Orange Bay is a beach resort-style stop on the east coast of Giftun Island, about an hour by boat from Hurghada Marina in Egypt's Red Sea governorate. It is among the best-known day-trip beaches from Hurghada, valued for its long arc of fine white sand, shallow turquoise water and a sandy sea floor that makes entering the water easy. The site is part of the Giftun protected area, so snorkelling is permitted but coral protection rules apply.
A typical visit forms part of a full-day boat excursion that leaves Hurghada Marina around 09:00 and spends roughly one and a half to three hours on the island. Visitors can swim, snorkel the nearby reef edge, lie on sun loungers, or try add-on activities such as banana-boat rides, parasailing, jet-ski rides and glass-bottom boats sold on the beach. Several operators serve a barbecue or buffet lunch on board or at the island's beach facilities. Group tours cost roughly EGP 1,250 to 2,250 (about $25 to 45) per person including lunch and soft drinks, while island entry of about EUR 10 for adults and EUR 5 for children (roughly EGP 500 and 250) is often excluded from the boat price and quoted separately by tour sellers.
The landscape is simple but photogenic: sand the colour of pale sugar, a gradient of water from pale green to deep blue, and low scrub behind the beach. The best photographs are taken from the shoreline looking along the curve of the bay, or from the boat as it approaches. Crowds are at their heaviest between about 11:00 and 14:00 when many boats arrive together, and the sand becomes busy with loungers and music from competing vessels. Arriving on the first boats gives the quietest stretch of sand, and weekday visits are generally less crowded than weekends.
Best conditions run from October to May, when the sea is calm and temperatures are comfortable. Shade is limited, so sun protection and a hat are essential. Visitors should avoid walking on coral, since entry points into the reef are marked, and are expected to take rubbish back to the boat.
| Admission | Island entry about EUR 10 adults / EUR 5 children (roughly EGP 500 / 250, ~$10 / ~$5) as quoted by tour sellers; often excluded from the boat price |
|---|---|
| Hours | Day trips only: about 09:00-16:00 on the island |
| Typical visit | Full day, about 1.5-3 hours on the island |
| Best time | October to May; arrive on the first boats for the quietest sand |
| Getting there | Day-trip boat from Hurghada Marina; group tours about EGP 1,250-2,250 (~$25-45) per person with lunch and soft drinks |
| Address | Orange Bay, Giftun Island, offshore Hurghada; boats depart Hurghada Marina |
Location
Orange Bay, Giftun Island, offshore Hurghada; boats depart Hurghada Marina
27.2091, 33.9250 View on map
Highlights
- Long white-sand beach with shallow, clear turquoise water
- Easy snorkelling beside a protected reef edge
- Add-on activities such as banana-boat rides, parasailing and glass-bottom boats
- Barbecue or buffet lunch included in most group trips
Tips for visiting
- Ask whether the island entry fee (about EUR 10 adults, EUR 5 children) is included in the price
- Choose the earliest boat to enjoy the quietest sand before 11:00
- Bring sun protection, a hat and water shoes for entry points
- Agree prices for water sports before starting any add-on activity
- Take rubbish back to the boat and avoid touching coral
- Check wind forecasts in summer; trips can be cancelled
When to visit
October to May on a weekday morning. Arriving with the first boats gives the quietest sand before the midday crowds.
Accessibility
Reaching the island requires boarding a boat and often stepping onto the beach from a pier or tender, and the sand is soft. Access for wheelchair users is limited, so ask the operator about assistance in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How long is spent on Orange Bay?
Most tours allow about 1.5 to 3 hours on the island within a full-day trip that returns to Hurghada around 16:00 to 17:00.
Is Orange Bay good for children?
Yes, the beach is shallow and sandy with a gentle slope into the water. Children should wear life vests and have sun cover because shade is limited.
Is the island entry fee included?
Often it is not. Tour sellers quote about EUR 10 for adults and EUR 5 for children separately, so visitors should confirm before booking.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is allowed on the beach and boats. Drone use requires permits in Egypt and is generally not permitted for tourists.