Private Speed Boat to Magawish Island’s Hidden Wonders – Hurghada

Dolphins are the headline here, but the more dependable pleasure is the Red Sea snorkeling. This five-hour outing takes you by speedboat from Hurghada toward Magawish Island, with two guided stops, time on the beach, soft drinks, water, and water sports. If wild dolphins appear, you may swim near them, but nobody can promise a sighting.

I like the convenient hotel pickup and the small-boat format promised by the operator. I also like the mix of activities: you are not left floating in one spot all day. You get coral, beaches, a buffet lunch, a banana boat ride, and time to relax. The main caution is simple: dolphin watching is never guaranteed, and accounts of crowded boats and late pickups mean you should confirm the day’s arrangements before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphin House is a wild setting: You look for dolphins in their natural Red Sea environment, not in a managed enclosure.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Equipment, a guide, and a snorkeling instructor are provided.
• Magawish Island adds beach time: You can swim, sit on the sand, or rest beneath palm trees after snorkeling.
• The price is $70 per person: Add the €5 national park fee, paid in cash, and possibly a €10 transfer charge.
• The trip begins at noon: Plan on about five hours, although timing and total time on the water should be confirmed.
• Private needs clarification: The description says only your group participates, but one account reports a boat carrying 35 people.

Magawish Island by speedboat

The trip begins with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, followed by boarding in Hurghada at about noon. A speedboat makes the journey feel more active than a slow cruise, especially as the city gives way to open water and the pale beaches around Magawish Island.

The attraction is not a packed sightseeing schedule. It is the change of pace. You move between sea, reef, and sand, with enough variety to suit a mixed group. One person can snorkel while another prefers a beach break. You can also spend part of the day simply sitting in the sun with a cold soft drink.

The description calls this a private speedboat trip, and that is an important point for anyone hoping to avoid a standard excursion boat. A private boat normally means your own group has the boat and guide arrangement to itself. However, one account describes 35 people aboard and a crowded dolphin stop. That conflict is too important to ignore. Before paying, ask directly how many people will be on your departure and whether the boat is private for your group.

Two snorkeling stops on the Red Sea

Snorkeling is the strongest part of the plan because it is scheduled rather than treated as a lucky extra. You receive snorkeling equipment and guidance from a professional guide and snorkeling instructor, with two separate stops listed in the package.

The coral areas around Hurghada can offer colorful fish, sea turtles, and other marine life. The exact visibility and wildlife will depend on the sea conditions, so keep your expectations sensible. You may find clear water and excellent coral, or you may get rougher conditions that make swimming tiring.

One account praised the coral snorkeling even though dolphin swimming was difficult in rough water. That is useful advice. You should be comfortable in open water before trying to follow dolphins, and you should listen closely to the guide when conditions change. Seeing dolphins from the boat can still be a fine experience. Swimming beside them is a bonus, not the standard by which the entire outing should be judged.

The two-stop format also helps. If the first location is windy or crowded, the second may offer a better chance to enjoy the water. The equipment is included, but bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well. That is general water-trip advice rather than a promise about the equipment supplied.

Dolphin House and the wild dolphin question

Dolphin House is known for wild dolphins, and the chance to see them is the emotional center of the trip. The boat searches an area where dolphins are known to pass, rather than taking you to animals kept for human entertainment.

That difference matters. Wild animals do not follow a timetable. Some outings report dolphins close enough to watch from the boat, while others may see none. If a pod appears, the guide may allow people into the water, but rough conditions and fast-moving animals can make swimming with them difficult.

Do not book this trip if your entire holiday plan depends on touching or swimming with a dolphin. Book it if you would value a day on the Red Sea and would be pleased by a sighting. That mindset gives you a fairer measure of the experience.

There is also a safety point. One account describes only strong swimmers managing to enter the water and follow dolphins for a few seconds. The presence of a guide does not turn open water into a swimming pool. If you are unsure of your ability, watch from the boat and enjoy the sight without taking a needless risk.

Beach time on Magawish Island

After the snorkeling stops, Magawish Island supplies the slower part of the day. The island is presented as a place of turquoise water, clean sand, secluded coves, and quiet lagoons. You may swim from the beach, sit beneath palm trees, or take a break from the water.

This is where the trip works well for people with different interests. A keen snorkeler can make the most of the reef stops, while someone less interested in marine life still gets a beach outing. The island also gives you a chance to dry off and rest before the return journey.

