Hurghada:Luxury Diving & Snorkeling inc/Island/Lunch/Massage

The best part of this Hurghada boat day is the variety. You get a beginner scuba session, a swim with Red Sea fish, time on Orange Bay’s pale sand, lunch, a banana boat ride, and a short massage without paying separate fees for each activity. It is a full day built for first-timers rather than serious scuba enthusiasts.

I like the calm, well-organized feel reported by the crew, especially the clear instruction from guides such as Fox and Salam. I also like the value: at $58 per person, hotel transfers, equipment, lunch, drinks, snacks, island access, and the massage are included. The main caution is that the underwater session may be brief, sometimes around 10 minutes of actual scuba time, so experienced divers may find it too limited.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay comes early: You get about 75 minutes on the island, enough for photos, a swim, and a little beach time.
• The scuba session is for beginners: No certificate is needed, but nobody under 13 may take part.
• The crew earns strong marks: Andrew, Fox, Salam, Andro, and Hada are among the staff praised for patient instruction and friendly service.
• Lunch is a real part of the day: Expect rice, pasta, vegetables, kofta, chicken, fish, salads, fruit, drinks, and hot beverages.
• The massage is short: Plan on roughly 15 minutes on deck, with other people nearby.
• The boat day is active: You will spend about eight hours at sea, so bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, cash, and an ID or passport copy.

What this $58 Red Sea day is really offering

This is not a quiet luxury yacht charter with a private guide and a flexible schedule. It is a packed group excursion that combines many popular Red Sea activities in one outing. That distinction matters.

At $58, the price is strong if you want to try several things without arranging separate transport, equipment rental, lunch, and island access. You are paying for convenience and variety. The trade-off is that each activity gets a set amount of time, and the boat follows a shared schedule.

The package includes pickup and return to your hotel, a guide, marine and natural reserve fees, the boat, scuba equipment, snorkeling equipment, a life vest, and a wetsuit. Food and drinks are also covered, including water, soft drinks, hot drinks, fruit, and snacks. That makes the final cost easier to predict.

I would compare this with a dedicated scuba trip only if scuba is your main reason for visiting the Red Sea. If you want one easy day with a little of everything, the mix makes sense.

Leaving Hurghada for Orange Bay

Pickup is available from Hurghada and Hurghada 1, with the exact meeting point and time sent by WhatsApp or email one day before departure. You are asked to wait five minutes early at your hotel reception or the main gate, depending on the instructions you receive.

The boat ride to Orange Bay takes about 45 minutes. This gives you time to settle in, watch Hurghada recede, and get used to the rhythm of the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously. The excursion specifically excludes people who are prone to seasickness, and the day includes several hours on open water.

Orange Bay is the photogenic stop. The island has soft sand, clear water, and a relaxed beach setting. You have about 75 minutes there, which is enough for pictures, a swim, or simply sitting by the water. It is also a useful first stop because you can enjoy the island before the more active water sessions begin.

Keep your expectations practical. Orange Bay is a popular stop, not an isolated beach. One detailed account found it crowded and felt there was little to do beyond taking pictures and enjoying the water. If you want an empty island, this will not be that experience. If you want a pleasant beach stop included in a larger day, it works well.

The beginner scuba session at Small Giftun

The boat then heads to the Small Giftun diving site for the main underwater activity. The tour provides an introductory scuba session, so you do not need a certificate. Instructors are responsible for explaining the basics and helping first-time participants feel comfortable.

This is where the crew’s manner matters most. Fox was praised for reassuring a nervous beginner, while Salam was credited with explaining the process clearly. The languages offered are Arabic, English, German, and Russian, which can make safety instructions easier to follow.

The Red Sea is a good place to try scuba because clear water can make it easier to see fish and coral once you are below the surface. The equipment provided includes a wetsuit, breathing gear, and other required kit. A life vest is also included for the boat and surface portions of the day.

Be realistic about timing. The itinerary gives the scuba stop one hour, but that includes preparation, instructions, equipment, and moving people through the activity. Actual time underwater can be much shorter. One detailed account described roughly 10 minutes of scuba, while another person wished the session had lasted longer.

That is the biggest weakness of the tour. A first underwater experience can be exciting, but you may come away wanting more time. Experienced scuba participants should not book this as a serious reef exploration trip. It is an introduction, with safety and access valued over depth or long bottom time.

The activity is not available to anyone under 13. Pregnant people and those with heart problems or high blood pressure should not book it. The tour also says it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Lunch on the boat, with plenty of choice

After the main water activity, lunch is served on board for about 45 minutes. The open buffet includes rice, pasta, oven vegetables, grilled kofta, chicken, fish, four types of salad, and three types of fruit.

This is more useful than a token sandwich. You can build a proper plate after spending time in the water, and the selection gives meat eaters, fish eaters, and vegetarians several choices. One person even received a gluten-free option, though you should still confirm your own dietary needs in advance rather than assume every request will be available.

The food received unusually warm praise, with some people finding it better than their hotel meals. Another account was less impressed by the fish, describing it as undercooked, while liking the salads, fruit, coffee, and soft drinks. I would treat the meal as a convenient buffet with a good range, not as a reason to book the trip on its own.

Water is unlimited, and soft and hot drinks are included. Snacks are also available. Bring your own special food only if you have strict dietary requirements or prefer not to rely on a shared buffet.

