Hurghada: Magawish Island Speedboat W Snorkelling & Lunch

The best part of this four-hour outing is the mix of two coral snorkeling stops and a long beach break on Magawish Island. You get the Red Sea from several angles: racing across it by speedboat, looking below the surface at Shaab Eshta Kebir and Aruk Talata, then settling onto pale sand beside turquoise water.

I like the efficient route and the small-group feel. I also like that the package includes hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, a guide in the water, fruit, drinks, shade, and life jackets. Guides such as Hassan and captain Momo have earned especially warm praise for being helpful and considerate.

The main thing to check is the food arrangement. The title refers to lunch, but the included items specifically list seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water. Food and drinks are available on Magawish Island, but a full lunch is not clearly itemized, so confirm this before booking if lunch matters to you.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate snorkeling stops: You visit Shaab Eshta Kebir and Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra, with about 20 minutes of snorkeling at each.
• A proper island break: Magawish Island gives you 1.5 to 2 hours for sand, swimming, and a slower pace after the boat ride.
• Five-minute flight option: Select the parasailing option if you want a short view of the Red Sea from above.
• Named guides and crew: Hassan is praised for guiding, while captain Momo is noted for being kind and careful.
• Pickup timing needs attention: Your exact pickup can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours, and the van can wait no more than five minutes.
• Best value for two people: The listed price is $196 per group of up to two, making the cost easier to justify when shared.

From your hotel to the Hurghada harbor

The day begins with a hotel pickup from Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, or Safaga, depending on the selected pickup area. A van ride to the harbor takes about 25 minutes. The return uses the same general areas, with a final scenic boat ride of around 10 minutes before you head back by vehicle.

The practical detail here is timing. Pickup is not necessarily at the advertised start time. Your exact instructions arrive by email at 10 p.m. the night before, and the pickup can be 1 to 1.5 hours different from the scheduled time. You need to watch for that message and wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not at the reception entrance.

Be ready when the van arrives. The operator allows no more than five minutes at the pickup point because other people are on the route. Give the provider your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. A passport copy is also requested in the booking information.

Longer transfers from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area are available as checkout add-ons. Pickup and drop-off from those areas are not included in the basic price. This is worth checking before you pay, since a low headline price can change once a distant transfer is added.

Speedboat time on the Red Sea

Once you reach the harbor, you receive instructions, put on a life jacket, and board the speedboat. The boat has a shaded area and a stereo system, so you can get out of the sun between stops. The speedboat is the right choice if you want a lively ride rather than a slow, large-boat cruise.

The ride itself is part of the attraction. You see open Red Sea water from close to the surface, with the islands and coast appearing from a different angle than they do from a hotel beach. The tradeoff is motion. If you have back problems, this activity is not suitable, and anyone who dislikes a fast, exposed boat ride should think carefully before booking.

The group format is described as private, though the experience can also be offered in shared form depending on the option selected. Check the exact booking choice rather than assuming every departure is exclusive. For two people, a private arrangement gives you a more personal feel and makes the $196 group price easier to understand.

Shaab Eshta Kebir: your first 20 minutes in the water

The first stop is Shaab Eshta Kebir, where you have about 20 minutes to snorkel. The guide accompanies the water portion, which is useful if you want help getting started or prefer not to judge the route alone.

This stop is built around coral and fish. The clearest praise for the outing centers on the underwater sights, with beautiful coral reefs and plenty of fish reported during the snorkeling. You should expect a short, focused stop rather than a long session. Twenty minutes is enough to see a section of reef, but it can feel brief if you are a confident snorkeler who wants extended time in the water.

Bring your own towel and use the supplied equipment if it fits comfortably. The operator provides snorkeling gear and life jackets, but the information does not specify individual equipment sizes or prescription masks. If you have particular gear needs, ask before departure.

Water conditions affect any Red Sea boat day. The schedule provides two sites, which helps because you are not relying on one single location for the entire snorkeling experience. Still, the boat crew controls the timing, so this is an organized excursion rather than a flexible reef outing.

Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra

The second snorkeling stop is Aruk Talata, also known as Shaab Pytra. Again, you have about 20 minutes in the water. Visiting two separate sites gives the morning more variety and reduces the feeling of stopping at one reef, swimming once, and immediately heading to the island.

The value of the second stop is simple: it gives you another chance to see coral and fish after you have adjusted to the equipment. If your first swim is affected by nerves, water movement, or a poor mask fit, this second location gives you another opportunity.

The schedule is fairly tight. Allow for instructions, getting in and out of the boat, and the short snorkeling window itself. You should not book this expecting a full-day reef course or hours of uninterrupted water time. It suits you best if you want a compact introduction to Red Sea snorkeling combined with beach time.

A guide such as Hassan can make a difference here. The guide snorkeling service is included, and Hassan is specifically praised for his role. That is useful for first-time snorkelers, families, and anyone who wants a little reassurance in open water.

Magawish Island and its 1.5-hour beach break

After the reef stops, the speedboat heads to Magawish Island. You have 1.5 to 2 hours here, making the island the longest single stop of the day. That balance is well judged. You get enough time to swim, sit on the sand, and enjoy the setting without turning the whole outing into a beach transfer.

