Hurghada: Magawish Island Speedboat W Snorkelling & Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the combination of fast Red Sea cruising and a long stop on Magawish Island. You get two snorkel sites, clear water, white sand, and about 1.5 to 2 hours on the island, all in a compact four-hour trip.

I like the small private-group setup and the practical hotel pickup. I also like that the day is not only about sitting on a boat: guide Hassan and captain Momo have earned special praise for making the trip friendly and comfortable. The main thing to check is lunch. The title includes lunch, but the listed inclusions specify seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water rather than a full meal.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate snorkel stops: Shaab Eshta Kebir and Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra, each allow about 20 minutes in the water.
• A generous island break: Magawish Island gives you 1.5 hours, with some schedules allowing up to 2 hours for swimming and beach time.
• Private-group format: The price is $196 for up to two people, which works out to $98 each if two people share the booking.
• Optional five-minute flight: Choose the parasailing option if you want a short view of the Red Sea from above.
• Hotel pickup has strict timing: Your exact pickup may vary by 1 to 1.5 hours, and the boat company can wait no more than five minutes.
• Long-distance transfers cost extra: Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and Soma Bay require an add-on unless already covered by your selected pickup area.

Speedboat fun without losing the beach day

This is a good choice if you want more movement than a standard group boat trip. The speedboat carries you quickly from the harbor to the snorkel sites, then leaves enough time for Magawish Island rather than treating it as a rushed photo stop.

The boat has a shaded area, life jackets, and a stereo system. Those details matter in the Red Sea sun. You can sit under cover between stops, and the life jackets give you an extra measure of comfort when the water gets choppy.

The advertised format is a private group, although the general description also refers to a shared or private speedboat. Confirm the exact boat arrangement when you book, especially if having the boat exclusively for your party is important to you.

The total duration is four hours. That is short enough to fit around a hotel stay in Hurghada, but long enough for two water stops and a proper island visit. You should not expect a full-day expedition with long hours at sea. This is a brisk half-day outing.

Getting from your hotel to the Red Sea

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Safaga, depending on the option you choose. The van ride to the harbor takes about 25 minutes, though the pickup process can take longer because the vehicle may collect other people.

Your final pickup time is sent by email at 10 pm the night before. The stated time can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours from the scheduled start, so keep the morning flexible rather than arranging another early activity.

You must wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road. Do not wait at the reception entrance or inside the lobby. This is one of those small details that can prevent a missed pickup.

The provider allows no more than five minutes at the meeting point. Have your passport copy, correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number ready when requested. I would also keep cash with you, as the practical notes specifically recommend it.

Transfers from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and the Soma Bay area may need an extra payment. Safaga appears in both the standard pickup information and the long-range add-on notes, so check the exact option shown during checkout rather than assuming your hotel is included.

First snorkel stop at Shaab Eshta Kebir

After the short transfer and harbor briefing, you board the speedboat and head toward Shaab Eshta Kebir. The planned snorkel time here is about 20 minutes.

That is enough time to get a clear look at the coral and fish, but it is not a long underwater session. You will need to use the minutes well. Put on your equipment as soon as the guide gives the signal, listen to the safety instructions, and avoid spending the entire stop adjusting your mask.

A guide accompanies the snorkel portion. Equipment and life jackets are included, which keeps the trip simple for anyone who did not bring their own gear. Bring a towel, since the program moves between boat, water, and beach.

The Red Sea is the reason to book this trip, and the strongest praise has focused on the coral and fish. One recent booking described the coral reefs as excellent, while another specifically noted seeing many beautiful fish. Conditions can change with weather and water visibility, but the itinerary gives you two chances to see marine life rather than relying on one stop.

Aruk Talata and the second chance to snorkel

The boat continues to Aruk Talata, also known as Shaab Pytra, for another snorkel stop of roughly 20 minutes. This second site is useful because it gives you a fresh setting and a second opportunity if the first stop is not ideal for visibility or comfort.

The two stops also make the trip better for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can spend more time looking at coral, while a less experienced person can keep the session short and return to the boat. The guide’s presence helps you get oriented, but you should still be comfortable in open water before booking.

The boat’s shaded area is particularly welcome after snorkeling. You can dry off, take a drink, and watch the coast during the run toward Magawish Island. Soft drinks, mineral water, and seasonal fruit are included.

Do not read the 20-minute timing as two full snorkeling excursions. With boarding, instructions, and getting in and out of the water, your actual active time may feel shorter. The value is variety and convenience, not extended reef study.

Magawish Island gives you the real pause

The island stop is the heart of the outing. You get 1.5 hours, with the description allowing up to 2 hours, to walk on the sandy beach, swim in turquoise water, and relax in a setting often compared with the Caribbean.

After the speedboat ride and two water stops, this slower section matters. You can spread out on the sand, dry in the sun, or return to the water without watching the clock every few minutes. The island is not simply a quick platform for photographs. It is where the schedule finally gives you room to relax.

