REVIEW · HURGHADA

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada

★ 5.0 · 6 reviews From $20 Operated by Meeka Tours · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Hurghada trip is the private speedboat ride. You move quickly along the Red Sea coast, stop for snorkeling, and spend about two hours on Giftun Island instead of sitting on a large boat all day. The package also includes hotel transfers, water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks.

I like the flexible feel of a private boat, and I like that dolphin watching is built into the route rather than sold as a separate promise. The main drawback is cost clarity: the advertised $20 price does not include all taxes, and extra transfer charges apply from several hotel areas.

Key points at a glance

  • Private boat for your group: You are not sharing the speedboat with a large tour crowd.
  • Two hours on Giftun Island: The beach stop gives you time to swim, rest, and enjoy the island at a slower pace.
  • Snorkeling equipment included: A reef stop is part of the trip, though a new mouthpiece costs €5 if you request one.
  • Dolphin watching included: The stated chance of seeing dolphins is 80%, but wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
  • Food and drinks covered: Water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks are provided during the outing.
  • Hotel pickup in Hurghada: Transfers are included inside Hurghada, with supplements for Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga.

A fast start from Hurghada to the Red Sea

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada - A fast start from Hurghada to the Red Sea

This is a short sea trip built around movement. After pickup at your Hurghada hotel, you head to the boat and set off toward Giftun Island, also called Orange Island in the tour description. That naming difference is worth noting when you book. The experience is presented as a visit to Orange Island, while the inclusions and entry ticket refer to Giftun Island.

The speedboat changes the mood from a standard beach transfer. You get open water, wind, and a clear view of the coast as the boat moves between Hurghada and the island. The route is described as passing beaches, rocky coastal sections, coves, and green patches along the shore. You may also pause in quieter places that larger boats cannot reach as easily.

I would choose this trip if you want a compact Red Sea outing rather than a full-day cruise. The advertised duration is about four hours, while the boat portion is listed as three hours and includes roughly two hours at the island. Pickup and return time account for the difference, so allow more than the exact time spent on the water.

Why a private speedboat makes a difference

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada - Why a private speedboat makes a difference

A private boat is the strongest feature here. Your group takes part on its own, which gives you more control than a shared excursion. The information does not promise a custom timetable, but a private setup usually makes the day feel less fixed because the boat is not carrying a large mixed group.

The boat itself has received strong praise for its quality. That matters on a fast ride, where a cramped or poorly kept craft can turn a pleasant trip into a tiring one. Here, the speed is part of the attraction, not just a way to reach the beach.

You should still expect a lively ride. High-speed travel means wind, spray, and movement. Keep your phone secure, bring sun protection, and do not assume the boat ride will feel calm throughout. The description focuses on the thrill of the journey, so this is better suited to people who enjoy being out on open water than to anyone seeking a quiet, slow cruise.

The trip is private, but the price is listed per person. Group discounts are available, which may make the cost more attractive for families or friends booking together. Ask for the final total before paying, since taxes and location-based transfer charges are listed separately.

Two hours on Giftun Island

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada - Two hours on Giftun Island

The island stop is the heart of the outing. You have about two hours to enjoy the beach, look across the Red Sea, and slow down after the fast boat ride. The sand and clear water give the stop a classic tropical feel, with the appeal coming from simple time by the sea rather than a long list of organized activities.

That two-hour block is useful. It is long enough to swim, sit on the beach, take photographs, and enjoy the setting without making the whole trip an island stay. If you prefer constant activity, the pause may feel a little long. If you want a genuine break, it is one of the better parts of the schedule.

There is one practical catch: island prices may be higher than you expect. A specific experience note points out that the island looked excellent but felt expensive. Bring that warning into your budget. The tour includes snacks, water, soft drinks, and fruit, but you should not assume every purchase on the island is covered.

The description also mentions Orange Island and White Island during the beach portion. Since the formal details focus on Giftun Island, ask the operator how the island names and route fit together when you confirm the booking. That small check can prevent confusion on the day.

Snorkeling over Red Sea coral

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada - Snorkeling over Red Sea coral

Snorkeling is included, along with equipment. The reef stop adds more than a beach break because it lets you see the underwater side of the Red Sea, including coral and marine life. The exact reef location and length of the stop are not specified, so you should expect a planned snorkeling pause rather than a full instructional session.

A snorkeling guide is included, and one particularly positive account credits the guide with being very helpful. The guide’s name is not supplied, but Fadi is named in connection with the trip and received thanks for making the day run well. If you want help in the water, tell the team before the boat leaves.

The mouthpiece policy deserves attention. Standard snorkeling equipment is included, but a new snorkel mouthpiece costs €5 on request. If you prefer a fresh mouthpiece for personal comfort, budget for that small extra or ask about it before departure.

