Orange Bay or Hula Hula — which sea excursion to choose in Hurghada? Both programs have a yacht, a beach holiday, swimming at the reefs and lunch. The differences are to be found in the beach atmosphere, the set of entertainment and how you imagine your day on the Red Sea.
Orange Bay attracts with photo spots and a beautiful beach. Hula Hula lets you combine an island holiday with sea activities and choose a package with a trial dive. And for two beach stops in one day there is the Orange Bay + Magawish route.
Short answer: for beach photos and a classic island trip, consider Orange Bay. If you want a program with a trial dive, look at Hula Hula. The base price is the same: $22 for an adult and $11 for a child. The combined trip with Magawish costs $30 and $15 respectively.
Orange Bay: beach and beautiful photos
Orange Bay is known for its light sand, turquoise water and designed relaxation areas. Wooden walkways, swings and beach decorations make it attractive to those who want to bring home from their holiday not only impressions of the sea but also photographs.
However, the excursion is not limited to the beach. After the hotel transfer and boarding the yacht, there are stops at coral reefs. Then the group heads to Orange Bay, where about one and a half to two hours are usually allotted for relaxing and swimming. Lunch and drinks are served on board.
This format is convenient if you want to alternate activities: snorkel, look at the sea from the deck, walk on the sand and have a calm lunch. The total duration is about eight hours, so it is better to set aside a whole day for the trip. Description and booking: the excursion "Orange Bay".
The popularity of the place means that photos of an empty beach should not be taken as a promise of solitude. The number of guests, the lighting and the condition of the sea change. Choose this route for the beach location itself and the program, and not in the expectation of repeating a specific advertising shot.
Hula Hula: a beach day with sea activities
The Paradise Hula Hula program heads to the Hula Hula beach area on the territory of Paradise. Here you can also swim, relax on the shore and admire the sea views. The trip combines an island stop, a yacht and visits to reefs. Usually two stops at reefs last about an hour each, and about 1–1.5 hours are allotted on the island. It is better to choose Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday: on these days there are more Russian-speaking tourists in the groups.
There are two options: without diving and with one trial dive. This lets you choose in advance how active the day will be. If you simply want to snorkel and relax on the beach, the standard package is enough; for an introduction to scuba diving a separate option is provided. For diving, photos of the participants' passports are needed: they are used to issue the tourist permit. The dive lasts up to 15 minutes at a depth of up to 7 meters.
In suitable conditions the program includes a banana boat ride. It depends on the weather and the requirements of the marine police, so it should not be the only reason for choosing the excursion. Snorkeling is also organized taking the situation into account: the number and length of stops may change.
Hula Hula is suitable for a beach holiday between activities, but quiet cannot be guaranteed in advance. The atmosphere depends on the number of visitors and the organization of the day. If calm or a small group is essential for you, check these conditions before booking. Description and booking: the excursion "Paradise Hula Hula Island".
Orange Bay or Hula Hula: comparison of programs
| What we compare | Orange Bay | Hula Hula |
|---|---|---|
| Main interest | Beach, photo spots and a boat trip | Beach holiday and a choice of sea activities |
| Snorkeling | Stops at reefs | Stops at reefs |
| Beach time | Approximately 1.5–2 hours | Approximately 1–1.5 hours |
| Lunch and drinks | On the yacht, included | On the yacht, included |
| Base price | Adult $22, child $11 | Adult $22, child $11 |
| Package with one dive | Conditions are confirmed at booking | Adult $25, child $13; admission to the dive is confirmed separately |
| Days of operation | Daily | Daily |
These programs should not be set against each other as "only photos" and "only the sea". Both routes have a beach stop and the chance to look at the reefs. When choosing between Orange Bay and Hula Hula, compare first of all the beach location you want and the makeup of your package.
How much the excursions cost
Orange Bay
- Adult — 22 $.
- Child — 11 $.
- The program runs daily.
Hula Hula
- Without diving: adult 22 $, child 11 $.
- With one dive: adult 25 $, child 13 $.
- The program runs daily.
For two adults a standard trip to Orange Bay or Hula Hula comes to $44. The Hula Hula option with one dive for each adult is $50. This is a base calculation without a possible extra charge for a remote hotel and personal expenses.
