Hurghada: Private Luxury Speedboat W Snorkelling & Fruits

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the private speedboat. You are not tied to a large boat’s timetable or a fixed group route. Your captain can suggest good places to swim, snorkel, watch for dolphins, or simply stop so you can stretch out in the sun. I especially like the fruit, water, soft drink, shaded area, and onboard shower. Those small comforts matter on a hot Red Sea morning. I also like the chance to shape the day around your own group.

The main catch is cost. At $329 for up to two people, this is a high-priced half-day on the Red Sea, though the private boat can make sense for a couple celebrating something special. Island entry fees are extra, and pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or other extended areas may also cost more. The dolphin encounter is a possibility, not a promise, and people with back problems should choose another outing.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to two people: You get your own speedboat and skipper-guide rather than sharing the trip with a large group.
• Giftun, Orange Bay, and Magawish: The route includes three popular Red Sea stops, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and shore visits.
• Dolphin watching is part of the plan: You can look for dolphins and may have the chance to swim near them in the sea.
• Practical comforts included: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, fruit, a soft drink, shade, a shower, and a stereo system come with the boat.
• Extra island charges apply: Orange Bay, Nemo Island, Magawish Island, and other island visits require separate payment.
• Pickup takes planning: Wait at your hotel’s main road entrance, not reception, and expect a pickup window rather than an exact minute.

Why a private Hurghada speedboat changes the day

A private boat gives you something a standard Red Sea cruise often cannot: control. You can ask for more time in the water, spend less time at a stop that feels crowded, or simply stay aboard with a drink and watch the coast pass.

The captain still guides the outing, so you are not expected to know the best snorkeling spots. But the trip is designed around your group’s wishes. That makes it a good fit for a couple, a small family, or friends who want a quieter day than a big excursion boat usually provides.

There is also a simple pleasure in moving quickly over the water. You leave Hurghada behind, feel the spray, and reach the islands without spending the whole morning on a slow ferry. The boat has a shaded section, which is useful because four hours in open sun can become tiring quickly.

The private format also gives you more room for personal comfort. You can bring a towel, use the onboard shower after snorkeling, and keep your schedule loose. The boat includes a stereo system, though you should treat that as a background extra rather than the main reason to book.

Pickup from Hurghada and the ride to the harbor

The day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada. The listed pickup areas are Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada, with a van transfer of about 25 minutes before the boat portion begins.

Do not wait in the lobby. You are asked to stand at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, where you should look for a white or black bus carrying the GoShalabi logo. The company allows only a five-minute wait, so arriving early is wise. Pickup confirmation is sent by email or WhatsApp at about 10:00 PM the night before.

The pickup window can be broad: about 60 minutes for Hurghada hotels and up to 90 minutes for extended areas such as Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga. That is not unusual for hotel transfers, but it means you should not plan a tight appointment immediately after the trip.

If your hotel is outside the standard Hurghada pickup zone, check the extra charge before booking. The information provided says extended-area pickup may be paid at the harbor if it was not selected in advance. Bring the requested passport copy, nationality, hotel name, address, and room number so the transfer can be arranged correctly.

Giftun Island: the main two-hour water stop

Giftun Island receives the largest share of the scheduled outing, about two hours. This is where the day’s main activities come together: snorkeling, dolphin watching, and time in the Red Sea.

The water around the Giftun area is the reason people come to Hurghada. With the supplied mask, snorkel, and life jacket, you can get into the sea without arranging equipment separately. If you are not a confident swimmer, the life jacket gives you extra support, though you should still follow the skipper’s instructions.

The private setup is especially useful here. You can ask for another snorkeling stop if the first one does not suit you, or spend more time floating and less time rushing back aboard. The provided information says you can make as many stops as you like, but the overall tour still lasts four hours. In practical terms, flexibility does not mean unlimited time, so agree on priorities with the captain early.

Dolphin watching adds excitement, but keep your expectations sensible. The tour offers the chance to spot dolphins and possibly swim with them in their natural setting. Wild animals follow their own route, so no operator can guarantee a sighting. If dolphins do not appear, the snorkeling and island stops remain the core of the trip.

Giftun also gives you the option to visit one of the islands for an additional fee. The exact island choice depends on what you arrange with the captain and what you pay locally. Ask about the entry cost before heading ashore, since island access is not included in the base price.

Orange Bay, with a separate entrance fee

The planned visit to Orange Bay lasts about one hour. This is a popular stop for bright sand, clear water, and an easy break from the boat. You can use the time to walk, swim, take photos, or relax before returning to the speedboat.

Orange Bay has a more developed beach-stop feel than a simple open-water snorkeling pause. That can be a plus if your group wants dry land and a change of pace. It may be less appealing if you prefer quiet snorkeling and more time in the water.

The entrance fee is listed as €5 per person and is not part of the tour price. Carry cash, as requested in the practical information. The same advice applies to other island charges. A little advance planning prevents an awkward pause when the group is ready to go ashore.

The one-hour timing is enough for a visit, but it is not a full beach day. You will need to keep an eye on the boat schedule, particularly if you have asked for several extra stops earlier.

Magawish Island and the choice between stops

Magawish Island is allocated about one hour in the route. Like Orange Bay, it offers a chance to leave the boat, see a different section of the Red Sea, and break up the swimming with time on land.

The listed Magawish Island fee is €5 per person. Other islands, including Nemo Island, have their own charges. Since the tour is private, you can discuss which stops matter most to you rather than automatically following a large group.

There is a tradeoff here. Four hours sounds generous, but the scheduled plan includes Giftun Island, Orange Bay, and Magawish Island, plus transport to and from the harbor. If you want long snorkeling sessions, dolphin watching, and relaxed island time, you may need to choose carefully.

