Private Speedboat to Abu Munkar Island and Snorkeling – Hurghada

Get away from Hurghada’s crowded boats. This four-hour trip gives your group a private speedboat, two hours on Abu Munkar Island, and snorkeling near Red Sea coral reefs. I especially like the freedom of traveling with only your own group and the simple onboard supply of fruit, snacks, soda, and water. A possible drawback is the fixed 1:30 pm start, which leaves less room for a full day at sea.

I also like that the tour includes hotel pickup, return transport, equipment, and a snorkeling guide. Names mentioned for the crew include Eslam, a guide praised for being friendly and easy to talk with, and Snoopi, the captain. You should still budget for the separate €5 national park fee, paid in cash, and possibly an extra €10 transfer charge if you are staying outside Hurghada.

Key points to know before booking

• A genuinely private outing: Only your own group takes part, a useful choice for families, couples, or friends who do not want to share a large excursion boat.

• Two hours on Abu Munkar Island: The island stop is not a quick photo pause. You get a substantial block of time for beach relaxation and sun.

• Fast boat, short format: The speedboat adds an exciting rush of wind and spray while keeping the whole trip to about four hours.

• Snorkeling equipment is supplied: You can leave your own mask and fins at the hotel, though you may prefer personal gear if fit matters to you.

• Food is basic but welcome: Water, soda, fresh fruit, and snacks are provided during the outing.

• Extra costs are easy to miss: The €5 park fee is paid locally, and pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh costs an additional €10 per person.

Why this private Hurghada boat trip works well

Hurghada has no shortage of Red Sea excursions. Many use large boats and fixed group programs. This one takes a more personal route. Your party travels together on a private speedboat, so you are not adjusting every stop around a boatload of strangers.

That matters most if you are traveling with children, older family members, or friends with different comfort levels in the water. You can enjoy the ride, beach, and snorkeling without the social shuffle of a large shared outing. The private setup also makes the trip feel less like a transport operation and more like a short personal day at sea.

The price is listed at $45 per person. For a private activity, that can be good value if you have several people sharing the outing. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, the boat, a snorkeling guide, equipment, life jackets, water activities, drinks, fruit, and snacks. You still need to add the €5 national park fee, and some resort areas have an extra transfer charge.

I would compare the total price for your whole group rather than looking only at the per-person figure. A solo visitor may find a shared boat cheaper, but a family or small group gets more from the privacy.

Hotel pickup and the 1:30 pm start

The day begins with collection from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The vehicle takes you to the pier, where the speedboat is waiting. Exact transfer time depends on your hotel, so keep some flexibility before the stated 1:30 pm start.

The afternoon departure shapes the whole outing. You are not signing up for an all-day marine program. Instead, this is a compact afternoon escape, with enough time for an island stop and snorkeling without taking over your entire day.

The timing may suit you if you want a relaxed morning at the hotel or prefer not to wake early for a boat trip. It may be less suitable if you want long hours on the water, several snorkeling locations, or a full sunset cruise. The supplied information gives an approximate duration of four hours, so plan for a return around the early evening, though the exact timing can vary.

Before leaving the hotel, bring your swimsuit, sunscreen, a towel, and a small amount of cash for the park fee. The tour says to pack light because snorkeling equipment is available on the boat.

The speedboat ride to Abu Munkar Island

Once you reach the pier, you board the speedboat and head toward Abu Munkar Island. The boat ride is part of the attraction, not merely a transfer. The description emphasizes the speed, air rush, and water spray, so expect a livelier ride than you would get on a large, slow excursion boat.

I like this format because the boat gives you a strong sense of movement. You are closer to the water, and the journey feels active from the start. At the same time, a fast boat can be less comfortable for anyone who dislikes spray, wind, or a bouncing ride. If you have a sensitive back or simply prefer a quiet crossing, ask your group to consider that before booking.

The trip is private, but that does not mean every part can be adjusted without limits. The start time, approximate four-hour length, island stop, and snorkeling portion are built into the program. You get privacy within a planned route.

Life jackets are available for use. You can wear one during the ride or in the water if you prefer extra support. That is especially useful for weaker swimmers or anyone who feels more relaxed with flotation equipment close at hand.

Two hours on Abu Munkar Island

The island stop is the heart of the trip. You spend about two hours on the beach, with time to sit in the sun, relax, and enjoy the weather. This is a generous stop compared with excursions that allow only a brief walk ashore.

You should think of Abu Munkar as a simple beach break rather than a sightseeing stop packed with facilities. The information provided does not promise restaurants, changing rooms, shops, or organized beach services. Bring what you need for comfort, and keep your belongings under control.

Two hours gives you room to set your own pace. You can spend part of the time swimming or resting, then take photos or walk along the beach. If your group includes people who are not keen on snorkeling, this island time gives them a worthwhile part of the day instead of leaving them waiting on the boat.

The beach also provides a useful pause between the fast ride and the water activities. You are not pushed directly from the pier into snorkeling. You get time to settle in, dry off, and enjoy the Red Sea at a slower pace.

Snorkeling near coral reefs and colorful fish

After the island visit, you return to the boat for snorkeling stops near coral reefs. A professional snorkeling guide accompanies this part of the trip, and masks and other snorkeling equipment are supplied.

