REVIEW · HURGHADA
Speed Boat Transfer Trip To Orange Island Or Paradise Island, Private Transfer
The best part of this Hurghada outing is simple: you skip the long wait for a large excursion boat and reach the Giftun Islands by private speedboat in about 20 minutes. Your group has its own boat, hotel pickup and drop-off, snorkeling gear, and a life jacket included.
I like the quick crossing and the privacy once you reach the island. I also like the direct hotel service, especially when you are staying in central Hurghada and want a half-day at the beach without spending the whole day in transit. The main drawback is that the advertised $45 price is not the final cost: island entry and national park fees add $10 per person, and some resort areas cost extra for transfers.
Key points to know before booking

- A 20-minute private crossing: Reach Orange Bay or Paradise Island much faster than on a large group boat.
- Private from hotel to island: Only your own group takes part, with private land transport and a private three-hour speedboat.
- Orange Bay is the stated stop: The trip may also be arranged for Paradise Island, so confirm your choice before departure.
- Bring cash: The island fee and national park fee total $10 per person, and the island itself is cash only.
- Snorkeling is included: Equipment and life jackets are supplied, giving you the basic gear for time in the water.
- Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.
Why the private speedboat matters in Hurghada

Hurghada’s Giftun Islands are close to shore, but the standard boat trip can take more time than the map suggests. Large boats often wait for a full load, make a slower crossing, and carry many groups at once.
This private option changes the rhythm. You leave your hotel in private transport, reach the marina or launch point, and board a speedboat reserved for your group. The crossing to Orange Bay takes about 20 minutes. That saves time and avoids the less appealing part of a mass outing: waiting around before the sea day has even begun.
I see the speedboat as the main reason to book this trip. You are paying for control over your time, not only for a ride to an island. The total experience lasts about four hours, with a private speedboat listed for three hours. That makes this a useful choice when you want a beach and snorkeling outing but still have an evening plan in Hurghada.
The boat is private, but this does not mean you have the whole island to yourself. Orange Bay and Paradise Island are established stops, and other day visitors may be there. The privacy applies to your transport and group arrangement, not to the beach itself.
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Leaving Hurghada around noon
The listed start time is 12:00 pm. Your private hotel pickup is included for Hurghada locations, followed by the transfer to the boat.
A midday departure suits you if you prefer a slower morning or want to combine this outing with another activity on a different day. It also gives you time for breakfast, a swim at your hotel, or a relaxed start before heading to the coast.
The exact pickup time can depend on your hotel and transport arrangements. If you are staying outside central Hurghada, check the surcharge before booking. Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, or Ahia cost an additional $5 per person. Safaga and El Gouna cost an additional $10 per person.
That extra charge is not unreasonable for a private door-to-door service, but it changes the value calculation. At the advertised $45, the outing looks inexpensive. Add the $10 in island and park charges, plus a possible resort transfer fee, and the real total becomes closer to $55 per person in central Hurghada, or $60 to $65 from the listed outlying areas.
The 20-minute crossing to Orange Bay

