Three Islands Cruise: Orange Bay, Magawish & White Island: trip overview
Why choose one island when you can see three? This premium cruise links Orange Bay on Giftun Kebir, the quiet shores of Magawish Island and the White Island — a sandbank that appears in the middle of turquoise water and is often called the 'Maldives of Hurghada'.
Because the boat moves more, you get a wider range of scenery and snorkel spots than on a single-island trip. Lunch includes grilled fish and seafood, and the day runs on selected days of the week so the boat is never overloaded.
Highlights
- Three island stops in a single day
- Photo stop on the White Island sandbank
- Snorkeling on a coral reef
- Seafood and grill lunch on board
- Music on the sun deck and a relaxed atmosphere
Your day, as it feels
This is the day for people who want to see more. The boat heads first to Magawish, where the water glows an impossible shade of blue and the first swim sets the tone for the day.
Next comes Orange Bay on Giftun Kebir for beach time and photos, followed by a seafood and grill lunch on deck. Then the highlight: the White Island, a ribbon of pure white sand rising out of turquoise water. Walk barefoot on the sandbank, swim in the shallows and take the photo that will end up as your phone background.
Because the cruise runs only on selected days, the boat is never overloaded, and the pace stays relaxed despite the three stops.
Why guests choose this trip with Hurghada Day Trips
Maximum variety
Three different islands and a coral reef stop in one day.
Photos you'll keep
The White Island sandbank is one of the most photogenic spots on the Red Sea.
A proper lunch
Grilled fish, chicken, salads and sides served on board.
Limited departures
Selected days only, which keeps group sizes comfortable.
Itinerary, hour by hour
- 08:00
Hotel pickup
Transfer to the marina.
- 09:00
Sail to Magawish
Swim, snorkel and relax near the island.
- 11:00
Orange Bay
Beach time on Giftun Kebir.
- 13:00
Lunch on board
Grilled fish, chicken and salads.
- 14:30
White Island
Walk on the sandbank and swim in the shallows.
- 16:30
Return
Back to the marina and your hotel.
Times are approximate and confirmed with your booking. Pickup times vary by hotel area — you receive yours the evening before.
Places you'll visit
What you will see on this trip, in a few words. The exact order can change on the day.
Magawish Island
Magawish Island (Umm Ajawish al Kubra) lies north of central Hurghada. Boats land at the beach on its southern tip, where a shallow lagoon makes swimming and snorkeling easy, while the surrounding reef ring is widest on the north and east sides. On our three islands cruise it is the first stop before the boat continues to Orange Bay. Full guide & map →
Orange Bay
Orange Bay is a beach on the south-west side of Giftun Kebir, known for its pale sand and a wide, shallow reef lagoon so clear it looks like a swimming pool. The lagoon is easy for beginners and children. Boats anchor offshore and guests reach the beach by small boat or by swimming. It has sunbeds and simple facilities, and an entrance fee is charged on top of the boat trip on many offers. We say clearly whether it is included. Arrive early in the day for the best light and the fewest people. Full guide & map →
Giftun Kebir (Big Giftun Island)
Giftun Kebir is the larger of the two Giftun Islands, part of a protected national park about 40–50 minutes by boat from Hurghada. Its sheltered bays have white sand and shallow turquoise water, and its fringing reefs are home to corals, reef fish and sometimes turtles. Orange Bay and the Mahmya beach area are both on this island. A park fee applies, and no one is allowed to stay overnight. Full guide & map →
Read more about every reef and island in our Hurghada reefs, islands & wrecks guide.
What's included
- Hotel transfers
- Boat trip with crew and guide
- Snorkel equipment
- Seafood lunch, water and soft drinks
- Island entry fees
Not included
- Towels
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips (optional)
Optional extras — told to you before you book
| Optional extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Alcoholic drinks | if available on board |
| Photos (optional) | price told before shooting |
Your safety on this trip
- The captain decides the order and timing of stops based on wind and tide.
- The White Island stop is only made when conditions are safe; otherwise a sheltered beach replaces it.
- Life jackets and a snorkel guide for the reef stop.
- Shade and drinking water on board throughout the day.
What other travellers complain about — and what we do instead
We read public reviews of Hurghada excursions so you don't have to learn the hard way. Here is what goes wrong on some trips of this kind, and the standard we hold ourselves to.
Is this trip right for you?
Perfect for
- Guests who have already done Orange Bay
- Photographers and Instagram lovers
- Groups of friends and couples
Maybe not for you if…
- Guests wanting a long, lazy beach stop (choose Mahmya)
- Days outside the cruise schedule
Insider tips from our team
- Bring a waterproof phone pouch — the sandbank photos are worth it.
- Reef shoes help on the White Island's crushed-shell edges.
- Apply reef-safe sunscreen before boarding; there's little shade on the sandbank.
What to bring
- Swimwear, towel and hat
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Waterproof phone pouch for photos
Good to know
- The White Island stop depends on tide and wind; if it is not safe, the captain replaces it with another beach.
- On other days of the week you can book the classic Orange Bay trip instead.
Hotel pickup areas
Pickup and drop-off are arranged from hotels in central Hurghada and from El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga. Read our pickup areas guide for typical transfer times.
Guest reviews
Reviews on this page come only from guests who booked this trip with us; we publish positive and critical ones alike. After your trip we send you a short review link.
Three Islands Cruise: Orange Bay, Magawish & White Island: questions & answers
Why does it only run three days a week?
Keeping departures limited means smaller groups and a better experience at each island.
Is the White Island always visible?
It is a sandbank, so its size changes with the tide. It is almost always there, but the captain has the final say on safety.
How are children's tickets priced?
Children aged 0–4 travel free on standard per-person trips; ages 5–10 pay 50% of the adult trip fare; ages 11 and over pay the full fare. Enter every child’s age on the trip date when booking. Pickup supplements and minimum booking prices are shown separately. Private boats, jeeps and quads are priced per vehicle. Activity age restrictions still apply.
Which days does the cruise run?
Usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On other days we recommend the classic Orange Bay trip.
Is it very different from the Orange Bay trip?
Yes — more stops and more variety, with slightly less time at each beach.
Is seafood the only lunch option?
No, grilled chicken, salads and vegetarian dishes are also served.
