Private Speed Boat to Magawish Island’s Hidden Wonders – Hurghada

The main draw is the chance to see wild dolphins in the Red Sea, then swim and snorkel near Magawish Island’s pale beaches and clear water. The boat also takes you to quieter coves, so the day is not only about chasing a dolphin sighting.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that snorkeling equipment, a guide, water, and soft drinks are included. I also like the mix of activities: you can snorkel, rest on the sand, try water sports, and enjoy lunch instead of spending five hours on a boat with only one purpose.

The main caution is simple: dolphins are wild animals, and sightings are uncertain. Rough water can make swimming after them hard, and one account describes a much larger boat group than the private-tour description suggests, so confirm the boat size before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphin House is not a dolphin park: You may see dolphins in open water, but no sighting or swim is promised.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Equipment, an instructor, and a professional guide are provided.
• The schedule starts at noon: The advertised duration is about five hours, despite some descriptions calling it a full-day outing.
• Hotel pickup is included from Hurghada: Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost an extra €10 per person in cash.
• Magawish Island adds beach time: You can swim, rest on the sand, or sit under palm trees between water activities.
• The advertised extras are generous: Lunch, massage, an Oriental show, and a banana boat ride are described, but confirm each item when booking because the formal inclusions list is shorter.

Leaving Hurghada at noon

This trip begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. The listed start time is 12:00 pm, which is useful if you want a relaxed morning or have arrived in Hurghada after an early flight.

The advertised duration is about five hours. That makes this closer to a substantial half-day outing than a full day on the water, even though the promotion uses full-day language. Plan around the five-hour figure when arranging dinner, another tour, or an airport transfer.

Hotel pickup is one of the strongest practical points. You do not need to find a marina or arrange a taxi across town. Still, allow some flexibility. One poor account describes a pickup that arrived 50 minutes late, so I would not schedule this boat trip immediately before an important evening booking.

If you are staying outside Hurghada, the extra transfer cost matters. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh is listed at €10 per person, payable in cash on the day. Ask for the exact pickup time and total transfer charge before departure.

The speed boat ride to Magawish Island

Once aboard, you head across the Red Sea toward Magawish Island. The speed boat gives the trip a more direct feel than a slow sightseeing cruise, and the approach to the island brings the first strong visual reward: turquoise water, pale sand, and low island beaches.

The private-tour format should appeal to couples, families, and small groups that want a more personal outing. You can spend less time waiting for a large boat to gather everyone and more time choosing between swimming, snorkeling, and resting.

There is one important point to clarify. The activity is described as private, with only your group taking part, but one account reports a boat carrying 35 people. That may reflect a different departure or an operational change, but it is too significant to ignore. If a private boat is important to you, get written confirmation of the group size before you go.

The island itself is the setting for the slower part of the day. You can swim from the beach, sit in the shade of palm trees, or simply enjoy a quieter stretch of coast. Do not expect a developed resort day. The appeal is the open water and simple beach setting.

Two snorkeling stops near the coral

The snorkeling program includes two guided stops and use of snorkeling equipment. A professional guide and snorkeling instructor are included, which is useful if you are not fully confident in the water or want help locating the best areas.

Near the coral, you might see colorful fish, sea turtles, and other Red Sea marine life. The water is described as clear, but visibility and comfort can change with wind and waves. One account gives the snorkeling high marks, while another describes the activity as hectic and poorly organized. That suggests the quality may depend on sea conditions, guide coordination, and the number of people entering the water at once.

You should bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. The supplied information confirms equipment, water, and soft drinks, but it does not list towels or personal reef shoes. If those matter to you, ask before departure rather than assuming they are provided.

The two-stop structure is helpful because it gives you a second chance if the first site has rough water or limited visibility. It also breaks up the day. You are not expected to spend the entire trip in the water, and you can return to the boat or beach when you have had enough.

Dolphin House and the limits of wild-animal encounters

Dolphin House is the emotional center of the outing. This part of the Red Sea is known for wild dolphins, and the trip aims to let you see them in their natural environment rather than in a controlled pool.

That freedom is also the reason you need realistic expectations. You may see dolphins from the boat without being able to swim with them. One account describes dolphins being spotted from the boat, with only strong swimmers able to enter the water and follow them briefly with a guide. Rough water can make even that short attempt tiring and risky.

I would treat the dolphin encounter as a bonus, not the entire value of the trip. If the animals are nearby, you may have a memorable sighting. If they stay away, the snorkeling and island time still form the main body of the excursion.

You should follow the guide’s instructions closely and judge your own swimming ability honestly. The fact that a dolphin is visible does not mean the water is calm or that you should try to reach it. The activity is better suited to people who can manage open-water conditions comfortably, though the tour states that most participants can take part.

Lunch, massage, banana boat, and the onboard program

The tour description includes a buffet lunch on board, along with soft drinks and water. Food served at sea is valuable because it saves you from losing time returning to shore, and it gives the day a proper break between water activities.

