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

Dolphins are never guaranteed in the wild. That is part of the appeal of this Red Sea outing, which combines a fast boat ride to Magawish Island with coral-reef snorkeling and a search for dolphins near Dolphin House. I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, and I like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and water sports are included. The main caution is simple: wildlife sightings depend on the sea, and the boat experience may not always feel as private as the name suggests.

The advertised price is $70 per person for about five hours, a fair deal if you use the included transfers, food, equipment, and activities. I would confirm the exact schedule before paying, since the description also mentions a massage, banana boat ride, and Oriental show, while the included list only clearly promises water sports, soft drinks, and water. Rough seas, rushed snorkeling, late pickup, and crowded dolphin encounters have also affected some outings.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphin House is a wild setting: You may see dolphins from the boat and possibly swim near them, but no encounter is guaranteed.
• Magawish Island brings the best scenery: Expect turquoise water, sandy beaches, secluded coves, and lagoons suitable for swimming and resting.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Equipment, a guide, and a snorkeling instructor are part of the package.
• The $70 price covers a lot: Transfers, the private speed boat, lunch, drinks, and water sports are included.
• Private needs clarification: The tour is sold as private, yet one account describes a boat carrying 35 people.
• Sea conditions matter: Rough water can make following dolphins difficult and snorkeling less calm.

Speeding out from Hurghada at noon

Your stated start time is 12:00 pm, with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle. That is useful in Hurghada, where the resort area stretches along the coast and a transfer saves you from arranging a taxi or finding a marina yourself.

The boat ride is part of the attraction. A speed boat gets you away from the hotel strip quickly and gives the day a more open-sea feel than a standard coach excursion. You are not simply being driven to a beach, then returned. The main setting is the Red Sea itself, with Magawish Island and Dolphin House forming the focus of the outing.

The listed duration is about five hours. That makes this a manageable half-day activity, not quite the full-day expedition suggested by some of the promotional wording. One account expected seven hours and received about six, while another described a much larger group on the boat. I would treat the schedule as approximate and leave a little room around it if you have dinner plans, an airport transfer, or another tour booked.

Pickup reliability deserves attention. Most of the package value comes from the included transfer, but one person reported waiting 50 minutes for the vehicle. That does not prove every pickup runs late, but it is a good reason to keep your phone available and avoid scheduling something immediately afterward.

Magawish Island and its quiet coves

As the boat approaches Magawish Island, the setting changes from Hurghada’s developed shoreline to open water, pale sand, and shallow turquoise stretches. The island is presented as the calmer part of the day, a place to swim, snorkel, sit under palm shade, or simply enjoy a quieter beach.

The route may include secluded coves and small lagoons. These are useful stops for people who want a choice of pace. You can swim if the water is calm, snorkel if you have the energy, or stay on the sand when the sun and boat ride have done enough.

I particularly like this balance. A dolphin trip can become a long wait for an animal that may never appear. Magawish gives the day a second purpose, so the excursion still has scenery and swimming even when nature does not cooperate.

The island should not be treated as a private desert island with unlimited solitude. The experience is marketed as a private activity for your group, but the available feedback includes a boat carrying 35 people. Ask the provider whether your booking means a boat reserved only for your party or simply a private reservation category with other people aboard. That question could change the whole feel of the day.

Two snorkeling stops on the Red Sea

The tour includes two guided snorkeling stops and use of snorkeling equipment. That is one of the strongest parts of the package because the coral sites offer a more dependable attraction than dolphin watching.

You can expect colorful fish and coral formations, with the possibility of seeing sea turtles or other marine life. The exact animals and visibility depend on water conditions, so I would not book this expecting a guaranteed list of species. The guides and snorkeling instructor are there to help with equipment and safety, which matters if you have limited experience in open water.

A calm sea can make these stops excellent. One account praised the coral snorkeling even though the dolphin encounter was difficult. Another described the snorkeling as hectic because the organization was not smooth. Those details point to the main practical issue: the quality of the stop depends not only on the reef, but also on how well the group is managed.

If you are a confident swimmer, you will have more freedom to enjoy the water. If you are less comfortable, stay close to the instructor and ask for help before entering. Rough water can make a supposedly easy swim tiring, and following dolphins is especially demanding. Bring your own mask only if you prefer a particular fit, but the provided equipment is included.

Dolphin House and the uncertainty of wildlife

Dolphin House is the emotional center of the outing. This Red Sea area is known for wild dolphins, and the goal is to see them in their natural environment rather than at a marine park.

That distinction matters. The dolphins are not performers, and the crew cannot call them to a fixed location. You might see them from the boat. You might enter the water with a guide if conditions and local practice allow. You might also see nothing at all.

