Review · HURGHADA SPEEDBOAT TOURS
PRIVATE! Speedboat to Magawish Island from Hurghada
Magawish Island gives you a quick Red Sea escape without committing to a full-day cruise. The private speedboat gets you out of Hurghada fast, then leaves you with about 1.5 hours on the island for snorkeling, sand, and quiet shoreline time. I like the personal scale and the chance to shape the outing around your group. The main catch is that island time is short, and the €5 entry and national park fee must be paid in cash.
I also like the practical extras: water, fruit, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and an ice box are included. The trip can be especially good value at $52.71 per person when several people share the private boat, but solo visitors or couples should compare the total cost with a standard group cruise.
Key points at a glance
- Private boat from Hurghada: Your group travels alone instead of sharing the speedboat with a large crowd.
- Only 1.5 hours on Magawish Island: This is a compact island visit, not a full beach day.
- Snorkeling equipment included: You can explore the Red Sea without arranging gear separately.
- Hotel pickup may be available: Select the pickup option if you want transport from your Hurghada hotel.
- Dolphin sightings are possible: A previous outing reached dolphins within about 20 minutes, though wildlife is never guaranteed.
- Bring €5 in cash: Island admission and the national park fee are extra and payable on the day.
A fast ride from Hurghada to Magawish Island
The appeal of this outing is simple: you get a private boat and a taste of the Red Sea in about four hours. That makes it useful when your Hurghada schedule is tight, or when you want something more personal than a large shared boat.
If you select the hotel pickup option, the day begins with transport from your Hurghada hotel. Otherwise, you meet at the designated point. The precise meeting details depend on the booking choice, so check them carefully before setting out.
Once aboard, the speedboat makes the journey part of the fun. You are not spending most of the day getting to the water. The boat carries only your group, which gives you more privacy and makes it easier to settle into your own pace.
The private setup matters most for small groups with different interests. One person can focus on snorkeling, another can prefer the beach, and the group does not have to follow the rhythm of a large excursion. The tradeoff is that the speedboat offers less of the social atmosphere you get on a shared cruise.
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What 1.5 hours on the island really means

Magawish Island is the main stop, but your time ashore is limited to about 1.5 hours. I would think of this as a focused island visit rather than a lazy half-day at the beach.
You can walk along the shoreline, sit on the sand, and enjoy open views across the Red Sea. The island is described as a natural area surrounded by coral reefs, so its main value is the combination of beach time and easy access to the water.
The short stay can work well if you want variety in your holiday. You get a boat ride, time on land, snorkeling, and a return trip without giving up an entire day. It is less suitable if your ideal island visit means hours under an umbrella with a book.
Keep an eye on the clock. With transport, the boat ride, and the return journey included in roughly four hours, 1.5 hours on the island passes quickly. Decide before you arrive how you want to use it. If snorkeling is your priority, get your equipment ready early. If you want a quiet beach break, head straight for the sand.
Snorkeling around Magawish’s coral reefs

Snorkeling is included, along with the necessary equipment. That is useful because you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately or carry your own kit from Hurghada.
The waters around Magawish are known for coral reefs and Red Sea marine life. You can expect the underwater setting to be the main reason for choosing this trip over a simple boat transfer. The tour gives you time to see the reef and fish close to the island, though the exact conditions depend on the sea and weather.
I like that snorkeling is built into the outing rather than offered as an expensive add-on. Still, you should be realistic about the time available. You have 1.5 hours on the island, not 1.5 hours devoted entirely to snorkeling. That time may include getting organized, walking, resting, and entering or leaving the water.
If you are not a strong swimmer, the supplied details do not specify flotation support or an instructor, so ask the operator before booking if that matters to you. Most travelers can participate, but that general statement is not a substitute for checking your own comfort in open water.
The Red Sea setting can also change with weather and water conditions. A calm day should make the boat ride and snorkeling more pleasant. Poor weather can lead to cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.
The private speedboat advantage
The boat is the heart of the experience. A private speedboat means only your group participates, so you are not sharing the day with strangers. For a family, a pair of friends, or a small group, that privacy can make the price easier to justify.
You can talk with the boat host about how you want to use your time. Walid is one boat host associated with this outing, and he has been willing to listen to what guests wanted to do. On one trip, the group reached dolphins within about 20 minutes. That is a memorable possibility, but you should treat it as luck rather than a promised part of the route.
The private format may also help if your group has a clear aim, such as spending more time on the water or looking for marine life. At the same time, the published plan centers on Magawish Island and snorkeling. Do not book solely on the hope of seeing dolphins, since no wildlife encounter can be guaranteed.
A speedboat is also more exposed to movement than a larger vessel. If you are prone to seasickness, consider that before booking. The trip is short, but the boat ride is still an active part of the day.
Same water, a different kind of day:
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Snacks, fruit, and water keep the outing simple
The inclusions are modest but useful. You receive a bottle of water, snacks, fruit, and access to an ice box. These extras matter because a short trip can become inconvenient when you need to arrange drinks or food separately.
You should still think of this as light refreshment, not a full meal. The information does not promise lunch, a restaurant stop, or a cooked meal on the island. Eat beforehand if you know you need more than snacks to carry you through the outing.
The ice box is a practical touch for a warm Red Sea excursion. Water is particularly important when you are out in the sun, walking on sand, or spending time in the water. I would still bring any personal drinks or food you require, as long as the operator allows them.
Beach basics are worth planning too. The supplied details do not list towels, sunscreen, swimwear, or a change of clothes among the inclusions. Pack what you normally need for a short beach and snorkeling outing.
The €5 extra fee is easy to miss

