PRIVATE! | Full Day Charter Boat Trip| Up to 14 | Snorkeling and Islands tour

The best part of this Hurghada charter is control. You are not tied to a fixed group schedule, so the captain can shape the day around snorkeling, dolphins, fishing, swimming, or island time. Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef offer the main underwater action, with coral, clownfish, Picasso fish, morays, and the chance of rays or dolphins.

I like the private boat format, especially for families, nervous swimmers, and groups celebrating something special. I also like that lunch, fruit, snacks, drinks, a restroom, and snorkeling equipment are included, with crew members such as Samir helping less confident swimmers in the water. The main catch is that the popular beach islands, including Orange Bay, Paradise Island, and Eden Island, cost extra, so you need to settle the route and fees before sailing.

Key points to know before you book

• Private space for your group: The boat is reserved for your party, with the advertised capacity reaching up to 14 people, although the listed price applies to a group of up to 8.
• Coral reefs are the main event: Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef bring colorful fish, live coral, morays, rays, and occasional dolphins.
• Island stops are flexible, not all included: Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island are optional paid stops at €10 per adult and €5 per child.
• Food is prepared onboard: Lunch, snacks, fruit, tea, coffee, bottled water, and other beverages are provided.
• Hotel transfers cost extra: Transport is available on request, priced at €15 inside Hurghada, €20 from Sahl Hasheesh, and €25 from Makadi or El Gouna.
• Weather matters: The trip lasts about eight hours and can be moved or refunded if poor weather makes it unsafe.

A private day on the Red Sea, not a fixed group cruise

This trip begins at Hurghada Marina and runs for about eight hours. That is enough time for several water stops, a meal, some quiet time onboard, and possibly an island visit without making the day feel like one long swim.

The boat is private to your group. That changes the mood at once. You can move between sun and shade, decide how long to stay in the water, and tell the captain if your group wants more snorkeling or more time onshore. A large boat has been used for some bookings, with room for people to spread out rather than sit shoulder to shoulder.

That flexibility has real value. A first-time snorkeler may need a slow start and help from the crew. Strong swimmers may want longer reef sessions. Children may prefer a beach stop. A private charter lets you balance those needs better than a standard shared excursion.

The listed price is $324.41 per group of up to eight. The tour title advertises space for as many as 14 people, so larger parties should confirm the exact price and boat arrangement before paying. For eight people, the base rate works out to about $41 per person, before any transfer or island admission fees. That is reasonable for a full private boat day with food and equipment, especially if you would otherwise book several separate activities.

Leaving Hurghada Marina for Omo Gamaar

The first stop is Hurghada Marina, the departure point. The marina portion is brief, about 10 minutes, and there is no separate admission charge. Hotel pickup is available, but it is not included in the tour price.

The transfer costs are clearly set by area: €15 for the full group from inside Hurghada, €20 from Sahl Hasheesh, and €25 from Makadi or El Gouna. If you arrange a pickup, give yourself enough time to locate the vehicle and agree on the meeting point. The marina is the place where your day starts, but the real experience begins once the boat reaches open water.

Omo Gamaar is scheduled for roughly 30 minutes. The reef area is known for Red Sea fish such as blackback butterflyfish, Picasso fish, and Red Sea clownfish. You might also find morays, eels, blue-spotted manta rays, and dolphins.

The word might matters here. Marine life is wild, not guaranteed. Dolphin sightings have made memorable days, but you should book this for the reef and the private boat, not as a promise of a dolphin encounter.

Thirty minutes is a useful first swim, especially for anyone still getting used to the mask, fins, and open water. If you are anxious, say so before entering the sea. Crew members have helped nervous swimmers stay comfortable, and one guide named Samir has been singled out for patient snorkeling support. Crew assignments can change, but the important point is that assistance is part of the experience.

Carless Reef and the best snorkeling time

Carless Reef receives about 45 minutes in the planned schedule. This is one of the strongest parts of the day for anyone who cares more about coral and fish than beach facilities.

