Hurghada: Yacht trip To Magawish island w Snorkeling & Lunch

Magawish Island is the star of this day on the Red Sea. You get two hours to swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, and enjoy lunch, after a yacht ride that includes a dolphin search and two reef stops. It is a full day at sea for $41, with plenty of water time rather than a quick photo stop.

I like the small-group feel reported on several departures, with one group of about 20 people and some quieter days becoming almost private tours. I also like the care in the water: the snorkeling guide stays with the group and can help less-confident swimmers, including older family members.

The main caution is timing. Hotel pickup may arrive 1 to 1.5 hours before the advertised start, and the dolphin search is not a guarantee of seeing dolphins. You should also check exactly which lunch is included, since the standard information describes island lunch while the detailed plan also mentions a cheese and roast beef lunch box.

Key points at a glance

• Two 45-minute snorkeling stops: You get more than a short swim, with time at two separate Red Sea sites.
• A real two-hour island break: Magawish is not just a quick landing. You can swim, snorkel, eat, and slow down.
• Dolphin watching in open water: The crew spends about 30 minutes searching, but sightings depend on nature.
• Helpful in-water guidance: The snorkeling guide keeps the group together and assists people who feel unsure in the sea.
• $41 includes the basics: Hotel pickup in Hurghada, equipment, guide, water, fruit, soft drink, island fees, and lunch are included.
• Useful paid upgrades: You can add seafood lunch, private transfer, or pickup from areas such as Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay.

Leaving Hurghada for a full day on the Red Sea

The tour begins with a hotel pickup in Hurghada and a drive of about 30 minutes to the harbor. Pickup is available in the Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada areas, but the exact collection time can shift by 1 to 1.5 hours.

That delay matters more than it may sound. This is an eight-hour outing, so you should keep your morning free rather than scheduling a close connection or another activity. The pickup point is at the main entrance of your hotel by the road, not at the reception area.

The provider sends pickup details by email at around 10:00 p.m. the night before. Give the correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number when booking, then check your email before bed.

The driver can wait no more than five minutes because other people need collecting. I would be ready early, with sunscreen and water already packed, instead of trying to find the vehicle at the last moment.

What the yacht day is really like

The boat is described as a mega yacht, giving the outing a more spacious feel than a basic transfer boat. Exact boat specifications are not provided, so I would not book this expecting a particular yacht model or luxury service. The appeal is the combination of transport, swimming stops, island time, and food in one organized day.

Arabic and English are offered, and the crew includes a guide and a snorkeling guide. The best feature for hesitant swimmers is the structure in the water. The guide keeps the group together and accompanies people during the snorkeling stops, rather than simply pointing toward the reef and sending everyone off alone.

Several departures have had notably small numbers. One group counted about 20 people, while another day had so few passengers that it felt private. That is not guaranteed, but it is worth asking about group size if personal attention is important to you.

The boat provides water, fruit, and a soft drink. Bring cash for anything extra, such as optional food upgrades or services on the island. A towel is not listed as included, so bring your own.

The 30-minute dolphin search

The first sea activity is a roughly 30-minute search for dolphins. The crew looks for them in their natural setting, which is more honest than presenting a captive-animal encounter as a wildlife experience.

The important point is that this is a search, not a sighting guarantee. One departure tried to find dolphins but did not see any. If dolphins appear, you may see them swimming near the boat, but you should treat that as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

This part also depends on sea conditions and animal behavior. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole outing watching the horizon. The snorkeling and island time are the dependable parts of the day.

Two reef stops, 45 minutes each

After the dolphin search, the yacht stops twice for snorkeling. Each stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you 90 minutes in the water overall.

That is a good amount of time for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can spend time looking across the reef and following fish, while beginners can stay close to the guide and take breaks as needed. Equipment is included, though you should bring your own mask or fins only if you prefer a personal fit.

The Red Sea is the main reason many people choose a boat day from Hurghada. The snorkeling sites are described as clear-water areas with coral and colorful fish. Conditions can change, so the exact visibility and marine life will vary on the day.

The guide-led format is especially useful for families. One departure included a 60-year-old mother who received close help in the water. That does not turn the trip into a private lesson, but it does suggest that you do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part.

You should still be honest about your comfort level before entering the water. Tell the guide if you are nervous or need help, and stay with the group. The two 45-minute stops give you a chance to enjoy the sea without forcing you to remain in it all day.

Magawish Island gives the day its breathing room

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Magawish Island for about two hours. This is the most relaxed section of the outing, and it keeps the day from becoming a nonstop sequence of timed activities.

You can swim, snorkel again, sit on the beach, or simply enjoy the island setting. The water is clear, and the island provides an easy place to dry off and eat before returning to Hurghada.