The advertised price is $52.71 per person, and that includes the private speedboat, snorkeling equipment, island stay, refreshments, and selected hotel transport. The value depends heavily on your group size.
For several people sharing the boat, $52.71 each can be a reasonable price for a private half-day on the Red Sea. You are paying not only for the island but also for privacy, direct transport, and the convenience of having gear and refreshments arranged.
For one person or a couple, the cost may feel less attractive than a shared cruise. A private boat is a premium feature, and the fare reflects it. If privacy is important, the extra cost can make sense. If your main goal is simply to reach the water cheaply, compare other Hurghada excursions before booking.
You must also budget for €5 per person. This covers Magawish Island admission and the national park fee, and it is payable in cash on the day. That charge is not included in the listed price, so bring the correct amount or confirm the accepted currency before departure.
Who will enjoy this Hurghada outing most
I would recommend this trip to you if you want a short private escape and do not need a full day at sea. It suits:
- Couples who want a private boat instead of a shared cruise
- Families looking for a simple island outing
- Small groups that can share the cost
- Snorkelers who want equipment included
- Visitors with only part of a day available
- People who value a flexible boat host and a quieter setting
It may not be the best match if you want a long island stay, a full meal, extensive water activities, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. The 1.5-hour island visit sets a firm limit on how much you can do.
It also deserves a little care from anyone with mobility or swimming concerns. The experience is described as suitable for most participants, but the supplied details do not explain beach access, boat boarding, or special assistance. Ask Bella Trips directly if you need those specifics.
A practical way to plan your four hours
Before pickup or meeting time, have your swimwear and sun protection ready. You will save time if you do not need to change or search through a large bag once you reach the boat.
Bring cash for the €5 fee per person. Water, snacks, fruit, and an ice box are supplied, but the information does not include towels or a full meal, so plan accordingly.
Once on Magawish, decide whether you want to snorkel first or enjoy the beach first. If the sea is your priority, start with the water and leave your shoreline walk for the end. If you prefer a calm break, use the first part of the visit to sit on the sand and take in the Red Sea views.
The trip is weather dependent. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful in Hurghada, where sea conditions can affect both comfort and the quality of snorkeling.
You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.
How this compares with a standard boat excursion
The clearest difference is control. On a shared cruise, you usually accept the boat’s schedule and group pace. Here, your party has the boat to itself, and the host can respond to what you want to do.
That does not mean the private trip includes more total time. You still have about four hours overall and about 1.5 hours on the island. You are paying for a more personal format, not an all-day program.
The private boat also makes the outing feel more direct. You are not waiting for a large group to gather at several hotels or following a crowd ashore. If you dislike group logistics, that may be worth more than a lower shared-tour fare.
On the other hand, a shared boat can offer more space, more company, and sometimes a broader schedule of stops. If you want a full day with several activities, this compact trip may feel too brief.
Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat?
Book it if your priorities are privacy, speed, and a short Red Sea escape. The package covers the essentials, including snorkeling gear, refreshments, and a private boat, while hotel pickup can simplify the start of the day.
I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a small group that can divide the price. The dolphin possibility adds excitement, and a flexible host such as Walid may help shape the outing around your interests, but neither dolphin sightings nor a particular host should be treated as guaranteed.
Think twice if you want a long beach stay or a complete meal. The 1.5-hour island visit is the key limitation. Also remember the €5 cash fee per person, and check the pickup option carefully when booking.
For the right group, this is a neat, efficient way to reach Magawish Island without giving up an entire day. Just book it for the private boat and the Red Sea setting, not for promises the schedule cannot make.
FAQ
Is hotel pickup included?
Hotel pickup and drop-off from a Hurghada hotel are included only if you select that option when booking. Otherwise, you use the designated meeting point.
How long does the experience last?
The full experience lasts approximately four hours. Your planned stay on Magawish Island is about 1.5 hours.
Is the boat private?
Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling with snorkeling equipment is included in the experience.
Is the Magawish Island entrance fee included?
No. Island admission and the national park fee cost €5 per person and must be paid in cash on the day.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.
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