Hurghada: Magawish Island Speedboat W Snorkelling & Lunch

The best part of this four-hour outing is the combination of fast Red Sea cruising and two snorkel stops. You get time in the water, a proper island break, and a speedboat ride without giving up a full day of your holiday. Magawish Island supplies the postcard setting: pale sand, clear turquoise water, and room to swim or simply sit.

I like the short, well-shaped schedule, and I like that hotel transport, equipment, water, soft drinks, fruit, and island entry are included. Guides such as Hassan and Captain Momo have been singled out for friendly, careful service. The main catch is that the advertised lunch needs checking, since the included food is listed as seasonal fruit rather than a full meal.

Key points at a glance

• Two separate snorkel stops: Shaab Eshta Kebir and Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra, each allow about 20 minutes in the water.
• A real island pause: Magawish Island gives you 1.5 to 2 hours for beach time, swimming, and rest.
• Speedboat rather than a large excursion boat: The ride feels quicker and more direct, with shaded seating and a stereo system.
• Optional five-minute flight: Select the parasailing add-on if you want to see the Red Sea from above.
• Transfer details matter: Pickup can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours, and the vehicle waits no more than five minutes.
• Best value for two people: The listed price is $196 per group of up to two, so the per-person cost makes more sense when both places are filled.

What this Hurghada boat trip is really like

This is a compact Red Sea outing built around three pleasures: speed, coral, and sand. You leave your hotel by van, reach the harbor, then trade road travel for an open-water ride toward the reef sites and Magawish Island.

I see the appeal for anyone who wants a taste of the Red Sea without committing to a long cruise. Four hours is long enough to get into the water twice and spend meaningful time on the island, but short enough to leave space in your day for dinner, shopping, or a quiet afternoon at your hotel.

The experience is described as a private group, while the general overview also refers to shared or private speedboat choices. Check the exact option you select before paying. That distinction matters if you expect the boat to be only for your party.

Leaving Hurghada by van and speedboat

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Safaga. The van ride is about 25 minutes before you reach the harbor. Your pickup point is the main hotel entrance by the road, not the reception entrance or an interior hotel meeting point.

The exact pickup time is sent by email at about 10 p.m. the night before. It can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours from the time shown when you book, so do not plan a tightly timed morning appointment around it.

You need to be waiting at the stated entrance. The operator allows no more than five minutes at each pickup because other people may be collected afterward. This is one of those small details that can make or break a short excursion. Have your bag ready, and do not rely on the front desk to find you.

At the harbor, you receive instructions before boarding. Life jackets are provided, and the speedboat has a shaded area. That shade matters in the Red Sea sun, particularly if you are taking the parasailing option or spending a long stretch on deck.

Shaab Eshta Kebir: your first 20 minutes in the water

The first water stop is Shaab Eshta Kebir, with about 20 minutes set aside for snorkeling. It gives you a quick introduction to the reef before the day moves on.

You receive snorkeling equipment and have a guide to help with the activity. The strongest praise for this trip centers on the snorkeling, with specific mention of attractive coral reefs and plenty of fish. That is encouraging, but keep your expectations in proportion to the clock. Twenty minutes is enough for a lively look, not an extended reef session.

This short stop may suit a mixed group. Confident swimmers can get moving quickly, while less experienced participants can stay close to the guide and make the most of a contained session. If you normally need time to adjust to a mask and fins, use the boat ride to ask questions and check your equipment before entering the water.

The Red Sea is the reason to book this trip, not simply an extra activity added to a beach visit. Bring your attention to the water. Coral and fish are the main attraction here, and the first stop helps you get that experience early in the day.

Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra

The second snorkel stop is Aruk Talata, also known as Shaab Pytra. Again, the planned time is about 20 minutes. Having two separate sites is useful because you are not depending on a single patch of reef to carry the whole morning.

The break between the two stops also gives you a chance to reset. You can return to the shaded part of the boat, drink water, and prepare for another swim. Mineral water and soft drinks are included, and seasonal fruit is provided as a snack.

The timing is brisk. Across both sites, you get roughly 40 minutes in the water. That is a good amount for a short half-day trip, but it will feel limited if snorkeling is your main reason for visiting Hurghada. A dedicated full-day reef cruise would normally give you more time, though that is not part of this experience.

I would also pack your own towel. It is specifically listed among the things to bring, and there is no promise that one will be available on the boat.

Magawish Island and its 1.5-hour beach break

After the reef stops, the boat heads for Magawish Island. You have about 1.5 to 2 hours there, which is the most relaxed part of the outing.

The island is known here for sandy beaches and turquoise water. The setting is often compared with the Caribbean, but the useful point is simpler: this is your chance to get out of the boat, walk on pale sand, swim without fins and masks, and let the morning slow down.

I like the balance. The reef stops give you the Red Sea beneath the surface, while Magawish gives you the same sea as a place to sit and look at. You are not rushed straight from one snorkel site back to the hotel.

