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

The Red Sea packs a lot into one day. This $58 Hurghada boat trip combines Orange Bay, beginner scuba, snorkeling, lunch, a massage, and hotel transfers in an eight-hour outing. I especially like the friendly crew and the easy access to clear water, plus the fact that beginners can try scuba without a certificate. The main catch is time: the underwater session may feel short, and Orange Bay can be crowded with little to do beyond swimming and photos.

The package also covers equipment, drinks, snacks, island access, and marine fees, which makes the price appealing. Still, this is a busy activity day rather than a quiet luxury cruise. A slightly worn boat and some tired wetsuits have also been reported, so keep expectations practical.

Key points to know before booking

• Beginner-friendly scuba session: You receive an introduction from a qualified instructor, and no certificate is required. The minimum age is 13.
• Orange Bay takes about 75 minutes: Expect soft sand, clear water, photos, and relaxation, but also other tour boats and limited activities.
• A full food-and-drink package: The buffet includes rice, pasta, vegetables, kofta, chicken, fish, salads, fruit, soft drinks, hot drinks, water, and snacks.
• A short massage is included: Plan on roughly 15 minutes on deck while the boat is underway or stopped.
• Strong service is the main strength: Guides such as Andrew, Salam, Fox, Hada, Andro, and Yaya have been praised for care, reassurance, and good organization.
• The day is tightly scheduled: You get a taste of several activities, but not a long, specialist scuba session.

What the $58 Hurghada cruise actually offers

At $58 per person, this is a good-value package if you want variety. Your hotel transfer, boat ride, Orange Bay visit, beginner scuba, snorkeling, lunch, massage, equipment, and drinks are included. You are not paying separately for the $5 nature reserve fee or the marine fee, which removes two small but common holiday surprises.

I would describe the experience as an introduction to the Red Sea rather than a serious scuba expedition. You can try several things in one day, but each activity has a firm time limit. That makes the trip useful for a first visit to Hurghada, especially if you are deciding which water activities deserve more of your holiday.

The strongest part is the staff. Andrew has been singled out for keeping the day moving smoothly, while Salam and Fox helped nervous beginners feel safe. Hada and Andro were also praised for their friendly manner. Yaya, the photographer, was noted for offering reasonably priced photos and videos, though those images are extra.

The word luxury needs a little context. You get a yacht-style cruise, a massage, an open buffet, and drinks all day. But this is still a busy shared boat trip, not a private charter with a quiet crew and polished equipment. One report noted a somewhat tired boat and wetsuits with rips. That is worth knowing before you book.

Hotel pickup and the 45-minute ride to Orange Bay

Pickup is included from Hurghada or Hurghada 1, with return transport to the same general area. The exact pickup time and meeting point are sent by WhatsApp or email one day before departure. You should wait five minutes early at the hotel reception or main gate, depending on the instructions you receive.

That small timing rule matters. The morning begins with coordination between hotels, vehicles, and the boat, so arriving late could create stress before the fun starts. Bring your passport or identity card, though a copy is accepted.

The first listed cruise takes about 45 minutes. This is a useful period to settle in, meet the crew, and get ready for the water. The guides speak Arabic, English, German, and Russian, which is helpful during safety instructions and equipment preparation.

If you arrange a private car yourself, the cost is separate. One booking included a privately arranged pickup and return for €30. That is not part of the $58 package, so check carefully before agreeing to an extra transfer charge.

Orange Bay: pretty water, soft sand, and plenty of people

Orange Bay is the first main stop. You get about 75 minutes on the island, though recent timing described the visit as roughly one hour and ten minutes. The appeal is simple: pale sand, shallow clear water, and a photogenic setting for a swim or a few holiday pictures.

I would use this stop to take photos early, then swim or sit quietly for a while. The island has a pleasant, restful feel, but it is not packed with cultural sights or a long list of things to do. One direct assessment found it busy and somewhat limited once the photos were finished.

That is not necessarily a problem. Orange Bay works well as a change of pace between boat activities. It gives you a chance to stand on solid ground, stretch your legs, and enjoy the sea without wearing a mask or wetsuit. Families and first-time visitors may appreciate that easy break.

The island is shared with other excursions, so do not expect solitude. Two friendly dogs were also mentioned as a cheerful part of the stop, though they are not an advertised feature and should be treated as a pleasant chance encounter rather than a promise.

Small Giftun and the beginner scuba session

The trip then heads to a Small Giftun dive site for a scheduled one-hour scuba block. This does not mean one full hour underwater. The time includes safety instruction, equipment, preparation, getting into the water, and helping each person take a turn.

In practice, one detailed account described the actual underwater portion as about 10 minutes for beginners. That is the most important expectation to set. You may see coral and fish in wonderfully clear water, but this is a first taste, not a long exploration session.

The good news is the instruction. The crew explains the basics, supplies the equipment, and stays close while you learn how to breathe and move underwater. People who felt nervous around the sea were reassured by the instructors and completed the activity. That makes this a strong choice if you are curious about scuba but do not want to commit to a certification course.

No certificate is required, and the minimum age is 13. The activity is not allowed for anyone younger. Pregnant women and people with heart problems or high blood pressure should not book, and the trip is also unsuitable for people prone to seasickness.

I like the low-pressure format. You can try scuba with professional supervision, then decide later if you want a longer course or a dedicated boat trip. The drawback is that confident or experienced divers may find the session frustratingly brief. One person specifically wished it had lasted longer, while another felt the beautiful site deserved more time.