The stated island route is Orange Beach, also known as Orange Bay, on Giftun Island. The speedboat crossing takes about 20 minutes, which is the clearest practical advantage over a larger vessel.
A short crossing matters if you get seasick, have young family members with you, or simply dislike losing part of a limited holiday to transport. You will still be on an open boat, so conditions can affect comfort. The tour requires good weather, and a rough sea can lead to a change of date or a full refund rather than a normal departure.
Life jackets are included. You should use one as directed, especially during the faster crossing. Snorkeling equipment is also supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer using familiar gear.
The information provided does not name a guide or boat captain, so do not book this expecting a particular person. The arrangement is focused on private transport and island time rather than a named guide-led sightseeing program.
Orange Bay, beach time, and the cash-only detail
Orange Bay is the main stop described for this outing. The appeal is the beach itself: a bright, open setting on Giftun Island where you can settle in, take in the sea views, and spend time in the water.
The activity description allows about four hours overall, while the private speedboat is listed for three hours. That suggests most of your time is given to the island and the boat journey, though the exact division can vary. Ask your operator how much time you will have ashore if beach time is your top priority.
The most useful island tip is also the easiest to overlook: everything on the island is cash only. Bring Egyptian pounds or another accepted cash currency in enough quantity for the fees and any purchases. Do not assume you can rely on a card for drinks, snacks, or other island expenses.
The island entry fee is $5 per person. The national park charge is another $5 per person. These are not included in the booking price and are payable in cash on the day. That makes $10 per person in known extra charges before any food, drinks, or other spending.
The beach stop is not presented as a guided cultural visit. You will not be touring monuments or learning about island ecology through a formal program. This is a straightforward sea outing built around sand, swimming, snorkeling, and time outdoors.
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Snorkeling with the included equipment
Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, which is helpful if you did not pack equipment from home. You can use the supplied gear for your time in the water without arranging a separate rental.
The description refers to pristine coral and snorkeling, but it does not provide a named reef, a detailed marine-life program, or a guarantee of particular sightings. Sea conditions, visibility, and the exact stopping point can affect what you see.
I would treat snorkeling here as an enjoyable part of a beach outing rather than a specialist reef expedition. If your main goal is serious marine photography or a full day of guided reef exploration, you may want a different kind of boat trip with more time devoted to multiple snorkeling sites.
For a casual swim and a first look below the surface, the included gear adds real value. You also avoid the inconvenience of bringing bulky equipment through airport security or buying a set locally for one afternoon.
Paradise Island as the alternative
The headline allows a choice between Orange Island and Paradise Island, while the detailed route names Orange Beach. That inconsistency is worth clearing up before you pay or before pickup.
Ask El Agamy Travel to confirm which island is operating for your date and which one your group has selected. Do not assume that choosing one online guarantees the other will be available on the day. Weather, operating arrangements, and local conditions can affect the plan.
The supplied details do not explain a difference in beach facilities, snorkeling areas, or time ashore between Orange Bay and Paradise Island. For that reason, I would not choose based on claims about one being quieter or better for snorkeling unless the operator gives you current information.
The good news is that the private format should make the choice easier to discuss. You are not being placed into a large shared group with no flexibility at all. Confirm the destination, pickup location, and extra charges in writing, ideally through the contact method provided at booking.
What private really means here
Only your group participates in the activity. The land transfer is private, and the speedboat is described as private for three hours.
That setup is valuable for couples, families, and small groups who want to keep their own pace. You avoid coordinating with a full boatload of strangers, and you can ask practical questions directly about timing and the island stop.
One French-language account described the outing as a private excursion where the group was accompanied during its island hours while still being given personal space. That is a useful way to picture the service: support should be available, but you are not signing up for a nonstop guided program.
The private format does not remove every uncertainty. A serious complaint described a missed pickup and failed contact on the day of departure. The operator responded that a refund had been made after the customer changed agencies. The accounts conflict, so I would protect yourself by confirming the pickup time and provider details the day before, then keeping the confirmation and contact number handy.
This is especially important if you are staying outside central Hurghada or using a hotel with several entrances. Clear instructions reduce the chance of a missed connection.
Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, the price is attractive for private transport, a private speedboat, snorkeling equipment, and a life jacket. The value improves when you are splitting the private arrangement among several people and would otherwise pay for separate transfers or a larger boat excursion.
The advertised figure does not include the $5 island fee or the $5 national park charge. That makes the basic realistic total $55 per person in Hurghada before optional spending.
You may also pay extra for transportation from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, or Ahia, adding $5 per person. From Safaga or El Gouna, the supplement is $10 per person. Check the full amount rather than comparing only the headline price with other excursions.
I would not call this the cheapest way to visit Giftun Island. It is priced around convenience and privacy. If you are happy to share a larger boat and wait for its schedule, another trip may cost less. If you value a quick crossing and hotel-to-hotel service, the extra money can make sense.
Who will enjoy this four-hour outing?
This trip fits you best if you want a short sea escape rather than a full-day cruise. It works well for:
- Couples who prefer a private outing
- Families who want to avoid a crowded boat
- Small groups splitting the cost
- People staying in Hurghada who want direct hotel pickup
- Visitors with limited time who value the 20-minute crossing
- Casual snorkelers who need equipment supplied
It may not suit you if you want a long guided marine tour, a detailed island program, or a low-cost shared excursion. It also requires some planning around cash, extra charges, and weather.
Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed according to the provided information. No special skill level is stated, but you should be comfortable taking a speedboat and spending time around the water.
Booking details that deserve attention
Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.
Because the trip depends on good weather, the operator may cancel if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.
I would confirm four things before the day:
- Your hotel pickup point and pickup time
- Orange Bay or Paradise Island as the intended destination
- The total transfer charge for your hotel area
- The cash amount needed for island and park fees
These checks take little time and address the main points that can cause trouble.
Should you book it?
Book this private speedboat outing if your priority is a fast, simple route from Hurghada to a Giftun Island beach. The 20-minute crossing, private transport, and included snorkeling equipment give it a clear advantage over a slower group boat, especially for a small group that values time and privacy.
Think twice if the $45 headline price is your strict budget, since the known fees add $10 per person and some hotel areas cost more. Also confirm the destination and pickup details before the day.
For a half-day of beach time, swimming, and casual snorkeling, this is a practical choice. Bring cash, check the weather, and make sure the private service is confirmed. If those details suit you, the speedboat format is the reason to choose it.
FAQ
Where does this speedboat trip take place?
The experience departs from Hurghada and visits Orange Bay or Paradise Island in the Giftun Islands. The detailed route names Orange Beach on Giftun Island.
How long does the experience last?
The total experience lasts about four hours. The private speedboat is listed for three hours, and the crossing to the island takes about 20 minutes.
What time does the tour start?
The listed start time is 12:00 pm.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Private hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the stated Hurghada service area.
Are there extra transfer charges?
Yes. Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, or Ahia cost an additional $5 per person. Transfers from Safaga or El Gouna cost an additional $10 per person.
Are island and national park fees included?
No. Island entry costs $5 per person, and the national park fee costs another $5 per person. Both are payable in cash on the day.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
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