Hurghada: Snorkelling Trip by Speedboat with Hotel Pickup

The best feature here is the small speedboat, which gets you to several Red Sea snorkel sites faster than a large excursion boat. You can visit Magawish Island, Giftun Island, and Abu Mingar, with time for coral, fish, shallow sandbars, and possibly dolphins along the way.

I like the efficient four-hour format and the fact that equipment, a guide, drinks, fruit, life jackets, and nature reserve fees are included. I also like the careful water support from guides such as Yusuf and Sayeed, who have helped weaker swimmers and families stay comfortable.

The main catch is timing. Hotel pickup may be 60 to 90 minutes before the stated start, and the boat ride can feel bumpy or cramped when more than four people share it. Afternoon departures may also feel rushed at the snorkel stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Three main Red Sea stops: Expect Magawish Island, Giftun Island, and the mangrove-fringed Abu Mingar area, with some trips adding a wreck, extra bays, or a sandbar.
• Small-group speedboat: The boat covers distance quickly and usually gives you a more personal outing than a large day boat.
• Dolphin sightings are possible: Guides have spotted dolphins on the way, but they cannot guarantee wildlife encounters.
• Strong guide support: Ahmed, Yusuf, Wissam, Sayeed, Khaleed, and Ibrahim have been singled out for friendly help and good water supervision.
• Pickup requires attention: Wait by your hotel’s main entrance on the road, not at reception, and be ready for a five-minute pickup window.
• Good value at $37: The price includes transport in Hurghada, equipment, guide, boat, refreshments, and reserve fees.

Why the speedboat changes the Red Sea day

Hurghada has no shortage of boat trips. Many are long outings on large vessels, with a full schedule of swimming, lunch, and beach time. This Go Shalabi trip takes a different approach: it keeps the outing to four hours and uses a speedboat to reach several snorkel sites.

That matters if you want the sea rather than a full resort-style day. You spend less time waiting for a big group to board, and more time moving between reefs and islands. The boat also makes it possible to reach spots that are spread around the Hurghada coast without spending the entire morning in transit.

The trade-off is comfort. A speedboat gives you wind, spray, and a lively ride. It is fun for many people, but not as gentle as a large boat. One account found the boat clean and spacious with four people aboard, but thought it could feel uncomfortable with more. If you have back problems, this is not the right outing.

The activity is offered as a private or small-group experience. That is important here. Snorkeling works better when the guide can keep an eye on everyone, explain what you are seeing, and move the boat when a site is crowded. A group of six was described as a comfortable size, while a smaller group gave people more room on board.

Pickup from Hurghada and the real start time

The advertised activity lasts four hours, but you need to allow extra time around it. Pickup details are sent by email or WhatsApp at about 10:00 PM the night before. The message gives your pickup time and location, so check it before going to bed.

Your pickup point is the main entrance of the hotel’s main gate, beside the road. It is not the reception entrance. Look for the white or black bus with the Go Shalabi logo, and be outside and ready because the driver can wait no more than five minutes.

For Hurghada hotels, the pickup time may vary by about an hour. The extended areas of Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay can involve a window of about 90 minutes. Long-range pickup from these areas is an extra option at checkout. If you did not add it, you may need to pay at the harbor, and cancellations are not accepted after 6:00 PM the day before.

The early pickup can seem surprising. A 9:00 trip may involve collection around 7:15, followed by a marina departure around 8:15. Nothing is wrong with that, but do not schedule another activity too soon afterward. You should provide your nationality, hotel name, address, room number, and a passport copy as requested.

Magawish Island and the first look below the surface

The first major stop is Magawish Island. This is where the trip begins to earn its keep. The water is clear, and the main appeal is the coral and fish rather than a long beach stay.

Your guide gives a short briefing before you enter the water. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are included, and the guide stays involved instead of simply dropping everyone beside a reef and waiting on the boat. Yusuf has been praised for pointing out good spots, while Sayeed has been especially helpful with children.

That support is useful even if you can swim well. Red Sea snorkeling is easy to underestimate. The surface may look calm, but you can still tire while moving with fins, and a guide can help you find fish without wasting time searching. One guide even pulled along a person who could not swim, which shows the level of practical help available. You should still tell the crew about your swimming ability before entering the water.

The first site may be the best of the day. Expect bright coral and plenty of fish, though conditions vary. Clear water, sunlight, wind, and the number of boats in the area all affect what you see. Do not treat the exact wildlife or coral quality as guaranteed.

Giftun Island, extra bays, and the wreck

The next part of the route continues toward Giftun Island. The supplied description names three island or coastal areas, but the precise stop count can vary. Some outings have made three snorkel stops, while others have visited four bays and five separate points in the water.

That flexibility is one of the strengths of a fast boat. If one site is less impressive, the captain can continue to another area rather than making you stay all day. One stop may have excellent coral and fish, while another may be more modest. The trip works best when you see the stops as a series of chances, not as three identical underwater parks.

Some departures include a shipwreck, and this has been a favorite stop. A wreck gives the underwater setting a different shape, with fish and coral around a structure instead of only open reef. The wreck is not listed as a guaranteed stop in the basic description, so ask the crew about the day’s route if it is important to you.

The captain and guide can also point out life above the water. Flying fish have been spotted, and dolphins have appeared near the route. Ahmed has taken the boat toward dolphins when conditions allowed, giving people an unexpected wildlife stop before the first snorkeling site.

Keep your expectations sensible. A dolphin sighting is a lucky extra, not the purpose of the trip. Boats may gather around animals, and one passenger noted the uneasy side of this. Watching wildlife is exciting, but chasing it can add pressure to the animals and crowd the water. Enjoy a sighting if it happens, but do not judge the trip by it.

