Hurghada Speedboat Trip to Orange Bay and Magawish Islands

A fast boat, bright water, white sand, and three Red Sea stops make this a lively way to leave Hurghada’s hotel strip behind. You spend about an hour at Orange Bay, another hour at Magawish Island, then make two short snorkeling stops near the Giftun Islands.

I like the small maximum group of 20 and the useful inclusions: snorkeling gear, life jackets, fruit, drinks, bottled water, and a cheese-and-turkey sandwich. I also like the personal touch reported from crew members Mohammed and Youssef, who helped one nervous snorkeler feel safe. The main caution is that the island time is fairly brief, lunch is simple, and pickup from distant resort areas costs an extra 10 euros.

Key points to know before you book

• Three Red Sea areas in about five hours: Orange Bay, Magawish Island, and two Giftun snorkeling stops fit into one morning or afternoon outing.
• A small shared boat trip: The group limit is 20 people, so this is more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Orange Bay is the beach stop: You get about an hour for sand, shallow water, music, sun, and social time.
• Magawish adds snorkeling and lunch: Plan on another hour, with underwater sightseeing and a basic cheese-and-turkey lunch box.
• Crew support can matter: Mohammed and Youssef are named as crew members who gave one-on-one help to a nervous snorkeler.
• Check your pickup zone: Long-range transfers from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, and Sahl Hasheesh cost 10 euros extra.

Speeding out from Hurghada to the Red Sea islands

This trip is built around movement. Instead of spending the day on one large boat, you ride a speedboat between several island areas near Hurghada. That gives the outing a sharper pace, with the sea crossing itself forming part of the fun.

The total duration is about five hours. Hotel pickup is offered, and the transport vehicle is air-conditioned. The group maximum is 20 people, a useful limit for boarding, getting equipment, and receiving help in the water.

I would view this as a social shared outing rather than a quiet private cruise. Music is part of the Orange Bay stop, and the description specifically invites you to meet people from different countries. If you want a peaceful day with long stretches of silence, this may feel busy. If you like a friendly group and a full schedule, the pace should suit you.

The boat ride also means you should think about comfort. A speedboat gets you from one stop to the next quickly, but the ride can feel active on open water. The provided life jackets are important safety equipment, not just an optional extra.

Orange Bay: one hour of sand, water, and music

Orange Bay is the first main stop, with about one hour on the island. The appeal is simple: white sand, clear water, sun, music, and time to relax.

You can use this stop as your beach break. Stretch out, work on your tan, wade in the water, and enjoy the setting before the snorkeling portion begins. The short stay keeps the trip moving, but it also means you will need to choose how to spend your time.

I would not expect a long, unhurried beach day here. One hour passes quickly once you arrive, get organized, take photos, and settle in. Still, Orange Bay gives the trip a useful change of rhythm. The speedboat ride is active, while this stop lets you slow down.

The social side may appeal to solo bookers and small groups. Music and a shared beach setting make it easier to meet others. Families and couples who want a calm, private beach picnic may find the atmosphere less suited to them, especially since this is a shared adventure.

Bring your attention to the clock. If you want photos, swimming, and a few quiet minutes on the sand, avoid spending the whole stop on just one activity.

Magawish Island: snorkeling and a simple lunch

The next island stop is Magawish, where you have roughly one hour. This is the point where the outing shifts from beach relaxation to underwater sightseeing.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, so you do not need to arrange those separately. Bottled water, soft drinks, and fruit are also provided. Lunch is a lunch box with a cheese-and-turkey sandwich, so think of it as practical fuel rather than a long meal.

That simple meal fits the schedule. With several stops packed into five hours, a box lunch is easier than sitting down for a full restaurant meal. You can eat without giving up much of your island time.

The snorkeling opportunity is the main reason to pay attention at Magawish. The Red Sea is known for clear water and colorful marine life, but the supplied details do not promise a particular reef, species, or water visibility on your date. Conditions can change, so treat the underwater views as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

If you feel unsure in the water, say so early. One especially useful detail from the experience is that crew member Youssef gave one-on-one snorkeling help to a nervous participant. Mohammed and his crew also received praise for stepping in after another tour plan fell through. That suggests the team can be helpful when you need extra direction, though you should still use the life jacket and stay within the crew’s instructions.

Giftun Islands: two short snorkeling stops

The itinerary includes two snorkeling stops around the Giftun Islands, each lasting about 20 minutes. Together, they take about one hour.

These stops are different from the beach time at Orange Bay. You are not simply sitting on sand. The focus is on getting into the water, looking below the surface, and moving through two separate snorkeling locations.

Twenty minutes is enough for a quick look, especially if you are already comfortable with a mask and snorkel. It is less generous if you need time to adjust equipment, settle your breathing, or build confidence. That is another reason to ask for help at the start rather than waiting until the stop is nearly over.