An important detail: the included food list names seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. A booking comment says food and drinks are available on the island, but that does not clearly confirm a full lunch is included in the price. If you are booking because of the lunch wording, ask exactly what meal is supplied and whether island food costs extra.

The beach is the main attraction, not a long cultural visit. You will not get a guided historical tour of the island. That is fine if you want swimming and sand, but less suitable if you prefer monuments, local neighborhoods, or a strong educational element.

Optional parasailing from above the water

The selected parasailing option adds up to five minutes in the air. It gives you a different view of the Red Sea after seeing it from the boat and below the surface.

Five minutes is a short flight, so treat it as an extra thrill rather than a major part of the excursion. The option is best for someone who wants a quick aerial view without booking a separate watersports session.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Those restrictions are especially important for anyone considering the boat ride and parasailing together. If you have a medical concern not covered in the information provided, ask the operator before paying.

If parasailing is the main reason you want this trip, confirm that the option is selected and available for your date. If snorkeling and beach time are your priorities, the basic trip already has plenty to fill four hours.

How the $196 price works

The listed price is $196 for a group of up to two people. For two people, that is $98 per person. That can be fair value if you want a private-style speedboat outing with hotel transfers, equipment, two snorkel sites, island access, drinks, fruit, and an English-speaking guide.

The price is less attractive for a solo visitor because the charge is structured around the group rather than a low individual fare. It becomes easier to justify when two people share the booking and care about avoiding a crowded large-boat excursion.

Hotel pickup and drop-off add practical value. You do not have to arrange a taxi to the harbor, and the transfer back to your hotel is part of the planned service for the standard pickup areas. Still, long-range hotels can add cost, so compare the final checkout total rather than judging the base price alone.

The lunch question affects the value. If a full meal is included under your chosen option, the package is stronger. If the food consists only of fruit and drinks, plan to eat before departure or confirm what can be bought on Magawish Island.

What the strongest praise tells you

The best feedback centers on three things: coral, fish, and staff. A Swiss booking described the snorkeling as amazing and praised the coral reefs. A Dutch booking specifically highlighted the number of fish seen.

The human side also comes through. Hassan was singled out as an excellent guide, while captain Momo was described as friendly and considerate. Those names are useful to know, but staff assignments can change, so do not assume either person will operate every departure.

Transport also received positive attention, with a German booking noting a punctual and comfortable ride. That makes the pickup instructions worth following closely. Be at the road-side main entrance early, since the van cannot wait beyond five minutes.

The overall score is 4.7 from 30 ratings, which points to a reliably well-liked experience. It does not remove the need to check the lunch arrangement, pickup supplement, or boat format. Those are the details most likely to affect your personal satisfaction.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing if you want a compact Red Sea day with three clear ingredients: speedboat travel, snorkeling, and a sandy island. Couples and two-person bookings get the clearest price advantage.

It also suits you if you prefer an active morning with built-in downtime. The snorkeling gives the trip purpose, while Magawish Island lets you slow down and swim.

Families may appreciate the short overall duration and included life jackets, but the provider does not describe children’s age rules or special facilities. Check those points before booking if you are traveling with young children.

You should look elsewhere if you want a long snorkel session, a full cultural tour, or a guaranteed substantial lunch. This is a water-and-beach experience, not a sightseeing tour of Hurghada.

Bring a towel, jacket, and cash. The jacket is sensible for the boat ride, especially when moving at speed or returning after snorkeling. Pets are not allowed.

Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat?

Book it if you want to see several sides of the Red Sea in four hours: fast open-water cruising, two coral stops, and a white-sand island with time to swim. The coral and fish are the main reasons to go, and the attention given to guides Hassan and captain Momo suggests that the staff can add warmth to a short, tightly planned trip.

Before paying, confirm three things: your exact pickup area, the final transfer cost if you are outside central Hurghada, and what lunch means for your selected option. If those details suit you, the $196 group price can be good value for two people who want a private-style outing without spending an entire day at sea.

FAQ

How long is the Magawish Island speedboat trip?

The experience lasts four hours, including hotel transfers, the speedboat ride, two snorkel stops, and time on Magawish Island.

What snorkeling locations are included?

The planned stops are Shaab Eshta Kebir and Aruk Talata, also known as Shaab Pytra.

How long do you snorkel at each site?

Each snorkeling stop is scheduled for about 20 minutes.

How much time do you get on Magawish Island?

You get about 1.5 hours on the island, with the schedule allowing up to 2 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the covered pickup areas. Long-range service from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and Soma Bay may require an add-on.

Where should I wait for pickup?

Wait at the main entrance of your hotel by the road. The pickup is not from the reception gate or an interior hotel area.

When will I receive the pickup details?

The pickup details are sent by email at about 10 pm the night before the trip.

Is lunch included?

The listed inclusions specify seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. Since the title refers to lunch, confirm with the provider exactly what food is included in your selected option.

Is parasailing included?

Parasailing is included only if you select that option. The flight lasts up to five minutes.

Who should not book this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.