The main appeal is the chance to see coral formations and colorful fish in the Red Sea. Conditions can change with weather, water movement, and visibility, so no operator can promise a particular marine sighting. Still, the itinerary is built around reef viewing rather than treating snorkeling as a minor add-on.

Your guide can help you use the equipment and point you toward the best available areas. Names associated with the crew include Eslam, who is described as friendly and easy to speak with. That kind of relaxed contact can make a difference if you are new to snorkeling or unsure about entering open water.

You do not have to be an expert swimmer to participate, since life jackets are available. However, the information says most people can take part, not that every person will be comfortable in the water. Be honest about your swimming ability, use the provided flotation gear if needed, and stay within the guide’s instructions.

If you own a well-fitting mask, you might still prefer to bring it. The supplied equipment is convenient, but personal gear often feels more comfortable. You can otherwise travel light and use what is provided.

Water activities after snorkeling

The program includes a short period of water activities after snorkeling. The exact activity is not specified, so you should not book this expecting one particular sport or piece of equipment.

This portion adds variety to the outing. You get the calm of the island, the reef stop, and then a more playful water-based activity before refreshments. It is a good fit for a group with mixed interests because the day does not rely entirely on snorkeling.

The limited detail here is worth noting. If you have your heart set on a named activity, confirm what will be offered before you go. The supplied description only promises water activities in general.

Fruit, snacks, and drinks on the boat

After the water stops, the crew serves fresh fruit, snacks, water, and soda on the speedboat. This is not presented as a full meal, so eat normally before pickup and treat the onboard food as a useful refreshment.

I like this kind of practical inclusion. After sun, salt water, and a fast ride, even simple fruit and cold drinks are welcome. It also means you do not need to arrange a separate food stop during a short four-hour program.

If you have allergies or dietary needs, the available information does not specify ingredients or alternatives. Ask before departure rather than assuming the snacks will suit you. Keep a bottle of water with you if you need a large amount of water throughout the day, even though water is included.

Crew service and the private-group advantage

A good private boat trip depends heavily on the captain and guide. The available feedback gives particular praise to Eslam and Snoopi. Eslam is described as pleasant and easy to talk with, while Snoopi is praised as a strong captain who helped make the day feel personal.

That matters because a small boat leaves less distance between you and the crew. On a large vessel, a guide may address the whole deck. Here, you have a better chance to ask questions, get help with snorkeling equipment, and explain what your group wants from the outing.

The private arrangement is also the clearest reason to choose this trip over a standard shared cruise. You can enjoy the boat with your family or friends, without a large crowd setting the pace. The trade-off is that a private tour can cost more than a seat on a shared boat, especially for one or two people.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $45 per person, the package covers a lot for a short private outing. You receive:

• Air-conditioned hotel pickup and return
• About four hours on the speedboat
• Roughly two hours on Abu Munkar Island
• Snorkeling stops
• A professional snorkeling guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets
• Water activities
• Water, soda, snacks, and fruit

The two extra charges deserve attention. The national park fee is €5 per person and must be paid in cash on the spot. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh costs €10 per person, also paid in cash.

For a Hurghada hotel, the advertised rate is easier to assess because the included transport is clear. If you are based in one of the outlying resort areas, calculate the added transfer cost before booking. The trip can still be worthwhile, but the final price is higher than the headline figure.

Who should book this Abu Munkar outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to families and small groups who value privacy. You get a private boat, a proper beach stop, snorkeling, and a few simple refreshments without committing to a full-day program.

It also suits you if you want some activity but not a nonstop schedule. The two-hour island visit gives non-snorkelers something to enjoy, while the reef stop and water activities keep the day interesting for people who want more than sunbathing.

This is less ideal if you want extensive snorkeling, a long day at sea, or a detailed list of named water sports. It is also not the best match if you dislike fast boat rides or prefer an early morning start.

The four published ratings are all at the top score, and the positive comments repeatedly focus on the private format, the speed of the boat, the snorkeling sites, and the friendly crew. Those are exactly the elements that define the trip, so your satisfaction will depend on whether those priorities match your own.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is private, and only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, and the operator says most people can take part.

Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes made inside that period are not accepted.

Bring cash for the €5 park fee, and for the €10 per-person transfer supplement if you are staying in one of the listed resort areas. The tour starts at 1:30 pm, so check that your hotel pickup plan gives you enough time to reach the pier.

Should you book the private speedboat to Abu Munkar?

Book it if you want a short, private Red Sea outing with a real island stop rather than hours spent on a crowded boat. The combination of two hours on Abu Munkar, guided snorkeling, a fast ride, and included transport makes the $45 price reasonable for a group.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, dislike speedboat motion, or want a long snorkeling expedition. For everyone else, especially families and friends who want their own boat and a flexible-feeling afternoon, this is a practical way to see Abu Munkar without making the day complicated.

FAQ

How long is the Abu Munkar Island speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. About two of those hours are spent on Abu Munkar Island.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 1:30 pm.

Is the speedboat private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private tour.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided by an air-conditioned vehicle for hotels in Hurghada.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Is a snorkeling guide included?

Yes. The snorkeling stops are accompanied by a professional snorkeling guide.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Water, soda, snacks, and fresh fruit are provided on the boat.

What extra fees should I expect?

The national park fee is €5 per person, paid in cash on the spot. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €10 per person, also paid in cash.