Hurghada: Afternoon Sailing cruise to orange bay with Lunch

Sunset sailing gives this Hurghada trip its charm. The Premier Sailing Boat combines a spacious wooden ship, a reef snorkeling stop, Orange Bay beach time, and a seafood buffet into a five-hour outing. I especially like the air-conditioned dining salons and the easy mix of sea time and beach time. The main caution is that this is not always a true sailing trip, and the onboard photography sales may bother some people.

The boat is attractive, clean, and roomy, with twin masts, wood and marble details, and a pirate-ship theme that gives the afternoon more character than a basic motorboat ride. I also like the family focus, including a children’s activity program with a treasure hunt. Still, the children’s entertainment may be brief, and German-speaking supervision is not guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• The sunset return is the best part: The boat heads back toward Hurghada as the light softens over the Red Sea.
• Orange Bay is a proper beach stop: You get about an hour to relax on sand, swim, or enjoy the island facilities.
• Snorkeling is guided: The trip allows roughly an hour at a local reef, with equipment and life jackets supplied.
• Lunch is more substantial than a snack: The buffet includes seafood, chicken, kofta, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, soup, and fruit.
• Families get extra support: A children’s program includes a treasure hunt and other activities, though the program can be short.
• The package is best for an easy half-day: Hotel transfers, park fees, food, equipment, and entertainment are included in the $63 price.

A pirate-style ship from Hurghada Marina

The experience begins with pickup in Hurghada, usually around one hour before the listed 1 PM departure. Give the booking team your hotel name and room number if needed, since the transfer depends on those details. One pickup arrived 30 minutes late, so I would avoid scheduling a tight evening plan after the cruise.

At Hurghada Marina, you board one of the twin-masted wooden Pirates yachts. The design is playful rather than historic. You get a large upper sun deck, two lower salons, and plenty of wood and marble decoration. The pirate theme adds a little fun without changing the basic nature of the trip: this is a comfortable sightseeing cruise with snorkeling and a beach stop.

The upper deck is the place for sun, sea views, and fresh air. The lower salons are fully air-conditioned and used for lunch and children’s activities. That arrangement works well for families. Adults can sit upstairs while children join the animation team below, though parents should ask about supervision and language before handing over responsibility.

One practical point: the name and marketing suggest a sailing cruise, but the boat may travel under engine power rather than relying on its sails. If you are picturing a quiet voyage with sails raised all afternoon, adjust your expectations. You are booking a themed boat excursion, not a guaranteed traditional sailing experience.

The 45-minute ride to the reef

The boat spends roughly 45 minutes heading toward the snorkeling area. This is a useful part of the trip rather than dead time. You can settle into the ship, look over the Red Sea, and decide how much time you want in the sun before the first water stop.

The upper deck is open and spacious, but the sun can be strong. Bring sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel, as recommended. The boat provides snorkeling gear and life jackets, but wetsuits are not included. That matters in cooler months, particularly if you tend to feel cold after an hour in the water.

The stated program allows about one hour for guided snorkeling. The guide should help you use the equipment and point out the marine life around the reef. The Red Sea is the main reason to book this excursion, so this stop is more than a quick photo opportunity. You have enough time to swim, look around, and return to the boat without rushing.

Conditions can affect how much you see. The schedule promises a reef stop and marine life viewing, but it does not promise a particular species or visibility level. Bring realistic expectations. The value lies in having a properly planned snorkeling period with gear supplied, not in receiving a private reef safari.

Orange Bay, with one hour on the sand

After snorkeling, the boat continues to Orange Bay. You get about one hour of free time there, with a sandy beach and the chance to relax, swim, or simply enjoy a break from the boat.

This stop gives the day a helpful change of pace. Snorkeling requires attention and energy. Orange Bay lets you dry off, sit on the sand, and enjoy a more relaxed hour. Families can use this time to let children play, while adults get a slower view of the island setting.

The children’s entertainment program includes a treasure hunt and other games. That is a nice touch for parents who want the day to feel varied rather than centered only on swimming. However, the treasure hunt may be very short. One family found that it ended after about two minutes, and another noted that the children’s program finished quickly. German-language care may also not be available.

Orange Bay has drinks and other purchases available, but prices there can be high. Since extra drinks are not included on the boat, bring your budget with you and do not assume the island stop will be inexpensive. The ship sells additional drinks, with coffee, tea, and soft drinks noted as the main choices. If you want something more specific, check what is available before setting out.

A one-hour Red Sea swim and marine life stop

The published schedule also sets aside about one hour for swimming and viewing marine life in the Red Sea. In practice, the snorkeling and swimming parts form the active heart of the trip. You are not simply riding around the coast and taking a few pictures from the rail.

The supplied life jackets are useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately. You should still bring your own gear if you have a well-fitting mask or prefer familiar equipment.

The guided format helps keep the stop orderly. The boat has a set return time, and you need to follow the crew’s instructions closely. An organized water stop is especially useful for families and first-time snorkelers, though it will not feel as private as a small-group boat.

The trip’s appeal is strongest for people who want several simple activities in one outing. You can snorkel, swim, sit on a beach, eat lunch, and watch the sunset without arranging separate transport or meals. If your main goal is a long snorkeling session at several reefs, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better.

Seafood buffet lunch below deck

Lunch is served in one of the lower, fully air-conditioned salons. That is one of the boat’s best practical features. After time in the sun and water, a cool indoor dining room is much more comfortable than eating on an exposed deck.

