Review · DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING BY SPEEDBOAT
Private Speedboat swimming and Dolphin Watching in Hurghada
The main attraction here is the chance to meet wild dolphins in the open Red Sea, not in a pool or marine park. You travel by private speedboat, giving your group room to enjoy the sea at its own pace, then stop for snorkeling and time on a sandbar or White Island. The stated chance of seeing dolphins is about 80 percent, but these are fast-moving wild animals, so no sighting is guaranteed.
I like the small private setup, which avoids a crowded boat and makes an early departure or a little extra time at a favorite stop easier to request. I also like that Mohamed and Captain Abdo are named as the usual guide and captain, with repeated praise for their friendly service and skill at finding dolphins. The main drawback is simple: the three hours can pass quickly, and a dolphin sighting does not always mean swimming beside one.
Key points to know before you book

- Wild dolphin watching: The advertised chance of a sighting is about 80 percent, but dolphins can move too quickly for a close swim.
- Private speedboat: Only your group takes part, with a three-hour boat ride rather than a shared excursion.
- Two water stops: Expect time for snorkeling and a possible stop at White Island or a sandbar in the open sea.
- Helpful crew: Mohamed and Captain Abdo are the named guide and captain, and the crew provides snorkeling equipment and safety vests.
- Food and drinks included: Water, soft drinks, fruit, snacks, and an ice box are supplied.
- Extra charges matter: A national park fee of 5 euros per person applies, and transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Soma Bay cost extra.
A private start from Hurghada

Your day begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel, followed by a meeting at Public Beach Number 9 on Hurghada-Safaga Road. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so confirm the exact pickup plan when you reserve.
The private format is the biggest practical advantage. You are not sharing the boat with a large mixed group, and only your own party takes part. That matters if you are traveling with children, want a quieter ride, or simply prefer not to spend the day waiting for several dozen people to board and disembark.
The boat ride lasts about three hours in total. That is long enough to reach open-water dolphin areas and make snorkeling stops, but it is not an all-day cruise. I would treat this as a focused morning or afternoon activity, not as a full beach day.
The company has also accommodated an early departure request. That can be useful if you want cooler conditions, calmer scheduling, or more time afterward for Hurghada sightseeing. An early start is not listed as a standard departure time, so ask about it before booking rather than assuming it is available.
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Speeding across the Red Sea by private boat

The speedboat changes the feel of the outing. Instead of slowly moving between stops on a large vessel, you get a faster ride with wind, sun, and open water around you. That makes the journey part of the experience, though you should be comfortable with a brisk boat trip and direct sun.
A private speedboat also gives the captain more flexibility than a fixed group excursion. If dolphins are spotted, the crew can focus on getting your party into a good viewing position. Still, wild animals set the schedule. You may see several dolphins, as some outings have, or only catch a brief glimpse before they move away.
Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a way to protect your phone from spray. The supplied ice box helps keep drinks cool, but the information provided does not promise a shaded seating area, so plan for full sun while on the water.
Dolphin watching without false promises
The advertised figure is an 80 percent chance of seeing dolphins. That is an encouraging figure, but it should not be read as a guarantee of swimming with them. Dolphins in the open sea do not follow a timetable, and even a sighting can be brief.
The difference between seeing dolphins and swimming with dolphins is important. One outing spotted two dolphins but could not swim with them because they were too fast. Another saw many dolphins and a turtle. That is the honest picture of this activity: the wildlife encounter can be excellent, but you need to accept a little uncertainty.
The crew’s local experience appears most useful here. Mohamed and Captain Abdo are repeatedly singled out for being good at locating dolphins and for treating people well. You still should not expect a staged animal encounter. The appeal is seeing marine life in its own setting, with the possibility of a memorable sighting rather than a guaranteed performance.
If dolphin watching is your only reason for booking, keep your expectations flexible. If you would also be happy with snorkeling, open-sea scenery, and time on a sandbar, the outing offers better value and less risk of disappointment.
Snorkeling among Red Sea fish

Snorkeling is the reliable second half of the trip. The crew provides the mask and other snorkeling gear, plus a life vest and a snorkeling guide. That makes the activity workable for beginners and for people who are not confident swimmers.
The water is described as clear, with coral reefs and colorful fish. You may see a range of small marine life around the reef, and one outing also encountered a turtle and what was described as a sea cow. Those sightings are not promised, but they show that the stops can offer more than a quick look at coral.
I like that snorkeling is built into the trip rather than treated as a rushed extra after the dolphin search. If the animals stay out of reach, you still have a worthwhile water activity. The guide can help with equipment and safety, while the life vest lets you take part without needing advanced swimming skills.
Keep in mind that snorkeling conditions can change with weather and sea movement. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. The provided information does not specify the exact reef locations, water depth, or time spent in the water, so ask the operator if those details are important to you.
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White Island and the open-sea sandbar
A stop at White Island is part of the experience described by the crew, and another outing included time on a sandbar in the middle of the sea. These places add a welcome change from the boat and reef stops.
A sandbar gives you a chance to stand or walk in shallow water surrounded by the Red Sea, depending on the conditions on the day. White Island offers a similar sense of being away from the Hurghada coast. The appeal is the setting itself: open water, bright sand, and a short break from sitting on the speedboat.
These stops are not described as guaranteed on every departure, so treat them as possible highlights rather than fixed promises. Weather, sea conditions, and the day’s dolphin search can affect the route. Ask what is planned when you meet the crew if you have a specific stop in mind.
Snacks, fruit, and a simple boat lunch setup

