Hurghada : Sunset & Barbecue at Magawish Island By Speedboat

Magawish Island is at its best when the afternoon light softens the Red Sea and the speedboat cuts across open water. I like the combination of private boat time and a quiet island stop, especially since you are not spending the whole excursion in a large shared group. The beach barbecue gives the outing a more relaxed rhythm than a simple snorkeling transfer, and the sunset adds a memorable finish.

I also like the practical touches: hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, fruit, shade, and life jackets are included. Guides such as Momo and Mahmoud have earned especially warm praise for being friendly without hovering. The main drawback is the tight schedule and somewhat uncertain pickup window, plus an extra €5 tourist tax per person paid locally.

Key points to know before booking

• Private speedboat for up to two: The $371 price covers a group of up to two people, making the cost easier to justify for a couple than for a solo visitor.
• Forty-five minutes of snorkeling: You get a focused look at Red Sea coral and marine life, but this is not a full-day reef safari.
• Beach barbecue on Magawish Island: Your meal is served beside the water, with seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and a shaded tent included.
• Sunset timing matters: The trip is planned for roughly 2 pm to 5 pm, so you get afternoon sea views and the changing light of early evening.
• Pickup requires precision: Wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not reception, and allow for a pickup time that may shift by up to 60 minutes in Hurghada.
• Not suitable for everyone: Pregnant people and those with back problems should not book this speedboat excursion.

A private Red Sea outing with a clear purpose

This is a compact sea trip built around three things: the ride to Magawish Island, snorkeling, and a meal on the beach. You are not signing up for a long list of stops or a full day of water sports. That is part of its appeal.

The boat ride takes about 20 minutes from the harbor. This gives you enough time to see Hurghada’s coastline from the water without turning the transfer into a drawn-out cruise. A private boat also means you can enjoy the ride with your own companion or small party rather than adjusting to a large group.

The advertised price is $371 for up to two people. That is a serious price for a three-hour activity, but it includes the boat, island entry, transfers, snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, fruit, shade, and a private group setup. For two people who value privacy and convenience, the cost may feel fair. For one person, or for anyone mainly interested in snorkeling, a less private shared trip may offer better value.

The experience has a 4.5 rating from five recorded bookings, with repeated praise for the guides, food, comfort, and sunset. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than decisive. The most consistent message is that the staff, including Momo and captains Mahmoud and Mahmoud, help keep the afternoon friendly and easygoing.

Getting from your hotel to the harbor

Pickup is available from hotels in Hurghada 1, Hurghada, and Hurghada 2. The included transfer takes about 25 minutes by van, though the actual ride depends on your hotel and the other pickups that day.

You receive the pickup details by email or WhatsApp at about 10 pm the night before. You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. This is not busywork. The operator uses those details to arrange the transfer, so enter them carefully.

On the day, wait at the main entrance of your hotel by the road. Do not wait at the reception entrance or inside the lobby. Look for a white or black bus with the Go Shalabi logo. The driver can wait only five minutes, so be ready before the stated time.

The pickup window may shift by up to an hour for Hurghada hotels. For Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga, the window can stretch to 90 minutes. Those areas require an added long-distance pickup option, which you select during checkout. If you did not arrange it in advance, you may have to pay at the harbor, and cancellations are not available after 6 pm the evening before.

That timing is worth taking seriously. A three-hour water activity can feel short if you spend the first hour worrying about the van. Keep your phone available, watch for the confirmation message, and do not wander away from the entrance.

The 20-minute speedboat ride to Magawish Island

Once you reach the harbor, the crew gives you the itinerary and safety instructions before you board. Life jackets are included, and you should use one as directed, even if you are a confident swimmer.

The 20-minute ride is one of the most enjoyable parts of the afternoon. You get open-water views and a changing perspective on the coast. A speedboat also makes the island feel like a proper escape from the hotel zone without requiring a long crossing.

The tradeoff is motion. Speedboats can feel bumpy, especially for anyone with a sensitive back. The operator specifically says the activity is not suitable for people with back problems or pregnant women. If you are unsure, this is the time to choose a slower boat excursion instead.

Bring a light jacket. The sea breeze can feel cool during the ride home, particularly after snorkeling. You should also bring a towel, cash for the tourist tax and any personal needs, and a secure way to keep your phone and other small items dry. You are responsible for your belongings, and the operator does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged items.

Forty-five minutes among Magawish’s coral reefs

At Magawish Island, you have about 45 minutes for snorkeling. The included equipment means you do not need to bring your own mask, snorkel, or fins. A life jacket is also provided.

The Red Sea is known for clear water and colorful coral, and this stop is designed to give you a direct look below the surface. You might see a range of reef fish and coral formations, though the exact conditions depend on weather, visibility, and the sea on the day of your visit. No specific marine species are guaranteed.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a satisfying first look, especially if you are new to snorkeling. It is also enough time for an experienced swimmer to feel that the stop is only a sample. If underwater time is your main reason for visiting the Red Sea, you may want a longer dedicated snorkeling or diving trip. Here, snorkeling is one part of a sunset outing, not the entire focus.

If you are a first-time snorkeler, listen closely to the safety instructions and stay within the area set by the crew. The guides are there to help, and the equipment is included, but you remain responsible for your own comfort in the water. Ask for help with the mask before leaving the boat if the fit is not right.

A beach barbecue under a shaded tent

After snorkeling, the group returns to shore for a barbecue. The meal is served on Magawish Island, with the sea and island views providing the setting. The experience includes barbecue food, soft drinks, water, and seasonal fruit.