I would ask the skipper at the start which two priorities should lead the day. A family may prefer Orange Bay and swimming. A couple focused on sea life may want to spend more time near Giftun and skip one island visit. The value of the private format is that you can make that choice.

What comes with the $329 price

The base price is $329 for a group of up to two people. That is not a budget boat ride, but the comparison should be made with other private charters, not with a crowded shared cruise.

For two people, the cost works out to $164.50 each before any extra island fees. In return, you receive hotel pickup and drop-off within the covered Hurghada area, a private speedboat, a skipper-guide, snorkeling gear, life jackets, snorkeling stops, water, fruit, a soft drink, shade, a shower, and a stereo system.

The value improves if you care about privacy and control. You are paying to avoid a fixed group schedule and to have the captain focus on your party. It is less attractive if you mainly want a cheap way to reach the sea, since shared excursions usually serve that purpose at a lower price.

The included food is simple rather than a full meal. Expect fruit, water, and a soft drink, not a substantial lunch. One family booking connected with this provider described the lunch as acceptable, but the current details specifically promise fruit and drinks. Eat breakfast before pickup if you tend to get hungry after swimming.

Optional parasailing is also mentioned as a choice, allowing up to five minutes in the air above the Red Sea. Confirm the current price and availability before treating it as part of the plan, since it is not included among the standard features.

Comfort, safety, and who should skip it

The boat’s shaded area is valuable in Egypt’s strong sun. Use it between swims, and do not assume a sea breeze will prevent sunburn. Bring a towel, wear suitable swim clothing, and carry cash for island fees.

A life jacket is included, and the captain acts as your guide on the water. Snorkeling still requires ordinary care. Listen to instructions, stay with your group, and do not chase marine life if dolphins appear.

The experience is not suitable for people with back problems. A speedboat can produce a rough ride, especially when moving quickly across open water. If you need a very smooth boat trip or have difficulty getting in and out of a vessel, this may not be the right match.

Personal belongings remain your responsibility. Keep phones, cameras, and other valuables secure, especially around the boat’s wet areas. The company does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged items.

The tour is offered in English, and the group is private. That makes communication easier for English-speaking visitors who want to discuss the route directly with the skipper.

What the strong feedback tells you

The most consistent praise concerns the staff. Recent bookings describe the guides as friendly and helpful, with one account singling out a driver-guide who pointed out an unusual sight described as the Egypt Titanic. Another guide helped with snorkeling locations and better photo spots.

That detail matters because a private boat is only as good as the crew running it. A captain who listens and offers useful suggestions can turn a basic transfer into a well-paced morning. The available comments also describe the outing as relaxing, which may seem surprising for a speedboat, but the private schedule helps explain it.

Communication by WhatsApp is another practical strength. The family group that booked a half-day boat trip found the contact process simple, and their boat was reserved for their own party. Note that their group had nine people, while this particular price is for up to two, so do not assume the same capacity or cost applies to a larger party.

The overall rating is five out of five from four verified bookings. That is encouraging, especially for the repeated praise of staff and organization, but it is still a small sample. I would treat it as a positive signal, not proof that every dolphin search or sea condition will be perfect.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this experience most strongly to a couple or small party that values privacy. The price is easier to justify when you want the boat to yourself, prefer a flexible route, and plan to spend real time in the water.

It also suits people who want several kinds of Red Sea scenery in one morning: open-water speed, snorkeling, a possible dolphin encounter, and island beaches. The fruit, water, shade, and shower make it more comfortable than bringing only the basics onto a small boat.

Families should consider the children’s comfort with speed, swimming, and boat movement. The private setup lets you adjust the pace, but the back issue warning and fast ride still matter.

I would choose another option if your main goal is the lowest possible price, a long beach stay, a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or a full lunch. I would also avoid booking it without checking the pickup charge if you are staying outside Hurghada proper.

Booking details worth knowing

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Red Sea plans are still shifting.

The tour lasts four hours, but pickup and drop-off add time to your day. Starting times depend on availability. Provide your passport copy, nationality, hotel information, address, and room number as requested.

The route can be adjusted, but the listed schedule gives you a useful picture: roughly two hours around Giftun Island, one hour at Orange Bay, and one hour at Magawish Island. Entry fees are extra, and the captain can advise you about other island choices.

Should you book it?

Book this private speedboat if you want control, privacy, and several Red Sea stops in one compact outing. The friendly staff, useful photo guidance, included gear, shaded boat, and fresh fruit make the package practical, while the chance of dolphins adds a welcome bit of luck.

Skip it if $329 feels too high for four hours, if you need a gentle ride because of back problems, or if you want a guaranteed wildlife encounter. For the right two-person group, though, this is a comfortable way to turn a Hurghada beach holiday into a more personal morning on the water.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts four hours. The plan includes about two hours at Giftun Island, one hour at Orange Bay, and one hour at Magawish Island, with a separate van transfer of about 25 minutes to the harbor.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada locations. Pickup from Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Makadi, Soma Bay, Safaga, and other extended areas may require an added fee unless you select the appropriate option.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and cash. Cash is useful for the separate entrance fees at Orange Bay, Nemo Island, Magawish Island, and other islands.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, along with snorkeling stops led by the skipper-guide.

Are island entrance fees included?

No. Orange Bay costs €5 per person, Nemo Island costs €5 per person, and Magawish Island costs €5 per person. Other islands also require separate payment.

Can I see or swim with dolphins?

The tour includes the chance to watch for dolphins and possibly swim near them in their natural habitat. A sighting or swim cannot be guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with back problems because of the speedboat ride.