Expect the same broad mix of Red Sea life: clownfish, Picasso fish, butterflyfish, morays, eels, rays, and possibly dolphins. The reef is the reason to bring an interest in snorkeling, not simply a desire to sit on a boat. The water can show good visibility, live coral, and large schools of colorful fish, but conditions can change with wind, current, and weather.

A crew member may accompany you and point out marine life. That is particularly useful if you are new to reefs or not confident about where to look. The staff have also helped people with anxiety in the water, which makes this a better choice for a mixed-ability family than a bare-bones boat transfer.

The schedule lists specific times, but the charter is customizable. Ask at the start how much time you can spend at each reef. If your group wants two long snorkels, you may prefer to limit island time. If half the group does not snorkel, an island stop can keep the day enjoyable for everyone.

You receive snorkeling gear onboard. Still, if you rely on a particular mask or need a special size, ask in advance. The supplied information confirms equipment is provided, but it does not specify brands, sizes, or whether full-face masks are available.

Choosing between three paid island stops

The island options are where the price needs careful reading. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island are not included in the base fare. Each lists an entry fee of €10 per adult and €5 per child.

That fee is separate from the charter cost. Ask the operator to confirm which island is planned, how long you will stay, and exactly what the admission includes. One disappointing day resulted from a misunderstanding about the difference between the included sandbank stop and the paid island beaches. Clear communication before departure can prevent that problem.

Eden Island Hurghada

Eden Island is presented as a comfortable beach stop with restaurants, bars, and services. It suits couples who want a polished break from the boat, but families can use it as a change of pace after snorkeling.

The planned stay is about two hours. That is a long stop in an eight-hour outing, so choose it because you want beach time, not because you feel obliged to include every possible location. The island has been used as an opening stop, followed by reef snorkeling and lunch. It can also work well after a dolphin search, giving you time to relax before returning to the water.

Orange Bay

Orange Bay sits in the Big Giftun Island National Park and is described as a shallow-water beach area with bars, music, massage service, and other visitor facilities. It has operated since 2011 and covers more than 7,000 square meters.

This is the most service-oriented option of the three. You get shallow water and organized beach comforts rather than an isolated beach feeling. The cost is €10 per adult and €5 per child, with about two hours scheduled.

If you want quiet snorkeling, Orange Bay may not be the strongest choice during busy periods. If you want an easy beach break, shallow water, and facilities, it may be a good fit. A crew member can accompany your group to the beach and help with arrangements.

Paradise Island

Paradise Island is described as an eco-tourism beach with white sand, blue water, food, music, and a social atmosphere. The scheduled stay is two hours, and the fee is €10 per adult and €5 per child.

This is a good option for people who want a beach club style stop rather than a pure nature visit. The food and music add energy, but they also mean you should not expect complete solitude. If your group has small children, the shallow beach setting may be easier than spending the whole day on a reef boat.

You do not need to visit all three islands. Trying to fit every stop into one day would leave little time for the reefs, and the charter works best when you make a clear choice.

The included sandbank and Giftun Islands

Giftun Islands are two Red Sea islands near Hurghada: Big Giftun, or Giftun Kebir, and Little Giftun, or Giftun Soraya. The trip includes access to the national park ticket, which is an important saving because the park charge is not added later as a surprise.

The planned Giftun Islands portion is about 30 minutes. The paid beach stops are located in the same wider island area, but they are not the same thing as the included national park access. The operator also identifies Abu Minqar as an included shallow-water sandbank stop. Confirm the exact route, since the day can be adjusted to suit your group.

This distinction is worth repeating because the phrase islands tour can suggest that every named beach is included. Here, the base trip includes the boat, reef stops, national park ticket, and the included sandbank option. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island require extra payment.

Lunch, drinks, and the boat itself

Lunch is prepared onboard, with coffee or tea, snacks, bottled water, and beverages included. Fresh fruit has also been served, including mango and fruit platters. Several menus are not provided, so tell the operator about dietary needs before departure rather than waiting until lunchtime.

