Hurghada: Snorkelling Trip by Speedboat with Hotel Pickup

The best part of this Hurghada trip is the small speedboat. Instead of spending half a day on a crowded excursion boat, you can reach several Red Sea snorkelling sites quickly, with time for reefs, a wreck, shallow water, and perhaps dolphins. Magawish Island and the waters near Giftun Island offer the main underwater show.

I like the small-group feel, which lets guides such as Yusuf, Ahmed, and Sayeed stay close to the swimmers. I also like the easy package: hotel pickup, equipment, drinks, fresh fruit, shaded seating, and nature-reserve fees are included. The main caution is timing. Pickup can be well before the advertised start, and one afternoon outing felt rushed, so you should leave plenty of space around this four-hour trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Three main Red Sea stops: Expect snorkelling around Magawish Island, Giftun Island, and mangrove-fringed Abu Mingar, with some outings adding a wreck, extra bays, or a sandbar.
• Small speedboat rather than a large day boat: You spend less time getting between sites and more time in the water, though the boat can feel tight when full.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: Several outings spotted dolphins, and captains sometimes pause when they see them, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
• Hotel pickup needs patience: Collection times may vary by up to an hour in Hurghada and up to 90 minutes in extended resort areas.
• Useful for mixed swimming abilities: Guides stay with the group, and one guide helped pull along a participant who could not swim, but the tour is not suitable for people with back problems.
• Good value at $37: Equipment, guide, cruise, drinks, fruit, shaded seating, life jackets, and reserve fees are included.

Why the speedboat changes the Red Sea day

Hurghada has no shortage of boat trips, but many are built around a large vessel, a full-day schedule, and a sizeable group. This outing takes a different approach. The speedboat carries you from the marina toward several snorkelling areas in about four hours, keeping the focus on time in the water rather than a long onboard program.

I like that trade-off. The boat can move quickly along the coast, and the shorter route between stops means you can see more than one section of the Red Sea without committing your whole day. A small group also makes it easier to hear the guide and get help with masks, fins, and entering the water.

The compromise is comfort. One small group of four found the boat spacious, while another noted that more than four people could make it uncomfortable. The advertised option allows private or small groups, so check the group arrangement when booking if personal space matters to you.

The speed also makes the ride part of the outing. You’ll have open views, Egyptian sunshine, and a shaded area called a Taneda when you need a break. Life jackets are provided, and there is a stereo system on board. This is not a quiet sailing trip, but it has the lively feel of a short coastal run.

From your hotel to Hurghada’s new marina

Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels, but do not read the scheduled start time as your exact collection time. Your pickup may vary by one to one and a half hours, depending on hotel location and the day’s route. The evening before, confirmation is sent by email or WhatsApp, normally around 10:00 PM.

You’ll wait at the main entrance of the hotel, by the road. The pickup is not at the reception entrance or inside the resort. Look for the white or black bus with the Go Shalabi logo, and be ready on time because the driver can wait no more than five minutes.

This is the one part of the trip that needs careful planning. One booking listed a 9:00 AM outing but collected the group at 7:15 AM, with the boat leaving the harbor at 8:15 AM and returning at 12:30 PM. Nothing went wrong, but the early collection caught the group by surprise. If you have a flight, spa appointment, or another tour later, leave a generous buffer.

Guests staying in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or the Soma Bay area need to add long-range pickup during checkout. If you skip that add-on, you may pay at the harbor, and cancellations are not available after 6:00 PM the day before for that arrangement.

At the marina, you board the speedboat after the usual security process. The boat has shaded seating, a captain, guide, life jackets, snorkelling equipment, and drinks. Bring your own towel, sunglasses, and cash. Keep phones, cameras, and other belongings secure because personal items are your responsibility.

Magawish Island and the first reef

Magawish Island is usually the first major stop, and it sets the tone for the day. Here, you’ll swim above coral and see schools of fish in clear Red Sea water. The best reason to start here is that you get into the water early, before too much time has passed on the boat.

Your guide stays with the group and points out sea life. Yusuf received especially strong praise for showing swimmers good places to look, while other guides helped less confident swimmers stay with the group. The water can be calm and warm even in December, though conditions vary by day.

Snorkelling quality is not identical at every stop. One outing found the first reef especially good, with the later site less impressive. That is normal on a multi-stop trip. The appeal is not one guaranteed perfect reef, but the chance to compare several underwater areas in a single morning.

If you have never snorkelled before, tell the guide early. The crew can help with equipment and positioning. One participant who could not swim was pulled along by the guide, but you should still be comfortable entering the water and following basic instructions.

Giftun Island, extra bays, and a possible wreck

The route continues toward Giftun Island and nearby snorkelling bays. The exact number of water stops can vary. The advertised plan calls for three different snorkelling locations, while some outings reached four bays and five separate snorkelling points.

That flexibility is useful. The captain and guide can shape the day around conditions, available sites, and what the group wants to see. A wreck was a favorite stop on one outing, giving the snorkelling a different character from the coral reefs. You may also find flying fish on the ride between locations, an easy detail to miss if you are focused only on the water.

Dolphins are another possible bonus. Captains Ahmed and Khaleed, among others, stopped when dolphins appeared, and some groups saw them more than once. One boat even made an unexpected detour to look for dolphins on the way to the first snorkelling site.

Keep your expectations sensible. Dolphin sightings are wildlife encounters, not a scheduled part of the route. One participant also noted the uncomfortable side of the experience: several boats may gather around the animals. It can be thrilling to see dolphins, but the scene may feel busy and intrusive. A responsible group should avoid treating wildlife as a guaranteed performance.

The second reef may not match the first, and the boat may feel bumpy as it moves between points. Still, this section is where the speedboat earns its keep. You can cover more water than a slower, larger boat and spend your limited half-day choosing from several sites.

