Hurghada: Snorkelling Trip by Speedboat with Hotel Pickup

The best part of this Hurghada trip is the small speedboat. Instead of spending much of your morning on a large excursion boat, you get across the Red Sea quickly and reach several snorkelling areas in four hours. The water around Magawish and Giftun can be wonderfully clear, with coral, schools of fish, and the occasional ray or dolphin sighting.

I like the way the guide stays in the water with you, rather than simply pointing from the boat. I also like the good-value package: hotel pickup, equipment, a captain, nature reserve fees, fruit, soft drinks, and water are all covered for $37. The main consideration is timing. Pickup can be 60 to 90 minutes before the advertised start, and one afternoon departure felt rushed for a guest who wanted more time in the water.

• Three Red Sea areas: Magawish Island, Giftun Island, and mangrove-fringed Abu Mingar are named as the main stops.
• Fast, compact boat: A speedboat gets you between sites faster than a large group boat.
• Helpful water guide: Guides including Yusuf, Ahmed, Ibrahim, Wissam, and Sayeed have helped with spotting fish and assisting weaker swimmers.
• Wildlife surprises: Dolphins, flying fish, rays, coral, a shipwreck, and many kinds of reef fish have all been seen on different trips.
• Simple refreshments: Fresh seasonal fruit, mineral water, and soft drinks are served during the outing.
• Pickup needs care: Wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not at reception, and be ready for a five-minute pickup window.

A Fast Start from Hurghada Marina

The day begins with pickup from your hotel and a transfer to Hurghada’s new marina. The exact time depends on your hotel and the number of pickups. For Hurghada hotels, allow a window of roughly 60 minutes. From Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga, the window can stretch to 90 minutes.

That sounds like a small detail, but it matters. A tour advertised as starting at 9:00 may collect you at 7:15 and leave the harbor around 8:15. If you have a second activity booked that afternoon, leave plenty of space.

Look for the white or black bus with the GoShalabi logo. You need to wait at the main entrance of your hotel, beside the road. The pickup does not take place at the reception entrance, and the driver can wait no more than five minutes because other passengers may be on the route.

You should receive the final pickup details by email or WhatsApp at around 10:00 PM the night before. Send your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number in advance. You may also be asked for a passport copy.

At the marina, you board the speedboat and receive a short briefing. The boat has a shaded area, life jackets, a stereo system, and space for drinks and fruit. The ride itself is part of the appeal. You skim along the coast rather than slowly motoring out with a large crowd.

Magawish Island and the First Reef

Magawish Island is usually the first major stop. This is where you get your first look at the Red Sea underwater world, with coral and fish in clear, warm water.

Your guide should stay close and point out things you could easily miss on your own. Yusuf has been praised for showing guests good reef areas, while other guides have helped weaker swimmers by staying beside them or pulling them gently through the water. That support makes a real difference if you are comfortable in the sea but not a confident swimmer.

The first snorkelling area is often the strongest part of the trip. You might see bright coral formations, many reef fish, and clear water that lets you look down without much effort. The quality can vary with the day, weather, and exact anchorage, so do not expect every stop to look identical.

Bring your own towel, sunglasses, and cash. Equipment is included, but you may prefer to bring a familiar mask if you own one. The included gear is useful for keeping the trip simple, especially if you are packing light.

The boat does not function like a full-day yacht with long meals and elaborate service. It is a practical snorkelling platform. You get in, explore with the guide, return to the boat, and move on. That rhythm suits you if the reefs are the main reason for booking.

Giftun Island, Abu Mingar, and the Extra Stops

The route continues toward Giftun Island and Abu Mingar, a mangrove-fringed area that gives the trip a different setting from the open reef. The exact sequence can change, and some outings include four bays or five snorkelling areas rather than only three.

One useful surprise is that the crew may add a wreck or another reef when conditions allow. A shipwreck became a favorite stop for one group, while another group found the first reef better than the later site. This is a reminder to judge the tour as a collection of stops, not as a guarantee that every location will be equally impressive.

Abu Mingar and the island areas also give you time to get out of your mask and look around. Some trips include a sandy beach or shallow-water stop sometimes described as the Egyptian Maldives. It is mainly a quick swim and photo break, not a long beach day.

You may also spot flying fish during the boat ride. Dolphins have appeared on several outings, sometimes near the snorkeling route. Seeing them is a lucky extra, not the central promise of the trip. If dolphins are nearby, the boat may slow or make a short detour, but wild animals do not follow a fixed schedule.

One guest raised a fair concern about boats gathering around dolphins. It can be exciting to see them, but you may feel uneasy if several vessels approach at once. Keep your expectations sensible and treat any dolphin sighting as an unexpected bonus rather than a planned swim-with-dolphins encounter.

What the Speedboat Adds

The speedboat changes the whole feel of the outing. You cover more water in less time, and you avoid the slower pace and larger crowds associated with many standard Red Sea boat tours.

For a four-hour activity, that efficiency is valuable. You spend a greater share of the morning at the actual sites instead of sitting on a boat between them. The open-air ride is also lively, with the Egyptian sun, coastal views, and a good burst of speed.

There is a tradeoff. A small speedboat has less room than a large day boat. One group found the boat clean and spacious with six people, while another felt it might become uncomfortable with more than four passengers. The experience is best when the group stays small.

Private and small-group options are available. If you care about personal space, easy communication, or a more relaxed pace, check the group type when you book. A six-person group was described as an ideal size, but comfort depends on the boat and how much equipment everyone brings.

If you have back problems, this is not the right excursion. Speedboats can move sharply over waves, and the ride may be less forgiving than a slower vessel. The tour is also not suitable for pets.