Abu Mingar and the shallow water stop

The route also includes Abu Mingar, described as mangrove-fringed. This part gives the outing a change of pace after the open-water snorkeling. Instead of spending every minute above coral, you may stop in shallow water or near a sandy beach for a swim and photographs.

Several departures have included a sandbar or beach known informally as the Egyptian Maldives. The name is promotional, but the reason for the comparison is clear enough: shallow, light-colored water makes a good place to wade, swim, and take photos.

This is a pleasant finish, particularly if you have children or want a break from fins and masks. It is not the main reason to book the trip, though. The strongest part is the snorkeling, and the shallow-water stop is best viewed as a short extra.

The time spent here may vary. A morning trip can provide a comfortable rhythm between the reef stops and the beach. An afternoon departure may feel tighter, especially if the sea is busy or the boat leaves later than planned. If you want long, unhurried swim sessions, a full-day boat outing may suit you better.

What is served on the boat

The included refreshments are simple but useful. You receive mineral water, soft drinks, and fresh seasonal fruit. After salt water, sun, and a fast ride, cold drinks make a real difference.

There is a shaded area on the boat, listed as a Taneda, along with a stereo system. You are not limited to sitting in direct sun for the whole trip. Still, bring sunglasses and a towel, and protect yourself from the strong Egyptian sun.

Cash is also recommended. The supplied information does not specify a required charge during the trip, but having cash is sensible for optional expenses or transport issues, especially if you are staying outside Hurghada and did not prebook the extended pickup.

Keep your belongings close. You are responsible for personal items, and the company does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged property. A towel, sunglasses, and only the items you need for the water make a good packing plan.

Is $37 a fair price?

At $37 per person, this is strong value if you want a short Red Sea outing with transport and equipment handled for you. The price includes Hurghada hotel pickup and drop-off, the speedboat cruise, snorkeling gear, guide, captain, life jackets, shaded seating, soft drinks, mineral water, seasonal fruit, and nature reserve fees.

That package removes several small costs that can add up. You do not need to arrange a marina transfer, rent basic snorkeling equipment, or pay a separate reserve fee. You also get three main stop areas within a four-hour window rather than paying for a longer day you may not want.

The value is less clear if you are staying far from Hurghada. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay is an added service, and the extra driving can make the morning feel long. Check the add-on cost before comparing this with a boat leaving from a marina closer to your hotel.

You are paying for speed and access, not luxury in the traditional sense. The boat has a shaded area and has been described as clean and comfortable with a small group, but it is still a speedboat. If you want a large deck, a full lunch, and lots of room to stretch out, spend more on a larger vessel.

Morning or sunset: choosing the better departure

The morning option is the safer choice if snorkeling is your main goal. You have the bulk of the day ahead, and morning light can make the coral and fish easy to see. It also leaves room for a delayed return without spoiling evening plans.

The sunset option can suit you if you prefer softer light and have daytime plans at your resort. The supplied information confirms that sunset departures are available, but it does not promise a sunset viewing at a specific stop or describe a separate evening program.

Plan around the full pickup window, not only the advertised departure. The boat portion may last four hours, but hotel collection and return can add a substantial amount of time. Afternoon guests should be especially careful with dinner bookings, airport transfers, or another paid activity.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this for a person who wants several snorkel sites in one half-day and does not want to spend a full day on a large boat. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value direct guide support and a quicker route between locations.

It is also a good fit for mixed swimming abilities, provided everyone tells the guide what they can manage. The crew has helped weaker swimmers, and life jackets are included, but this is still an open-water activity. You should be comfortable following instructions and entering the sea from a boat.

Families should ask about group size and boat space before booking. Sayeed has been praised for helping children, but the ride and limited deck space may be tiring for very young children. Anyone with back problems should avoid it, as stated in the safety information.

I would choose another type of excursion if you want guaranteed dolphin contact, a long beach stay, a meal, or a calm, spacious boat. Dolphins, wrecks, and extra snorkel bays may occur, but the core promise is a speedboat ride with three Red Sea snorkeling areas.

Booking details that can save you trouble

Bring sunglasses, a towel, cash, and the information requested for pickup. Pets are not allowed. The activity is offered in English, and private or small-group arrangements are available.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans may change.

Most important, read the pickup message the night before and stand at the correct gate. A missed pickup is avoidable if you wait by the road at the main entrance, watch for the Go Shalabi vehicle, and stay ready during the stated window.

Should you book the Go Shalabi speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a compact, good-value snorkeling day with a fast boat, several sites, and active help from the crew. The strongest points are the small-group feel, efficient route, included equipment and refreshments, and the chance to see dolphins, a wreck, or a ray without committing to a full-day cruise.

Think twice if you dislike bumpy rides, need a lot of deck space, have back problems, or want a slow beach holiday. Also allow more time for pickup than the four-hour duration suggests.

For most confident swimmers staying in Hurghada, $37 is a sensible way to get a taste of the Red Sea. Choose the morning departure for the most relaxed schedule, confirm your pickup details, and treat wildlife sightings as a bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada speedboat trip last?

The boat activity lasts four hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off add extra time, and the pickup window may vary from the scheduled time.

Which snorkeling areas are included?

The route includes Magawish Island, Giftun Island, and Abu Mingar. The exact number of bays or points can vary, and some trips include a wreck or additional snorkeling stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as an added long-range service.

Where should I wait for pickup?

Wait at the main entrance of your hotel’s main gate by the road. Do not wait at the reception entrance. Look for a white or black bus with the Go Shalabi logo.

When will I receive my pickup time?

The pickup confirmation is sent by email or WhatsApp at about 10:00 PM the night before the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, along with a guide and captain.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The boat provides mineral water, soft drinks, and fresh seasonal fruit.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The trip also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.