The menu is broad:

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

This is not just a sandwich or boxed meal. The range gives you several choices, including non-seafood items for children or anyone who prefers chicken or kofta. The food received some of the warmest praise, with the buffet described as tasty and varied.

The timing may feel unusual because the written program places lunch after Orange Bay, during the return portion of the cruise. The schedule also lists a lunch stop at Hurghada Marina, but the main description says the banquet is served onboard. I would confirm the exact lunch timing with the operator on the day, particularly if you have young children or need to plan around medication.

Drinks are a separate matter. Extra drinks are available for purchase onboard, but the selection may be limited to coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Orange Bay offers more choices, though at higher prices. The $63 rate has good food value, but it is not an all-inclusive drinks package.

Returning at sunset

The return to Hurghada is timed for sunset, and this is the most appealing visual part of the trip. From the upper deck, you can watch the light change while the boat heads back toward the marina. The ship’s wooden design and tall masts make the scene more memorable than a plain ferry ride.

Bring a light layer if you are visiting in a cooler month. The open deck can feel pleasant after the heat of the afternoon, but conditions change once the sun drops. You can move into the air-conditioned salon if you prefer a quieter, cooler ride.

The total activity is advertised as five hours, with the operating window given as approximately 1 PM to 6:30 PM on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The detailed timings add up in a slightly different way, so treat the schedule as a guide rather than a minute-by-minute promise. Pickup is earlier than the cruise time, and the return may run close to the stated end time.

The sunset timing makes this a good choice for anyone who wants an afternoon outing without losing a full morning. It also leaves you with a natural stopping point for dinner afterward, though I would avoid booking anything that requires exact timing.

What the $63 price really covers

At $63 per person, the trip sits in the middle range for a half-day boat excursion. The value comes from how many separate costs are bundled together:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• National park entry fees
• Buffet lunch
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets
• Children’s entertainment
• Guided service in English or German

That package removes several small decisions. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina, rent snorkeling equipment, or pay a separate park entry fee. The buffet also matters, since a seafood meal on a boat can otherwise add noticeably to the cost.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short boat ride or a long, serious snorkeling session. You are paying for the ship, the beach stop, the meal, the family program, and the organized transport. I would see it as a convenient full package, not as the cheapest way to reach the water.

You also need to allow for optional spending. Drinks onboard are extra, and Orange Bay purchases can be expensive. Photography may be offered throughout the trip, with photo books sold at the end. If you dislike sales pitches or repeated pictures, say politely that you are not interested and keep your expectations clear.

Families, children, and the onboard atmosphere

Families are one of the clearest audiences for this cruise. The ship has room to spread out, the lower salon offers air conditioning, and the menu includes familiar choices such as chicken, potatoes, pasta, and fruit. The treasure hunt gives children something to do beyond swimming.

The setup also gives adults a chance to enjoy the scenery while children take part in the program. Still, do not treat the animation team as a guaranteed long children’s club. The activity can be brief, and German-speaking supervision is not assured. Parents should remain involved and confirm the arrangements directly with the crew.

The boat’s spacious design also helps people who worry about motion sickness. One person specifically found the ride comfortable and did not feel seasick. That is encouraging, but it cannot guarantee the same result for everyone. If you are sensitive to movement, spend time near the center of the boat and use the indoor salon if conditions become uncomfortable.

The atmosphere appears friendly and well organized, but the photography sales can change the mood for some people. This is worth considering if you prefer a low-pressure outing. The crew may be pleasant while the sales process still feels intrusive.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple, varied afternoon on the Red Sea. It suits families, couples who like a sunset view, and first-time visitors who prefer one organized package over several separate bookings.

It is also a good fit if you value comfort. The air-conditioned salon, full buffet, hotel transfers, supplied equipment, and spacious decks make the day easier. The boat is more comfortable than a bare-bones snorkeling trip.

I would hesitate if your priority is authentic sailing under wind power. The vessel looks like a classic sailing ship, but the cruise may run without the sails. I would also look elsewhere if you want a quiet, photography-free boat ride or several hours at remote reefs.

The experience has a mixed overall score of 3.4 from 10 ratings, but the strongest praise centers on the food, clean boat, helpful crew, smooth organization, and attractive ship. The weaker points are late pickup, limited children’s programming, possible language gaps for kids, extra drink costs, and photography sales.

Should you book the Orange Bay sailing cruise?

Book it if you want an easy half-day with snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and sunset sailing in one price. The $63 cost is reasonable for the number of inclusions, especially when hotel transport and park fees are added. Families and casual snorkelers are likely to get the most from it.

Skip it if the word sailing is the main reason you are interested, or if you dislike organized entertainment and onboard sales. Before booking, confirm pickup details, ask about the children’s language support, and budget for drinks at Orange Bay. With those expectations in place, this is a comfortable and enjoyable way to sample Hurghada’s Red Sea attractions.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada Orange Bay cruise?

The experience lasts about five hours. The operating schedule is approximately 1 PM to 6:30 PM on Saturdays and Wednesdays, with hotel pickup generally taking place about one hour before departure.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, national park entry fees, buffet lunch, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and the children’s entertainment program.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The onboard buffet includes seafood soup, three salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Extra drinks are available for purchase onboard, but they are not listed as included. The available choices may include coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Orange Bay also sells drinks, though prices may be high.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included. Wetsuits are not included, so bring one if you need it.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. You may also want money for extra drinks or purchases at Orange Bay.

Is the tour available in English and German?

Yes. The tour provides live guidance in English and German. German-language support for the children’s activity program is not guaranteed.