Review · SNORKELING SPEEDBOAT TRIPS
Fishing & Snorkeling By Speed Boat Tour (Semi Private) – Hurghada
The best part of this Hurghada outing is the mix of fishing and snorkeling in one short sea trip. You can try your luck with provided gear, then trade the rod for a mask and explore coral reefs from the speedboat. The small group keeps the mood more personal than a large excursion boat.
I like the easy hotel pickup and the choice built into the day. You can focus on fishing, spend more time in the water, or simply enjoy the ride and Red Sea views. The crew receives strong praise for being friendly and helpful, and the air-conditioned transfer makes the start and finish painless.
The main caution is that this is not a serious sportfishing charter. The equipment may need an upgrade, and catching a fish is never promised. Also, although the planned duration is about four hours, one report describes a trip of only three hours, so confirm the timing before you set your expectations.
Key points to know before booking
- Small boat, maximum eight people: This semi-private format gives you more room and attention than a crowded day boat.
- Two different sea activities: You fish with supplied gear, then stop for swimming and snorkeling around Red Sea coral.
- Hotel pickup is included: An air-conditioned vehicle collects you and returns you after the boat trip.
- Fishing success is not guaranteed: The point is trying the local experience, not booking a trophy catch.
- Bring cash for extra charges: A €5 national park tax is paid on the day, and some resort areas have a €10 transfer charge.
- Plan for roughly four hours: One account reported three hours, so ask for a clear pickup and return estimate.
A short Red Sea trip with two very different moods

This excursion works because fishing and snorkeling fill different parts of the day. Fishing gives you a quiet, patient hour on the water. Snorkeling adds color, movement, and a chance to see the reef without needing a full-day cruise.
The speedboat matters, too. You are not tied to the pace of a large vessel carrying a full load of people. With a maximum of eight participants, the setting should feel more like a small outing than a mass-market boat transfer, though the exact amount of personal attention can depend on the group and guide.
I would think of this as a compact taste of the Red Sea rather than a major fishing expedition. You get fishing equipment, a fishing guide, snorkeling equipment, swimming stops, food, drinks, and transfers in one package. That makes it useful for a half-day gap in a Hurghada schedule.
The plan begins around noon. That start time is practical if you want a relaxed morning at your hotel, but it also means you should not treat this as an early-morning fishing session. The trip is built around a short afternoon on the water.
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Hotel pickup keeps the start simple

Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels, using an air-conditioned vehicle. That is a real benefit in Egypt, where arranging a separate ride to a marina can add stress, especially if you are unsure which port or meeting point to use.
The included transfer also helps the price make sense. You are paying for more than a boat seat. The package covers the road transfer, a guide, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, bottled water, soda, fruit, and snacks.
If you stay in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, check the transfer cost carefully. An additional €10 is due in cash on the day for those areas. A €5 national park tax is also not included and must be paid in cash. These are small costs compared with the total price, but they should not surprise you at pickup.
The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm. I would confirm the exact pickup hour with the operator after booking, since the listed start time and hotel collection time are not always identical. Confirmation is provided at booking.
What the speedboat setup feels like
The boat is the heart of the experience. A speedboat makes the trip feel active from the start, and it can move between fishing and snorkeling locations without the slow pace of a large cruise boat.
The boat is described as comfortable, and the small capacity is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A group of no more than eight people leaves more room to handle fishing rods, move around for photos, and enter the water without a long queue.
Still, speedboats are not floating lounges. Seating can feel exposed, and the ride may be less gentle than a larger vessel. The supplied information does not specify shade, a toilet, or a particular boat model, so ask if any of those matter to you.
I would bring sun protection, a hat, and a dry bag for personal items. Those are sensible precautions for any Red Sea boat trip, even though they are not listed as included equipment.
Fishing in the Red Sea: fun, not a guaranteed catch
The fishing section gives you a chance to use a rod and try for a fish with help from a fishing guide. Equipment is supplied, so you do not need to arrive with your own gear.
A useful detail comes from one fishing account: a participant brought a personal travel rod and found it worthwhile, since the boat’s rod was available but not necessarily ideal for every angler. That tells you how to read this trip. Casual fishers should have enough to get started, while experienced sportfishers may want to bring suitable personal equipment if that is allowed and practical.
Another account describes fish being caught, but a separate trip ended without a catch. Both outcomes are normal. The guide may know where to try, but the sea does not work on a booking schedule. If your main goal is a specific species, serious tackle, or a high chance of a substantial catch, this is probably too light.
For most people, fishing here is about the setting and the attempt. You are on the Red Sea, holding a rod, watching the water, and learning how a short local fishing outing works. That can be satisfying even when the fish decline the invitation.
The equipment receives mixed feedback. The crew earns good marks for friendliness, but one assessment says the gear could use an upgrade. I would treat the supplied rods and tackle as basic rather than professional.
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Swimming and snorkeling over Red Sea coral
After or between fishing sessions, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. Masks and snorkeling equipment are included, so you do not need to rent the basics separately.
The snorkeling stop changes the rhythm of the trip. Instead of waiting for a bite, you get to enter the water and look at the coral reef below. The Red Sea is well known for clear water and reef life, but this particular experience does not name a reef site or promise specific animals, so keep your expectations broad.
