Hurghada: Magawish Island Speedboat W Snorkelling & Lunch

The best part of this four-hour trip is the mix of fast Red Sea cruising and easy snorkelling. You visit two reef sites before spending 1.5 to 2 hours on Magawish Island, where pale sand and clear turquoise water give you a proper beach break rather than a quick photo stop.

I like the efficient route and the small-group feel. You get hotel pickup, equipment, a snorkel guide, fruit, drinks, shade, and a stereo on board. Hassan has guided recent outings, and Captain Momo has been praised for being considerate behind the wheel. The main caution is the strict pickup routine: be at the hotel’s road-side main entrance on time, since the driver can wait only five minutes.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate reef stops: You get about 20 minutes of snorkelling at Shaab Eshta Kebir and another 20 minutes at Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra.
• A real island break: Magawish Island allows 1.5 to 2 hours for swimming, sitting on the sand, and taking in the beach.
• Private group arrangement: The price is listed at $196 for a group of up to two, with a shared or private speedboat option depending on the booking choice.
• Optional five-minute flight: Select the parasailing option if you want to see the Red Sea from above as well as below.
• Hotel pickup has a wide window: The exact time may vary by 1 to 1.5 hours, with details sent by email at 10 pm the night before.
• Good recent guide feedback: Hassan and Captain Momo are named in recent comments, with praise for friendly guiding, careful driving, and smooth transport.

A fast start from Hurghada to the Red Sea

Your day begins with pickup from one of the main Hurghada area zones, followed by a van ride of about 25 minutes to the harbor. Pickup is also available from Safaga, Hurghada 1, and Hurghada 2, but the exact collection time can shift by 1 to 1.5 hours.

That timing matters. This is not a tour where you should wait casually in a hotel lobby with a coffee. The pickup point is the main entrance by the road, not the reception entrance or an interior hotel gate. You need to provide your correct nationality, hotel name, address, room number, and a passport copy as requested by the operator.

Pickup details arrive by email at about 10 pm the evening before. I would check that message before going to bed and set out your towel, jacket, cash, and swimwear in advance. The boat can wait no more than five minutes at the stated pickup point because other hotel collections are part of the morning run.

Once at the harbor, you receive safety instructions and board the speedboat. Life jackets are included, and the boat has a shaded area. That shade is useful even on a short trip, since the Red Sea sun can be strong and the white sand at the island offers little cover.

Shaab Eshta Kebir gives you the first look underwater

The first water stop is Shaab Eshta Kebir, with about 20 minutes set aside for snorkelling. It is a short session, but that is part of the appeal. You do not spend the morning sitting on a large boat waiting for everyone to get ready. You reach the site, receive guidance, and get into the water.

The Red Sea is known for its coral reefs and clear water, and this trip is built around seeing that underwater setting rather than simply posing beside it. A snorkel guide accompanies the outing, which helps if you are new to the equipment or want help spotting fish and coral.

Twenty minutes goes quickly. If you are a confident snorkeller who wants long time in the water, this may feel brief. If you prefer short sessions with a change of scenery, it keeps the pace lively and leaves energy for the second reef and the island.

Bring your own towel, and consider a light jacket for the boat ride. The speedboat can feel cool after you leave the water, especially when it is moving at speed. Mineral water and soft drinks are included, but I would still treat hydration seriously in the Egyptian sun.

Aruk Talata adds a second reef setting

The next stop is Aruk Talata, also known as Shaab Pytra. Again, you have roughly 20 minutes to snorkel. The value here is variety: two reef locations give you a better chance to see different coral formations and fish rather than relying on one brief stop.

The supplied trip details do not promise a particular fish species or a specific underwater feature, so I would keep expectations sensible. You can expect the chance to see Red Sea coral and marine life, but nature decides what appears on the day. One recent booking described the fish sightings as a highlight, and another praised the coral reefs as especially beautiful.

The guide can help you get set up, but you still need to be comfortable in the water. This activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The speedboat format also means you should expect movement, boarding, and getting back aboard from the sea rather than a calm walk-in beach entry.

For families or couples, the two-stop format is useful because you can try the first site, see how you feel, and decide how actively you want to use the second. Life jackets and snorkelling equipment are provided, though you are welcome to bring personal gear if you prefer a familiar mask or snorkel.

Magawish Island is the main beach reward

After the reef stops, the boat heads to Magawish Island. You have 1.5 to 2 hours here, which is long enough to change the rhythm of the day. Instead of rushing from boat to water and back again, you can sit on the sand, swim, take photographs, or simply enjoy the open view.

The island is described as having white sand and turquoise water with a Caribbean-like feel. That comparison is about the color and beach setting, not a promise of a developed resort. You should think of Magawish as a sandy Red Sea stop where the water and shore are the main attractions.

This is also where the lunch wording deserves a careful look. The experience title refers to lunch, and the island visit includes food and drink access in the supplied details. The included items specifically name seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water, but they do not give a full menu or clearly spell out a plated meal. If lunch is important to your decision, confirm exactly what the selected package includes before paying.

I like that the island visit lasts longer than the snorkelling stops. Snorkelling is the active part of the trip, while Magawish gives you time to slow down. You may want cash for any food or drinks not covered by the package, and cash is listed among the recommended items to bring.

There is no need to fill every minute. A good use of this stop is to swim early, sit in the shade or on the sand afterward, and keep some energy for the boat ride back. Take care with personal belongings, since the supplied information does not describe lockers or secure storage.

