Hurghada: Private Speedboat to Magawish Island

Magawish Island gives you a simple Red Sea day: a fast boat ride, clear water, coral reefs, and sandy beaches without the feel of a large group excursion. You’ll have time to swim and snorkel near Hurghada before continuing to the island, where the pace slows down.

I especially like the private-group format and the choice between four and eight hours. The snorkeling support also matters: a guide can help beginners, and one account describes a swimmer using a ring to stay comfortable in the water. The main drawback is pickup timing, which may shift by 1 to 1.5 hours, and the shorter option may feel tight once transfers are counted.

Key points to know before booking

• Private speedboat ride: You cross the Red Sea in a private group rather than on a large shared boat.
• Two water stops: Expect swimming and snorkeling near Hurghada, followed by more time around Magawish Island.
• Flexible duration: Pick a 4-hour or 8-hour option, depending on how much beach time you want.
• Helpful water support: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, a snorkeling guide, water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit are included.
• Optional extras: Add island lunch or parasailing, and pay extra for pickup from resorts outside Hurghada.
• Strong guide service: The English and Arabic team is often praised for good humor, care, and practical help.

Why Magawish Island works well as a Red Sea day trip

Hurghada has no shortage of boat outings, but this one keeps the plan easy to understand. You are collected at your hotel, driven to the marina, taken by speedboat to the island, given time in the water, and returned to your hotel.

The appeal is the mix of motion and stillness. The speedboat gets you out across the Red Sea quickly, while Magawish Island gives you a sandy place to stop, dry off, take photos, and rest. You do not need to fill the day with constant activity.

At $88 per person, the price is best judged against what is included: private round-trip transport within Hurghada, the speedboat, island entry, a guide, snorkeling gear, a life jacket, one snorkeling stop, drinks, snacks, fruit, and hotel drop-off. Lunch and parasailing are extra options, so check the final price if you want either one.

I see this as a good value for a couple, family, or small private party that wants control over the day. It is less compelling if you only want a brief swim and beach stop, since the shorter version still includes road transfers and marina time.

Leaving Hurghada by hotel van

The day begins with pickup from Hurghada, with collection points covering Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada generally. The transfer to the marina takes about 30 minutes in the stated schedule.

One practical point matters here: the pickup window can move by 1 to 1.5 hours because of your hotel location and traffic. You receive the exact pickup details by email at 10:00 PM the night before, so check your inbox before going to sleep.

Pickup is from the main hotel gate on the road, not the reception desk. That distinction can save you a frustrating wait in the wrong place. Give your correct nationality, hotel name, and room number when booking.

If you stay in Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, or Safaga, pickup is available as an optional paid add-on. The standard service is for Hurghada hotels, so do not assume an outlying resort is covered in the base price.

The van ride is not the star of the outing, but it is useful. You do not need to arrange a taxi or find the marina yourself. Keep your towel, sunscreen, and cash with you rather than packed away in luggage.

The speedboat crossing to Magawish

At the marina, you receive a short safety briefing before boarding. The speedboat is the defining feature of this outing, especially if you find large, slow boat trips tiring.

You get open-water views as you cross toward Magawish Island. The ride itself is part of the fun, but remember that a speedboat can feel lively on the water. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring any usual precautions you rely on, though the supplied information does not specify the boat’s seating or shelter.

The group is private, which should make the day feel more personal than a standard shared excursion. It also gives you a better setting for questions, help with gear, and coordination around swimming and snorkeling.

The tour operates in Arabic and English. The guide is there for the safety briefing, water activities, and general flow of the day. One particularly strong account describes Mohammed, the company owner and boat captain, helping a passenger after a serious ankle injury at the end of the day. He arranged transport, helped with Arabic translation at the hospital, and stayed through the medical process. That is an unusual incident, but it gives you a useful sense of the level of personal care the company can provide when something goes wrong.

Two hours of swimming and snorkeling near Hurghada

The stated schedule includes two hours in the Hurghada area for swimming and snorkeling. This gives you a first chance to see the Red Sea below the surface before reaching the island.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, with colorful coral reefs. Snorkeling is presented as suitable for beginners and experienced swimmers because the water is shallow and calm. Still, you should be honest about your swimming ability and use the provided life jacket if you need it.

The snorkeling guide is an important part of the package. You receive equipment and a life jacket, and the guide can help you use it properly. One account specifically describes a less confident swimmer being supported with a floating ring, making it possible to join the activity without feeling left behind.

That kind of help is more valuable than it may sound. Many people can manage a mask and snorkel in theory but feel uneasy when they first put their face in the water. A guide who stays attentive can turn a nervous first attempt into a pleasant one.

You may also see dolphins. A December outing included a dolphin sighting, but this is wildlife, not a promised part of the trip. Treat it as a lucky extra rather than a reason to book.

The schedule identifies one snorkeling stop as included, while the supplied timing also gives you two hours around Hurghada and another two hours at Magawish Island. Ask the operator how your selected 4-hour or 8-hour option divides the water time if the exact schedule matters to you.

Arriving at Magawish Island

Magawish Island is the main visual reward. You come ashore for sandy beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and rest. The island is described as calm, and its shallow water makes it a good place to slow the day down after the boat crossing.