The onboard meal is more than a minor perk. A full day at sea leaves you hungry, and buying lunch separately at an island beach can quickly add to the cost. An onboard meal also lets you eat without giving up another reef stop.

The boat has a restroom, a large fridge, and speakers. There is room to sit in sun or shade, which matters on an eight-hour charter. The boat has been described as well maintained rather than modern, so set your expectations correctly. You are booking space, crew service, and access to the Red Sea, not a luxury yacht.

The crew setup may include a captain, cook, snorkeling assistant, and additional service staff. Names that have been associated with different trips include captains Abdul and Mohammed, snorkeling guide Samir, crew members Yousuf and Ayad, chef Regyep, and owner Mark. Your exact crew may differ, but the range of roles explains why the service can feel attentive.

Music is available through the boat speakers. That can be fun for a birthday or bachelorette group, but it may not suit a party hoping for a quiet sailing day. Since the boat is private, your group can discuss the mood and volume with the crew.

What makes the private format worth paying for

The biggest value is not simply having a boat to yourself. It is the ability to adjust the day around your group.

A couple can spend more time looking for dolphins and then choose a quiet reef. A family can begin with a short swim, eat lunch, and stop at a shallow beach. A group of friends can use the deck, music, and larger fridge for a relaxed day between snorkeling sessions.

The private format also avoids the rush that can come with shared excursions. You are less likely to be pushed through a fixed sequence simply because another group is ready to leave. That said, the boat still depends on sea conditions, marina procedures, and the captain’s judgment. Private does not mean every request is possible.

The price becomes strongest with a full group. At two or three people, a private charter costs more per head than a shared cruise. At eight people, it can be good value, especially with lunch, gear, a restroom, and the national park ticket included. For nine to 14 people, confirm the capacity and revised total before booking, since the published price is for up to eight.

Who should book this Hurghada charter?

I would choose this trip for:

• Families with different comfort levels in the water
• Couples wanting a private day rather than a shared boat
• Friends celebrating a birthday, bachelorette party, or special occasion
• First-time snorkelers who want crew support
• Groups that value fresh food and room to relax between swims
• People who want to decide between reefs, dolphins, fishing, and islands

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a guaranteed dolphin encounter, a modern luxury vessel, or an all-inclusive island tour. Dolphins are possible, not certain. The boat is maintained but not described as new. The paid island entries are easy to miss if you do not read the route carefully.

Small children can enjoy the day, but preparation helps. One useful tip is to practice snorkeling in a swimming pool first, so children arrive with confidence around the mask and breathing technique. The tour is listed as suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed, but the activity still involves boarding a boat and entering open water.

Practical booking advice and cancellation terms

Confirmation is provided at booking. Pickup is available on request, with the full-group transfer fee based on your hotel area. Keep the marina meeting details clear, and ask the operator to write down the route, paid beach options, and expected entry charges.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need for your own comfort, but do not assume that every beach fee is covered. Most importantly, decide what matters most to your group before boarding: long reef sessions, dolphins, a paid island, fishing, or a slow day on deck.

Should you book it?

I would book this private charter if you have enough people to share the cost and want a flexible Red Sea day with good personal service. Its strongest points are the private boat, helpful snorkeling support, onboard lunch, and the freedom to adjust the route.

Before you pay, confirm the boat capacity for your group, the pickup cost, and the difference between included Abu Minqar or national park access and the paid island beaches. If you understand those terms and want reef time on your own schedule, this is a strong Hurghada choice. If you only want a cheap shared ride to one beach, a standard group cruise will likely cost less.

FAQ

How long does the private boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

The trip starts at Hurghada Marina.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfer is available on request but costs extra. The listed rates are €15 inside Hurghada, €20 from Sahl Hasheesh, and €25 from Makadi or El Gouna.

Are lunch and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, beverages, and snorkeling equipment are included. A restroom is also available onboard.

Do the island stops cost extra?

Yes. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island each list an entry fee of €10 per adult and €5 per child. The national park ticket is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel. You can also cancel yourself for a full refund at least 24 hours before the local start time.