You should be comfortable in the water enough to take part safely, since most participants can join but the activity is still based around swimming and snorkeling. The information does not promise a lesson, flotation support, or a particular reef depth, so ask the crew directly if any member of your group has limited swimming ability.

Dolphin watching with an 80 percent chance

Dolphin watching is one of the tour’s main selling points, with an advertised 80 percent chance of a sighting. That is a strong figure, but it remains a wildlife encounter. You may see dolphins, or you may spend the return ride scanning the water without a close sighting.

The route has produced memorable dolphin encounters, including a group seen on the way back from the island. That timing is useful to know. Keep watching during the return journey, not only during the outward ride. Have your camera ready, but enjoy the moment rather than expecting dolphins to approach the boat on cue.

This part of the trip works best when you treat the percentage as a good possibility, not a guarantee. The beach and snorkeling stops give you a worthwhile outing even if the animals stay out of sight.

What the food and drinks really add

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada - What the food and drinks really add

The included refreshments are modest but useful. You receive water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks. On a sunny boat trip, having drinks already arranged means you do not need to plan every small purchase before boarding.

The food should be viewed as light support, not a full meal. The tour data does not describe a lunch or a specific menu. If you need a substantial meal, do not assume snacks will cover it, especially since the overall experience lasts about four hours once transfers are included.

This also helps explain the value of the package. At $20 per person, the advertised rate covers more than transport: it includes a private three-hour speedboat, island entry, snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and pickup and drop-off within Hurghada. That is a strong starting price for a private outing, provided the extra charges do not apply to your hotel.

The real price and extra transfer charges

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada - The real price and extra transfer charges

The headline price is $20 per person. That is appealing, especially for a private boat, but you need to read the total cost carefully.

Taxes and fees are listed at €10 per person. Hotel transfers inside Hurghada are included, while pickup from other areas costs extra:

  • Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh: €5 per person
  • El Gouna and Safaga: €10 per person

The use of both dollars and euros in the pricing information makes it especially important to confirm the final amount in writing. Currency conversion, taxes, and pickup location can change what you actually pay.

For a couple or small group staying inside Hurghada, the package may offer very good value. You get private use of the boat and the island stop without paying for a full-day charter. For someone staying in Safaga or El Gouna, the added transfer fee narrows that advantage, though the private format may still justify it.

Who will enjoy this trip most

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada - Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several Red Sea highlights in a short window: a fast boat ride, island time, snorkeling, and a chance to see dolphins. It suits couples, families, and friends who prefer to keep their own group together.

It is also a good fit for people who dislike large group boats. The private arrangement lets only your party take part, which should make boarding and time on the island feel more personal.

You may want another kind of excursion if you need a slow, quiet boat ride, a full meal, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The speedboat is the point here, and the schedule packs several activities into a few hours. Anyone who gets uncomfortable on fast-moving boats should think carefully before booking.

Most travelers can participate, but the experience includes open-water snorkeling. Ask about the conditions for anyone who is not confident in the water. The supplied details do not give a specific accessibility plan, so direct questions are sensible before you pay.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Dolphin House By Private Speedboat With Giftun Island _ Hurghada - Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. Pickup is offered, and the tour is near public transportation, though hotel pickup is the more useful option for most people.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

That policy is fair for a boat trip, but note the local-time cutoff. If you are arranging several activities during a short stay, leave some flexibility around this one.

Should you book the Giftun Island speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a short, private Red Sea adventure with a good mix of speed, beach time, snorkeling, and wildlife watching. The private boat, helpful snorkeling support, included refreshments, and two-hour island stop give the $20 base price real appeal.

Before booking, confirm three things: the exact island name and route, the final price including the €10 tax and fees, and the transfer charge for your hotel. If those details suit you, this is a practical way to see several of Hurghada’s coastal highlights without committing to a long cruise.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The overall experience lasts approximately four hours. The boat portion is listed as three hours, including about two hours on Giftun Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels inside Hurghada. Additional charges apply from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group takes part in the private speedboat activity.

What is included in the price?

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off inside Hurghada, a three-hour private speedboat, Giftun Island admission, snorkeling equipment, dolphin watching, snacks, water, soft drinks, and fruit.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. A snorkeling stop and equipment are included. A new snorkel mouthpiece costs €5 if requested.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The tour states an 80 percent chance of dolphin sightings, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

How much time do you spend on Giftun Island?

You spend approximately two hours on the island.

Are taxes included in the advertised price?

Taxes and fees are listed separately at €10 per person. Confirm the final total before booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, while weather cancellations offer another date or a full refund.

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