Hurghada Speedboat Trip to Orange Bay and Magawish Islands

The best part of this five-hour speedboat trip is the variety packed into one morning or afternoon: white sand at Orange Bay, time on Magawish Island, and two short snorkeling stops around Giftun. You get the Red Sea from several angles without spending a full day at sea.

I like the small maximum group of 20 and the practical inclusions, especially snorkeling gear, life jackets, water, soft drinks, fruit, and a cheese-and-turkey lunch box. I also like the personal help offered by guides such as Mohammed and Youssef. The main catch is that the route is fairly compressed, and the lunch details should be confirmed when you book because the description treats it both as an included lunch and as an optional add-on.

Key points to know before you book

• Three island stops: Orange Bay, Magawish Island, and Giftun are all part of the advertised route.
• About three hours ashore or in the water: Each main stop is listed at roughly one hour, including two 20-minute snorkeling sessions at Giftun.
• A social speedboat outing: Music, a shared boat, and a group of up to 20 make this more lively than a private cruise.
• Useful equipment included: You get snorkeling equipment, life jackets, bottled water, soft drinks, fruit, and a lunch box.
• Extra pickup charge: Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, or Sahl Hasheesh costs an additional 10 euros.
• Good support for nervous swimmers: Youssef is specifically noted for spending one-on-one time helping a swimmer feel safe in the water.

Speeding out from Hurghada

This outing is built around movement. Instead of taking a slow boat directly to one reef, you cross the Red Sea by speedboat and make several stops. That gives you changing scenery and a stronger sense of being out among the islands, but it also means the boat ride itself is part of the experience.

Pickup is offered from Hurghada hotels, followed by a ride to the marina in an air-conditioned vehicle. If you are staying farther away in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, or Sahl Hasheesh, expect a 10-euro long-range pickup charge. Check that cost before paying, since it can change the total more than you might expect.

The group limit is 20 people. That is not private-tour small, but it is manageable for a shared boat. A group of this size also fits the social tone of the trip. Music and conversation are part of the atmosphere, so I would choose this outing if you like meeting people and do not need a quiet, polished yacht cruise.

You should plan on roughly five hours from pickup through return. The schedule gives about one hour at Orange Bay, one hour at Magawish Island, and one hour for Giftun’s two snorkeling stops. The remaining time goes to transfers, boarding, and the speedboat ride.

Orange Bay: one hour on white sand

Orange Bay is the first main stop, and it is the place for simple beach time. The appeal is easy to understand: white sand, clear water, sun, music, and a chance to stretch out after leaving the marina.

You can use this hour to sit by the water, work on your tan, swim, or chat with people from other countries. It is a good opening stop because you are not asked to snorkel immediately. You can settle into the pace of the trip before the water activities begin.

The drawback is the short visit. One hour disappears quickly once you arrive, find a place to sit, walk into the water, and take photos. If Orange Bay is your main reason for booking, you may wish the stop were longer. This tour is better for sampling several Red Sea settings than for spending a whole day on one beach.

The music also matters. It adds energy and helps create a party-like group mood, but it may not suit you if you want silence and solitude. Read the outing as a social beach stop, not a remote island escape.

Magawish Island: snorkeling and lunch

Magawish Island gives the tour its main water break. You have about an hour here, with time to use the included snorkeling equipment and look below the surface of the Red Sea.

The supplied life jackets are useful even if you swim well. They let you conserve energy while watching the water and can make the experience less stressful for anyone who is unsure in open sea. Youssef is specifically noted for taking one-on-one time with a swimmer who needed extra confidence. That kind of direct help can make a real difference, especially on a shared outing where you might otherwise feel left behind.

The underwater portion is an important reason to bring this tour into your plans. You are not only sitting on an island. You have a chance to see the Red Sea from below, though the exact marine life and water conditions can change with the weather.

Lunch is listed as a cheese-and-turkey sandwich box. Fruit, bottled water, and soft drinks are also included in the supplied details. That is convenient, since you do not need to arrange a separate meal during a short island schedule.

There is one point I would clarify before booking. The main description says you can enjoy lunch if you select the add-on, while the included section lists lunch as part of the package. Ask Go Shalabi exactly what your chosen price covers. A sandwich lunch is modest, but it is useful on a five-hour outing. It is better to know in advance than to arrive expecting a meal that is not part of your booking.

Giftun’s two 20-minute snorkeling stops

The third part of the route is described as Giftun Islands, with two snorkeling stops of about 20 minutes each. Together, that is roughly one hour in the Giftun area, including time around the water.

