Hurghada: Boat trip to Magawish island with Multi Options

Magawish Island gives you the best part of a Red Sea day without asking you to choose between swimming and sitting still. You spend about two hours at two snorkeling spots, then get another two hours on soft sand with clear water, lunch, and time to do absolutely nothing. I especially like the simple mix of reef time and beach time, plus the included hotel pickup, drinks, fruit, and island meal.

The main catch is the pickup window. Your exact collection time may shift by 1 to 1.5 hours, and you must wait at the hotel’s roadside main entrance, not the lobby. The transport planning can also be awkward for large groups or wheelchair users, so I would confirm the vehicle arrangement before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Two snorkeling stops: You get about two hours in the water, with a snorkeling guide and clear Red Sea scenery.
• Two hours on Magawish Island: Swim, take photographs, eat lunch, or simply stretch out on the beach.
• $35 covers the basics: Hotel transfer from Hurghada, island fees, water, soft drinks, fruit, lunch, and guiding are included.
• Optional extras: You can add a massage, parasailing, or seafood lunch if you want a more tailored day.
• Hotel pickup needs care: Check your email at 10 PM the night before and wait by the main road entrance.
• A good mixed-pace outing: The day works for families, couples, and groups who want both activity and downtime.

Why Magawish works as a full-day escape

Hurghada has plenty of boat outings, but this one is easy to understand. You leave your hotel, spend time in the Red Sea, stop at Magawish Island, eat lunch, and return by road after roughly eight hours.

That clear rhythm matters. Some boat trips keep you moving all day, with one stop after another and little time to relax. Here, the two-hour island stop gives you a proper break. You can swim in turquoise water, sit on the sand, or take photographs while the more active members of your group enjoy the sea.

I also like that the trip does not make snorkeling the only point of the day. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can still enjoy the boat, island, meal, and beach. If you love the water, the two selected snorkeling sites give you a solid block of time to see coral and marine life with support from a guide.

The island itself is the visual prize. The supplied information describes soft white sand and clear water, while one recent account singled out Magawish as pleasantly uncrowded and particularly good for snorkeling. Conditions and crowd levels can change, but the setup gives you a quieter island pause compared with a nonstop boat schedule.

The morning pickup from Hurghada

The day begins with a van transfer from your hotel. Pickup is available in Hurghada 1, Hurghada, and Hurghada 2, and the standard transfer is included in the $35 price.

This part requires more attention than the booking page might suggest. You receive the confirmed pickup time by email at 10 PM the night before. The time shown when you reserve can shift by 1 to 1.5 hours as the operator groups hotel stops together.

I would be ready 15 minutes early. Wait at the main entrance by the road, not at reception, inside the hotel, or at an interior gate. You need to provide your nationality, full hotel name and address, room number, and valid contact details when booking.

The vehicle waits only a short time, stated as a maximum of five to ten minutes in the supplied instructions. That means you should not count on a leisurely breakfast after the confirmed pickup time. Keep your phone nearby and watch for the marked vehicle.

A few pickup complaints are worth taking seriously, especially for groups. One account described a small vehicle handling seven people, two buggies, and a wheelchair, which made the arrangement difficult. The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but accessible booking does not always mean every transfer vehicle will be roomy or ideal. If you use a wheelchair or have bulky equipment, contact the operator before paying.

Two snorkeling stops in the Red Sea

After the transfer, you board the boat and head toward two snorkeling locations. The water portion lasts about two hours, giving you time to swim, look over the coral, and watch for Red Sea fish with help from the snorkeling guide.

The value here is not just the number of stops. Two sites offer a better chance of finding comfortable conditions than one fixed location. If one area feels less appealing on the day, the second stop gives you another chance to enjoy the water.

You should bring your own towel and sunscreen. Water, soft drinks, and fruit are included, but the supplied details do not promise rental equipment, so check what the boat provides before departure if you need fins, a mask, or other gear.

The guide support is useful for first-time snorkelers and families. You can ask for help with basic equipment and water entry, although the information does not specify how much individual instruction is provided. Stay within the areas and time limits set by the crew.

The Red Sea is the star here, but snorkeling is weather dependent. Water clarity, wind, and sea conditions can affect what you see. The trip promises access to coral reefs and marine life, not a guaranteed list of fish or a private reef.

One especially memorable possibility is seeing dolphins from the boat. A group on an August outing reported spotting dolphins in the water. That is an extra bit of luck, not a scheduled part of the trip, but it shows why keeping your eyes on the sea between stops is worthwhile.

Two unhurried hours on Magawish Island

After snorkeling, the boat continues to Magawish Island. You have approximately two hours there, which is enough time to fit in lunch without turning the visit into a rushed photo stop.

I like this division of time. Two hours is long enough for a swim and a meal, yet short enough to keep the day moving. You can settle on the beach, walk around, take photographs, or sit near the water while children play and stronger swimmers go in.

The island lunch is included. Water, soft drinks, and fruit are also supplied, so you do not need to buy every basic refreshment separately. A seafood lunch is available as an add-on for people who want a more specific meal, but the standard package already includes lunch on the island.

Do not expect an island resort day with endless facilities unless the operator confirms otherwise. The attraction is the sand, water, open views, and a pause from Hurghada. Pack cash for personal spending or extras, but remember that massage, parasailing, and seafood lunch are option-based additions rather than universal inclusions.

The beach is also the best place to slow down. Many Red Sea excursions push you toward constant activity, but Magawish gives you room to read, swim, or simply sit in the sun. Sunscreen is essential, and you should bring a towel because neither is listed as included.

