Hurghada: Orange Bay & Magawish Island Speedboat with Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada trip is the mix of speed and stillness. You race across the Red Sea in a small speedboat, then step onto pale sand at Orange Bay or Magawish Island, where the water is clear enough to make snorkeling the natural next move. The two island stops and the chance to see colorful fish give this outing more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I like the early timing, since reaching Orange Bay before the crowds can make a real difference. I also like the small-boat feel, with a captain and guide able to give personal help in the water. The main catch is time: four to six hours passes quickly, and Orange Bay can become crowded later in the day. Lunch is included, but if you have a large appetite or want a cocktail on an island, bring extra cash.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different island stops: Orange Bay offers a popular beach setting, while Magawish feels quieter and more open.
• Two snorkeling locations: Each stop lasts about 20 minutes, giving you a compact look at coral and Red Sea fish.
• Speedboat rather than a large cruise boat: The ride feels quicker and more active, with less time spent getting between stops.
• Helpful water support: Guides including Saif, Momo, Kiko, Adam, and Islam have been praised for helping nervous swimmers with equipment and safety.
• Optional five-minute parasailing: Select this add-on if you want to see the Red Sea from above as well as below.
• Good value at $47: Hotel transport, boat travel, island fees, equipment, lunch, drinks, fruit, and a guide are bundled into the price.

A Red Sea day built around two islands

This is a compact island-hopping trip from Hurghada, not a slow, all-day sailing cruise. You spend roughly four to six hours away from the hotel, with the time split between boat travel, two beach stops, snorkeling, and lunch.

The speedboat is the main reason to choose this outing. It gets you out across the Red Sea without the long loading and unloading periods common on larger boats. The ride itself is part of the fun, though rough weather can make it bumpy. If you have back problems, this is not a sensible choice.

The trip can be private or shared. A shared boat keeps the price low and gives the day a social feel. Private trips offer more control, and one particularly useful advantage is flexibility over how long you spend snorkeling or staying on the islands. One private group even arranged to stay until sunset, but you should confirm any special timing directly when booking rather than assume it is part of every departure.

Getting from your hotel to the harbor

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the pickup system rewards careful reading. The provider sends the final pickup information by email at about 10 p.m. the night before. You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, room number, and a passport copy for the daily permission process.

The vehicle collects you at the main entrance of the hotel’s main gate by the road. It does not collect you at the reception entrance or inside the hotel grounds. Be ready at the agreed time, since the driver can wait no more than five minutes while collecting other people.

Longer transfers from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay are available as a paid add-on during checkout. That matters when comparing the headline price. At $47 per person, the trip is strong value for a Hurghada hotel, but a longer transfer may add to the final cost and your total day.

At the harbor, the team gives you basic instructions and explains the schedule. You receive a life jacket, and snorkeling equipment is included. Guides speak English and Arabic.

Orange Bay before the crowds

The first island stop is Orange Bay, a well-known beach area sometimes marketed as the Egyptian Caribbean. The appeal is straightforward: white sand, shallow-looking clear water, and a place to stretch out after the boat ride.

You get about one hour here. The early departure is worth considering because Orange Bay can fill up. Arriving before the busiest period may give you a quieter patch of sand and better photos. One useful detail from the private trips is access to a private area at Orange Bay, which can make the stop more comfortable when the public beach is busy.

Still, do not expect an untouched desert island. Orange Bay is popular, and its appeal comes partly from organized beach facilities. Some people wish they had more time here, while others find the stop plenty long enough once they have taken photos, sat in the water, and walked across the sand.

Bring a towel, hat, and sunglasses. Shade is available through a tent, but the bright sun reflects off both sand and sea. You will want protection even on a short stop.

Two 20-minute snorkeling stops

After Orange Bay, the boat visits two snorkeling sites. Each stop lasts about 20 minutes, so the total time in the water is roughly 40 minutes. That is enough for a memorable look at coral and fish, but it is not a full-day snorkeling expedition.

The underwater scenery is the strongest part of the outing for many people. The Red Sea is known for clear water, and the trip’s snorkeling locations can offer coral formations, colorful fish, rays, and, on some departures, dolphins near the boat. Sightings of wildlife are never guaranteed, so treat dolphins as a lucky extra rather than a promised feature.

If this is your first time snorkeling, tell the guide before entering the water. A few guests found that they needed clearer instruction on using the mask and breathing properly, especially after getting water up their nose. That is a simple problem, but it can spoil the first few minutes if you are nervous.

The guides generally provide close support. Adam was singled out for taking care of people in the water, while guides such as Saif, Momo, Islam, Hassan, and Kiko were praised for patient help and reassurance. You can expect assistance with the equipment and guidance toward the reef, but you should still be comfortable following safety instructions and wearing the life jacket when required.

The short duration makes these stops easy to fit into a family day, but it also means you should get ready quickly. Keep your mask adjusted, listen to the safety briefing, and use every minute in the water. If you are booking privately, ask about spending more time snorkeling, since private groups may have more flexibility.

Magawish Island and the included lunch

Magawish Island is the second major stop, with about one hour set aside for the island and lunch. Its wide pale sand and open sea views give it a different feel from Orange Bay. The setting is simple and attractive, with room to sit, swim, take photographs, and slow down.

Some people find Magawish the more relaxing stop. Others feel the island is small and that the scheduled time could be shortened. That is a fair criticism if you prefer snorkeling to sitting on sand. The balance depends on your priorities: beach lovers will appreciate the pause, while keen snorkelers may want more time at the reefs.