Lunch on the Red Sea, with a few mixed details

After the underwater activities, lunch is served aboard the boat for about 45 minutes. The open buffet includes rice, pasta, oven vegetables, grilled kofta, chicken, fish, four types of salad, and three kinds of fruit. Water, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included throughout the trip.

The food has been a real strength for many people. Some found it better than their hotel meals, and one birthday celebration turned lunch into a lively moment of Egyptian hospitality. A gluten-free option was also provided for one passenger, although you should request any dietary needs in advance rather than assume every special meal is guaranteed.

Expect a practical excursion buffet, not a restaurant meal. One detailed account found the salads and fruit good but described the fish as undercooked and the hot dishes as basic. Food quality can vary on a large boat, so take a little of what looks freshest and do not build your whole decision around the menu.

The drinks are a useful value point. Unlimited water, soft drinks, coffee, and other hot drinks mean you do not need to buy refreshments at each stop. Still, I would bring cash for extras, tips, or photos.

Giftun snorkeling and the second water session

The schedule includes about 45 minutes of snorkeling around Giftun Island. This is where the Red Sea often feels most accessible. You stay near the surface, look down through clear water, and see fish and coral without needing the breathing skills used in scuba.

Snorkeling is also the better choice for anyone who wants more freedom. The scuba session is instructor-led and brief, while snorkeling lets you set your own pace within the group’s safety limits. Equipment, life vests, and a diving suit are supplied.

The exact order can vary in practice. If you choose scuba, getting back into the water for another session may be awkward because of equipment, changing, and the tight schedule. One account noted that people who took the scuba option did not also use both listed swim opportunities. If seeing as much underwater life as possible matters most, ask the crew how the sessions will be arranged before you commit to both.

The water can be cool depending on the season, so the supplied suit is useful. Bring your own towel and swimwear, and pack beachwear for the time between water stops.

Banana boat, free time, and the included massage

A 45-minute banana boat segment is listed after snorkeling. This adds a playful, faster activity to a day that otherwise alternates between floating, swimming, eating, and sitting. The supplied information does not promise how long each person rides, so think of this as a group activity within that time block rather than 45 minutes of continuous riding.

The following 45 minutes are free time on the Red Sea. You might use it to rest, have a drink, take more photos, or simply watch the water. After several activities, this pause is welcome.

The massage is short, around 15 minutes, but it is a pleasant extra. You receive it on deck, with other people nearby, so it is not a private spa appointment. I would see it as a quick holiday treat rather than a full treatment. It adds to the relaxed mood, especially after snorkeling and the banana boat.

This is one place where the word luxury is more about the mix of small comforts than about polished service in a private setting. You get a massage, a meal, drinks, and a boat ride for one price. That combination is hard to complain about at $58, even if the massage itself is brief.

The 45-minute return cruise and the pace of the day

The boat returns to Hurghada in about 45 minutes, followed by hotel drop-off. By then, the day will feel full. You have spent time on an island, tried scuba, snorkeled, eaten, ridden a banana boat, received a massage, and sat through several boat transfers.

That full schedule is both the charm and the weakness. If you like variety, the pace keeps the day interesting. If you want long stretches in one beautiful place, it may feel rushed. There is little room to repeat an activity or linger once the group is called back to the boat.

The trip works best when you accept that you are sampling Hurghada’s main sea activities. It is less suitable for someone whose main goal is serious underwater photography, extended scuba, or complete peace and quiet.

Who will get the most from this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time visitors who want several Red Sea activities in one day
• Beginners curious about scuba but not ready for certification
• Couples or families who want a mix of water sports and relaxation
• People who value included food, drinks, transport, and equipment
• Nervous swimmers who want patient instruction and a life vest
• Anyone looking for a reasonably priced full-day boat outing

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced scuba enthusiast. The underwater time may be too short, and the day gives equal weight to an island visit, snorkeling, lunch, and entertainment. People prone to seasickness should also avoid it, as should anyone with the listed medical restrictions.

Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, cash, and your passport or accepted copy. Apply sun protection before boarding, though the supplied details do not confirm whether sun protection is available on the boat. Keep valuables simple, especially if you plan to spend much of the day in the water.

Should you book the Royal Cruise Hurghada trip?

Book this excursion if you want a friendly, all-in-one Red Sea day at a fair price. The staff care is the biggest reason to choose it. Beginners have been reassured by the instructors, the buffet is more substantial than many basic boat lunches, and the included equipment, drinks, massage, and transfers save you from adding up many small costs.

Do not book it expecting a private luxury yacht or a long scuba session. Orange Bay can be crowded, equipment may show wear, and the underwater portion can be surprisingly short once preparation is counted. For most first-time visitors, though, the combination is worthwhile. You will get a taste of Hurghada’s best-known sea activities, with enough comfort and support to make the day easy.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada boat trip?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup and return. Exact starting times depend on availability.

Is scuba included for beginners?

Yes. An introductory scuba session is included, and no certificate is needed. Scuba is not allowed for anyone under 13.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors and staff speak Arabic, English, German, and Russian.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, life vests, scuba equipment, and a diving suit are included.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is an open buffet with rice, pasta, oven vegetables, kofta, chicken, fish, salads, and fruit. Water, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are also included.

Is the massage included?

Yes. Each person receives a massage, with the practical duration described as about 15 minutes.

What should I bring?

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