Facilities mentioned for the island include toilets, a bar, and a massage parlour. A massage is an optional extra, not part of the listed price, but it can be useful if you want a quiet break after time in the water.

The two-hour limit is both a benefit and a restriction. You have enough time to eat and relax without rushing, but not enough for a long island exploration. Think of Magawish as a pleasant beach stop, not a remote island expedition.

An island lunch is included in the standard package information. The meal is described elsewhere as a cheese sandwich and roast beef lunch box, while seafood lunch and an island lunch upgrade are also mentioned. Because those details do not line up perfectly, confirm the meal offered on your departure before booking, especially if food is central to your decision.

Lunch and paid food upgrades

The standard price is $41 per person. That includes transport from a Hurghada hotel, island fees, guide service, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, water, fruit, a soft drink, and lunch.

For a full day, that is a fair package if you plan to use the water activities. Buying separate transport, boat access, equipment, and food would usually make a self-arranged version harder to manage, even before dealing with harbor logistics.

The food is practical rather than a reason to choose the trip by itself. The detailed plan mentions a cheese and roast beef lunch box, while the island option may include a more substantial meal. Seafood is available as an add-on, and several departures had good experiences with the island meal.

If you care about fresh seafood, select that option during checkout rather than assuming it is part of the basic $41 price. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not list special menus, so ask before paying.

Optional parasailing and other upgrades

Parasailing is available if you select the right option. It is not part of the basic package, so check the booking choices carefully rather than assuming every boat passenger receives it.

Private transfer is another upgrade. Standard pickup is included from Hurghada, while longer-distance service from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay can be booked at checkout for an additional fee.

Those areas can add a great deal of driving time, so the paid transfer may be worth considering for convenience. The information does not state the exact surcharge, so compare the price before booking.

One departure was upgraded to a speedboat and became a private outing because no other passengers joined. That sounds appealing, but it is not a standard promise. Book the advertised yacht trip, and treat any boat or group change as a possible bonus rather than an expectation.

What to pack and what to leave behind

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. The Red Sea sun can feel strong even when the air is comfortable, and you will be outside for much of the day.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and use sun protection before reaching the harbor. The boat provides water, fruit, and a soft drink, but the supplied details do not promise a full range of drinks, so bring any essentials you personally need.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the information does not explain how boarding, the yacht deck, or water entry are handled. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking and ask about the specific boat and transfer arrangements.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada schedule is still moving around.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This outing suits you if you want one organized day that combines reefs, open water, an island, and lunch. Families can benefit from the guide’s help in the water, while couples and small groups may appreciate a quieter departure if numbers happen to be low.

It also works well for first-time snorkelers. You get equipment, instruction, and two shorter sessions instead of one long stretch in the sea. The guide-led format gives you a clearer plan than simply hiring a boat and hoping to find a good spot.

You may want another type of outing if your main goal is guaranteed dolphin viewing, serious scuba training, or several hours of isolated beach time. Dolphins may not appear, the island stay is limited to two hours, and the food details need confirming.

The tour is also not ideal for a tightly scheduled morning. The pickup window can shift, and the driver waits only five minutes at the stated location. Give the day room to breathe.

Is the $41 price good value?

I think the price is attractive for what is included. You get round-trip Hurghada transport, a guide, equipment, two 45-minute snorkeling stops, island access, food, and drinks without needing to arrange each part separately.

The strongest value comes from the 90 minutes of planned snorkeling and the two hours at Magawish. The dolphin search is enjoyable but uncertain, so I would not count it as guaranteed value when comparing this with other boat trips.

The paid upgrades can change the final cost. Seafood, parasailing, private transfer, and long-distance pickup are extras, and the total may rise quickly if you select several. Start with the $41 option if you mainly want snorkeling and island time, then add only the feature you actually care about.

Should you book the Magawish Island yacht trip?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, full-day Red Sea outing with two substantial snorkeling sessions and a real island break. It is particularly appealing if you value organized transport, in-water help, and the chance of a small group.

Go in with sensible expectations. Dolphins are not guaranteed, lunch details should be confirmed, and hotel pickup may be much earlier than the advertised start. If those points are acceptable, this is a well-rounded choice for a first Hurghada boat day, with enough swimming and downtime to keep the schedule from feeling like a race.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada to Magawish Island trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, the drive to the harbor, the boat trip, dolphin watching, snorkeling, island time, and the return journey.

How long is the dolphin-watching stop?

The dolphin search lasts about 30 minutes. Seeing dolphins is possible, but sightings are not guaranteed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Each one lasts about 45 minutes, for approximately 90 minutes of scheduled snorkeling.

How long do you stay on Magawish Island?

You spend about two hours on Magawish Island. This time can be used for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and lunch.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup from hotels in Hurghada is included. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as a paid add-on.

What should you bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets are not allowed, and the activity information does not state that towels are provided.