Magawish is presented as a place of white sand and turquoise water, with a Caribbean-like feel. The appeal is the contrast with the active snorkeling stops. Instead of watching the clock while you search for fish, you can slow down and enjoy the shore.

The island is also where the lunch question matters. The package includes seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water, and food and drinks are available on the island. But a full meal is not clearly listed among the included services. If you expect a plated lunch, confirm what the selected option provides. Bring cash as advised, since you may want to buy something on the island.

The beach stop is not just filler between boat rides. It gives you a chance to dry off and rest in the shade before returning. Pack a jacket as well as swimwear, since the boat ride can feel cooler when you are wet or when the wind picks up.

Optional five-minute parasailing flight

You can add a parasailing session lasting up to five minutes. This gives you a short view of the Red Sea from above, paired with the underwater view from the snorkeling stops. It is a neat extra for anyone who wants more than swimming and beach time.

The flight is optional and included only if you select that option. Do not assume it is part of the base package. The listed duration is brief, so think of it as a quick aerial sample rather than a major part of the day.

You should also consider your comfort with heights and motion. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, and those restrictions are especially relevant when choosing any fast-water or airborne add-on.

Returning by boat and van

After Magawish Island, you board the speedboat for the return toward the harbor. The final 10 minutes include scenic views on the way back to Hurghada. Then your arranged transfer takes you to the listed drop-off area.

The entire experience lasts about four hours, including transport and stops. That makes it easy to fit into a Hurghada holiday, especially if you want an active morning without giving up a full day. The schedule is not loose, though. Delays at pickup, time in the water, and the fixed island stop all matter, so keep the rest of your day fairly open.

The transfer service has received praise for being punctual and comfortable, but you should still treat the stated pickup window seriously. Have your towel, jacket, cash, and any personal items ready before the van arrives.

What the $196 price means for two people

At $196 per group of up to two, this is a premium half-day outing rather than a budget boat trip. The value improves if two people share the group price. You are paying for a speedboat, hotel transfers, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guide in the water, island entry, fruit, soft drinks, water, shaded seating, and life jackets.

The price also includes the convenience of a short route with several distinct activities. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the harbor, rent snorkeling equipment, or organize island access on your own. The private-group format, if selected, adds a more personal feel.

The calculation changes if you stay in a distant resort area. Add-on pickup charges apply for Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay. Check the final checkout total before comparing this trip with cheaper shared boats.

Lunch is the other value question. Since a full lunch is not clearly listed as included, ask what the food arrangement is. The included fruit and drinks are useful, but they are not the same as a substantial meal after swimming.

Who will enjoy this speedboat day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a compact Red Sea experience with several parts: speedboat cruising, reef snorkeling, a sandy island, and optional parasailing. It works well for couples and two-person groups who value a private or small-group setup.

It is also a reasonable choice for first-time snorkelers. You get equipment, a guide, life jackets, and two chances to try the water. The 20-minute sessions keep the activity manageable, though strong swimmers may wish they were longer.

You should look elsewhere if you want a relaxed, slow boat journey, a full day at sea, or a guaranteed substantial lunch included in the base price. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Pets are not allowed.

The excellent rating of 4.7 from 30 bookings matches the strongest parts of the service: coral, fish, clear water, a pleasant island, helpful crew, and organized transport. Specific praise goes to Hassan and captain Momo. The most useful practical lesson is to focus on the details, especially pickup time, hotel entrance, transfer add-ons, and the exact food option.

Booking details worth keeping handy

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

The live guide service is in English. The activity information identifies the group type as private, but the experience may be offered with shared or private choices, so read the selected option carefully at checkout.

The day is best approached as a four-hour sea outing, not a formal meal excursion. Bring a towel, jacket, and cash. Leave pets behind, and make sure you can manage a speedboat and snorkeling before booking.

Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat trip?

Book it if you want strong variety in a short time. The two reef stops give you a good chance to see coral and fish, while Magawish Island provides a proper break on pale sand. Add the five-minute parasailing option if a brief aerial view appeals to you.

I would be cautious only if lunch is essential, you need a long snorkeling session, or you are staying far from Hurghada and dislike extra transfer charges. For two people who want a private-feeling Red Sea day with hotel transport included, the $196 group price can be fair. Just confirm the food arrangement and wait for the precise pickup email the night before.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island speedboat trip last?

The activity lasts about four hours, including hotel transfer time, two snorkeling stops, the island visit, and the return journey.

Where does hotel pickup operate?

The standard pickup areas are Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Safaga. Pickup from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as a paid add-on.

How much time is spent snorkeling?

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

Is lunch included?

Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are included. Food and drinks are available on Magawish Island, but a full lunch is not clearly listed as part of the included services, so confirm the exact option before booking.

Is parasailing included?

A parasailing flight lasting up to five minutes is included only when you select the parasailing option.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, jacket, and cash. You should also provide accurate hotel details, room number, and nationality, then wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road for pickup.