Abu Mingar and the shallow-water finish

The final part of the route reaches Abu Mingar, described as mangrove-fringed, and may include a shallow beach or sandbar often called the Egyptian Maldives. This is a change of pace after the reef stops.

You can swim in shallow water, take photographs, and relax before returning to Hurghada. One group spotted a ray here, which shows that the final stop is not only a photo break. Still, it is best viewed as a pleasant finish rather than the main reason to book the trip. The reefs and the chance to see open-water wildlife are the stronger attractions.

The shallow stop also helps balance the activity for different abilities. Strong swimmers can enjoy the earlier reef time, while those who prefer standing water may feel more comfortable here. The guide remains part of the group, but this is not a private beach day with a long period to settle in.

Fresh seasonal fruit, mineral water, and soft drinks are served during the outing. These simple supplies matter after repeated swims in the sun. You should still bring your own towel and cash, and use the shaded area between stops instead of staying exposed for the whole ride.

The guides, group size, and service

The guide can make a major difference on a snorkelling trip, and this experience puts one in the water with you. Yusuf was praised for spotting good underwater areas, while Sayeed was especially helpful with children. Wissam and Ahmed were described as friendly, informative, and alert to details such as flying fish and dolphins.

The strongest pattern is hands-on help. The guide does not simply point toward the reef from the boat. You can expect someone to remain near the group, explain what to look for, and assist swimmers who need support. That is valuable if your mask leaks, your fins feel awkward, or you are not confident in open water.

English is the stated tour language. Private and small-group options are available, but the exact number of people affects comfort on the boat. A group of six was described as ideal, while four people found the boat particularly spacious. If you want a quieter outing, ask about the group size before paying.

The crew also adds a social touch. The captain and snorkelling guide are often chatty and humorous, which suits the energetic speedboat format. If you want a silent, private cruise, this may not be your style. If you like practical help and an easygoing crew, it is a good fit.

Is $37 a fair price for four hours?

At $37 per person, the trip offers solid value if you want a focused snorkelling outing rather than a full-day cruise. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, the boat, captain, English-speaking guide, snorkelling equipment, life jackets, reserve fees, shaded seating, drinks, and fresh fruit.

That list matters because small extras can add up at the marina. You are not paying separately for basic equipment or nature-reserve access. The included transfer also saves you the trouble of arranging transport to the harbor, provided you are staying within the standard Hurghada pickup area.

The value is strongest for visitors who want four or five hours on the water and still want time for another activity. It is less compelling if your main goal is a long beach day or a slow boat ride. A four-hour schedule can feel short when pickup and drop-off are added, especially if you are collected early.

You also pay for speed and flexibility. A large boat may offer more room, but this small vessel can move between reef areas quickly. For a first taste of Hurghada’s island waters, that makes the price reasonable.

Morning or sunset: choosing the better departure

The tour runs in the morning and at sunset, subject to availability. Morning departures give you the clearest day structure and leave the afternoon open. They are the safer choice if you want to avoid squeezing the activity around dinner or another reservation.

The sunset option may suit you if your schedule is busy earlier or you like softer light on the return ride. The trade-off is that the available snorkelling time may feel more limited. One afternoon outing felt rushed, so I would choose morning if underwater time is your first priority.

Remember that the four-hour duration refers to the activity itself, not necessarily the full time from your hotel and back. Pickup windows can add a substantial margin. Confirm the evening-before message and plan around the actual collection time, not only the booking slot.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want:

• Several snorkelling areas without spending a full day at sea
• A small group and a faster boat
• Help from a guide while you are in the water
• A chance to see reefs, fish, a wreck, shallow water, and possibly dolphins
• Hotel pickup and a simple all-in price
• A flexible activity that leaves part of the day free

Families can benefit from the guide support, especially with children, though every child should be comfortable following water-safety instructions. Older adults may also manage the trip well, with one booking noting that two people in their 60s found it easy, helped by Ibrahim and the crew.

I would think twice if you have back problems, dislike a bumpy speedboat, or need a guaranteed quiet boat. You should also reconsider if you cannot tolerate early pickup uncertainty or if your hotel lies outside Hurghada and you do not want to pay the added transfer cost.

Should you book the Go Shalabi speedboat trip?

Book it if your priority is efficient snorkelling with a small group, helpful guides, and a chance to see several parts of the Red Sea in half a day. The best features are the speedboat access, close guide support, included refreshments, and the possibility of dolphins or a wreck alongside the planned island stops.

Before booking, confirm your hotel details, nationality, room number, and the correct pickup area. Watch for the late-evening confirmation, wait at the main road entrance, and keep your schedule loose around the pickup window.

This is not a perfect fit for every swimmer or every timetable. But at $37, it is a practical, well-equipped choice for you if you want coral, fish, open-water scenery, and a lively boat ride without giving up an entire vacation day.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada speedboat snorkelling trip?

The boat activity lasts four hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off add extra time, and the exact collection window may vary.

Which snorkelling locations are included?

The route includes Magawish Island, Giftun Island, and Abu Mingar. Depending on conditions and the day’s route, you may also stop at additional bays, a wreck, or a sandbar.

Are hotel transfers included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels. Long-range transfers from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay must be booked as an add-on.

What is included in the price?

The $37 price includes the boat cruise, captain, English-speaking guide, snorkelling equipment, life jackets, shaded seating, soft drinks, mineral water, fresh seasonal fruit, and nature-reserve fees.

Can I see dolphins on this trip?

Dolphins have been seen during some outings, and the captain may stop if they appear. Sightings are possible but are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, and cash. You should also secure your personal belongings, as the company is not responsible for lost or damaged items.