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

The best part of this Hurghada boat day is the mix: you get Orange Bay’s soft sand, a first underwater session at Small Giftun, snorkeling, lunch, a massage, and a banana boat ride without arranging each piece yourself. It is a busy schedule, but it gives you a useful taste of the Red Sea in one day.

I like the calm, encouraging instructors, especially for nervous beginners, and I like that the price includes hotel transfers, equipment, food, drinks, and the marine and nature-reserve fees. The buffet, fresh fruit, and unlimited water make the day feel well supplied.

The main thing to understand is that the scuba portion may be much shorter than you expect. The schedule allows time at the site, but some people receive only about 10 minutes underwater, making this an introduction rather than a full scuba outing. The boat and some wetsuits may also show wear.

At a glance

• Orange Bay for about 75 minutes: Swim, take photos, or sit on the sand at this popular island stop.
• Beginner scuba at Small Giftun: No certificate is needed, and instructors such as Fox and Salam work with first-timers.
• Snorkeling with equipment included: Clear Red Sea water gives you a good chance to see coral and fish close to shore.
• A full Egyptian-style buffet: Rice, pasta, vegetables, kofta, chicken, fish, salads, fruit, hot drinks, soft drinks, and water are included.
• A 15-minute massage on deck: A pleasant extra, though it takes place in a shared area rather than a private spa room.
• Good value at $58: Transfers, gear, activities, meals, and fees are bundled into one price.

A full day on the Red Sea

Royal Cruise Hurghada runs this as an eight-hour excursion from Hurghada. Pickup and return are included, with meeting details sent by WhatsApp or email the day before. You are asked to wait five minutes early at the hotel reception or main gate, depending on the instructions you receive.

The exact pickup time is not fixed in the information provided, so keep your morning flexible. The activity offers pickup from Hurghada and Hurghada 1, with return to either of those areas.

You spend much of the day on the boat. That matters because this is not simply an island transfer with one quick swim. It is a packaged sea day, with several activities and meals built around the cruise. The tradeoff is that each stop has a set time, so you will not linger wherever you like.

Cruising 45 minutes to Orange Bay

The first major stop is Orange Bay, reached after about 45 minutes by boat. The approach gives you time to settle in, find a place on deck, and get ready for the beach.

Orange Bay is the most photogenic part of the day. You can walk on the soft sand, swim in clear shallow water, take pictures, or simply sit and enjoy a change from the hotel pool. The stop lasts about 75 minutes, which is long enough to get comfortable but not long enough for a slow, unhurried beach afternoon.

You should also set realistic expectations. Orange Bay is a popular tourist stop, not an untouched island. It can feel busy, and there is little to do beyond swimming, photos, and relaxing on the beach. That is fine if you want a scenic break, but less satisfying if you are hoping for a quiet island escape.

Bring a towel, swimwear, beachwear, and protection for your phone. The clear water and pale sand invite photographs, but your time goes quickly once you arrive.

The beginner scuba session at Small Giftun

After Orange Bay, the boat heads to Small Giftun for the day’s main underwater activity. The guides provide the suit, equipment, and instruction, and no certificate is needed for the introductory session.

This is where the excursion works best for people who are curious but nervous. Fox, Salam, Andrew, and other crew members have been singled out for clear explanations and calm reassurance. One first-timer who was afraid of the sea managed both the scuba introduction and snorkeling after receiving patient help from the crew.

That support matters more than fancy equipment when you are learning to breathe underwater. The Red Sea has excellent visibility, and even a short session can show you coral, small fish, and the unusual feeling of moving below the surface.

Still, read the timing carefully. The day’s schedule lists one hour at the scuba site, but the actual underwater portion can be around 10 minutes for beginners. Much of the stop may involve instruction, fitting equipment, waiting your turn, and returning to the boat. If you already hold a certificate and want a serious underwater outing, this will probably feel too brief.

The excursion does not allow scuba participation for anyone under 13. It is also not suitable for pregnant people, people with heart problems or high blood pressure, wheelchair users, or people prone to seasickness.

Lunch with a view of the Red Sea

Lunch is served on the yacht for about 45 minutes. The open buffet includes rice, pasta, oven vegetables, grilled kofta, chicken, fish, four kinds of salad, and three types of fruit.

The meal is useful rather than fussy. You can build a plate with meat, fish, vegetables, pasta, or salad, and there are enough choices for different appetites. Soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks, and unlimited water are included throughout the day.

Food quality can vary. Many people find the buffet delicious, and one meal was considered better than a hotel buffet. At the same time, the fish has not always been cooked perfectly, and some dishes are simple rather than restaurant-level. I would treat lunch as a convenient, filling part of a boat day, not as a reason to book the excursion on its own.

A gluten-free option was available for one participant, but special dietary needs are not explained in detail. If you require a particular meal, ask before departure instead of assuming the buffet will cover it.

Snorkeling near Giftun Island

The itinerary includes about 45 minutes of snorkeling near Giftun Island. Equipment and life vests are included, so you do not need to rent a mask, fins, or flotation aid separately.

The Red Sea is well suited to this kind of short session. Clear water lets you see fish and coral without needing to swim far from the boat. For many people, snorkeling may be the most relaxed way to see marine life because there is no breathing equipment lesson and no pressure to go below the surface.

There is an important practical point for people who want both activities. After the beginner scuba session, some participants find it difficult to get back into the water for snorkeling, especially if they are tired or still getting used to the equipment. If both matter to you, tell the crew early and pay attention to the order of your sessions.