This meal is a useful part of the trip because it slows the pace. You are not eating quickly on the boat before rushing to another stop. You have time to dry off, sit down, and enjoy the island after the water activity.

A shaded tent is included, which matters in Egypt even during the later part of the day. Shade gives you a place to cool down while the meal is prepared and makes the beach stop more comfortable for anyone who does not want to sit directly in the sun.

The available information does not specify the exact barbecue menu, so do not book this expecting a particular meat, side dish, or special dietary option unless you confirm it first. If you have food restrictions, ask the provider before booking. The meal is presented as generous and tasty, but the details are not fixed here.

There is also a timing issue to clarify. The activity is described as lasting three hours, from about 2 pm to 5 pm. The schedule gives 45 minutes for snorkeling and lists the lunch duration as 45 hours, which does not fit the overall plan and is clearly inconsistent. Ask the operator to confirm the expected meal time before departure. You should plan for a short beach meal rather than assume you will have several hours on the island.

Sunset views and the trip back to Hurghada

The schedule is built around the afternoon light. After snorkeling and the barbecue, you have time to relax on the island before returning to the marina. The sunset is the visual highlight, especially for anyone who prefers a quieter outing to a loud party boat.

You can use this time to take photos, sit in the shade, or simply enjoy the water from shore. The setting is tranquil by design, and the small-group format gives you more breathing room than a crowded day cruise.

The return speedboat ride brings you back to the harbor, where the van transfer waits for the journey to your hotel. The included drop-off covers Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and Hurghada 2. As with the morning pickup, keep your belongings together and allow for the transfer to take longer than the boat ride itself.

The activity provider promises a private group, but the vehicle transfers may involve other clients being collected or dropped off. Private refers to the boat excursion and group arrangement, not necessarily a private van for every hotel transfer. If complete privacy from hotel door to hotel door matters to you, confirm that point before paying.

What the $371 price really buys you

At $371 for up to two people, this is priced as a private experience rather than a basic island shuttle. For a couple, the per-person cost works out to $185.50 before any extra charge. That is not a bargain excursion, but you are paying for a more personal boat setup, hotel transfers, food, equipment, and a short, carefully timed program.

The value is strongest if you want several conveniences handled at once. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the harbor, rent snorkeling equipment, search for a place to eat, or negotiate an island transfer. You also get a guide, safety briefing, shade, drinks, and a return transfer.

The value is weaker if you want a long time in the water or a full day away from Hurghada. The boat ride and snorkeling stop are both relatively short, and the trip ends after roughly three hours. You are buying comfort and simplicity, not maximum time at sea.

A €5 tourist tax per person is not included and must be paid on the day. Keep cash ready. Also check the price of any extended-area pickup before booking if you are staying outside central Hurghada.

Who will enjoy this Magawish trip most

I would recommend this outing to a couple who wants a private afternoon with a little of everything. You get a boat ride, a reef stop, food, an island setting, and sunset without committing an entire day.

It also suits first-time snorkelers who want equipment and guidance included. The snorkeling period is long enough to try the activity without making the whole excursion feel like a test of endurance.

Families with older children may appreciate the short duration, but the operator does not provide a specific child-age policy in the available details. Confirm age requirements before booking. The speedboat and boat access may also be tiring for anyone with mobility concerns.

I would not choose this trip if you are pregnant, have back problems, dislike speedboat motion, or need a fully flexible schedule. I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is serious reef time. A longer snorkeling trip will give you more time in the water, even if it lacks the private sunset-and-barbecue format.

The activity is offered with an English-speaking guide. If you need another language, confirm availability before booking. The guide names associated with the outing include Momo and Mahmoud, and the available feedback repeatedly highlights the crew’s friendly, comfortable manner.

Small details that make the afternoon easier

Bring a towel, jacket, and cash. The towel is useful after snorkeling, while the jacket helps on the return speedboat ride. Cash covers the €5 tourist tax per person and any other personal expenses.

Use sunscreen and protect your phone, but do not assume the operator will store your valuables. The provider says personal belongings are your responsibility.

Do not bring pets. Also remember that the five-minute pickup limit is real. Be at the correct entrance early, especially if your hotel has several gates.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still taking shape. The extended pickup areas have stricter rules, so read those conditions carefully if you are staying in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay.

Should you book the Magawish Island sunset trip?

Book it if you want a private, polished afternoon rather than the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea. The combination of a 20-minute speedboat ride, a 45-minute snorkeling stop, a beach barbecue, shade, and sunset views gives you a pleasant range of experiences in a short window.

The strongest reasons to book are the private setup, included transfers, friendly guides, and the chance to eat beside the water. The main reasons to pause are the high price, extra tourist tax, narrow schedule, pickup uncertainty, and limited snorkeling time.

For two people who value comfort and a memorable setting, I think the package can make sense. Before paying, confirm the pickup time, the exact lunch duration, the barbecue menu if you have dietary needs, and the added fee for your hotel area. That small check will tell you whether this is the easy Red Sea afternoon you want or whether a longer, less private boat trip would serve you better.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island trip last?

The activity lasts about three hours and is planned to run from approximately 2 pm to 5 pm. Pickup and drop-off times can make your total time away from the hotel longer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and Hurghada 2. Pickup details are sent around 10 pm the night before by email or WhatsApp.

Where should I wait for the pickup?

Wait at the main entrance of your hotel by the road, not at the reception entrance or inside the reception area. Look for a white or black bus with the Go Shalabi logo.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included. The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes a beach barbecue, water, soft drinks, and seasonal fruit. The exact barbecue menu is not specified.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant people or people with back problems?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. A jacket, towel, and cash are recommended, and pets are not allowed.