Hurghada: Private Speedboat to Magawish Island

The Red Sea is the main event here. This private speedboat outing gives you a quicker, more personal way to reach Magawish Island, with time for snorkeling, swimming, sandy beach time, snacks, fruit, and soft drinks. I like the choice between a 4-hour or 8-hour trip, and I like that hotel pickup, equipment, island entry, and a guide are included rather than left for you to arrange separately. The main drawback is the pickup window, which can shift by up to 1 to 1.5 hours depending on your hotel and traffic.

I also like the way the day balances activity and rest. You can spend time in the water, then sit on the island with lunch if you select that option. The private-group setup should feel less rigid than a large shared boat, though the experience still depends on sea conditions, the pickup schedule, and how much time you want to spend snorkeling rather than relaxing.

Key points at a glance

• Private speedboat travel: You cross the Red Sea in a private group rather than joining a large standard excursion.
• Two timing choices: Pick a shorter 4-hour outing or a longer 8-hour day.
• Snorkeling for mixed abilities: Equipment, a life jacket, and a snorkeling guide are supplied, and one review specifically noted help with a flotation ring for less confident swimmers.
• Magawish Island beach time: Expect sandy shore, clear water, swimming, photos, and time to rest.
• Optional extras: Lunch, parasailing, and massage are available as paid upgrades, depending on the option you select.
• Strong customer score: The experience has a 4.8 rating from 19 verified bookings, with especially warm praise for the staff, snorkeling, island time, and boat captain.

Why this private Red Sea trip works well

Magawish Island is close enough to Hurghada for a practical day out, but it gives you that useful sense of leaving the city behind. The trip is built around simple pleasures: warm sun, clear water, coral, a fast ride across the sea, and a beach where you can stop checking the clock for a while.

I see the private format as the biggest advantage. You are not signing up for a huge boat with a fixed social scene. Your group gets its own speedboat experience, which can be especially useful for couples, families, or friends who want a calmer day and more control over how they use their free time.

The activity is also easy to understand. You are picked up in Hurghada, transferred to the marina, given a safety briefing, and taken across the Red Sea. At the water stops, you can swim or snorkel. At Magawish, you get sandy beach time and a chance to slow down.

The 4-hour version suits you if you want a taste of the island without giving up most of your day. The 8-hour version makes more sense if you want a fuller outing with more unhurried time, an optional lunch, and room for extra activities.

Pickup from Hurghada and the marina transfer

Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels. The transfer by van takes about 30 minutes, though your actual collection time can vary by up to 1 to 1.5 hours because of hotel location and traffic.

This is worth planning around. Do not book a tight morning activity immediately afterward. The pickup details are sent by email at 10:00 PM the night before, so check your inbox before going to bed and make sure your nationality, hotel name, and room number were entered correctly.

You meet the vehicle at the main hotel gate on the road, not at reception. That small detail matters in resort areas, where a driver may not be allowed to enter the hotel grounds. Arrive early, keep your phone available, and look for the pickup at the road entrance.

Pickup from Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada is included. If you are staying in Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga, you need to add the relevant transfer option at checkout.

The speedboat crossing to Magawish

After the marina transfer and safety briefing, you board the speedboat for Magawish Island. The boat is part of the appeal, not just a way to get from point A to point B. You get open Red Sea views and a faster, more direct ride than a large excursion boat usually offers.

A speedboat can also make the crossing feel more lively, so bring your sunscreen and hold onto loose items. The exact comfort of the ride will depend on the sea that day. If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual precautions before leaving the marina.

The private setup gives your group more room to enjoy the crossing together. It does not mean you can ignore the boat crew’s instructions. Listen during the safety briefing, wear the provided life jacket when asked, and follow guidance before entering the water.

The staff receive some of the strongest praise in the available feedback. One German booking described the guide as friendly and capable. Another praised the captain for keeping the mood light with jokes throughout the day. That kind of easygoing service matters on a boat trip, where a good crew can make the whole outing feel relaxed.

Swimming and snorkeling in clear Red Sea water

The water stops are the heart of the experience. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, a snorkeling guide, and one snorkeling stop. The supplied description also places around two hours of swimming and snorkeling in the Hurghada portion of the day, followed by another two hours at Magawish Island.

The water is described as clear and calm, with coral reefs and colorful marine life. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part. The snorkeling guide is there to help, and one especially useful detail from the feedback is that a less confident swimmer was supported with a flotation ring.

That makes this a good option for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can look around the reef, while beginners can stay close to the guide and use the life jacket. You should still be comfortable entering the water, and you should tell the guide if you are nervous.

The underwater experience can vary with visibility, wind, and sea conditions. Do not treat the coral as a guarantee of a particular animal sighting. Dolphins were seen on one outing, but that is a lucky possibility, not part of the promise. The safe expectation is clear water, coral, and a guided chance to snorkel.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Cash is also listed as something to bring, which is sensible for optional purchases or extras. Use reef-friendly habits even if no special equipment is mentioned: do not touch coral, do not stand on it, and keep your fins under control.

Magawish Island for beach time and lunch

Magawish Island gives the trip its beach break. After the water activities, you can swim again, sit on the sandy shore, take photos, or simply rest. The island is described as calm and suitable for a slower part of the day.

