Hurghada: Magawish Island Speedboat W Snorkelling & Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada trip is the mix of fast Red Sea cruising and reef snorkeling. You get two water stops, then a long break on Magawish Island, where pale sand and clear turquoise water give the outing a welcome change of pace. I like the included hotel transfer and the fact that snorkeling equipment, drinks, fruit, and a shaded area on the boat are covered. I also like the optional five-minute parasailing flight, which adds an aerial view without turning the whole day into a high-adrenaline ride.

The main thing to watch is the timing. The advertised activity lasts four hours, but hotel pickup can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours, and the exact pickup details arrive by email at 10 pm the night before. The price is also per group of up to two, so it makes better value for a couple or two friends than for a solo booker.

Key points at a glance

• Two separate snorkeling stops: Spend about 20 minutes at Shaab Eshta Kebir, then another 20 minutes at Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra.
• A proper island break: Magawish Island gives you 1.5 to 2 hours for swimming, sitting on the sand, and taking in the views.
• Optional flight over the Red Sea: Add up to five minutes of parasailing for a quick look at the water from above.
• Useful onboard comforts: You get a shaded area, stereo system, life jackets, mineral water, soft drinks, and seasonal fruit.
• Guide and captain matter: Hassan has been praised as a guide, while Captain Momo has been singled out for being friendly and considerate, though staff can change.
• Strict pickup routine: Be at the main hotel entrance by the road, not the reception gate, and be ready because the vehicle can wait no more than five minutes.

Leaving Hurghada by van and speedboat

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, or Safaga, depending on the option you choose. The van ride to the harbor takes about 25 minutes, though your overall pickup window can be less tidy than the advertised four-hour boat experience.

The operator sends pickup details by email at around 10 pm the evening before. You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, room number, and a copy of your passport. That may feel like a lot of information for a short sea trip, but it helps the driver identify the right hotel and passengers.

Stand at the main entrance by the road, rather than inside the reception area or at a secondary gate. Pickup is treated as a fixed appointment, and the vehicle can wait only five minutes because other hotel stops may follow. I would set an alarm, keep your phone nearby, and avoid assuming the hotel reception will call you.

At the harbor, you receive a safety briefing before boarding the speedboat. Life jackets are included, and the boat has a shaded section. The ride itself is part of the appeal: you get open Red Sea views and a quicker, more direct feel than a large group excursion boat.

The experience is described as a private group, while the general description also refers to shared or private speedboat options. Check the exact option at checkout so you know what type of boat arrangement you are paying for. The $196 rate covers up to two people, which works out to $98 each when shared by two. For a couple seeking a half-day outing with transfers, equipment, and several activities, that can be fair value. For one person, the same group price feels much harder to justify.

First water stop at Shaab Eshta Kebir

The first snorkeling stop is Shaab Eshta Kebir, also called Shaab Eshta Kebir in the supplied route details. You spend about 20 minutes in the water here.

That is enough time to get comfortable with the mask and fins, look for fish, and see the coral before moving on. It is not a long snorkeling session, so you should think of this as a focused reef visit rather than a full morning at one site.

An English-speaking guide is included to help with the snorkeling. That is useful if you are unsure about the equipment or want help getting into the water safely. Recent outings have included a guide named Hassan, who received especially warm praise, but guides are not guaranteed by name.

The reef is the part of the trip that has drawn the strongest praise. One recent booking described the coral as beautiful, while another specifically noted seeing many fish. Those comments fit the purpose of this stop: the underwater views are the main reason to choose this tour over a simple beach transfer.

Bring a towel and expect to get wet early. A jacket is also sensible because the boat ride can feel cool after snorkeling, even in a warm climate.

A second 20-minute reef session at Aruk Talata

After the first stop, the speedboat heads to Aruk Talata, also known as Shaab Pytra. The planned snorkeling time is another 20 minutes.

Two stops are valuable because sea conditions and underwater sights can vary. If one spot feels crowded or the visibility is less clear, the second gives you another chance to see coral and fish. The tradeoff is that neither stop is especially long, so you will want to enter the water promptly when the guide gives the signal.

The short sessions also suit people who want some snorkeling but do not want to spend most of the outing in the water. If you are a keen snorkeler hoping for long, unhurried reef time, this schedule may feel tight. The tour puts equal weight on the boat ride and island visit, rather than offering an all-day snorkeling program.

You get snorkeling equipment and a guide as part of the price. The exact equipment sizes and condition are not specified, so anyone particular about mask fit may prefer to bring personal gear if they have it. Life jackets are provided for the boat.

Magawish Island and its white sand

The longest stop is Magawish Island, with about 1.5 to 2 hours to spend on shore. This is where the trip slows down after the brisk boat ride and two short reef visits.

The island’s appeal is simple: sandy beaches, turquoise water, and time to swim or sit without being hurried through a quick photo stop. The sand and water are often compared with a Caribbean-style beach, but the experience remains firmly Red Sea in character, with the snorkeling and boat ride shaping the day.

I would use this period for a swim, a walk along the sand, and a quiet break under the sun. The boat has a shaded area, but the island facilities and shade arrangements are not described in detail. Bring sun protection and cash, as cash is listed among the items to bring.

