and Reef Expectations
You get snorkeling equipment and life jackets, and you’ll do two separate snorkeling stops. The tour provides a briefing at each location, so you’re not just thrown in and hoped for the best.

In practice, the snorkel sessions are shorter and closer together. One common rhythm is about half an hour in the water at the first stop, then another half hour at the second, for roughly an hour total snorkeling time across the two locations. That’s enough time to feel satisfied without turning your day into one long, tiring water marathon.

As for what you’ll see, expect tropical fish and coral formations typical of the Giftun area. You’re in clear, open sea conditions, and that’s where the best visibility comes from. The second stop is a chance to see different sections of reef rather than repeating the same underwater view.

If you’re new to snorkeling, I’d treat the first stop like your warm-up. Get your breathing and rhythm set, then use the second stop for slower, more careful watching of fish and coral patterns.

Lunch Box on the Islands: What You Actually Get

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Lunch Box on the Islands: What You Actually Get
Lunch is served as a lunch box sandwich on the island, and the contents are fairly specific. You’re looking at turkey and cheese, roast beef, pickles, plus juice and fruits.

This is a “good enough, functional, and easy” lunch setup. It keeps you fueled without dragging out a full restaurant meal while the rest of the day is still dependent on water conditions and boat timing.

You’ll also have seasonal fruit and soft drinks, plus water included as part of the day. That combination matters on an island outing, because it helps you stay comfortable while you’re sun-and-salt soaking.

If your food priorities are strict, I’d treat lunch as a practical component rather than a highlight. But for a day that includes two snorkeling sessions and island time, it’s a solid inclusion that keeps you from hunting for food later.

Boat Comfort, Safety, and Getting to Your Hotel Pickup

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Boat Comfort, Safety, and Getting to Your Hotel Pickup
Your day starts and ends with hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada. Pickup details get sent by email the night before, around 10 pm, so set a reminder and watch your inbox.

A detail that can save time: pickup happens at the main entrance of the Main Gate hotel on the highway, not at the reception area. Also, punctuality matters. The tour says they can wait no more than 5 minutes at the location mentioned, and pickup can be 5 to 10 minutes late depending on other clients, but waiting longer isn’t the plan.

Transport matters because you’re going to be moving to and from the departure point. One safety-related concern has come up in the past: if your pickup vehicle uses any makeshift seating, insist on being seated properly and safely with proper restraint. This is especially important for kids, since the risk is higher if seat belts aren’t available.

On the boat itself, you’ll have a shaded area and life jackets on hand. Those two details add up to a more comfortable ride, especially if you’re out on the water longer than you expected.

The Optional Flight Over the Red Sea: Quick Aerial Views

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - The Optional Flight Over the Red Sea: Quick Aerial Views
There’s an optional flight choice that lets you see the Red Sea from above for a short time. The tour info describes it as up to 10 minutes in the highlights, while another section describes an option for up to 5 minutes.

Either way, this is a “quick look” add-on rather than a whole aerial experience. If you like the idea of perspective—reef shapes and island edges from above—this can be a fun contrast to the underwater snorkeling.

If you’re deciding whether it’s worth it, I’d base the choice on how much you value variety. If you’re already planning to spend time swimming and snorkeling, the flight gives a different angle without turning your day into an all-day wait.

Price, Included Extras, and Value at $47

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Price, Included Extras, and Value at $47
At $47 per person, this isn’t a bargain that cuts corners—it’s priced like a day that bundles multiple activities into one package. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and so are the boat ride, two snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, life jacket use, and guide support.

Then you add the island day components: lunch box sandwich, entrance to Orange Bay Island, nature reserve fees, seasonal fruits, soft drinks, and water. Those inclusions reduce the usual “surprise add-ons” you get with many water tours.

The best way to judge value here is to count what you’d otherwise pay for separately. A single guided snorkeling trip can cost close to this on its own, and adding dolphin watching plus island access and lunch makes the $47 feel more like a bundled day than three separate outings glued together.

The one variable is dolphin sightings. If you don’t see dolphins, the day shifts heavily toward snorkeling and island time, so your value is tied to whether the open-sea search works out on your trip.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)
This works well for people who want a mixed day with both water time and island relaxation. If you like speedboat rides, you’ll probably enjoy the adrenaline side of the outing.

It also suits swimmers who can handle short snorkeling sessions in open sea. Two stops means you have a second chance if you prefer one spot more than the other, and life jackets make it easier to feel steady.

It’s not suitable for people with back problems, so if you’re dealing with mobility or pain, you’ll want to skip this one and choose a calmer boat or shore-based option instead.

If your top priority is calm, quiet, slow travel, this might feel busy. You’re moving through dolphins, then two snorkeling stops, then island time before heading back.

Things to Pack and Small Rules That Save Stress

Hurghada: Orange Bay Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling & Lunch - Things to Pack and Small Rules That Save Stress
Bring swimwear and a towel. Cash is also listed, which usually means you may need it for small extras not covered by the package.

Pets aren’t allowed, so leave furry companions behind.

Because you’ll be on an island and in the sun, I’d plan for sun protection too, even though it’s not explicitly listed. You’ll be out on the water, then on Orange Bay beach, and shade is helpful but not a full replacement for sunscreen.

Also consider timing from Hurghada: the tour usually feels like a half-day to a slightly longer excursion. One typical rhythm described is about 4.5 hours total, which is a good size if you want to see Giftun Island without losing your whole day.

Should You Book This Hurghada Dolphin + Snorkel + Orange Bay Trip?

Book it if you want one day that combines dolphins (with a real chance) and two snorkeling stops, then caps it with beach time and a provided lunch box. The value at $47 comes from the included logistics, equipment, island access, and food, not from a single activity.

Skip it if you have back issues or if you need a guaranteed dolphin encounter. Dolphin spotting depends on real ocean conditions and boat activity, so the tour won’t promise success.

If you do book, do two things: be on time for pickup at the Main Gate hotel entrance on the highway, and keep your expectations flexible for dolphins. You’ll still get a structured, guided Red Sea day with snorkeling gear, island time on Orange Bay, and lunch handled for you.

FAQ

Is dolphin watching guaranteed on this tour?

No. The day involves searching in dolphins natural habitat, and there is a possibility that dolphins will not be spotted. The tour notes that sightings can be affected by how many boats are around.

What snorkeling is included?

You get snorkeling equipment and do two snorkeling stops. The tour provides a guide and life jackets, and you’ll snorkel at two different locations.

What’s included in the lunch?

Lunch is a lunch box sandwich with turkey and cheese, roast beef, and pickles, plus juice, fruits, and seasonal fruit is also included.

How do hotel pickup and drop-off work?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada. Pickup details are sent by email the night before, and pickup is at the main entrance of the Main Gate hotel on the highway.

Do I need to bring anything?

You should bring swimwear and a towel, and the tour also asks you to bring cash.

Is there an option to fly above the Red Sea?

Yes, there is an option to fly for a short time. The highlights mention up to 10 minutes, and another part of the description mentions up to 5 minutes.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for people with back problems. Pets are also not allowed.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Hurghada we have reviewed

Scroll to Top