You might see colorful coral and small reef fish, but the exact view depends on the stop, weather, water clarity, and conditions that day. The word vibrant is often used too freely for every reef excursion, so I would keep this simple: you are offered a chance to see Red Sea coral from the water rather than from shore.
This stop suits beginners and casual swimmers, but the information does not state whether flotation aids or a dedicated swimming instructor are provided. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask about safety equipment before departure and stay close to the boat or guide.
You also get the option to swim without snorkeling. That makes the outing more flexible for a mixed group. One person can inspect the reef while another simply cools off or remains onboard with a drink.
Snacks, drinks, and the small comforts
Fruit, snacks, soda, and bottled water are included. These are modest provisions, but they matter on a boat, where buying food later is not an option.
I like that the package includes both water and something light to eat. Fishing and swimming can leave you hungry, and the snacks help bridge the gap until your next hotel meal. Do not book this expecting a full lunch, since no substantial meal is listed.
The included drinks also make the $50 price easier to judge. You are not paying for the sea trip alone. Hotel transport, a guide, two sets of equipment, and refreshments are part of the package.
The outing is described as about four hours. That gives you enough time for transport, fishing, a snorkeling stop, and a return to shore, but it is still a compact program. One negative account says the actual sea trip lasted three hours rather than four. I would ask the operator whether the four hours includes road transfers, time at the marina, or the boat time itself.
Is $50 a fair price?
At $50 per person, this is a reasonable package for someone who wants several pieces handled at once. You get an air-conditioned pickup, a semi-private speedboat, a guide, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, swimming time, snacks, fruit, soda, and bottled water.
The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport and rent equipment. The small group is also meaningful. A cheaper large boat could offer a similar sea view, but not the same limited capacity.
The value is weaker if fishing is your only goal. Basic equipment and uncertain catches mean experienced anglers may get more from a dedicated charter, assuming one is available at a suitable price. You are paying for a mixed sea experience, not a specialist fishing service.
Remember the cash extras. Add €5 for the national park tax, plus €10 if your pickup is from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh. Ask whether the transfer surcharge applies to each person or to the booking, since the supplied details only state the amount and the named areas.
Who will enjoy this trip most?
I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want an easy half-day on the water. It is especially useful when people in your group have different interests. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can enjoy the boat and snacks.
It also suits first-time visitors who do not want to plan a marina transfer or bring their own equipment. The guide and included gear make the day simple.
Children may enjoy it, but the supplied information does not give a minimum age, child price, or specific child safety equipment. Ask before booking if you are traveling with young children.
Experienced sportfishers should look closely at the equipment. One account specifically says the gear may need an upgrade, and the trip does not promise a particular catch or fishing method. You can bring a travel rod if appropriate, but confirm this with the operator first.
The activity is also listed as accessible to most participants, and service animals are allowed. That is useful, but it does not explain the boat’s physical access, so ask for details if you have mobility needs.
How to prepare for the noon departure
Wear clothes that can handle spray and swimming. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a way to protect your phone. The tour supplies snorkeling and fishing equipment, but personal comfort items are not listed.
Carry cash for the €5 national park tax and, if applicable, the €10 transfer fee. It is better to have the correct money ready than to search for an ATM after pickup.
I would also bring a light cover-up for the ride back, when wet clothes and wind can become uncomfortable. Keep expectations realistic about fishing. A successful catch is possible, but an empty line is also part of the experience.
Because the trip is scheduled for around noon, plan your hotel morning carefully. You may have time for breakfast and a relaxed start, but you should be ready for pickup well before the boat portion begins.
The booking and cancellation details that matter
The maximum group size is eight people, and confirmation is provided when you book. The activity offers mobile tickets, so you can keep the booking on your phone.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.
The trip is often reserved well ahead of time, with average bookings made about 17 days before departure. That does not guarantee a sellout, but it suggests you should book ahead if your Hurghada dates are fixed.
Should you book the Hurghada speedboat trip?
Book it if you want a small-group Red Sea outing that combines fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and hotel transport in about half a day. The friendly crew, flexible activity mix, and maximum group size are its strongest points.
Skip it if your priority is serious sportfishing, premium equipment, or a guaranteed four-hour boat session. The mixed feedback on gear and the report of a three-hour outing make it important to confirm the schedule before paying.
For most casual visitors, the $50 price is fair, especially with transport and equipment included. Bring cash for the extra fees, ask exactly what the four-hour duration covers, and treat the fishing as a pleasant chance rather than a promise. That is the mindset most likely to leave you happy when the boat returns to shore.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The stated start time is 12:00 pm. Your exact hotel pickup time should be confirmed after booking.
How long is the experience?
The advertised duration is approximately four hours. One account reports a three-hour trip, so confirm whether the stated time includes transfers or refers only to the boat portion.
What is included in the price?
The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, a semi-private speedboat trip, a fishing guide, fishing equipment, snorkeling equipment, a snorkeling stop, fruit, snacks, soda, and bottled water.
Are there extra fees to pay?
Yes. A €5 national park tax is paid in cash on the day. A €10 cash transfer fee applies to pickups from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh.
How many people can join the boat trip?
The maximum group size is eight people.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.
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