The title of the experience refers to lunch, but the included items specifically list seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. A recent outing indicated that food and drinks could also be available on the island, but a full lunch is not clearly itemized as included. If a substantial meal matters to you, confirm what is supplied before booking or plan to buy food on the island with cash.

That distinction matters. The tour may be ideal if you want light refreshments and plenty of beach time. It is less straightforward if you expect a sit-down lunch to be part of the $196 price.

The optional five-minute parasailing flight

You can add an option for up to five minutes of parasailing. This gives you a quick view of the Red Sea from above, balancing the underwater perspective from the snorkeling stops.

Five minutes is short, but that is also the point. You can add an aerial thrill without giving up a large part of the island visit. It suits someone who wants to try parasailing once, take in the view, and return to swimming or relaxing.

The phrase if option selected is important. Parasailing is not included in every booking, so check the exact package and price before paying. The supplied information does not state the age, weight, or weather rules for the flight, so ask the operator if any of those details affect your booking.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. That warning is particularly relevant to the speedboat ride and the possible parasailing option. If either condition applies, skip this experience rather than treating the warning as a minor footnote.

The ride back and what the four hours really means

After the island stop, you board the speedboat for the return ride to the harbor. The route includes about 10 minutes of scenic views on the way back to Hurghada, followed by the van transfer to your hotel.

The listed duration is four hours, but hotel pickup and drop-off add uncertainty around the edges. Your hotel may be far from the harbor, and pickup times can vary. This is not the best choice if you have a tightly timed flight, another paid activity, or a fixed dinner reservation immediately afterward.

Drop-off options include Safaga, Hurghada 1, Hurghada, and Hurghada 2. Longer-range pickup and drop-off from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area can be purchased as an add-on during checkout. Do not assume those areas are covered in the basic price.

The transfer is a real benefit for most people. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the harbor, and you can finish the day without negotiating transport while wet and tired. The price advantage becomes clearer when you count that convenience, snorkeling gear, the guide, island entry, drinks, fruit, and the boat ride together.

Comfort, service, and the small practical details

The boat includes a shaded area, stereo system, mineral water, soft drinks, fruit, and life jackets. Those are modest comforts, but they matter on a sunny half-day at sea. A shaded seat gives you a place to recover between swims, and water is especially welcome after snorkeling.

The English-language guide is there to lead the snorkeling portion. Hassan has been praised by name for his work, and Captain Momo has been described as friendly and considerate. Treat those names as useful examples, not promises, since staff assignments can change.

The rating supplied for the activity is 4.7 from 30 reviews, with repeated praise for the snorkeling, coral, fish, transport, and crew attitude. The strongest pattern is clear: people choose this trip for the reef and leave happiest when the guide and captain make the day easy.

Bring:

• Towel
• Jacket
• Cash
• Passport copy if requested during the booking process

Pets are not allowed. Pregnant women and people with back problems should not book this activity.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Hurghada plans may shift, but they do not remove the need to be ready at the stated pickup point.

Who will get the most from this Red Sea trip

I would recommend this outing to a couple or pair of friends who want several Red Sea highlights in one compact package. You get speed, reef snorkeling, an island beach, refreshments, and optional parasailing without committing to a full-day cruise.

It also suits first-time snorkelers who want a guide and equipment supplied. The two short stops give you a chance to try the water without spending the whole day at sea, while the island break provides time to dry off and relax.

Families should check the operator’s age and safety requirements before booking, since those details are not supplied here. Anyone with back problems, anyone who is pregnant, or anyone who dislikes fast boat rides should choose another outing.

Experienced snorkelers may want a tour with longer water sessions. Here, the best underwater time is split into two 20-minute stops, and the beach visit takes up much of the schedule. That balance is a strength for a mixed group, but a limitation for someone focused almost entirely on coral and fish.

Is the $196 group price worth it?

At $196 for up to two people, the price is easier to accept when two people share it. You are paying for hotel transport, a speedboat, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guide, island entry, drinks, fruit, and a shaded boat area. Add the optional parasailing only if that experience matters to you.

The value is weaker if you are alone, if your hotel needs a long-range transfer add-on, or if you expect a full lunch to be included. Confirm the meal arrangement and any extra pickup charge before booking.

Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a short, active Red Sea day with two reef stops and a proper island break. The coral, fish, friendly crew, and simple transfer setup are the strongest reasons to go. Sharing the price with another person makes the package more sensible.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed full lunch, long snorkeling sessions, exact pickup times, or a slower boat outing. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded choice, especially if Hassan or Captain Momo happens to be assigned and you want to add the brief parasailing flight.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island speedboat experience last?

The activity duration is four hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off timing can vary, and the pickup time may be 1 to 1.5 hours different from the scheduled time.

What snorkeling stops are included?

The route includes two stops: Shaab Eshta Kebir for about 20 minutes and Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra, for about 20 minutes.

How long do you spend on Magawish Island?

You have about 1.5 to 2 hours on Magawish Island for the beach, swimming, and free time.

Is parasailing included?

Parasailing is included only if you select that option. The flight lasts up to five minutes.

What does the price include?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off for eligible locations, the speedboat cruise, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, an English-speaking guide, island entry, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, a shaded boat area, a stereo system, and life jackets.

What should you bring?

Bring a towel, jacket, and cash. Pickup details arrive by email at about 10 pm the night before, and you should wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road.