Food deserves a careful note. The package includes seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. One description refers to lunch, and a booking detail indicates that food and drinks may be available on the island, but a full lunch is not clearly listed among the inclusions. If you need a substantial meal, bring cash and confirm what is available before you leave the harbor.

The island is also the most exposed part of the day. Shade may be less available on the beach than on the boat, so carry a light jacket for the ride, sunscreen, and enough water. Cash is recommended, which is useful if you want to buy food or drinks on the island.

The optional five-minute flight above the Red Sea

You can add a parasailing flight lasting up to five minutes. It gives you a very different view of the trip, with the Red Sea below rather than coral beside you.

Five minutes is brief, but it is enough for a memorable change of scale. From the water, you see the reef and island up close. From above, you get a broad view of the sea and the boat. If you have always wanted to try parasailing but do not want a long session, this short add-on may be a good fit.

Do not assume it is part of the standard price. It is included only if you choose that option. Also remember the restrictions: the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The general boat trip may still involve movement and transfers, so anyone with physical concerns should consider the whole outing rather than only the flight.

Guides, captains, and the feel of the boat

The guide language listed is English. A guide leads the snorkeling, gives instructions, and helps keep the water stops organized. Hassan has been praised for his work as a guide, while Captain Momo has been noted for being friendly and considerate. Those names are useful when assessing the level of service, but staff can change, so treat them as examples rather than a guarantee.

The speedboat has an onboard shaded area and a stereo system. That makes it more comfortable than a bare open boat, particularly during the return ride. Still, this is a speedboat, not a quiet sightseeing vessel. You should expect engine noise, wind, and a more active ride across open water.

The boat gives you scenic views on the way back to Hurghada, with about 10 minutes noted for the final approach. The ride itself is part of the attraction. You get to see the coast and open water from a low, fast-moving position instead of sitting inside a coach for the entire excursion.

Life jackets are supplied. Listen carefully to the safety briefing, especially if you are not used to speedboat travel or open-water swimming.

Is $196 good value for two people?

The listed price is $196 per group of up to two people. For two people, that works out to $98 each before any optional add-ons. The package includes hotel pickup and return, the speedboat, snorkeling equipment, a guide for snorkeling, two water stops, island entry, fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, and the boat facilities.

That is a reasonable value if you care about a private or small-group feel and want transport handled for you. You are paying for a tidy combination of boat, reef, island, and transfers rather than arranging each part separately.

The price is less attractive for a solo visitor, since the fare is set by the group rather than by one seat. It also needs closer comparison if you are looking mainly for food or a long snorkeling session. The included refreshment is fruit, and the two water stops total about 40 minutes.

Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area is not included in the basic arrangement. You can add long-range pickup during checkout. Safaga appears among the main pickup and drop-off choices, but the special transfer note says some distant locations require an add-on, so check your exact hotel rather than relying on the town name alone.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short Red Sea outing with several types of scenery. The plan works well for couples, friends, and small groups who want coral, a beach, and a speedboat without giving up an entire day.

It also suits people who prefer a clear schedule. You know roughly how long you will spend at each snorkel site and on the island. That structure is helpful if you are fitting the outing around other Hurghada plans.

Families with older children may find the format appealing, provided everyone is comfortable with a speedboat and open-water snorkeling. The provided information does not set a minimum age, so check that point before booking if children are involved.

I would hesitate if you need a full included lunch, dislike strict pickup times, or want hours of reef time. The short stops are a strength for a quick excursion, but a limitation for serious snorkelers. People who are pregnant or have back problems should not book this activity.

Wear swimwear, bring a towel, pack a light jacket for the boat, and carry cash. Send the requested passport copy, nationality, hotel name, address, and room number in advance, then watch your email the night before for the pickup details.

The practical booking decision

Book this Magawish Island speedboat trip if you want a well-packed four hours: two coral stops, a sandy island, and a quick boat ride. The strongest reason to choose it is the mix. You are not spending the whole outing on a beach or the whole time on a boat.

Choose the parasailing option if the view from above matters to you, and confirm the meal arrangements if lunch is important. For two people, the group price is easier to justify. For a solo booking or a person seeking a long reef session, compare other Red Sea trips first.

The high rating reflects the parts that matter most here: attractive coral, fish, clear water, and attentive crew members such as Hassan and Captain Momo. Just keep the schedule and food details in mind, and this can be a lively, efficient way to see Hurghada from below, beside, and above the water.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island speedboat trip last?

The activity lasts about four hours, including hotel transfers, the speedboat ride, two snorkeling stops, and time on Magawish Island.

How much time do I get for snorkeling?

You have about 20 minutes at Shaab Eshta Kebir and another 20 minutes at Aruk Talata, also known as Shaab Pytra.

How long do I stay on Magawish Island?

The island visit lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Is lunch included?

Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are included. A full lunch is not clearly listed among the included items, so confirm the food arrangements before booking.

Is parasailing included?

A five-minute parasailing adventure is included only if you select that option. It is not part of every booking.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is at the main entrance of your hotel by the road, not at the reception entrance. Details are sent by email at about 10 p.m. the night before, and the vehicle can wait no more than five minutes.