PRIVATE! | Full Day Charter Boat Trip| Up to 14 | Snorkeling and Islands tour

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the freedom to shape the day. Instead of following a fixed crowd from one stop to the next, you can ask the captain to spend longer snorkeling, search for dolphins, or head toward a beach island. Private use of the boat makes a real difference for families, couples, and groups of friends.

I especially like the fresh lunch prepared onboard and the crew’s hands-on help in the water. Several crew members named by guests include captains Mohammed and Abdul, snorkel guide Samir, and cook Regyep, though your exact team may differ. The main catch is that the advertised island stops are not all included: Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island each carry a separate entry fee.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for your group: The trip is restricted to your party, with capacity advertised for up to 14 people. The listed price is for a group of up to 8, so confirm the rate for larger parties.
• Two proper reef stops: Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef give you time to see coral, butterflyfish, clownfish, Picasso fish, morays, eels, and sometimes rays or dolphins.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect bottled water, coffee or tea, snacks, fruit, and a freshly prepared meal served on the boat.
• Island visits are flexible but extra: Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island cost 10 euros per adult and 5 euros per child.
• Hotel pickup is available for a fee: Transfers cost 15 euros from Hurghada, 20 euros from Sahl Hasheesh, and 25 euros from Makadi or El Gouna for the full group.
• Good for nervous swimmers: Crew members can assist in the water, but the trip still requires reasonable participation in a boat and sea setting.

Why the private format matters on the Red Sea

A private charter changes the mood from a standard boat excursion. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable, and the captain can adjust the day around your energy, weather, and interests. If one person wants more snorkeling while another wants shade, lunch, or a quiet ride, the boat gives you room to negotiate.

This is especially useful for families and mixed-age groups. A nervous swimmer can take extra help from the crew, while confident snorkelers can spend more time looking over the reef. One family described being helped through anxiety in the water, which tells you something practical: the crew can provide personal assistance, but you should still tell them about fears or limited swimming ability before setting off.

The boat is also suited to celebrations. A group of nine used it for a bachelorette day and appreciated the space, large drinks fridge, music speakers, and choice of sunny or shaded areas. That same setup works for a birthday, family gathering, or relaxed day with friends.

The listed price is $324.41 per group of up to eight. Split eight ways, that is about $40.55 per person before transfers and optional island fees. For a full day on a private boat with lunch, equipment, drinks, and a crew, that is a solid value. A smaller group will pay more per person, but gains privacy and control that a cheaper shared boat cannot provide.

One detail needs clarification before payment: the headline says the boat can take up to 14, while the displayed price covers up to 8. Ask the operator for the total cost if your group has nine to 14 people.

Leaving Hurghada Marina for a full day at sea

The trip begins at Hurghada Marina, with roughly 10 minutes allowed for departure arrangements. Hotel transfer is not automatically included in the base price, but it can be arranged for the full group.

The transfer charges are straightforward: 15 euros from inside Hurghada, 20 euros from Sahl Hasheesh, and 25 euros from Makadi or El Gouna. If you are arranging your own transport, note that one booking had trouble locating the marina driver, so confirm the meeting point clearly and allow time to find the boat.

Once aboard, the day becomes flexible. The boat has a restroom, sunbathing space, shaded areas, a drinks refrigerator, and speakers. It is not presented as a new luxury yacht, and one detailed account described it as older but well maintained. That is a fair expectation: come for the sea, service, and private space rather than polished yacht design.

Omo Gamaar: your first look below the surface

Omo Gamaar is scheduled for about 30 minutes. It is a reef stop known for coral and Red Sea fish, including blackback butterflyfish, Picasso fish, Red Sea clownfish, morays, eels, and possible blue-spotted manta rays.

The name matters less than the conditions on the day. Water clarity, wind, and marine life are never guaranteed, but this is one of the places where you get a proper look at the underwater world rather than simply stopping for a swim. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

If you are new to snorkeling, use the first stop to get comfortable. Tell the crew if you need help, and take your time getting used to the mask and breathing through the snorkel. A crew member may guide you through the reef, but you remain responsible for following safety instructions and judging your own comfort.

Carless Reef and the best snorkeling time

Carless Reef receives about 45 minutes in the planned schedule. It is the stronger reef-focused stop, with the same mix of coral and fish, plus the possibility of rays, morays, eels, and dolphins in the surrounding water.

The private format can be especially valuable here. A captain may choose to begin farther out and work back toward Hurghada, a plan that can reduce the chance of arriving at every site alongside a large crowd. It is not a guarantee of an empty reef, but timing and route choices can make the water feel much less hurried.

You may see clownfish and Picasso fish close to the coral, while larger animals such as rays or dolphins are possible rather than promised. The sensible approach is to enjoy the reef itself and treat dolphin sightings as a bonus. Do not book this trip solely on the hope of swimming with dolphins.

The crew’s help has been a recurring strength. Samir was specifically praised for assisting a nervous swimmer, while other captains helped first-time snorkelers enter the water. That kind of attention is more useful than a long commentary from a guide. You want someone watching the group, pointing out what is worth seeing, and helping when confidence slips.

Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island

The itinerary includes access to the Giftun Islands area, but the three named beach clubs are optional paid stops. Each costs 10 euros for an adult and 5 euros for a child.

Eden Island Hurghada is designed as a beach and relaxation stop. You can expect sand, loungers, restaurants, bars, and a more developed beach setting. It suits couples and families who want a break from the boat, though the extra charge means you should decide in advance if the beach facilities are worth paying for.

Orange Bay, also called Orange Beach, sits in a shallow-water area of Big Giftun Island. It has loungers, music, a bar, massage service, and other beach facilities. The shallow water makes it appealing for a relaxed swim and for people who want an island setting without spending the entire day snorkeling.

Paradise Island offers another developed beach stop, with white sand, food, music, and an eco-tourism theme. It is marketed as a more relaxed escape, but it is still a serviced beach rather than an untouched island.

You can usually choose one island stop rather than trying to force all three into the day. Each one takes about two hours in the planned schedule, and the full excursion lasts around eight hours. Spending two hours at one beach plus two reef stops already fills the day. Ask the captain to explain the route before departure so there is no confusion about which island is included and which carries a fee.

This point deserves attention. The included Giftun Islands stop does not mean every beach club on the islands is free. A shallow-water sandbank, identified by the operator as Abu Minqar, may be included, while Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island require payment. If an island beach is central to your plans, confirm the exact stop and price before leaving the marina.

Giftun Islands and the value of choosing your pace

The Giftun Islands are a pair of Red Sea islands near Hurghada: Big Giftun, or Giftun Kebir, and Little Giftun, or Giftun Soraya. The planned stop gives you about 30 minutes in the island area, though the actual day can be adjusted around optional beach visits and snorkeling.

This is where the charter’s flexibility earns its keep. A standard group boat may have to move on because dozens of people are waiting. Here, you can ask for more time at a reef, less time on a beach, or a route that suits your group. The captain still has to work within weather and sea conditions, but the day is not built around strangers.

Keep expectations realistic. A private boat does not guarantee a private island or an empty snorkeling site. The Red Sea is a busy excursion area, and popular beaches can have other boats. The advantage is control over your own boat, not exclusive use of every place you visit.

Lunch, fruit, and the crew’s part in the day

Food is one of the stronger practical features. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee, and tea are included, and the cook prepares the main meal onboard. Fruit platters, including mango, were also served on some outings.

A freshly prepared lunch at sea will not be a restaurant meal with a long menu, but it can be exactly what you need after swimming. Multiple accounts describe the food as delicious, fresh, and satisfying. Cook Regyep was singled out by name for preparing a particularly good meal.

The crew setup may include a captain, cook, snorkel helper, and an additional attendant. Names and assignments can change, but the pattern is useful: this is not simply a boat and a driver. You are paying for a small team that handles navigation, food, drinks, and help in the water.

Service can vary on any excursion, and one disappointed booking felt the staff did not go far enough to create a memorable day. That is a useful reminder to state your wishes clearly at the start. Explain if your group wants more reef time, a particular island, help for children, or a quieter schedule.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose this trip for a family that wants privacy, a group of friends splitting the cost, or a couple that dislikes large organized cruises. It also makes sense for a celebration, since you control the music, pace, seating, and route within the available options.

It is a good fit for first-time snorkelers if they are comfortable asking for assistance. The crew has helped nervous swimmers, and the private format prevents you from feeling lost in a large group. Parents should still prepare young children before the sea. One useful suggestion from a family was to practice snorkeling in a pool first, so children arrive with some confidence.

I would hesitate if you want a guaranteed island-hopping tour with every named beach included. The island entry charges are separate, and the operator’s own explanation makes clear that some beach stops are optional. I would also hesitate if your priority is a brand-new luxury yacht rather than a well-kept boat with practical facilities.

The trip requires good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Hurghada private boat trip?

Book it if you value privacy, flexible snorkeling, and attentive help more than a fixed sightseeing checklist. The private price becomes attractive with a larger group, and lunch, gear, drinks, a restroom, and national park ticket are already covered.

Before paying, confirm three things: the boat’s price for your exact group size, the island you want to visit, and the added transfer and beach entry costs. If those details suit your budget, this is one of the better ways to turn a Red Sea day into your own outing rather than another crowded boat schedule.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The trip starts at Hurghada Marina.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The experience is advertised for groups of up to 14 people. The listed price of $324.41 covers a group of up to 8, so confirm the price for larger groups.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfer is available on request but costs extra. The stated rates are 15 euros from inside Hurghada, 20 euros from Sahl Hasheesh, and 25 euros from Makadi or El Gouna for the full group.

Which snorkeling locations are included?

The planned snorkeling stops are Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins sometimes appear in the area, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee, and tea are included. Fruit may also be served.

Are Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island included?

These are optional paid stops. Entry costs 10 euros per adult and 5 euros per child.

Is the national park ticket included?

Yes. The national park ticket is included, with no hidden fees stated for that item.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or full refund.