The included refreshments are practical rather than elaborate. You receive water, soft drinks, fruit, snacks, and access to an ice box. That is enough to help you stay hydrated during three hours in the sun.
I would still eat something before pickup, especially if you tend to feel hungry on the water. The supplied food is described as snacks and fruit, not a full meal. You should also bring any special food you need, since no dietary arrangements are specified.
Water matters more than it may seem. Sun, wind, salt, and physical activity can leave you dehydrated quickly. Having drinks already on board means you do not need to organize them yourself, but pace yourself and use sunscreen throughout the trip.
What the private price really covers
The listed price is $52.29 per person. For a private three-hour speedboat, guided snorkeling, hotel pickup from Hurghada, equipment, refreshments, and a dedicated captain and guide, that can be a reasonable price if your group values privacy.
The value improves as the group gets larger, because the boat and crew are reserved for your party rather than for a single passenger. Group discounts are also offered, though the amount is not specified. For a couple, the price may feel higher than a shared boat excursion, but you are paying for control over the group and a more personal setup.
Budget for the additional 5 euro national park fee per person. Resort transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Soma Bay also carry extra charges. These costs can change the final total, so check them before you commit.
The price is less attractive if you want a long beach stay, a full meal, or guaranteed dolphin contact. It is more attractive if you want a compact private outing that combines wildlife watching, snorkeling, and a fast boat ride without taking up the whole day.
How the crew shapes the experience

The named team is Mohamed, the snorkeling guide, and Captain Abdo, also referred to as Abdul in some accounts. Their roles are clear: the captain handles the boat and route, while Mohamed assists with snorkeling, safety, and marine-life searches.
The strongest pattern is personal service. The crew has helped with early departures, provided a clean boat, and adjusted attention to the needs of private groups. One account also noted that photos and videos were made during the trip, but this is not listed as a formal inclusion, so do not book on the assumption that professional photography is guaranteed.
The boat itself has been described as clean and premium. That is useful to know because comfort matters on a short, fast ride. You will spend much of the activity on the boat between stops, so cleanliness and available space make a real difference.
Who will enjoy this trip most
This outing suits you if you want:
- A private activity for family or friends
- A quick Red Sea experience without spending a full day at sea
- A chance to see dolphins in their natural setting
- Snorkeling equipment and a guide provided
- A faster boat ride instead of a large shared cruise
- The flexibility to request an early start
It is also a good fit for mixed-ability groups. The life vest and guided snorkeling make participation easier for people with limited swimming confidence, while experienced swimmers can enjoy the reef and open water.
I would think twice if you need guaranteed wildlife contact, dislike speedboats, or want a slow, quiet cruise. You should also reconsider if your hotel is in El Gouna, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh and the added transfer cost pushes the final price beyond your budget.
Practical details that can save you trouble
Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is private, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility statement. If you have mobility needs or require special equipment, contact the operator before paying.
The meeting point is Public Beach Number 9, Hurghada-Safaga Road, Hurghada. Hotel pickup is offered from Hurghada hotels, but the exact pickup time and arrangement should be confirmed directly.
Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start time, with a full refund. Inside 24 hours, there is no refund and changes are not accepted. Since the trip depends on good weather, the operator offers another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation.
For the day itself, wear swimwear under light clothing and bring sun protection. Pack a towel and waterproof storage for valuables, since neither is listed as included. Keep your expectations realistic: the best version of this outing includes dolphins, a turtle, clear snorkeling water, and a sandbar stop, but the sea decides what you actually see.
Should you book the Hurghada private speedboat trip?
I would book this tour if your priority is a short private Red Sea adventure with several chances for enjoyment. Dolphins are the headline, but the boat ride, snorkeling, refreshments, and possible White Island or sandbar stop give you useful alternatives if the animals stay out of reach.
The strongest reasons to choose it are the private boat, the personal service from Mohamed and Captain Abdo, and the mix of wildlife and water activities. The main caution is that an 80 percent sighting estimate is not the same as a promise, and seeing dolphins does not guarantee swimming with them.
For a couple, family, or small group that values privacy, $52.29 per person can be fair once you account for the included gear, drinks, hotel pickup from Hurghada, and three hours on the water. Just add the 5 euro park fee and any resort transfer charge before comparing it with other options.
FAQ
How long is the private speedboat tour?
The activity lasts approximately three hours, including the speedboat ride, dolphin watching, snorkeling, and other sea stops.
Is hotel pickup included?
Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. Extra transfer fees apply from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Soma Bay hotels.
Where does the activity start?
The stated meeting point is Public Beach Number 9 on Hurghada-Safaga Road, Hurghada, in the Red Sea Governorate.
Where does the activity end?
The activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is the boat shared with other groups?
No. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.
What is the chance of seeing dolphins?
The advertised chance is about 80 percent. Dolphins are wild, so a sighting and close swimming encounter are not guaranteed.
Can I swim with the dolphins?
You may have the chance, but it is not guaranteed. Dolphins can move too quickly for a close swim, even when they are seen.
Is snorkeling equipment supplied?
Yes. Snorkeling gear, a snorkeling guide, and a life vest are included.
What food and drinks are provided?
The package includes snacks, water, soft drinks, fruit, and an ice box.
Is there an extra entrance or park fee?
Yes. A national park fee of 5 euros per person is not included in the listed price.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.
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