Review · SNORKELING SPEEDBOAT TRIPS
Magawish Island By Private Speedboat with Snorkeling – Hurghada
Magawish Island is the star here: pale sand, clear Red Sea water, and a private boat that gets you there faster than a large excursion vessel. You can spend time on the island, snorkel among fish and coral, and enjoy the freedom of having only your own group aboard. The private format is especially useful for families and small groups.
I like the fast speedboat ride and the mix of beach time with snorkeling. I also like that hotel pickup, equipment, snacks, fruit, water, soft drinks, and island entry are included. The main caution is practical: one account found the boat tight for six people plus crew and noted no life jackets on board, so confirm flotation equipment before setting off.
Key points to know before booking

- Private boat for your group: You do not share the speedboat with unrelated passengers.
- Afternoon departure: Pickup and departure are scheduled for 1:30 pm, with about four hours allotted.
- Two kinds of Red Sea scenery: Magawish offers white sand and shallow clear water, while the snorkeling stop is focused on fish and coral.
- Captain and guide service: Captain Snoopy and guide Amr are names connected with particularly well-liked trips, but crew assignment can vary.
- Extra charges matter: The national park fee is €5 per person in cash, and some resort areas require a €10 per-person transfer supplement.
- Check boat capacity and safety gear: The boat may feel compact for a full group, and flotation equipment should be confirmed before departure.
Reaching Magawish Island by private speedboat

The afternoon begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The listed start time is 1:30 pm, so this is easy to fit around a relaxed morning, a late breakfast, or a hotel pool day.
From the coast, you transfer to a private speedboat bound for Magawish Island. The ride is part of the fun. A speedboat gives you a more direct, lively trip than a large boat, and you spend less time waiting for other groups to board or unload.
The private setup also lets the captain and guide focus on your party. If your children need help with snorkeling gear, if one person wants more beach time, or if your group prefers a shorter swim, you can ask without trying to coordinate with a crowded boatload.
The trade-off is space. A private boat does not automatically mean a large or luxurious boat. One account described the vessel as a little tight with six passengers and crew. If you are booking for a full group, ask how many people the specific boat holds and how much room remains for bags and equipment.
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Magawish Island’s white sand and clear water

The island visit is the visual heart of the trip. Magawish is known for pale beaches, clear water, small coves, and a quiet feel away from Hurghada’s hotel strip.
The water is the main draw. It can look turquoise and translucent near shore, making the island feel more like a beach escape than a standard boat stop. You will have time to walk along the sand, swim, take photographs, or simply sit near the water.
The island admission is included, which keeps the day simple once you arrive. You also receive fruit, snacks, bottled water, and a soft drink. These are modest provisions rather than a full meal, so I would not book this expecting lunch. If you need a substantial meal, eat before pickup or ask the operator what snack portions are provided.
A private island stop can feel special because you are not being pushed from one activity to the next. Still, the exact amount of time on Magawish is not clearly fixed in the details. The full trip lasts about four hours, and one account described roughly two hours on site. Treat the schedule as flexible rather than assuming a long beach day.
Snorkeling among Red Sea fish and coral

The tour includes one snorkeling stop, with equipment and water sports supplied. This is important: the snorkeling is not just a quick look from the beach. You are taken to a spot intended for viewing fish and coral in the clear Red Sea.
Past trips have included sightings of many fish, a turtle, and dolphins. Dolphins are wildlife, so nobody can promise them, but the possibility adds a little excitement to the boat ride. The reliable attraction is the underwater life, not a particular animal appearing on command.
The water clarity can make this a good introduction to Red Sea snorkeling. You may see fish moving over coral and other sea life close to the boat. Some outings have also included a wreck area, where fish and coral gathered around the structure. The exact snorkeling site can depend on sea conditions and the captain’s plan.
The supplied equipment has been described as clean and well maintained. That is a valuable detail for a short trip because poor masks and loose fins can waste half your time. Even so, try the mask before leaving shore and tell the guide at once if it leaks or does not fit.
I would pay close attention to safety arrangements. One account specifically noted that no life jackets were available on board and felt this needed attention, especially for weaker swimmers. The tour says snorkeling equipment and water sports are included, but it does not clearly promise life jackets. Ask before departure, and do not assume that snorkeling gear includes flotation support.
What the captain and guide add to the trip

A good crew makes a difference on a small boat. The captain handles the route and driving, while the guide can help with masks, fins, water entry, and local points of interest.
Captain Snoopy, sometimes written as Snopy, is named in several especially warm accounts. Guide Amr is also praised for being kind, skilled, and helpful. These names give you a useful point of reference when confirming your reservation, though you should not assume they will be assigned to every departure.
The strongest pattern in the feedback is the crew’s friendly manner. Families found the atmosphere easygoing, and children were kept happy during the outing. Other accounts describe the staff as funny, patient, and attentive. That matters on a private trip because you are spending the whole afternoon with a small team rather than blending into a large crowd.
The guide may also help you identify fish and point out areas worth seeing. The available details do not promise a formal marine biology talk, so think of this as practical assistance and local guidance rather than a specialist lecture.
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Why the private format can be worth the price