One person described seeing dolphins from the boat but said that only strong swimmers could follow them for a few seconds in rough water. That is an important warning. The phrase swim with dolphins sounds gentle, but the real experience may involve a quick, uncertain attempt in open sea. You should not enter the water unless the guide says it is safe, and you should not expect a long, close encounter.

Several people enjoyed seeing and swimming near dolphins, which explains the high overall rating of 4.7 from 93 ratings and a 90 percent recommendation figure. Still, other outings produced no dolphin sighting. I would see this as a successful dolphin-watching trip if you get a responsible search, a safe boat ride, and good snorkeling, not only if a dolphin swims beside you.

Crowding can also affect this stop. If the boat is carrying a large group, many people may enter the water at once. That can make the moment noisy and rushed, and it may reduce the chance of a calm encounter. Ask how many people will be aboard and what the crew does when dolphins appear.

Lunch, drinks, and the extra activities

A buffet lunch is included, which makes the $70 cost easier to justify. You do not have to leave the water to find food, and a meal after snorkeling is practical. Soft drinks and water are also listed, so you have basic refreshments covered during the trip.

The wider description mentions a short massage, a banana boat ride, and an Oriental show. These sound like pleasant additions, but they are not all repeated in the formal included section. I would ask for a clear list before departure, especially if any of these extras are central to your decision.

Water sports are included, though the exact activity is not specified in the package details. The banana boat may be part of that offering, but you should confirm it rather than assume. The same applies to the massage and show.

The food is best viewed as convenient boat catering, not a reason to choose this experience over another. Bring any special snacks you need because dietary details are not provided. Water is especially useful in the Egyptian sun, even when the package includes it.

Is $70 good value in Hurghada?

At $70 per person, this trip offers solid value if you want several activities in one outing. You are paying for hotel transfers, a private speed boat trip, two snorkeling stops, equipment, an instructor, a guide, water sports, soft drinks, water, and lunch.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise book separate transport and a snorkeling cruise. You also get the chance to visit Magawish Island and look for dolphins in one compact schedule.

The value is weaker if you want a genuinely private boat with a flexible timetable. The reports of a larger boat and a 35-person group make it essential to clarify the word private. If the boat is shared, the price remains reasonable, but the experience is less personal.

A national park fee of five euros per person is paid in cash on the spot. Extra transfer charges of ten euros per person also apply for pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh. Those costs are easy to overlook, so add them when comparing this trip with other Hurghada boat outings.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a single Red Sea outing with several parts: speed boat travel, an island stop, snorkeling, lunch, and a chance to see dolphins. It suits people who can accept an uncertain wildlife result and who prefer activity over a quiet beach day.

Families and mixed groups may like the range of options. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can rest on the beach or boat. The package says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

It is less suitable if you need a tightly controlled timetable, dislike rough water, or want a guaranteed dolphin encounter. It may also disappoint you if your idea of private means only your own party on a small boat. Ask that question before booking.

The single serious complaint concerns inappropriate physical contact by a host. The operator requested more booking details to investigate, and the available information does not establish what happened. Still, it is fair to take the complaint seriously. If anything feels uncomfortable, tell the trip leader immediately and contact the provider after the tour.

Booking, cancellation, and useful preparation

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

I would pack swimwear, sun protection, a towel, dry clothing, and cash for the five-euro national park charge. Keep your phone charged so the pickup driver can reach you, and allow extra time after the stated return.

Because the start time is noon, this is not an early-morning departure. That may suit you if you want a slower morning in Hurghada. It also means the advertised five hours can take up much of the afternoon, especially if pickup runs late.

Should you book the Magawish Island trip?

Book this tour if you value variety and can treat dolphins as a bonus rather than a promise. The strongest reasons are the included transfer, two snorkeling stops, island scenery, lunch, and a fair $70 price.

I would book only after confirming the true boat size, the exact duration, and whether the massage, banana boat, and Oriental show are included. If you are a strong swimmer and the sea is calm, the Dolphin House stop could be memorable. If conditions are rough or the boat is crowded, the coral snorkeling and Magawish beaches may become the better parts of your day.

FAQ

What is included in the $70 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, a private speed boat trip to Magawish Island, two guided snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, a professional guide and snorkeling instructor, water sports, soft drinks, and water.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch on board is included in the experience.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphin House is a wild setting, so you may see dolphins from the boat or possibly swim near them, but a sighting is not guaranteed.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately five hours. Some accounts describe longer schedules, so you should allow extra time and confirm the exact return time.

Are there extra fees?

Yes. A five-euro national park fee per person is paid in cash on the spot. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh costs an additional ten euros per person, also paid in cash.

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 refunded or accepted.