Two shorter sessions can be a smart format. You get a break between them, and you can decide how much energy you want to use. If one site has less appealing conditions, the second stop gives you another chance to enjoy the Red Sea.

Still, do not expect long, unhurried snorkeling sessions. Forty minutes in the water is enough for a taste, but not enough for an extended reef outing. The schedule is designed to offer variety, not detailed marine exploration.

The route description places Magawish and Giftun in separate parts of the day, but the precise order or exact anchoring points may depend on conditions. The boat staff will direct you where to enter the water and when to return. Listen carefully to those instructions, since a speedboat schedule cannot wait for someone who swims far from the group.

What the $58.73 price really covers

At $58.73 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the included transport and equipment. You are paying for hotel pickup in the standard service area, a speedboat trip, several island stops, snorkeling gear, life jackets, drinks, fruit, and a lunch box as described.

The value improves if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport to the marina, rent snorkeling equipment, and buy food and drinks. It is also useful for a short holiday in Hurghada, when you want a Red Sea day without committing to a much longer cruise.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day. Orange Bay receives only about an hour, and the other stops involve snorkeling and group movement. You are paying for a busy half-day of different activities, not for a private sunbed on one island.

Remember the 10-euro pickup charge from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, or Sahl Hasheesh. Also confirm the lunch arrangement, taxes, and any other charges before you finalize payment. The supplied details say all fees and taxes are not included, so the headline price may not be the final amount in every case.

The mood on board and the role of the guides

This is a shared adventure rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. Music and the chance to meet people are part of the plan. If you like a little noise and social contact, the group format can make the boat ride more enjoyable.

The strongest personal detail connected with the crew is the extra help given by Mohammed and Youssef. Mohammed and his crew helped recover a disappointing day after another company failed to provide a planned outing. Youssef took time to support a swimmer one-on-one, which suggests the crew can be attentive when someone needs reassurance.

I would not treat those names as a guarantee that both guides will be on every departure. They are useful names to know, but your exact crew may vary. Still, the experience sounds best suited to a team that works directly with the group instead of simply dropping people at the islands and standing back.

The maximum group of 20 keeps the outing from becoming an enormous boat party. You should still expect shared facilities and a common schedule. The boat will not wait indefinitely at a stop, and the timetable leaves little room for personal detours.

What to pack and how to use the time

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel if your hotel does not provide one. The supplied information confirms snorkeling gear and life jackets, but it does not list towels or personal items, so pack the basics rather than relying on the boat.

A waterproof phone pouch can be useful for the island stops, but use your phone carefully around water. Keep a little dry clothing for the ride back if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear.

I would use Orange Bay for photos and relaxed swimming, then save your energy for Magawish and Giftun. The total water time is limited, so you do not need to treat every stop as a race. If you are nervous, tell the crew early. The experience with Youssef shows that asking for help can lead to more personal support.

The air-conditioned vehicle is helpful at the beginning and end of the outing, especially after time in the sun. Bottled water and soft drinks are supplied, but steady sun exposure can still leave you tired. Drink regularly instead of waiting until you feel thirsty.

Who should book this Red Sea outing

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact introduction to Hurghada’s islands. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy group activities, and families with participants who are comfortable following water-safety instructions.

It is also a sensible choice if you have only one free half-day. You get beach time, snorkeling, a boat ride, food, and drinks without giving up an entire day.

You may want another option if you dislike music, fixed schedules, or shared boats. Strong swimmers who want long reef sessions may also find the 20-minute Giftun stops too brief. The tour offers a broad taste of the Red Sea, not a specialist snorkeling program.

The weather matters. This experience requires good conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather brings either another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations inside that window are not refunded and changes are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want several Red Sea highlights in five hours and value convenience over long, quiet stays at one island. The strongest reasons are the varied route, the included equipment and refreshments, the manageable group size, and the crew’s demonstrated willingness to help nervous swimmers.

Think twice if you want a calm private cruise or a full day focused on reef time. Before paying, confirm the lunch add-on, pickup zone, taxes, and final total. With those details clear, this is a practical Hurghada outing for a lively half-day on the water.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including hotel pickup, boat travel, island stops, snorkeling, and the return to the marina.

Which places does the boat visit?

The advertised route includes Orange Bay, Magawish Island, and Giftun Islands.

How long do you spend at each stop?

Orange Bay is listed at about one hour, Magawish Island at about one hour, and Giftun includes two snorkeling stops of about 20 minutes each.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, or Sahl Hasheesh costs an additional 10 euros.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.