In the standard program cards the children's rate is given for ages 6–12, and children up to five years inclusive take part free of charge. The child's age must be given when booking. A children's price in the diving package does not mean automatic admission of any child to the dive.
Transfer around Hurghada is included. For a correct comparison, ask for the final amount for all participants taking into account the chosen package and the hotel location.
Orange Bay + Magawish: two beach locations in a day
If you want more variety, consider the combined excursion Orange Bay + Magawish. It includes two island stops, a yacht ride, snorkeling, lunch and soft drinks.
The cost is $30 for an adult and $15 for a child aged 6–12. For younger children the conditions are confirmed separately. Unlike the two main programs, this excursion is announced on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
This route is worth choosing to get to know two different beach locations. But more stops does not mean twice as much free time: the whole day is divided between crossings, swimming, lunch and visits. If you want to stay longer in one place, compare the schedule with the usual Orange Bay trip.
Orange Bay or Hula Hula: what to choose with kids
Both excursions take most of the day. For a family choice, not only the cost and photos matter but also how the child copes with the road, the yacht and several hours away from the hotel. The beach stop is only part of the program.
If the child likes walks on the sand and photos, consider Orange Bay. If the whole family is interested in sea activities, compare the Hula Hula options. At the same time, taking part in snorkeling, rides and diving must be discussed separately taking into account age and skills.
Check that a suitable life jacket is available and follow the crew's instructions. For relaxing, prepare a towel, a hat, sun protection and dry clothes. In the cool season a windbreaker may come in handy on deck.
What to confirm before booking
Give the date of the trip, hotel, number of adults and children's ages. State right away whether diving is needed: this will help confirm the package and final price without misunderstandings at boarding.
Ask to confirm the meeting time, the snorkeling equipment and the necessary documents. If diving is mentioned in the description, check separately whether the dive itself is included in the chosen price. Do not go only by the general list of the excursion's possibilities.
The order of stops may change depending on the weather and permits. On the reefs do not touch corals or marine animals, and on the yacht follow the crew's instructions. Plan the trip as a sea day with an approximate schedule, not a set of stops with guaranteed timing to the minute.
Choose an island excursion in Hurghada
To decide whether Orange Bay or Hula Hula suits you better, open the detailed programs. For two beach locations, compare them with the Orange Bay + Magawish option.
More from the sea: submarine + Orange Bay, Magawish Island with diving excursion, Ozireya Island and Eden Island.
Other routes are collected in the section sea excursions in Hurghada. For quick access to the programs you can install the GoTravel24 app. Useful memos before your holiday are in the "Guide to Egypt".
Going to Hurghada for the first time? What to arrange in advance
If the trip is not yet bought or you are putting it together yourself, settle these questions in advance.
Travel insurance
It is better to arrange medical insurance in advance. Compare offers and check whether it covers sea excursions and diving.
Tour with flight
The search shows offers from tour operators in Moscow: dates, meals and hotel are chosen in one place.
Hotel only in Hurghada
Suitable if you have already bought tickets or are planning the trip yourself. Hotels can be filtered by price, area and reviews.
Questions and answers
Orange Bay or Hula Hula — which is better for photos?
If designed photo spots, wooden walkways and swings matter, consider Orange Bay. At Hula Hula you can also take beach photos; impressions depend on the weather and the number of guests.
Which excursion is cheaper?
The base prices are the same: $22 for an adult and $11 for a child. The Hula Hula package with one dive costs $25 and $13 respectively.
How much time is spent at Orange Bay?
In the standard program about one and a half to two hours are usually allotted for the beach stop. The time is approximate and depends on the organization of the trip and sea conditions.
Is the banana boat ride at Hula Hula guaranteed?
No. It is held if the weather and the marine police requirements allow. So you should not choose a program only for this activity.
Can you visit Orange Bay and Magawish in one day?
Yes, there is a separate combined program for $30 for an adult and $15 for a child. It is announced on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; availability of a date is confirmed at booking.
The comparison is prepared from GoTravel24 programs. Before booking, confirm the conditions of the chosen package and the transfer from your hotel.
