Hurghada: Elegance Yacht Cruise To Orange & Magawish island

Orange Bay to Magawish feels like two mini-vacations in one day. I love how the day mixes snorkeling with real downtime, then caps it with an island-style seafood lunch. The only thing that can trip you up is logistics, the pickup details land by email at 10 pm and the crew can wait only 5 minutes at the meeting point.

This cruise is built for people who want an organized Red Sea day without fuss. You’ll move from a calm bay with the idea of getting there before the crowds, to up-close coral and colorful fish with a guide, then on to Magawish for swimming. Even if you do the optional parasailing, it still stays relaxed, not hectic, and the crew (including guides like Abdull and Sayed) focuses on making sure you’re comfortable and fed.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Orange Bay first, Magawish second, so you get two islands and two different moods in one trip
• Two snorkeling stops with snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide
• Seafood lunch included, with multiple items plus seasonal fruit and unlimited drinks
• Optional 5-minute parasailing if you want a quick aerial view
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, plus English-speaking guides
• A chance to see dolphins, depending on what the Red Sea gives that day

Orange Bay and Magawish Yacht Cruise: The Best Two-Island Value in Hurghada

The headline here is simple: you get a full day that hits two islands instead of just one. That matters because in the Red Sea, time on the water is part of the magic, and splitting it across Orange Bay and Magawish keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

Orange Bay is usually your warm-up stop. It’s the calmer start, with that open-water feel where you can enjoy the scenery before the day crowds compress everything. Then you shift gears to snorkeling, where the reef and fish become the main event. After lunch, Magawish brings you another hour where you can swim and snorkel again, but in a different setting with a fresh shoreline vibe.

You’re also paying for convenience. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada, and everything from snorkeling gear to guide support is handled for you. In other words, you are not cobbling together tickets, gear rentals, and transport. For about $53 per person, this is a lot of a day packed into one organized package.

Getting to the Harbour: Pickup Rules That Can Make or Break the Day

Here’s the practical part, because the Red Sea day starts before the boat even leaves. Your pickup is handled from your Hurghada hotel, but the details are sent by email at 10 pm the night before. That’s late enough to forget if you’re not watching your inbox, so set a reminder or check right away when the message arrives.

The activity provider can wait no more than 5 minutes at the meeting point. That’s not “show up when you feel like it” energy. If your hotel lobby is busy or you’re chatting at breakfast, you could end up running late. I recommend you plan to be ready a little early, and if you’re traveling as a group, agree on where you’ll meet inside the hotel.

If you’re not staying in Hurghada, long-range pickup options exist as an add-on for areas like Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay. That’s good news if you’re spread out along the coast. But the default pickup coverage is Hurghada, so check your area during checkout instead of assuming it’s automatic.

Orange Bay Island: Why the First Hour Feels So Much Better

Orange Bay is your first island stop, and the way the timing is set up is part of the appeal. You head there for about one hour, described as a quieter experience before the crowds arrive. Even if you don’t obsess over crowds, that approach tends to make everything feel smoother: easier boat flow, calmer water access, and more space to just enjoy the view.

There’s also something psychologically nice about starting with a “shore first” island. You’re not immediately doing reef work. You get a chance to settle, take in the colors, and get your body ready for snorkeling. That’s especially helpful if you’re not confident in the water.

Entry to Orange Bay is included, so you’re not trying to figure out permissions or extra fees mid-day. It keeps the day moving, and it gives you a clean, predictable sequence: island time, snorkeling time, then lunch.

Snorkeling With a Guide: Two Stops and a Real Reef Focus

The snorkeling is where this trip earns its keep. You get snorkeling support plus snorkeling equipment, and the schedule includes two snorkeling stops. One snorkeling session is described as about 40 minutes, which is long enough to see real reef variety without feeling like you’re rushing to fit it all in.

What you should expect is classic Red Sea snorkeling: coral structures and schools of colorful fish. This is also where the chance to spot dolphins can show up, because the day’s cruising time and sea conditions can line up. You might not see dolphins every day, but the route and wildlife possibility are part of what makes people talk about this cruise.

Two snorkeling stops change the experience in a good way. If one spot is choppy or one section of reef is quiet, you still have a second chance. It also helps you avoid that feeling where you see one small patch and think, “That’s it?” With two stops, your odds improve that you’ll come away happy even if the water conditions shift.

One more thing I like: you get a snorkeling guide, not just a handout. That matters when you’re unfamiliar with reef area boundaries, water entry points, and basic safety routines. The goal is to help you feel comfortable in the water and focused on what you came for.

Seafood Lunch on the Water: What’s Included and Why It’s a Big Deal

Food is not an afterthought on this cruise. Lunch is included, and it’s described as an island-prepared seafood meal handled by top chefs. The menu includes items like shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, and pasta, plus salad options including green salad and tuna salad.

This matters more than it sounds. In Hurghada, it’s easy to end up on boat trips where food is basic, or where you buy lunch separately and the day feels nickel-and-dimed. Here, lunch is built into the price, which makes planning easier and the day feel more “vacation” and less “schedule plus purchases.”