The two-stop format gives you a second chance if the first location is less appealing. Still, the trip does not provide a long, specialist snorkeling session. If your main goal is extended time in the water, a dedicated snorkeling or marine-life trip may suit you better.

For a general island outing, though, these stops add real value. You get more than a beach transfer and photo break. The schedule gives you several chances to use the included equipment and see different parts of the Red Sea.

What the $58.73 price really covers

At $58.73 per person, the cost is reasonable if you want transport, several island stops, equipment, refreshments, and a shared speedboat in one half-day package.

The value comes from the combination. You are not paying only for a ride to Orange Bay. The outing includes Orange Bay, Magawish Island, two Giftun snorkeling stops, hotel pickup, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, and a lunch box.

The price is less attractive if you plan to spend most of your time on the beach or if you already have snorkeling equipment and do not want a scheduled group trip. The lunch is also basic, so do not book this expecting a full seafood meal or a long restaurant break.

Pickup distance affects the final cost. Transfers from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, and Sahl Hasheesh add 10 euros. Check this before comparing the price with other Hurghada boat trips, since a cheaper starting figure can change once a long transfer is added.

The group limit of 20 helps the value. You get a shared outing, but not one advertised for a very large crowd. That should make equipment distribution and basic crew assistance easier, although the exact boat size and seating arrangement are not provided.

The crew and the human side of the trip

Names matter here because the strongest personal detail is not about the islands. It is about help in the water.

Youssef is specifically associated with giving one-on-one snorkeling assistance to someone who did not feel confident. That is useful if you are a first-time snorkeler, have children who need reassurance, or simply want clear instructions before entering the water.

Mohammed and his crew are also connected with rescuing a last-minute holiday plan after another company failed to show up for a separate activity. That does not tell you every detail of the normal operation, but it does show why direct crew support can shape the day.

You should still keep expectations sensible. The provider is Go shalabi, and the outing is shared, not a private charter with a dedicated guide for every person. Personal attention may be available when needed, but it cannot mean uninterrupted one-on-one support for the entire group.

The current rating is 3.5 from 14 published ratings, so the experience is not a perfect fit for everyone. I would read that as a reason to book for the mix of islands and snorkeling, not because every part will feel polished or luxurious.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada boat trip most

I think this trip suits you best if you want several highlights in one short outing. It works well for people who like a little speed, a social atmosphere, beach time, and basic snorkeling without arranging each part separately.

It may suit solo visitors especially well. Music and a shared group create chances to meet people, and the maximum of 20 keeps the outing more contained than a large cruise.

It can also work for families and first-time snorkelers, provided everyone is comfortable with a busy schedule and open-water boat travel. Life jackets are included, and crew assistance may be available, but children should remain closely supervised.

Couples looking for a romantic, quiet cruise may want something more private. The shared format, music, short stops, and simple lunch are aimed at a fun day out rather than a luxury experience.

Serious underwater photographers and experienced snorkelers may also want more time in the water. Two 20-minute Giftun stops and one hour at Magawish give you a taste, not a full-day exploration.

Timing, pickup, and small practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the provided information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment, so ask the operator if you have specific mobility or medical needs.

Hotel pickup is offered, but the long-range zones cost extra. If you are staying in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, or Sahl Hasheesh, add 10 euros to your budget and confirm the meeting details before the day.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Normal cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, you receive no refund and changes are not accepted.

Since island time is limited, wear something practical for swimming and snorkeling. The supplied information confirms equipment, life jackets, drinks, fruit, and lunch, but it does not list towels, sunscreen, or personal dry bags. Plan your own kit around those gaps rather than assuming they are provided.

Should you book the Orange Bay and Magawish trip?

Book it if you want a fast, social half-day on the water with three island areas, included snorkeling gear, refreshments, and a simple lunch. The small group limit and the possibility of personal help from crew members such as Youssef are meaningful advantages.

Think twice if you want long beach time, a quiet private boat, a substantial meal, or an extended snorkeling session. The schedule is tight, Orange Bay and Magawish each get about an hour, and the Giftun snorkeling stops last only 20 minutes each.

For the right person, $58.73 is a fair price for a compact Red Sea sampler. I would book it as an active introduction to Hurghada’s islands, not as a luxury cruise or specialist snorkeling expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada speedboat trip last?

The trip lasts approximately five hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The trip visits Orange Bay, Magawish Island, and the Giftun Islands.

How long do you spend at Orange Bay?

You spend approximately one hour at Orange Bay.

How long do you spend at Magawish Island?

You spend approximately one hour at Magawish Island.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The trip includes two snorkeling stops around the Giftun Islands. Each stop lasts about 20 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included lunch is a lunch box with a cheese-and-turkey sandwich. Fruit, bottled water, and soft drinks are also included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, but long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, and Sahl Hasheesh costs an additional 10 euros.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the trip to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.