Private Speedboat To Dolphin House & Magawish Island _ Hurghada

The main draw here is simple: you get a private speedboat and a short run out to Magawish Island, rather than spending the day on a large shared boat. I like the roughly 30-minute ride from Hurghada and the generous island time, which leaves room for swimming, snorkeling, sun, and a slower pace.

I also like that the price includes hotel pickup from Hurghada, water, soft drinks, fruit, snacks, entrance fees, and snorkeling equipment. The main caution is the uneven service risk: one serious account describes a guide who repeatedly pushed extra trips and even handled the guest’s phone without permission. That behavior is not acceptable, so set clear boundaries from the start.

Key points before you book

• Private speedboat for your own group: You share the boat only with your friends or family, not with a boatload of strangers.
• About 30 minutes to Magawish: The short crossing gives you more useful time at the island during a four-hour outing.
• Two hours around Magawish Island: The schedule allows time for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the sea rather than rushing from stop to stop.
• One 30-minute snorkeling stop: Equipment is included, with a replacement mouthpiece available for an extra €5 if you prefer a new one.
• Dolphin watching is advertised at 80 percent: This is a chance to see dolphins, not a guarantee, since wildlife follows its own timetable.
• Extra resort transfer charges apply: Pickup from Hurghada hotels is included, but Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga cost more.

A short speedboat ride from Hurghada to Magawish

This is a compact Red Sea outing, not a full-day cruise. The advertised trip lasts about four hours, with the Magawish Islands roughly 30 minutes from the departure point.

That timing matters. You are not spending most of the day getting to the water or waiting for other groups to board. A private speedboat makes the trip feel more direct, and you can enjoy the ride with only your own party aboard.

The boat is described as a Windy private speedboat, with a sundeck, a cabin, and space to sit in the shade or sun. You can use the ride to watch the Red Sea open around you, feel the wind, or settle inside if the sun becomes too strong.

I would treat the speedboat itself as part of the experience, not just transportation. A fast boat gives the outing some energy, while the cabin and sundeck offer a choice of how you want to spend the crossing. Families may appreciate having a private space, and couples or small groups may prefer not to be folded into a large excursion.

The trade-off is that a speedboat can feel more exposed than a larger vessel. If you are sensitive to wind, spray, or fast movement, use the cabin when needed and bring sun protection. The supplied details do not specify the boat’s exact capacity, so do not assume it is a large, spacious yacht. The key benefit is privacy, not luxury.

What two hours at Magawish Island really gives you

Magawish is presented as two islands surrounded by coral gardens and sea life. The island stop is the heart of the trip, and the schedule gives you about two hours there.

That is a useful amount of time for a short excursion. You should have room to split your time between the water and the boat without feeling that every minute is controlled. Swim, sit in the sun, enjoy the sea air, or use the stop as a simple break from Hurghada’s hotels and streets.

The coral areas are described as a home for exotic fish and other sea creatures. The tour includes one snorkeling stop lasting 30 minutes, so you should expect a focused look beneath the surface rather than an all-day snorkeling program.

Thirty minutes can be enough for a first look at Red Sea marine life, especially if you already know how to use a mask and fins. It may feel brief if snorkeling is your main reason for booking. This is best viewed as a mixed boat and island outing, with snorkeling as one part of the day.

Snorkeling equipment is included. A new mouthpiece can be requested for €5, which is a practical option if you prefer not to use a shared mouthpiece. Since the description does not specify the exact equipment provided, ask at the start if you need a particular size or piece of gear.

The island stop also gives non-snorkelers something to do. You can stay on the boat, enjoy snacks and drinks, sit on the sundeck, or spend time in the cabin. That makes this a better fit for a mixed group than a trip built only around being in the water.

Dolphin watching comes with a real condition

Dolphin watching is advertised with an 80 percent chance. That is a strong possibility, but it is not a promise. Dolphins are wild animals, and no responsible boat operator can control where they appear or how long they stay nearby.

I would book this for the Red Sea outing, Magawish stop, and private boat. Treat dolphins as a welcome bonus. If you book mainly because you must see dolphins, you may be disappointed even if the crew makes a genuine effort.

The supplied details do not say how long the boat spends searching, where the dolphin watch takes place, or whether swimming with dolphins is allowed. Do not assume that seeing dolphins means you can enter the water with them. The clear offer is dolphin watching.

This distinction matters because wildlife excursions can sound more certain in promotional language than they are in practice. Keep your expectations sensible, and the trip will make more sense as a relaxed sea day with a chance of a memorable sighting.

Snacks, drinks, and the practical comfort of a private boat

Food on this trip is light and useful rather than a full meal. The package includes snacks, fruit, soft drinks, and water, along with tax and entrance fees.

That is enough to keep a four-hour outing comfortable, but I would not treat it as lunch. If you have dietary needs, confirm what snacks are available before departure. The available information does not list specific dishes or special-diet options.