You can spend your time in the water or simply sit on the beach. That choice is important. Not everyone in a private group will want the same pace, and the island allows one person to snorkel while another takes photos or rests.

The island portion is listed at about two hours in the basic schedule. That is enough for a focused visit, but it will not feel like an all-day island stay unless you choose the longer version. If beach lounging is your main goal, select the 8-hour option rather than expecting the 4-hour version to provide a long, lazy afternoon.

The island is also a good place for simple photographs. You have sand, open sea, and a quieter setting than the city waterfront. Do not expect a packed sightseeing program or a long list of monuments. The attraction is the water and the space to relax.

Lunch, snacks, and optional parasailing

Water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit are included. That is enough to keep you going during the boat and beach portions, but it is not the same as a full meal.

Lunch is available if you select that option. A meal on the island can make the longer outing easier, especially if you plan to spend most of the day away from your hotel. One useful food tip is to favor salads over pizza if both are available, based on the meal experience described by a previous participant.

Parasailing is another optional add-on. It gives you a way to add a short burst of activity above the water, but it changes the character of the day. The base trip already includes a speedboat ride, swimming, snorkeling, and beach time, so parasailing is best for someone who wants more action rather than a quieter island stop.

Check the add-on cost before confirming. The base price does not include lunch or parasailing unless you choose them.

Choosing four hours or eight hours

The 4-hour option suits you if you have a tight schedule, a flight later in the day, or only want a quick taste of the island. It should give you the core experience, but transfers and safety arrangements take part of that window.

The 8-hour option makes more sense if you want a relaxed pace. You have more room for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, beach time, and optional parasailing without watching the clock. Families and mixed groups may find this especially useful because not everyone moves from one activity to the next at the same speed.

The supplied schedule lists two 30-minute van rides, two hours around Hurghada, and two hours at Magawish Island. That adds up to about five hours before allowing for the full range of timing involved in a 4-hour or 8-hour booking. For this reason, confirm the exact departure and return times for your chosen option.

The advertised duration is flexible at 4 to 8 hours, and starting times depend on availability. If your day includes another booking, allow breathing room rather than arranging a close connection.

Who will enjoy this private outing

I would choose this for:

• Couples who want a private day on the water
• Families who need a flexible pace
• First-time snorkelers who value a guide and life jacket
• Strong swimmers who want coral reefs and open-water scenery
• Anyone who prefers a speedboat to a large shared boat
• People with a free half-day or full day in Hurghada

The experience is also wheelchair accessible, which broadens its usefulness. The information provided does not explain how every boat or beach transfer is handled, so confirm the exact arrangements if you use a wheelchair.

It may not suit you if you dislike open-water boat rides, need a fixed pickup time, or want a cultural sightseeing tour. Magawish is about sea, sand, coral, and rest. There are no city landmarks or historical sites in this plan.

Pets are not allowed.

What to pack for a smoother day

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Sunscreen matters even when you are in the water for much of the day, since the boat and beach leave you exposed between swims.

A waterproof pouch can be useful for cash and small personal items, though it is not listed as a requirement. Keep your phone secure around the boat and beach, and do not assume that every extra purchase can be paid by card.

Wear something practical for swimming and bring a cover-up for the boat or island stop. The supplied information does not specify changing facilities, so it is sensible to arrive ready for the water.

You receive snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, so you do not need to bring your own gear unless you prefer a personal mask or snorkel. The guide can help you get set up.

Booking details that affect the value

The price is $88 per person. For a private group, that can be fair, particularly because it includes hotel transport in Hurghada, the boat, island entry, a guide, equipment, drinks, snacks, fruit, and return transport.

The value drops if you only use the beach briefly and skip the included snorkeling. The value improves if you take advantage of the water time and choose the longer version for a full day out.

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

The final practical detail is pickup communication. Since the time may vary and the email arrives late the evening before, keep your plans flexible and check the message at 10:00 PM. Meet at the road-side main hotel gate, not inside reception.

Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat?

I would book this if you want a private Red Sea outing with real time in the water, a calm island stop, and support from an English or Arabic-speaking guide. The snorkeling assistance, included equipment, snacks, and private transport make it easier for mixed-ability groups.

Choose the 4-hour option for a compact outing, but select 8 hours if you want lunch, longer beach time, or parasailing without rushing. Before paying, confirm the exact schedule, check any resort pickup surcharge, and decide if you want the lunch add-on.

This is not a cultural tour and not a guaranteed dolphin trip. It is a straightforward day of boat travel, coral snorkeling, swimming, and sand. If that sounds like your ideal Hurghada break, the price is reasonable for the privacy and included support.

FAQ

Where does the Magawish Island trip depart from?

The tour includes pickup from hotels in Hurghada, with pickup areas listed as Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada. You are then transferred by van to the marina.

How long does the experience last?

You can choose a 4-hour or 8-hour option. Starting times depend on availability, and the pickup time can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours because of hotel location and traffic.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private round-trip pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels are included. Pickup is from the main hotel gate on the road, not the reception area.

Can I book pickup from another resort area?

Pickup from Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, and Safaga is available as an optional paid add-on during checkout.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included, along with a snorkeling guide and one snorkeling stop.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option. Water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit are included in the standard experience.

Is parasailing included?

No. Parasailing is an optional add-on and is not part of the standard price.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in Arabic and English.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can reserve now and pay later. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.