The word secluded should be treated carefully. Magawish is a popular day-trip destination, and the amount of peace you get will depend on how many boats arrive at the same time. If your boat is genuinely private and the captain can reach quieter coves, the experience may feel personal. If many boats gather in the same area, the beach will feel less solitary.

Lunch, water sports, and the extra activities

A buffet lunch is included on board. That makes the $70 price easier to assess because you are not paying for the boat and then buying every basic item separately. Soft drinks and water are included too, which is useful under the strong Egyptian sun.

The package also lists water sports, including a banana boat ride. This gives the day a playful finish, though it may not suit everyone. If you prefer a quiet beach hour, you do not need to treat every activity as compulsory. Ask the crew how the water sports fit into the schedule so you know how much free time remains.

The original description also mentions a short massage and an Oriental show. These extras are not clearly repeated in the included-items list, which focuses on water sports, drinks, snorkeling, and lunch. Treat the massage and show as possible additions rather than guaranteed features unless the operator confirms them in writing.

That distinction is worth making before you book. A buffet lunch and water are clearly part of the stated package. The massage and Oriental performance appear in the general description, but not in the detailed inclusions. Clear questions now can prevent disappointment later.

Pickup, timing, and the real cost

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. That is a real convenience in a resort city where arranging a taxi for an early or late return can be a nuisance.

The advertised start time is 12:00 pm, with an approximate duration of five hours. That makes this more of a half-day afternoon outing than a full-day cruise, despite the phrase full day used in the promotional wording. If you have dinner plans, airport transport, or another excursion afterward, leave plenty of room for delay.

Pickup timing deserves attention. One account reports a 50-minute wait at the hotel, while another reports a trip shorter than the expected duration. Delays can come from collecting people at several hotels, traffic, boat loading, or sea conditions. Ask for the pickup window rather than assuming the vehicle will arrive exactly at noon.

The base price is $70 per person. You must also pay a €5 national park fee in cash on the spot. If you are staying in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, the transfer costs an additional €10 per person, also paid in cash.

That brings the practical value into focus. For someone staying in Hurghada, the price covers transport, a speedboat, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guide, water, soft drinks, lunch, and water sports. It is reasonable if the boat is truly private or kept to a small group. The value falls if you expect a private outing but arrive to find a large shared boat.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this trip for a couple, family, or small group that wants several Red Sea activities in one booking. It suits people who like variety and do not want to arrange transport, boat hire, snorkeling gear, lunch, and beach time separately.

It also suits confident swimmers who understand that the dolphin encounter may be brief or may not happen. The snorkeling stops are the more reliable reason to go.

I would be more cautious if you dislike open-water conditions, need a tightly controlled schedule, or are booking mainly for a guaranteed dolphin swim. Families should ask about the private boat arrangement and the level of supervision before booking, especially if children are not strong swimmers.

The service is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. That does not provide detailed information about boat access or support on the island, so anyone with mobility needs should ask the provider specific questions before paying.

What to pack and what to confirm

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and cash for the €5 park charge. If you are leaving from one of the outlying resort areas, bring the additional €10 transfer fee as well.

I would also take a waterproof pouch for your phone and a dry change of clothes for the ride home. These are sensible personal items for a boat day, even though they are not listed as supplied.

Before booking, confirm four points:

• The actual number of people on the boat
• The expected pickup time from your hotel
• Whether the trip will last about five hours
• Whether the massage and Oriental show are included on your date

The booking confirmation is issued at the time of reservation. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. After that point, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Magawish speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a convenient Red Sea outing with snorkeling, beaches, lunch, and a chance to see wild dolphins. The strongest, most dependable parts are the two reef stops, the island break, and the included transport and food.

Book with caution if the word private is central to your decision. The description promises a private activity, while one account reports a crowded boat. Ask the provider to confirm the group size in writing. Also remember that dolphin sightings are uncertain and that rough water can make swimming beside dolphins unsuitable even when they are nearby.

For $70 per person, plus the cash fees, this can be good value for a Hurghada stay if the operator delivers the promised boat arrangement. I would choose it for the full mix of sea, reef, beach, and wildlife, not for a guaranteed dolphin encounter.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The trip departs from Hurghada and visits Magawish Island and Dolphin House in the Red Sea.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the trip last?

The expected duration is approximately five hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle are included for the stated service area.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with two guided snorkeling stops and a snorkeling instructor.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included on board. Water and soft drinks are also provided.

Can I swim with dolphins?

You may be able to swim near wild dolphins if they are found and conditions allow, but a sighting or swim is not guaranteed.

Are there extra charges?

A €5 national park fee per person is paid in cash on the spot. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €10 per person in cash.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.