You’ll also get seasonal fruits and unlimited soft drinks, and the drink list is broader than you might expect: tea, coffee, and milk are included, plus unlimited mineral water. So if you’re the type who gets a little snacky after snorkeling, you’re covered.

My practical take: bring a towel and sunscreen because you’ll be in and out of the sun. After snorkeling, you’ll want to cool down and eat. A proper meal right after that usually makes the rest of the afternoon feel far better.

Magawish Island: The Swim-and-Snorkel Second Hour

After lunch, you sail to Magawish for another hour on the island. Magawish is your second chance to enjoy the water, with time for swimming and snorkeling in the inviting Red Sea conditions.

This part of the day is ideal if you want a looser pace. You already did snorkeling once, you ate, and now you can choose how you want to spend your time. If you’re feeling energetic, you can go back in for another look at the reef. If you’re not, you can just enjoy the island setting and take in the sea views.

Also, Magawish entry is included, which keeps things simple. There are fewer surprises, fewer stops to figure out, and more time for the part you actually came for.

Optional 5-Minute Parasailing: A Quick Thrill Over the Red Sea

Want something extra? Parasailing is available as an option, described as 5 minutes in the air. It’s short by design, so it doesn’t swallow the rest of the schedule. Think of it as a grab-and-go thrill that gives you a different angle on the shoreline and water.

If you’re curious, this is the kind of add-on that tends to impress people who usually only see the sea from a boat. Just remember, you’re outdoors for the whole day, so sunscreen and a dry layer after you come back are smart.

Also note: the trip can’t wait long at pickup or meeting points, and you’ll be on a tight schedule for transfers. So if you’re doing parasailing, arrive and follow the crew instructions quickly when it’s time.

Who This Cruise Fits Best, and Who Should Skip It

This cruise is a great fit for you if you want a structured day with hotel transfers, guided snorkeling, included equipment, and an actual seafood lunch. It also works well if you enjoy doing things in stages, calm bay first, reef time second, island time third.

It’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That’s important to plan around because boat access and water activities can be physically demanding.

It also isn’t a good match if you want total freedom with no rules. This is guided and scheduled, and the crew needs everyone to stay on time, especially since pickups and other clients are in the mix.

One more note: pets are not allowed.

Practical Tips: What to Bring and How to Avoid Stress

You’ll want to show up ready for water time. Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash

Passport details also come into play. You’ll need to share a copy of your passport photo plus your correct nationality, along with your hotel name, address, and room number. This is one of those small steps that, if you wait too long, can slow things down.

If you’re doing parasailing, bring your usual sun protection and follow the crew’s safety guidance closely. Also, keep an eye on the email the night before so you don’t miss pickup details.

Finally, choose your day carefully in terms of sun exposure. You’ll be outside and on the water for hours, and you’ll snorkel. Even if you’re good at reapplying sunscreen, do it early enough that you’re protected during your first island and snorkeling window.

Price and Value: What $53 Includes (and What That Means in Real Life)

At about $53 per person, this feels fair when you look at what’s bundled. You get:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada
• Boat cruise
• Entry to Orange Bay and Magawish
• A snorkeling guide and two snorkeling stops
• Snorkeling equipment
• Seafood lunch plus seasonal fruit
• Unlimited mineral water and soft drinks, plus tea, coffee, and milk
• Optional 5-minute parasailing if you choose it

If you tried to recreate that on your own, you’d likely pay separately for transport, reef access, guide support, and food. Even if the exact costs vary, the idea of one price covering a full day is the real value. You can focus on the sea, not on logistics.

I also like that the guides are described as professional and friendly, including named guides like Abdull and Sayed in English-speaking support. That matters on water trips, where comfort and clarity reduce stress and make snorkeling more enjoyable.

So, Should You Book This Hurghada Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want a two-island Red Sea day with guided snorkeling, included equipment, and a proper seafood lunch, all tied together with hotel transfers in Hurghada. It’s especially worth it when you like the idea of starting calm at Orange Bay, then switching into reef time, then finishing with Magawish swimming and views.

Skip it if you need wheelchair-friendly access or if you already know you struggle with strict timing. The meeting point requires punctuality, and the crew can wait only 5 minutes.

If you’re the kind of person who likes having a clear plan for the day, but still wants some personal time on the island, this cruise is a strong pick.

FAQ

What is included in the Orange Bay and Magawish yacht cruise?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, boat cruise, Orange Bay and Magawish island entry, a snorkeling guide, two snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, seafood lunch (including shrimp, calamari, fish, rice, pasta, green salad, tuna salad), seasonal fruits, unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee, and milk, and unlimited mineral water.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you’ll have a snorkeling guide during the snorkeling stops.

How long do the stops at Orange Bay and Magawish last?

Orange Bay is scheduled for about one hour, and Magawish is scheduled for about one hour as well.

Is parasailing included?

Parasailing is optional. The included option is 5 minutes, if you select it.

Where does pickup happen?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No, it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.