The Guides Make the Difference

The crew is an important part of this experience. Ahmed has served as captain on trips that included a dolphin detour, while guides such as Yusuf, Wissam, Ibrahim, and Sayeed have been singled out for being helpful, friendly, and involved.

Sayeed was particularly useful with children. Yusuf helped point out good underwater sights. Ibrahim and the crew assisted older passengers in their sixties, showing that the activity can be manageable for many people who are reasonably mobile and comfortable around water.

The guide’s role is not just to lead you to the reef. A good guide helps you enter the water safely, points toward fish and coral, stays aware of the group, and assists anyone who cannot swim well. That is one reason this trip can suit families and mixed-ability groups better than an unsupervised boat outing.

Still, you should be honest about your own comfort level. Life jackets are provided, and the guide can help, but you should not book if you cannot manage a boat and snorkelling activity at all. The sea is friendly one day and choppy the next.

Fruit, Drinks, and Time on the Boat

Fresh seasonal fruit is served along with soft drinks and mineral water. The refreshments are simple, but they are welcome after swimming in the sun. You do not need to plan this as a food-focused excursion, since the main value is the water time and the quick movement between sites.

The shaded area on the boat matters more than it may sound. You can get out of the direct sun between stops, which is useful in Hurghada’s bright weather. Bring sunscreen, though it is not listed among the required items. Sunglasses are specifically recommended, and a towel is essential after each swim.

You are responsible for your personal belongings. The company does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged items, so keep phones, cameras, and wallets secure. Cash is worth carrying for personal expenses, even though the included refreshments do not require payment.

The boat has a stereo system, which adds atmosphere but may not suit everyone. If you prefer quiet time at sea, bring that expectation with you. The ride is part sightseeing, part transport, and part entertainment.

Morning or Sunset Departure?

You can choose a morning or sunset departure, subject to availability. The morning option is the safer choice if you want the clearest schedule and the fullest use of daylight for reef viewing.

An afternoon or sunset trip can work well if you have a late start or want to fit another activity into your morning. The light may also be pleasant for photos. The downside is that you may feel pressed for time, especially if pickup happens earlier than expected or the boat reaches the harbor later than the advertised end.

One afternoon group felt it was rushed and had too little snorkelling time. That does not mean every afternoon departure will have the same problem, but it is a useful warning. Ask for the actual pickup and return estimates before booking if your day is tightly planned.

The stated duration is four hours, but hotel transport adds extra time. The boat portion may run close to four hours from marina departure to return, while the full door-to-door outing can occupy much of a half-day.

Is $37 a Good Price?

At $37 per person, this is strong value if you want a short, active Red Sea outing rather than a full-day cruise. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Hurghada, snorkelling equipment, guide, captain, boat ride, shaded seating, life jackets, fruit, drinks, and nature reserve fees.

The speedboat is the key value point. You are paying for quicker access to several sites and a smaller setting, not simply transportation to one beach. A large boat may offer more space and a longer day, but this option keeps the experience focused.

Long-distance pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay costs extra as an add-on. If you do not book that service, you may need to pay at the harbor. The extended pickup is not cancellable after 6:00 PM the day before, so check the transport cost before you finalize the reservation.

The free cancellation window is 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your schedule is still changing, but they do not remove the need to watch the pickup instructions carefully.

Who Should Book This Trip?

I would choose this tour if I wanted the most snorkelling possible in about half a day. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and small groups who prefer a quick boat and a guide in the water.

It is also a good match if you want a taste of the Hurghada archipelago without giving up an entire day. The coral, fish, possible wreck, island stops, fruit, and dolphin chance give you a lot for the price.

I would think twice if you need a spacious boat, have back problems, dislike fast rides, or want a slow beach day. I would also avoid booking it immediately before another fixed activity because pickup and return times have a wide practical margin.

The headline attraction is not any single island. It is the combination of speed, small groups, and several water stops. That combination gives you a lively Red Sea outing without the commitment of a full-day cruise.

Should You Book the Hurghada Speedboat?

Book it if your priority is coral, fish, and time in the water. The strongest parts are the small-group format, involved guides, quick travel between sites, and low price for what is included.

Choose the morning if you want the clearest schedule and less risk of feeling rushed. Confirm your hotel entrance, watch for the GoShalabi bus, and keep your plans flexible around the pickup window.

I would not book this as a guaranteed dolphin encounter or a luxury beach day. I would book it as a practical, energetic snorkelling trip with good odds of seeing excellent reef life and a few pleasant surprises along the way.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat snorkelling trip?

The boat activity lasts four hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off add extra time, and the pickup window can vary by location.

What places does the boat visit?

The main named areas are Magawish Island, Giftun Island, and Abu Mingar. Depending on conditions and the day’s route, the boat may also visit extra reefs, bays, or a shipwreck.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels. Long-distance pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as an add-on.

Where should I wait for the pickup?

Wait at the main entrance of your hotel by the road. Do not wait at the reception entrance or inside the reception area.

How will I know the pickup time?

The pickup details are sent by email or WhatsApp at about 10:00 PM the night before the trip. The time can vary by around 60 minutes for Hurghada hotels and up to 90 minutes for extended areas.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkelling equipment and life jackets are included. A shaded area, stereo system, captain, English-speaking guide, fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are also provided.

Are refreshments included?

Yes. Fresh seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are included.

Can a non-swimmer join?

The guide can assist weaker swimmers, and life jackets are provided. However, the activity is still conducted in the sea, so you should only book if you are comfortable taking part in a snorkelling trip.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems?

No. People with back problems are advised not to take this activity because of the speedboat ride.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later, subject to the booking terms.