Orange Bay Hurghada: The Complete 2026 Guide

Orange Bay is the image most people have in mind when they book a holiday in Hurghada: pale sand, a lagoon so clear it looks like a swimming pool, and boats floating on water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue. It sits on Giftun Kebir, the larger of the two Giftun Islands, about 40–50 minutes by boat from the Hurghada marinas.

This guide explains how an Orange Bay day actually works, what's worth paying for, and the few things that separate a great day from a frustrating one. When you're ready, the Orange Bay & Giftun Island snorkeling trip is our most booked sea excursion.

Where is Orange Bay?

The Giftun Islands lie a few kilometres off Hurghada's coast and form part of a protected area, which is why anchoring and mooring are regulated and a protectorate fee applies. Orange Bay is on the western side of Giftun Kebir, facing the mainland — so the water is usually calmer than on the open-sea side.

How an Orange Bay day works

Most trips follow the same rhythm: hotel pickup around 08:00, boarding at the marina, one or two snorkel stops on coral reefs, then time on the beach before returning in the late afternoon. What varies enormously is how long you actually spend at the beach and what's included.

• Beach time: some operators allow 45 minutes; a good trip gives you around two hours.
• Snorkel stops: look for two stops on different reefs, with a guide in the water.
• Lunch: usually cooked on board — rice, pasta, salads and grilled chicken or fish.
• Fees: the protectorate fee and any transfer to the beach should be included.

The complaints you should know about

Public reviews of Orange Bay repeat a few problems: long waits on the boat before landing, small shuttle boats charging extra to reach the beach, very short beach stops and crowded sand at midday. None of these are inevitable. Ask before you book whether the island transfer and fees are included and how long you'll spend on the beach — on our trip, both are written into the programme.

Snorkeling at Orange Bay and nearby reefs

The lagoon itself is sandy and shallow — lovely for swimming but not the best for coral. The good snorkelling is on the reefs your boat visits before and after the beach, where you'll see hard corals, parrotfish, butterflyfish, anemonefish and often turtles. Our Red Sea marine life guide helps you name what you see.

Best time to visit

Orange Bay is good all year. The sea is warmest from July to October; spring has the calmest, most comfortable days. Mornings are generally calmer than afternoons. In winter (December–February) the water is refreshing at around 22°C — a shorty wetsuit makes a big difference.

Orange Bay vs Mahmya vs the three-islands cruise

Read the full comparison in our Giftun Island guide, or choose a private yacht and design your own route.

Frequently asked questions