Hurghada: Afternoon Sailing cruise to orange bay with Lunch

A pirate-style afternoon cruise is a fun way to spend one stretch of your Hurghada vacation, and the Red Sea scenery does the heavy lifting. I like the air-conditioned pirate saloons, because you can cool off between snorkeling and beach time, and I also like the seafood buffet lunch that keeps the whole outing feeling complete. The main thing to consider is that this is more of a cruise with sailing flavor than a nonstop classic sail show.

You’ll get a guided snorkeling stretch, a sandy hour at Orange Bay, and then a sunset run back toward the marina, all wrapped in a kid-focused animation program. The ride feels steady enough that sea-sickness worries are usually minimal, but keep your expectations realistic on timing and onboard extras like drinks and photography sales.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Pirate ship comfort with two lower deck air-conditioned salons, plus a big upper sun deck for views
• Guided snorkeling plus gear included, so you are not scrambling for mask and fins
• Orange Bay beach hour with sandy time and kids’ activities like a treasure hunt
• Lunch included in the pirate-themed salon, with a proper seafood spread
• Kid animation on board runs in the lower deck while adults enjoy the trip
• Limited onboard drinks compared to what you can buy at Orange Bay

Pirate-Theme Boat Days: What Makes This Cruise Feel Different

This cruise is built around a twin-masted, wooden pirate-style yacht that feels like it belongs to the older idea of sailing, even though your day is structured like a modern tour. The ship has a huge upper sun deck for photos and sea views, while the two lower deck salons are fully air-conditioned and decorated in marble-and-wood pirate style. That combo matters because the Red Sea can be hot, and you do not want to be stuck baking the whole time.

As soon as you step aboard, the focus shifts depending on who is traveling. If you have kids, you will be directed to the animation team on the lower deck. Adults tend to spread out on the upper deck and in the air-conditioned saloon between activities. It is one of those setups that works well in real life, because it avoids the constant “who is watching the kids?” problem.

Price and Value: Does $63 Cover What You’re Really Buying?

At about $63 per person for a roughly 5-hour outing, you are not paying for just a ride. You are paying for the full bundle: hotel pickup and drop-off, national park entry fees, snorkeling gear, life jackets, a buffet lunch, and a kids’ entertainment program. That is usually where cruises like this either feel like a good deal or feel like a sales pitch.

Here, the value is strongest if you want everything in one place. The lunch is not a token roll and salad either. The buffet menu is built around sea-food options plus sides and hot items, including seafood soup, several types of fresh salad, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit. If that menu sounds like your kind of lunch, you are likely to feel good about the price.

Where you may feel the cost later is with extras. Wetsuits are not included, so if you want added comfort, plan for that. Also, drinks are available for sale, and onboard options can be limited.

Pickup, Timing, and Getting Onboard Without Stress

Your pickup happens about one hour before the trip start time, and you want to plan for normal hotel-route variation. One review experience I’d treat as a caution: a pickup can be late by around 30 minutes. That does not mean it is always late, but it does mean you should not schedule a tight connection right after you expect to return.

If you want the low-stress approach, do this: confirm the pickup details when you book, and list your hotel and room number if applicable. Also, arrive ready to go. You are dealing with a hot start and a full afternoon program, so it helps when bags, swimwear, and sunscreen are already sorted.

On the positive side, you should not face the usual ticket-line hassle, since skip-the-line is part of the deal. And the company states wheelchair accessibility, which is worth noting if mobility access is a concern for your group.

The Snorkeling Stretch: How the Reef Time Works

The day follows a clear flow. You depart around 1 PM, then you sail out toward the local best snorkeling areas. Expect about an hour of sailing time before snorkeling begins, followed by a full guided snorkeling session for about an hour.

That guidance matters. Snorkeling on the Red Sea is more than “put on a mask and float.” A guide helps you find good viewing areas and keeps the group moving safely. In addition, snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, which lowers the hassle if you are traveling light.

What to bring (and what not to assume)

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Towel

Do not assume:

• Wetsuits are provided, because they are not included.

If you are sensitive to sun or want extra comfort, you might find it smart to use additional sun protection under your swimwear. The cruise does give you gear for snorkeling, but it does not promise thermal protection.

If you get sea-sick

One helpful note from an actual customer experience: the motion feels mild for many people, so sea-sickness is often not a big issue on this route. You still should take normal precautions if you are truly prone to motion sickness, but it is a good sign if you are anxious about the boat ride.

Orange Bay Hour: Beach Time for Adults, Real Activities for Kids

Orange Bay is your main break from water work. After snorkeling, you sail over to the island and spend about one hour there. This is where you get the classic “sand between snorkel sessions” rhythm.