Optional massage, parasailing, and seafood

The experience is sold with several possible versions. The basic day includes snorkeling, island time, lunch, drinks, fruit, and guiding. Depending on the option you select, you may add a massage on the island, parasailing, or a seafood lunch.

A massage suits you if your ideal island day means staying on the sand after the snorkeling stops. It adds a relaxation element, though the supplied details do not give the massage length, treatment style, or price. Check those points during checkout.

Parasailing changes the mood of the day. Instead of keeping your time at water level, you get a higher view over the island and sea. Again, it is not part of the standard $35 package, so confirm the exact add-on cost and operating details before booking.

The seafood lunch is another choice rather than a requirement. If seafood is important to you, selecting the add-on may make the meal feel more special. If you are happy with a regular island lunch, the base price already covers food.

I appreciate this menu of options because it lets different people in the same group build a day that suits them. One person can snorkel, another can rest, and another can pay for a water sport. The tradeoff is that the headline price does not represent every possible version of the trip.

What the $35 price really buys

At $35 per person, this is good value if you want a complete Hurghada day out without arranging separate transport, boat access, lunch, and island fees.

Your price includes round-trip hotel pickup from the main Hurghada areas, island fees, water, soft drinks, fruit, a guide, a snorkeling guide, and lunch on Magawish Island. Those inclusions remove several small costs that can quietly add up on a boat trip.

The price is strongest for someone who would otherwise pay for a taxi to the marina and arrange a separate snorkeling cruise. It is also practical for families, since the day offers a beach option for people who do not want to spend every minute in the water.

Long-range pickup from Makadi Bay, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as a checkout add-on. That means the advertised price is mainly useful for people staying in the covered Hurghada pickup zone. If you are staying farther away, check the added transport fee before comparing this trip with another operator.

The optional activities also affect value. At $35, you get the core experience. Massage, parasailing, and seafood are separate choices, so compare the final checkout total rather than judging the trip by the base figure alone.

Guides, languages, and the feel of the day

Guiding is available in Arabic, English, and Russian. The crew includes a general guide and a snorkeling guide, which is helpful because the day has two different needs: moving a group through the schedule and helping people enjoy the water safely.

One Portuguese-speaking participant specifically appreciated a friendly guide and his companion, while a Polish group remembered crew members they believed were Hasim and Akim from an August departure. Names and crew assignments can change, so I would not book expecting those exact people, but the details suggest that staff interaction can be a strong part of the experience.

The tone appears more helpful than theatrical. One account especially liked having a guide who was friendly but not overbearing. That suits you if you prefer clear assistance and free time rather than constant announcements or forced entertainment.

The trip can also work for a mixed-age group. A German family group of seven adults and two children booked the outing twice in one week, which points to a format that can hold the attention of both active and less active participants. The key is to accept that the day follows a shared schedule, especially during the snorkeling and pickup portions.

Timing, comfort, and small practical matters

The advertised duration is eight hours. The stated route includes about 30 minutes by van each way, two hours for snorkeling and swimming, and two hours at Magawish Island. The remaining time covers boat travel, boarding, meals, and the movement between stops.

That makes this a proper full-day outing, not a quick half-day swim. You should keep the rest of your evening light, especially if your hotel is in a resort area that requires a longer return route.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and cash. Wear swimwear under easy clothing, though the activity information does not give a formal dress code. Keep valuables to a minimum because you will move between van, boat, water, and beach.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but the transport note means you should discuss your needs ahead of time rather than rely only on the accessibility label.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still shifting.

Who should book this Magawish trip

I would choose this for a first Red Sea boat day, a family wanting a manageable mix of activity and rest, or a couple looking for a beach escape with lunch included.

It also suits you if you like having choices. You can keep the base outing simple, or add a massage, parasailing, or seafood meal. The island stop gives non-snorkelers something worthwhile to do, while the two water stops give strong swimmers enough time to enjoy the sea.

I would think twice if you dislike group transport, strict pickup windows, or shared schedules. The hotel collection system can take patience, and a delayed pickup may affect your morning. I would also clarify vehicle space if you have a wheelchair, buggy, or a large family group.

FAQ

How long is the Magawish Island boat trip?

The activity lasts eight hours. The stated schedule includes around 30 minutes by van each way, about two hours for swimming and snorkeling, and about two hours visiting Magawish Island.

What is included in the $35 price?

The price includes round-trip hotel pickup from Hurghada, island fees, water, soft drinks, fruit, a guide, a snorkeling guide, and lunch on the island.

Is seafood lunch included?

A regular island lunch is included. Seafood lunch is available only if you select the seafood add-on during booking.

Can I add a massage or parasailing?

Yes. A massage on the island and parasailing are available if you choose the relevant option or add-on. The supplied details do not state the extra prices.

Where do I wait for hotel pickup?

Wait at the main entrance of your hotel by the road. Do not wait at reception, in the lobby, or at an interior hotel gate. Your exact pickup time is sent by email at 10 PM the night before.

Is pickup available outside Hurghada?

Long-range pickup is available as an add-on from Makadi Bay, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay. Standard pickup covers the listed Hurghada areas.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a straightforward Red Sea day with two snorkeling stops, a real island break, lunch, and transport handled for you. The $35 base price is attractive because it covers the main costs, and the optional extras let you keep the day quiet or make it more active.

Before paying, check your hotel pickup zone, read the late-night confirmation email, and be ready at the roadside entrance early. If you need accessible transport or are bringing a large group, ask about the vehicle first. With those details settled, Magawish offers a balanced day: enough sea time to feel like an adventure, and enough beach time to feel like a holiday.