Optional parasailing adds a view from above

You can add a five-minute parasailing adventure to the booking. It gives the day a second viewpoint: coral and fish below during the snorkelling stops, then the Red Sea and island scenery from above.

Five minutes is short, so think of this as a quick extra rather than a full watersports session. It may suit you if you want a little thrill without giving up much beach time. If you dislike heights, prefer a calm day, or want to keep the cost down, the core boat and snorkelling trip remains the main experience.

The parasailing option is not included for every booking. You need to select it when booking, and the supplied details do not state its separate price. Check that addition carefully so the final cost is clear.

The speedboat changes how the four hours feel

A speedboat makes this trip more direct than a slow group cruise. You spend less time getting between the harbor, reef sites, and island, which helps fit two snorkelling stops and a long beach visit into four hours.

The tradeoff is comfort. A speedboat can feel lively on the water, and the ride may be less gentle than a larger vessel. People with back problems are specifically advised not to join. Pregnant women should also avoid this experience.

The boat includes a shaded area, stereo system, soft drinks, mineral water, and life jackets. Those touches make the ride more practical, but they do not turn it into a luxury yacht outing. The focus is on getting you to the water and island efficiently.

The group arrangement needs a close look, too. The activity is described as a private group, while the overview refers to shared or private speedboat options. The listed price is $196 per group of up to two, not per person. For a couple or two friends, that can be good value if the private option is confirmed. If you are booking alone, or if you expect a fully exclusive boat, ask exactly which boat arrangement applies to your selected option.

What the $196 price gives you

At $196 for up to two people, the price works best when you use the included transport and water activities fully. Hotel pickup and drop-off remove the need to arrange a taxi to the harbor. The speedboat, two snorkelling stops, guide, equipment, island entry fee, fruit, drinks, shaded seating, and life jackets are all covered.

The value is strongest for a pair who wants a half-day outing without planning several separate services. You pay for a compact route that combines transport, reef time, a beach stop, and optional parasailing.

The price is less straightforward if you are staying far outside central Hurghada. Pickup from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and the Soma Bay area is not included unless you select the long-range transfer add-on at checkout. That extra charge can change the overall value, so include it in your comparison with other Red Sea trips.

The meal is another point to clarify. Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and water are named as inclusions. Since the title presents the outing as including lunch, I would ask what form that lunch takes before booking, especially if you are comparing it with a full-day boat trip that lists a specific buffet or packed meal.

Guides, transport, and the small details that matter

The guide language is English. Hassan is named as a guide on a recent outing, while Captain Momo is named as a friendly and considerate captain. Those details matter because a short water trip depends on clear instructions and a calm hand at the wheel.

Transport is one of the better practical features. The van ride to the harbor takes about 25 minutes, and the return transfer takes you back to the stated Hurghada or Safaga drop-off area after the final cruise. One recent booking specifically praised the punctual, comfortable transport.

Do not count on a leisurely pickup window. You need to be ready at the assigned road-side entrance, and late arrival can mean missing the van. The operator asks for accurate hotel and room details, so take a moment to check them before sending your booking information.

Bring:

• A towel
• A light jacket
• Cash
• Swimwear
• Your usual sun protection

Pets are not allowed. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this Magawish trip most

I would choose this trip if you want a short, active Red Sea outing with a clear sequence: harbor, two reef stops, island, and hotel. It suits couples, friends, and small private groups who value time on the water but do not want to spend an entire day on a boat.

It is also a good match if you want both underwater and beach time. The reef stops offer the active portion, while Magawish gives you a slower stretch on sand. Add parasailing if a brief aerial thrill appeals to you.

I would look elsewhere if you want a long snorkelling session, a detailed marine biology presentation, or a guaranteed full meal with a published menu. I would also avoid it if you have back trouble, are pregnant, or find speedboat rides uncomfortable.

The high rating of 4.7 from 30 bookings fits the trip’s strongest points: beautiful coral, fish sightings, pleasant guides, and smooth transport. Still, the practical details deserve more attention than the pretty beach photos. Pickup rules, extra transfer fees, and the precise meaning of lunch can affect your experience.

Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat trip?

Book it if you want an efficient four-hour escape from Hurghada with two snorkelling stops and a long Magawish beach visit. The combination is well judged, and the named guide and captain feedback adds confidence to the human side of the outing.

Before you pay, confirm three things: your exact pickup point and time, whether your hotel requires the long-range transfer add-on, and what food is included under the lunch description. If those details suit you, the $196 group price can be fair for two people, especially with transport and equipment included.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island speedboat trip last?

The activity lasts about four hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off arrangements, the boat ride, two snorkelling stops, and time on Magawish Island.

How much time do I get on Magawish Island?

You have about 1.5 to 2 hours on the island for swimming, relaxing on the sand, and enjoying the beach setting.

How many snorkelling stops are included?

Two snorkelling stops are included. The first is at Shaab Eshta Kebir, with about 20 minutes in the water, followed by Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra, with another 20-minute snorkelling session.

Is parasailing included?

A five-minute parasailing adventure is available only if you select that option when booking. It is not included in every booking.

What does the price include?

The listed price is $196 per group of up to two. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the speedboat cruise, snorkelling equipment, two snorkelling stops, a snorkel guide, island entry, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, shade on board, a stereo system, and life jackets. Confirm the exact lunch details before booking.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is at the main entrance of your hotel by the road, not at the reception gate or an interior hotel area. The exact pickup information is sent by email at about 10 pm the night before, and the operator can wait no more than five minutes.