Snorkeling around Giftun Island

The snorkeling stop at Giftun Island lasts about 45 minutes. This is the activity most likely to appeal to people who want to see marine life without committing to scuba.

You receive snorkeling equipment, and the clear Red Sea water can give you good views of fish and coral from the surface. The setting is especially useful for mixed groups. One person can try the beginner scuba session while another sticks to snorkeling, then everyone can meet again on the boat.

There is one practical issue: people who take part in the scuba session may not have the energy or time to make full use of every other water activity. A detailed account said the two activities were difficult to combine because returning to snorkeling after scuba was not easy. If seeing the reef from the surface is your priority, tell the crew early and do not feel pressured to take part in everything.

The water portion is shared and structured. You should follow the guide’s instructions, wear the life vest if asked, and keep track of the meeting time. The point is to get a taste of the Red Sea, not to spend an unlimited afternoon in one reef area.

Banana boat, free time, and the short massage

The day includes a 45-minute banana boat ride at sea. This adds a playful, high-energy break to a schedule otherwise centered on swimming and sightseeing. It may suit families with older children and groups of friends, though the scuba age limit still applies to the underwater session.

There is also about 45 minutes of free time. The exact feel of this pause depends on the boat’s timing and how much energy you have left. You might use it to rest, take pictures, sit with a drink, or return to the water.

The massage is one of the more unusual inclusions. It lasts about 15 minutes and takes place on the deck while the boat sails. It is a pleasant way to loosen up after swimming, but it is not a private spa treatment. Other people may be nearby, and the short session is best viewed as a bonus rather than a full wellness appointment.

The combination of massage and sea views gives the day its luxury angle. Still, the boat, not a resort spa, is the setting. One person found the massage good, while the overall schedule suggests you should expect a quick treatment, not a long, quiet appointment.

How the crew shapes the experience

The strongest part of this excursion is the staff. Andrew was praised for keeping the day moving smoothly. Fox helped a nervous first-timer take part in scuba. Salam was singled out for careful explanations, and Andro and Hada were noted for being friendly and entertaining.

Photographer Yaya may also be on hand to capture underwater photos and videos. These are extra purchases, but the price was described as reasonable. Decide before you go whether you want professional-looking memories, and bring cash if you might buy them.

The crew also handles small practical problems. One person had a hotel bracelet returned, which gives you an idea of the attentive, hands-on service reported on the boat. That does not remove the need to watch your own belongings, but it is a welcome sign.

The atmosphere can be lively. Birthday celebrations and music may turn the return cruise into more of a party than a peaceful sail. That is a plus if you like a social boat day. It may be less appealing if you want silence and solitude.

Boat condition, timing, and what to pack

Most of the feedback describes the day as organized, but one person found the boat a little worn and some wetsuits in poor condition, with rips. Equipment is supplied, yet you should inspect your wetsuit before entering the water and speak up if it does not fit properly.

The full excursion lasts about eight hours, including the two 45-minute boat rides. The published schedule includes Orange Bay, the Small Giftun site, lunch, snorkeling, the banana boat ride, free time, and the return to Hurghada. It is a long day, but the range of activities helps break it up.

Bring:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• A towel
• Cash for tips, photos, or extras
• Your passport or ID card, with a copy accepted
• Sun protection and any personal medication you need

Tips are optional. Pickup details arrive one day before the trip, so check WhatsApp or email and read the meeting instructions carefully.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability.

Who should book this Hurghada cruise?

I would choose this excursion for a first visit to Hurghada when you want a broad sample of the Red Sea in one day. It suits couples, groups of friends, and first-time scuba participants who like a busy schedule and friendly crew.

It is also a good match for someone who is nervous about scuba but curious enough to try. Clear instructions and patient staff can make the first step less intimidating. You can also focus on snorkeling, the beach, or the boat activities instead of treating the scuba session as the whole point.

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced scuba participant, dislike group schedules, or want a long time at one reef. The underwater portion may feel too short, and Orange Bay can be crowded. People with seasickness, heart problems, high blood pressure, or mobility limits should choose another outing.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want variety, convenience, and strong value from an eight-hour Red Sea day. At $58, the included transfers, food, equipment, drinks, island stop, water activities, and massage add up well.

Skip it if your main goal is serious scuba time or a quiet private yacht experience. For everyone else, this is a lively and practical way to try Orange Bay, see the Red Sea from below and above the surface, and enjoy a full day without arranging each part separately.

FAQ

Does the scuba activity require a certificate?

No. The excursion includes an introductory scuba session for beginners, and no certificate is needed. Scuba is not available to anyone under 13.

What food and drinks are included?

The open buffet includes rice, pasta, oven vegetables, grilled kofta, chicken, fish, four types of salad, and three types of fruit. Water, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your hotel and return transfer are included. Your exact pickup time and meeting point are sent by WhatsApp or email one day before the excursion.

How long is the trip?

The experience lasts about eight hours. The schedule includes 45-minute boat rides at the beginning and end, about 75 minutes at Orange Bay, a scuba stop, lunch, snorkeling, a banana boat ride, and free time.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The available languages are Arabic, English, German, and Russian.

Is the massage included?

Yes. Each person receives a short massage during the cruise. The session is about 15 minutes and takes place on the boat deck.