The timing is also compact. You get a taste of the reef, not a full day of repeated snorkeling stops. This works well for a first look at the Red Sea, but dedicated snorkelers may want a boat trip designed around longer water time.

Banana boat ride and free time

The banana boat ride lasts about 45 minutes on the schedule. It adds a playful, active element to what could otherwise be a fairly gentle cruise.

The exact experience can depend on sea conditions and how the group is organized, but the inclusion gives you another way to enjoy the water without needing scuba skills. If you prefer quiet time, you can use the later 45-minute free period to sit on deck, have a drink, or recover from the earlier activities.

This is one of the reasons the trip suits mixed groups. One person can focus on the underwater activities, another can enjoy the island and food, and someone else can simply spend the day on the sea. You do not need to be an experienced swimmer to find something to do, though the tour is not a good match for people who regularly become seasick.

A short massage on deck

The included massage lasts about 15 minutes for each person. It is a pleasant touch after swimming, especially while the yacht moves across calm water.

Keep your expectations modest. This is a quick massage on the boat, with other people nearby, not a private treatment room or a long spa appointment. It works best as a relaxing extra between activities.

The massage also shows how the tour is designed: it tries to combine water sports with small luxury touches. You get the yacht setting, a meal, drinks, and a brief treatment without paying for a separate resort spa visit.

How much value do you get for $58?

At $58 per person, the package offers solid value if you plan to use most of what is included. Hotel transfers, the boat trip, the $5 nature-reserve fee, marine fees, introductory scuba, snorkeling, gear, a life vest, lunch, drinks, snacks, and massage are all covered.

Paying separately for transfers, boat access, equipment, food, and an island visit would quickly add up. The package also reduces the need to compare several operators or arrange transport to the marina yourself.

The value is less convincing if your main goal is long scuba time. The short underwater session is the largest limitation, and the boat and wetsuits may not look brand new. Some people also pay separately for photographs and video, though the price was considered reasonable.

I see this as a broad introductory day, not a premium specialist trip. You pay for variety and convenience. You do not pay for extended time below the surface, a secluded beach, or a luxury spa.

Crew, communication, and the boat

The activity is offered in Arabic, English, German, and Russian. Staff members named in connection with the trip include Andrew, Fox, Salam, Andro, Hada, and photographer Yaya. The crew’s strongest role is helping uncertain beginners understand the equipment and feel safe in the water.

Communication before the trip is handled through WhatsApp or email. You receive the exact pickup time and meeting point one day before departure. Read that message carefully, since the correct waiting place may be the hotel reception or the main gate.

The yacht is described as luxurious in the sales material, but you should picture a working excursion boat rather than a polished private yacht. Most people find the boat comfortable enough for a full day, yet one person found it somewhat worn, with wetsuits that had rips. That is a fair warning for anyone expecting high-end fittings.

The atmosphere can also become lively. Birthday celebrations and music may make the day feel social and festive. If you want a quiet, private cruise, this is probably not the right style of outing.

Who should book this Hurghada boat day?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time visitors who want several Red Sea activities in one day
• Beginners curious about scuba but unwilling to commit to a full course
• Families and couples who value included food, transport, and equipment
• People who want Orange Bay photos along with time in the water
• Visitors who appreciate friendly instruction and do not need a private boat

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced scuba participant, a serious snorkeler, or someone seeking a peaceful, uncrowded island. You may prefer a specialist boat with longer underwater sessions and fewer scheduled stops.

Take your passport or an accepted copy, plus cash for optional purchases and tips. Tips are not required. Bring a towel, swimwear, beachwear, and anything you need for a day in the sun. Avoid booking this on the same day as a flight, since the excursion lasts eight hours and one participant had to skip the underwater activity because of flight plans.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a good-value sampler of Hurghada’s Red Sea activities. Orange Bay is attractive, the crew is especially helpful with first-timers, and the price covers nearly everything needed for a full day on the water.

Do not book it expecting a long scuba session or a private luxury cruise. The strongest reasons to choose it are variety, friendly instruction, food, transfers, and the chance to see the Red Sea from several angles in one day. For $58, that is a sensible package, as long as you accept the short underwater time and busy island stop.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts eight hours, including the boat trips, island visit, water activities, lunch, massage, and free time.

What is included in the $58 price?

The price includes hotel transfers, a guide, the $5 nature-reserve fee, marine fees, boat transport, introductory scuba, snorkeling, equipment, a life vest, wetsuit, Orange Bay visit, buffet lunch, soft drinks, hot drinks, water, snacks, and a massage.

Is scuba experience or certification required?

No. The activity includes an introductory session for beginners, and no certificate is needed. Scuba participation is not allowed for anyone under 13.

How long is the underwater session?

The schedule allows about one hour at the Small Giftun scuba site, but the actual underwater session for beginners may be around 10 minutes, depending on how the activity is organized.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and life vests are included.

What food is served at lunch?

The buffet includes rice, pasta, oven vegetables, grilled kofta, chicken, fish, four kinds of salad, and three kinds of fruit. Soft drinks, hot drinks, water, and snacks are also included.

How long is the massage?

Each person receives a massage lasting about 15 minutes. It takes place on the boat rather than in a private spa room.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, cash, and your passport or ID card. A copy of your passport or ID is accepted.

Who should avoid this activity?

The excursion is not suitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, people with heart problems, people with high blood pressure, or people prone to seasickness. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option is available.