Orange Bay

Orange Bay is the picture-postcard reason most travelers add a boat trip to their Hurghada holiday. It's a long, low, blindingly white sandbar on the western tip of Big Giftun island, with shallow turquoise water on both sides and a coral garden running the length of the beach. About 90 minutes from El Mamsha pier by traditional motor boat.

What Orange Bay actually looks like

Imagine a thin strip of white sand, maybe two meters wide in places, sticking out into the Red Sea. On one side: calm shallow turquoise water that you can walk into for fifty meters before it reaches your waist. On the other side: slightly deeper water with the reef visible just below the surface. The sand is fine and warm. There are no buildings on the bay itself, just shaded loungers and beach umbrellas set up for the day.

How Orange Bay relates to Giftun

Orange Bay is not a separate island. It's a specific stretch of beach on the western tip of Big Giftun, inside the protected Hurghada marine park. The name "Orange Bay" is a local nickname that has stuck with the tour industry, but technically you are visiting Giftun island.

The two snorkeling stops

Every Orange Bay day trip from Hurghada includes two stops at reef gardens on the way to and from the bay. The captain picks the reefs based on wind direction and how busy each stop is that day. The reefs are sheltered, shallow (1-3 meters above the corals) and good for first-time snorkelers. Snorkeling gear, life vests and a guide are provided.

Lunch on the boat

Lunch is cooked on board the same morning: grilled chicken, rice, fresh salad, bread, fruit and unlimited soft drinks. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advance notice. The boat returns to the bay's main mooring after the second snorkel stop, anchors there, and lunch is served on deck.

Best time of year

Orange Bay is busy year-round. October through April is the comfortable season for snorkeling: water 22-25°C and air 22-28°C. May through September is hot (32-40°C) but the water is warmer (26-29°C). We avoid Orange Bay on the windiest days when the marina advises against the crossing.

Trips to Orange Bay

Our Orange Bay Island full-day boat trip includes free round-trip hotel transfer from any Hurghada hotel between Sahl Hasheesh and El Gouna, two snorkeling stops, three hours on the bay, lunch on board and a bilingual marine guide.