I like that the island visit is not presented as a rushed photo stop. The longer plan allows about two hours there, enough time to enjoy the beach without spending every minute moving from one activity to the next.

Lunch is optional, so check the exact package before booking. If you choose it, lunch is served on the island. One detailed account praised the food and suggested choosing salads over pizza, while another described the meal as solid rather than exceptional. That is a fair way to frame it: lunch adds convenience, but you should not book this as a culinary tour.

Water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit are included. Those small provisions are useful in the Egyptian sun, though you should still bring your own water if you prefer a particular brand or need more than the standard supply.

The island is best understood as a beach-and-water stop, not a place packed with cultural sights. If you want ancient monuments, markets, or local neighborhoods, this is not the right excursion. If you want a clean break from hotel pools and a chance to swim in the Red Sea, it fits well.

Optional parasailing, massage, and extra spending

The base trip includes swimming and snorkeling. You can add parasailing, lunch, and, according to the available tour information, massage as optional upgrades. Confirm the cost and exact availability when you choose your package, since these are not all part of the standard price.

Parasailing can add a short burst of excitement to a day that otherwise follows a gentle rhythm. It may suit you if you want more than beach time, but it is not necessary to enjoy the island.

A massage is aimed at relaxation rather than sightseeing. If your main goal is a quiet day, it may be a pleasant addition. If you prefer to keep the price down, skip the extras and use the included snorkeling and beach time.

The tour price is listed at $88 per person. That is not the cheapest way to reach the water, but the value improves if you use the private pickup, speedboat, guide, equipment, island entry, refreshments, and snorkeling support. A shared boat may cost less, but the private format can be worth paying for when your group values privacy and a less crowded feel.

What the 4-hour and 8-hour options really mean

The shorter option is best for a half-day plan. Choose it if you have a late flight, another booked activity, or a simple goal: get out on the Red Sea, snorkel, see Magawish Island, and return to Hurghada.

The 8-hour option gives the outing a more relaxed pace. It suits you if you want to snorkel without rushing, eat lunch on the island, spend longer on the sand, and consider an optional activity.

The published schedule lists a 30-minute van ride each way, around two hours for swimming and snorkeling near Hurghada, and about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and visiting Magawish Island. Actual timing can shift, especially around hotel pickups, boat conditions, and the selected duration.

I would choose four hours for a first taste or a busy itinerary. I would choose eight hours for a dedicated beach day, especially if you are traveling with children, less confident swimmers, or anyone who needs breaks between water activities.

Who should book this experience?

This outing suits couples, families, and small private groups who want a Red Sea day without the feel of a large organized boat trip. It is also a good match for beginners because equipment, guidance, and life jackets are included.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like active relaxation. You can swim and snorkel, then lie on the beach, eat lunch, and take photos. The day does not ask you to choose between motion and rest.

It is less suitable if you want a tightly timed schedule. Pickup may vary by up to 1 to 1.5 hours, and the sea portion depends on conditions. It is also not the best pick for someone seeking history, desert scenery, or a cultural tour of Hurghada.

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to the activity details, but boat access and water participation can still require practical coordination. If accessibility is important for your group, confirm the exact boarding arrangements before the day.

Practical details before you go

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Wear swimwear under comfortable clothing, and protect your phone and camera from spray when boarding the speedboat.

Pets are not allowed. The live guide service is available in Arabic and English, and the booking is for a private group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada schedule is still changing.

The strongest praise focuses on the staff. One German booking described a guide who was attentive and helpful. Another account described an unusually caring response when a passenger injured an ankle after changing boats on the return journey. The company owner or captain, Mohammed, helped arrange transport, translated at the hospital, and stayed with the group until the situation was resolved. That does not remove the need for travel insurance, but it does suggest a crew that takes responsibility seriously.

Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat?

Book it if you want a private Red Sea outing with clear water, guided snorkeling, beach time, and a choice between a half-day and full-day pace. The $88 price makes the most sense for people who value private transport, included equipment, refreshments, and a speedboat rather than the lowest possible fare.

Choose the 4-hour plan if you want efficiency. Choose eight hours if you want lunch, longer island time, and a less hurried day. Add parasailing or massage only if those extras match your interests.

I would skip it if your priority is ancient Egypt, local culture, or a fixed departure time. For sun, sea, coral, and a calm island stop, though, this is a well-rounded Hurghada excursion with a strong record for friendly service.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island experience last?

You can choose between a 4-hour and an 8-hour experience. Starting times depend on availability.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private round-trip pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Hurghada.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is from the main hotel gate on the road, not from the reception area.

Can pickup times change?

Yes. Pickup may vary by up to 1 to 1.5 hours depending on your hotel location and traffic. Details are sent by email at 10:00 PM the evening before.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included, along with a snorkeling guide.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity information describes shallow, calm water suitable for beginners and experienced swimmers. A guide and life jacket are provided.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option. Water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit are included.

Can I add parasailing?

Yes. Parasailing is available as an optional add-on when selected.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in Arabic and English.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets are not allowed.

Is pickup available outside Hurghada?

Pickup from Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, and Safaga is available as an optional add-on during checkout.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.