Water is especially welcome under the Red Sea sun. Bring your own extra protection too, such as sunscreen and a hat, because the boat’s sundeck invites long periods outside. A dry bag for phones and valuables would also be sensible, although it is not listed as part of the package.

The private format helps here. You can decide whether your group wants music, conversation, quiet, sun, or shade without negotiating with a crowded boat. You can also make better use of the cabin when someone in your group needs a break from the heat.

Still, private does not mean completely flexible. The outing remains about four hours, and the stated schedule includes the speedboat ride, island time, snorkeling, and dolphin watching. Ask the operator before departure if your group wants a different balance.

Why the $19 price can be good value

At $19 per person, this is a low-cost way to get a private boat outing, hotel pickup from Hurghada, island access, snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and a chance to see dolphins.

The value depends heavily on how many people are in your group. For a small group, private boat access at this price is appealing. You are paying for privacy and a focused half-day on the Red Sea, not for a luxury charter with a large menu or an all-day schedule.

The included pickup adds value if you are staying at a Hurghada hotel. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the departure point, and entrance fees are already covered.

The headline price becomes less complete if you are staying outside Hurghada. Transfers from Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh cost €5 per person, while transfers from El Gouna or Safaga cost €10 per person. Add those charges before comparing this trip with other boat excursions.

There is also the optional €5 charge for a new snorkel mouthpiece. That is not a large cost, but it is worth knowing if hygiene is important to you. Group discounts are available, though the exact discount is not provided, so ask for the final total rather than relying on the starting price.

This is good value if you want a short, private outing and do not need a full meal, long snorkeling session, or an entire day at sea. It is less compelling if your priority is a specialist snorkeling trip with several reef stops.

The service issue you should not ignore

The overall experience needs a careful note about guide conduct. One account describes an intimidating guide who spent much of the outing selling additional trips, refused to give the group space, and took a guest’s phone and wrote a review without permission.

That is a serious complaint. No guide should take your phone or use it to publish anything for you. You should keep control of your phone, passport, money, and other personal items throughout the day.

This appears to be a single reported incident rather than a stated feature of the tour, but it is too serious to brush aside. Before boarding, confirm what is included and say clearly that you do not want extra excursions. If sales pressure begins, a firm and polite refusal should be enough.

The provider is Bella Tours. The information supplied does not name the individual guide, so you cannot request a specific guide based on the details available. Keep your booking confirmation handy and make sure you know the agreed pickup and return arrangements.

The private format can make good service feel personal, but it also means your group has more direct contact with the guide. That is why clear communication matters more here than it would on a large shared boat.

Who will enjoy this four-hour outing

I would recommend this trip most strongly to:

• Families or friends who want a private boat rather than a shared cruise
• Couples who prefer a shorter Red Sea outing
• People staying in Hurghada who value included hotel pickup
• Mixed groups with both swimmers and non-swimmers
• Budget-minded visitors who want several inclusions in one price
• First-time snorkelers who want a short introduction to the water

The trip may not suit you if you want a full-day marine excursion, several snorkeling locations, a substantial lunch, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. The single 30-minute snorkeling stop is limited for experienced snorkelers.

It may also be a poor fit if you dislike speedboats or want a completely independent schedule. The tour is private, but the exact route and timing remain with the operator.

The four-hour length is one of its best features. You can enjoy the Red Sea without giving up a whole day in Hurghada. That leaves time for a hotel pool, a meal, or another activity later.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

The trip is commonly booked about 13 days ahead, so planning roughly two weeks early is sensible if your holiday dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is intended for most people.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather matters because this is an open-water outing. If poor weather forces cancellation, you should be offered another date or a full refund. This policy is useful, but do not leave the booking until the final day if the boat trip is important to your holiday.

Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels. If you are at Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Safaga, confirm the extra transfer fee before booking so the final price is clear.

Should you book the Magawish speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a short private Red Sea escape with a low starting price, hotel pickup in Hurghada, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and a decent chance of seeing dolphins. The two-hour Magawish stop is generous for a four-hour tour, and the private boat is the strongest reason to choose it over a standard shared cruise.

Do not book it expecting a full-day snorkeling safari, a large meal, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. Also keep the service concern in mind and set firm boundaries about extra sales and personal belongings.

For a small group staying in Hurghada, I think the package offers appealing value. For visitors based farther away, add the transfer fee first. If you want a simple half-day on the water and can keep your expectations realistic, this trip is worth considering.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island trip last?

The experience lasts about four hours.

Is the speedboat private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private activity.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. Extra transfer fees apply from Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh, and from El Gouna or Safaga.

How much snorkeling is included?

The tour includes one snorkeling stop lasting 30 minutes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes snacks, fruit, soft drinks, and water.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.