For adults, the value is simple: relax on a beach and take in the sea views without constantly being in the water. For kids, this is where the ship’s energy turns into organized play. The kids’ program includes a treasure hunt and other activities.

Two practical considerations come up from real experiences. First, the kids’ entertainment can feel short depending on the age group and the moment you arrive. Second, language support for children might not match what you expect. The cruise offers live tour guidance in English and German, but kids animation coordination may not always cover every language need. If German-speaking kids support is critical for your family, it is worth asking before booking.

Food and drink at the island

On Orange Bay, you can usually buy snacks and drinks, but you should expect it to cost more than the included lunch on the boat. So if you want to manage your budget, treat the onboard lunch as your main meal and plan island purchases as optional.

Lunch on a Pirate Ship: What You’ll Eat and Where You’ll Eat It

Lunch is served on the boat, in the air-conditioned pirate-themed salon. That matters because it gives you a real break from sun and wind. Even better, it happens as a group meal, so you do not need to plan anything beyond getting yourself to the right deck.

The buffet menu is a clear mix of seafood, sides, and hot staples:

• Seafood soup
• 3 types of fresh salad
• Rice, pasta, potatoes
• Shrimp, calamari, fish
• Chicken and kofta
• Seasonal fresh fruit

It is a strong menu for a boat cruise, and it explains why food satisfaction tends to rank high on this experience. If you eat seafood, you’ll likely feel happy with the variety.

Drinks: included lunch does not mean free drinks

One thing to watch: onboard drinks can be limited to basics like coffee, tea, and soft drinks, sold separately. If you want more than that, plan on paying more. This is not a deal-breaker for many people, but it is the kind of detail that changes how expensive the afternoon feels.

Sunset Return to Hurghada Marina: The Part You’ll Remember

The emotional payoff arrives at the end. After Orange Bay and the rest of the program, the cruise heads back and you catch sunset while sailing back to the marina. That upper deck is where you will want to be, because the pirate ship silhouette against the horizon is the whole point of the theme.

The cruise is planned from about 1 PM to 6:30 PM on Saturday and Wednesday. The pacing is designed so you are not rushing between stops. You get sea time, then island time, then a final stretch that feels like a reward.

There is also a part of the day that includes swimming or marine-life viewing for about an hour, so you may get additional water chances beyond the snorkeling block. That is a nice bonus if you want more time in the Red Sea without committing to another full guided snorkeling session.

Photo Sales and Other “Hidden” Costs to Expect

Some tours are built around the experience. Others are built around the sales process. This one can include photography pressure at the end.

One unhappy experience described the day as turning into a sales run with lots of photo-taking and then follow-up attempts to sell expensive photo books. The staff can still be very kind, and the ship can still feel clean and spacious, but that mismatch can spoil the mood if you dislike that style of selling.

Here’s how to manage it:

• Decide early if you want any photos printed or bundled.
• If you do not, plan to be firm at the end.
• Keep an eye on what you are being offered, and treat it like a separate purchase decision.

Who This Cruise Is Best For

This is a good fit if you want a “one-and-done” afternoon with multiple highlights:

• Snorkeling with gear and guidance
• Beach time at Orange Bay
• A real onboard lunch
• A kids program that keeps youngsters busy

It is especially nice for families who want the kids looked after in a structured way. The animation team handles activities while adults rotate between the upper deck views and the air-conditioned comfort below.

It may be less ideal if you want a pure sailing experience with active sail handling. One review bluntly pointed out that it is not really a sailing cruise in the romantic, sail-driven sense. If your main goal is to feel wind in the sails all day, you may end up disappointed.

Should You Book This One?

I’d book this cruise if:

• You care more about snorkeling quality, included gear, and lunch value than about strict sailing authenticity.
• You want a family-friendly afternoon where kids are not just tagging along.
• You like the idea of a pirate-themed ship, air-conditioned comfort, and a sunset finish.

I’d hesitate if:

• You dislike photography sales pressure and do not want to be marketed to during or after the tour.
• Your family needs very specific language support for kids animation.
• You expect unlimited or premium drinks onboard, because the included lunch does not cover beverage costs.

If you go in with the right expectations, this is a solid afternoon in Hurghada. You get the sea, you get the food, you get the sunset, and the day stays structured enough to feel easy.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada afternoon sailing cruise to Orange Bay?

The total duration is about 5 hours, running from roughly 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

When does this cruise run?

It runs on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Check availability for exact starting times.

What’s included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, national park entry fees, buffet lunch, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and a kids entertainment programme are included.

Is a wetsuit provided?

No, wetsuits are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.