Lunch comes as a lunch box, with soft drinks, bottled water, seasonal fruit, and snacks included. The food has been described as plentiful and good quality, but do not expect a restaurant meal. If you eat a lot, pack something extra or budget for food available at an island stop. Bring cash if you want cocktails or other purchases.

The meal is less about culinary discovery and more about convenience. You can eat without leaving the island or arranging a separate lunch, then return to the boat for the ride back. That keeps the schedule simple and leaves more time for the sea.

Optional parasailing for five minutes

You can add a parasailing flight lasting up to five minutes. It is a short add-on, but it gives you a completely different view of the Red Sea. From above, the white sand and shallow water around the islands become part of one broad scene.

Choose this if you want a second kind of activity beyond snorkeling and swimming. Skip it if you would rather spend every spare minute on the beach or in the water. The option must be selected when booking, and it is not automatically included in the standard $47 price.

How the boat ride feels

A speedboat makes the outing lively. You move between Hurghada and the islands much faster than on a slow excursion boat, and the open-water sections can feel exhilarating. The captain and guide are also close at hand, rather than spread across a large vessel.

That small scale has trade-offs. The ride can be bumpy when the wind picks up, so anyone with back trouble should avoid this tour. Families should also consider how comfortable children are with fast boat travel. One family with a three-year-old found the crew attentive and kept the child company while the adults snorkeled, but every child reacts differently to a moving boat and open water.

The boats have been described as clean and well maintained, and the captain is paired with a guide or snorkeling assistant. Names vary by departure, but people have especially praised Saif, Momo, Kiko, Captain Islam, Captain Karim, Captain Hassan, and Captain Mo. You should not book based on a specific guide being guaranteed, but the repeated pattern is useful: the crew’s friendliness and water support are central to the experience.

Shared or private: which version makes sense?

A shared boat is the practical choice for most people who want the lowest price. A small group can still feel personal, and one departure had only eight people. You meet other people, share the boat, and follow the planned schedule.

A private boat costs more, but it can be worthwhile for couples, families, and groups with different energy levels. You may have more say over time at the islands and snorkeling locations. Private trips can also feel calmer if you want your own space at Orange Bay, or if you want to arrange a longer day.

At $47 per person, the shared option offers a lot for the money. You receive round-trip transport, speedboat travel, two island entry fees, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guide, lunch, drinks, fruit, shade, a life jacket, and nature reserve fees. Comparable outings can cost more once transport and equipment are added, so the bundle is a genuine strength.

The price does not mean the day is luxurious. The transport may be a minibus, and the lunch is a packed meal. Think of this as an active, well-filled Red Sea outing with basic comforts, not a private yacht charter.

What to pack and what to expect

Pack light, but do not forget the basics:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• A towel
• Cash for drinks, cocktails, or food purchases
• A passport copy sent in advance for daily permission
• Extra food only if you have a large appetite

Pets are not allowed. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, mainly because of the speedboat and possible rough water.

The four to six-hour duration makes it easy to fit around other Hurghada plans. Morning trips leave more of the afternoon free. Afternoon departures can offer softer light and, on some private arrangements, a sunset finish. If you have a flight or another fixed appointment, allow plenty of time after the scheduled return, since sea conditions and transfers can affect timing.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this for anyone who wants several Red Sea highlights in one half-day: a fast boat ride, two islands, coral, fish, lunch, and perhaps parasailing. It suits couples, families with children who are comfortable around boats, and first-time snorkelers who want crew support.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, empty beach all day. Orange Bay is popular, and the scheduled island time is limited. Serious snorkelers may also want a longer specialist trip with more time in the water.

The tour works especially well at the start of a Hurghada stay. It gives you an easy introduction to the coast, lets you test snorkeling without committing to a full day, and shows you why the Red Sea is more than a hotel beach. If you enjoy the reefs, you can later book a longer marine excursion.

Should you book the Orange Bay and Magawish speedboat?

Book it if you value variety, a smaller boat, and a strong list of inclusions at $47. The best reasons are the quick ride, clear snorkeling stops, early access to Orange Bay, and the helpful crew. Guides such as Saif, Momo, Kiko, Adam, and Islam have made a real difference for beginners who need a steady hand with the mask and fins.

Think twice if you have back problems, dislike choppy boat rides, or want long, unhurried time on one island. Also bring cash and a snack if lunch boxes do not satisfy you.

For most Hurghada visitors, this is a well-priced way to reach the Red Sea’s island scenery without giving up an entire day. Choose the shared trip for value, the private option for control, and the parasailing add-on if you want the sea from above as well as below.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada speedboat trip last?

The full experience lasts approximately four to six hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, boat travel, island visits, snorkeling, and lunch.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Orange Bay and Magawish Island. Both entry fees are included.

How long are the snorkeling stops?

There are two snorkeling stops, each lasting about 20 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, and nature reserve fees are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a lunch box, soft drinks, bottled water, and seasonal fruit. You may want extra cash for additional food or cocktails on the islands.

Is parasailing included?

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

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is at the main entrance of your hotel’s main gate by the road, not at the reception gate or inside the reception area.

Do I need to provide passport information?

Yes. You need to share a passport copy for daily permissions and provide your correct nationality, hotel details, address, and room number.

Is the trip suitable for people with back problems?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with back problems because of the speedboat ride and possible bumpy conditions.