There is a small mismatch in the information provided. Lunch is described in the main program, but it does not appear in the formal list of included items. The same applies to the short massage and Oriental show. Water sports are listed, which may cover the banana boat, but the exact arrangement is not spelled out.

For that reason, confirm the following before departure:

• Is the buffet lunch included in the quoted price?
• Is the short massage included for every participant?
• Is the Oriental show scheduled on your departure?
• Does the water-sports package include a banana boat ride?
• Are there any limits on the number of rides or massage time?

These are not minor details if you are comparing this outing with a simpler snorkeling cruise. The extra program can make the $70 price good value, but only if the advertised additions are actually part of your departure.

The mix of activities may suit a group with different interests. One person can snorkel while another rests on the boat or beach. A child or less confident swimmer may prefer the banana boat or island time, while a strong swimmer focuses on the coral and dolphin area.

What the $70 price buys you

At $70 per person, the trip sits in the middle of a typical resort excursion budget, but the value depends on how many of the promised elements you use. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a private speed boat, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guide, water, soft drinks, and water sports are included in the stated package.

That is a reasonable bundle for a five-hour outing, especially if you value convenience. You avoid arranging transport, renting snorkeling gear separately, and finding your own boat to Magawish Island.

The national park fee is extra at €5 per person, payable in cash on the spot. Add that to your budget. If you are staying in one of the outlying resort areas, add the €10 per-person transfer charge as well.

The price becomes less attractive if you are mainly booking for a guaranteed dolphin swim. No responsible operator can promise that with wild animals, and the accounts of this trip show the full range of outcomes: some people saw and swam with dolphins, some saw them only from the boat, and some saw none.

I would book it for the complete day on the water, not as a dolphin guarantee. That mindset gives you a fairer way to judge the price.

Group size, safety, and service details

The activity states that it is private and that only your group will participate. That is a meaningful advantage if accurate. A private boat can reduce crowding at the snorkeling sites and make it easier to ask the guide for help.

But the reported 35-person boat needs clarification. The difference between a private boat and a large shared departure changes the whole experience. It affects how quickly people enter the water, how much space you have on board, and how long it takes to move from one activity to another.

The tour provides a professional guide and snorkeling instructor. The guide is there to explain the underwater area and help with water safety, but organization may vary. One account describes the snorkeling as rushed, so ask how the group will be divided if your departure is not fully private.

Service is generally described as relaxed and well run, with convenient pickup. There is also a serious complaint about inappropriate physical contact by a host. The operator requested trip details to investigate, but the allegation remains an important reason to keep normal personal boundaries in mind and report any problem immediately to the operator.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour states that most people can participate. The information does not give detailed accessibility guidance for the boat, beach, or snorkeling entry, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask for precise arrangements before booking.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada boat trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several Red Sea activities in one package. It suits people who like a mix of snorkeling, beach time, boat travel, light entertainment, and the possibility of seeing wildlife.

It also works well for a small private group, provided the boat arrangement is confirmed. Families and friends can share the day without committing to separate activities, and the included pickup keeps the planning simple.

Strong swimmers may get the most from the dolphin portion, especially if the sea is choppy. You should not book it expecting to swim with dolphins if you are uncomfortable in open water.

You may prefer another option if you want a quiet, highly structured snorkeling trip with no extra activities. The lunch, water sports, show, massage, and dolphin search create variety, but they can also make the day feel busy if the boat is crowded.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 93 ratings and a 90 percent recommendation rate. Those figures suggest a generally positive experience, while the low-scoring accounts show exactly where the risks lie: booking problems, late pickup, uncertain dolphin sightings, rough water, and possible crowding.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are available. Group discounts may be offered, which could improve the value if you are booking for several people.

The free cancellation rule is straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Before you finalize the reservation, I would confirm the departure time, pickup location, boat capacity, and which extras are included. Pay particular attention to lunch, the massage, the Oriental show, and the banana boat because they are described in the program but not all repeated in the formal inclusions.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a convenient Red Sea day with snorkeling, Magawish Island, water sports, and a real chance of seeing wild dolphins. The strongest parts are the hotel pickup, included equipment, two snorkeling stops, and the range of activities for the $70 price.

Do not book it for a guaranteed dolphin swim or assume the boat will be small without confirmation. Ask about group size, lunch, the extra program, and pickup timing first. If those details check out, this is a lively and reasonably priced way to spend five hours on the water near Hurghada.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately five hours. Some descriptions call it a full-day outing, but you should plan around the five-hour duration.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 12:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada are included in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is there an extra charge for hotels outside Hurghada?

Yes. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost €10 per person, paid in cash on the spot.

Are snorkeling equipment and a guide included?

Yes. The package includes two guided snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, a professional guide, and a snorkeling instructor.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The national park fee is €5 per person and must be paid in cash on the spot.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.