The listed price is $5 per person, which is strikingly low for a private speedboat outing. You should read that figure alongside the extra charges and confirm the final amount before paying.
The national park fee is €5 per person in cash on the spot. If you are staying in Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, or Soma Bay, a €10 per-person transfer charge is also listed, payable in cash. These fees can change the real cost sharply, especially for a family.
Even with those additions, the trip may offer good value if your priority is privacy and a short, focused outing. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle, a private speedboat, Magawish entry, snorkeling gear, one snorkeling stop, water sports, fruit, snacks, water, and a soft drink.
The value is strongest for a small group that would otherwise pay for several seats on a shared excursion. A couple or family can enjoy the boat without strangers deciding when to leave the beach. For one person, the private arrangement may be harder to justify unless the listed rate is accurate and the transfer is convenient.
I would confirm three things in writing: the final per-person price, all cash fees, and the maximum passenger capacity. A low headline price is helpful only when you know what it includes.
Timing, pickup, and the four-hour schedule

The scheduled start is 1:30 pm, and the total duration is about four hours. That usually means an afternoon return, though hotel pickup time can vary by location and traffic.
The afternoon timing suits anyone who does not want an early start. It also leaves your morning free for breakfast, a walk, or time at the hotel. The downside is that you get less room for delays than on a full-day outing. A late pickup or slow transfer could reduce your beach time.
Pickup is offered from Hurghada hotels. Extra transfer charges apply to several resort areas outside central Hurghada, including Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay. Confirm your exact hotel before booking rather than assuming every address is covered at the base price.
Pack lightly. You will want swimwear, sun protection, a towel, dry clothes, and a waterproof way to carry your phone. The included snacks and drinks help, but they do not replace a full meal. Keep cash available for the park fee and any resort-area transfer supplement.
Who will enjoy this Magawish trip most

This outing is a good fit for families who want control over the pace. Children can enjoy the speedboat, shallow island water, and snorkeling without spending the day on a large shared vessel. Parents should still confirm life jackets and ask how the crew handles children who are not strong swimmers.
Couples may like the private setting and the chance to combine beach time with a short marine excursion. The island’s clear water and pale sand provide the setting, while the speedboat keeps the trip active rather than purely restful.
Small groups of friends can also get good value, particularly if the price is genuinely charged per person at the advertised rate. You have room to decide how much time to spend swimming, taking photographs, or sitting on the sand.
This is less suitable if you want a long snorkeling program with several reef stops, a full meal, or a large comfortable vessel. The listed plan includes one snorkeling stop, not a full day of repeated swims. It is also not the best choice for anyone who needs guaranteed accessibility details, since the information says most people can participate but does not describe boat boarding arrangements.
Service animals are allowed. The tour is private, and only your own group participates, which can make the outing more comfortable for people who prefer a quieter setting.
What I would clarify before paying

The basic plan is clear, but a few practical details deserve a message to Dolphins Travel before you book.
Ask whether life jackets are available for every passenger and where they are stored. This is the most important point for children and anyone who is not a confident swimmer.
Ask how many passengers the boat can carry comfortably, not just its legal maximum. A six-person group with crew may find the seating close, especially with snorkeling bags and personal items.
Confirm the exact pickup point and total price for your hotel. This is particularly important outside Hurghada proper, where the extra transfer fee applies.
Finally, ask how the four hours are divided between the island and snorkeling. The advertised plan includes one snorkeling stop, but it does not set out a minute-by-minute schedule. Knowing the rough split helps you decide if the trip matches your priorities.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.
Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat?
I would book this if you want a compact afternoon on the Red Sea with your own boat, a beautiful island stop, and one proper snorkeling session. The mix works well for families, couples, and small groups who value privacy more than a long list of activities.
I would be more cautious if you are a weak swimmer, traveling with very young children, or expecting a roomy luxury boat. Confirm the life jackets, boat size, passenger limit, final price, and transfer fee first.
For the right group, this is an efficient way to see Magawish without giving up half the day. Just treat the $5 price as a starting figure, bring cash for the stated extras, and get clear answers on safety gear before you step aboard.
FAQ
Where does the Magawish Island speedboat tour take place?
The tour operates from Hurghada, Egypt, and travels by private speedboat to Magawish Island in the Red Sea.
What time does the tour start?
The scheduled start time is 1:30 pm.
How long does the experience last?
The advertised duration is approximately four hours.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle are included from eligible Hurghada locations. Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay require an additional €10 per person in cash.
What is included in the price?
The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the private speedboat, Magawish Island entry, snorkeling equipment, water sports, one snorkeling stop, fruit, snacks, water, and a soft drink.
Are there extra fees?
Yes. A national park fee of €5 per person is paid in cash on the spot. Some resort areas also require the €10 per-person transfer supplement.
Is this a shared or private tour?
It is a private activity. Only your group participates.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.
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