Hurghada: Magawish Island Speedboat W Snorkelling & Lunch

Magawish Island gives this four-hour trip its main appeal: white sand, turquoise water, and a fast ride across the Red Sea instead of a slow day boat. You snorkel at two sites, then get 1.5 to 2 hours on the island for swimming, sun, and a relaxed beach break. I like the compact schedule and the hotel transfer, which makes this easy to fit into a Hurghada stay.

I also like the small-group feel, the shaded area on the boat, and the choice to add a five-minute parasailing flight. The main drawback is the tight timing. Two snorkeling stops and island time leave little room for delays, and pickup can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours. Also, confirm the lunch arrangement before booking, since food is not clearly listed among the included items.

Key points

• Two Red Sea snorkeling stops: Spend about 20 minutes at Shaab Eshta Kebir and another 20 minutes around Aruk Talata, also called Shaab Pytra.
• Magawish beach time: You get 1.5 to 2 hours on the island, enough for swimming, sun, and a proper break from the boat.
• Fast, scenic transport: The speedboat keeps the trip lively and gives you open-water views on the way out and back.
• Optional parasailing: Add a five-minute flight for a short look at the Red Sea from above.
• Useful included gear: Snorkel equipment, life jackets, water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, and a shaded boat area are provided.
• Strict pickup timing: Be at the hotel entrance by the road, not the reception gate, and do not expect the driver to wait more than five minutes.

A short Red Sea trip with a proper beach stop

This is best understood as a half-day sampler of the Red Sea. You get a speedboat ride, two short snorkeling sessions, and a longer stop on Magawish Island. It is not a full-day island cruise, and the snorkeling portions are brief, but the mix works well if you want several activities without giving up an entire day.

The advertised price is $196 per group of up to two people. That makes the cost more interesting for a couple or two friends sharing a booking than for one person alone. Since the arrangement can be private or shared, check the exact option at checkout so you know what kind of boat setting you are buying.

I like the balance here. The boat gets you moving quickly, while the island stop gives you time to slow down. You are not stuck at sea for hours waiting for a beach visit, and you are not spending the whole trip on land either.

Hotel pickup and the ride to the harbor

Your day begins with a van transfer of about 25 minutes from one of the main pickup areas: Hurghada, Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, or Safaga. The transfer is included for the standard service areas, but longer pickups from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area require an add-on.

The pickup details arrive by email at about 10 p.m. the night before. Give the operator your correct nationality, hotel name, address, room number, and a passport copy if requested. The meeting point is the main entrance by the road, not an interior reception entrance. That distinction matters at large resort properties.

You should allow some flexibility in your morning. The pickup time may shift by 1 to 1.5 hours from the scheduled time because other passengers may be collected. Once a time is confirmed, be ready early. The driver can wait no more than five minutes.

The van ride is mainly practical rather than scenic. It gets you to the harbor, where you receive safety instructions, collect your gear, and board the speedboat. Bring a light jacket for this part of the morning and for the ride back. Even in warm weather, a moving boat can feel cool.

Speeding toward Shaab Eshta Kebir

The first water stop is Shaab Eshta Kebir, with about 20 minutes set aside for snorkeling. That is enough time to get a look at the coral and fish without making the first stop feel like the entire day.

A guide accompanies the snorkeling portion and provides equipment. Life jackets are included, which is useful if you are not a confident swimmer or simply want support while looking down into the water. Listen closely to the guide before entering, since the stop is short and you will want to get settled quickly.

The strongest praise for this trip centers on the snorkeling. You might see colorful coral and plenty of fish, and the clear water is the reason to choose this outing over a simple beach transfer. Still, keep your expectations sensible. Twenty minutes is a quick visit, not a long session for serious snorkelers.

The boat has a shaded area and a stereo system. Shade is especially useful between stops, when you can dry off, drink water, and avoid sitting in direct sun for the whole ride. Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are included, so you do not need to depend entirely on the island facilities for refreshments.

A second look at the reef at Aruk Talata

The boat then continues to Aruk Talata, also known as Shaab Pytra. This second snorkeling stop lasts about 20 minutes and gives you another chance to see Red Sea coral and fish in a different setting.

Two stops are valuable because sea conditions and underwater visibility can vary. If one site is less clear or the water feels choppy, the second stop gives you another chance. It also breaks up the morning and keeps the outing from becoming one long stretch in the same place.

The tradeoff is again time. With only 20 minutes here, you should be ready to enter the water promptly. A towel, swimsuit, and simple clothing that dries quickly will make the transition easier. Bring cash too, especially if you expect to buy something on Magawish Island.

The snorkeling guide is an important part of the day. Hassan has been singled out as a particularly good guide, while Captain Momo has been praised for being friendly and considerate. Staff can vary by departure, so do not assume either person will be assigned to your boat, but those names give you an idea of the personal service this operator aims to provide.

The 1.5 to 2 hours on Magawish Island

Magawish Island is the centerpiece for anyone who prefers beach time to constant activity. After the two water stops, the speedboat takes you to sandy shores with pale sand and bright turquoise water. The setting has a Caribbean feel, at least in broad appearance, though the visit remains a short stop within a busy half-day schedule.

You have 1.5 to 2 hours here. That is enough time to swim, sit on the beach, dry off, and take a break from the boat. I would use the first few minutes to get oriented, then choose between water time and shade before the hottest part of the stop.

Food and drinks may be available on the island, but lunch is not clearly included in the listed package. The title refers to lunch, and one description indicates that you can eat and drink there, yet the included items specifically name fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water rather than a full meal. Confirm this point before you pay, especially if lunch is important to your plans.

The island is not the place for a long cultural visit. You come for sand and sea, not museums, monuments, or local history. That simplicity is part of the appeal. If you want a low-effort beach break between two snorkeling sessions, the stop works well. If you want a quiet, empty island, the organized schedule and possible shared boating arrangement may feel less private.

Optional parasailing for five minutes

The optional parasailing add-on gives you a quick change of viewpoint. For up to five minutes, you can look down at the Red Sea from above instead of from the boat or water.

This is a short flight, so treat it as an extra burst of fun rather than a full aerial excursion. It may suit you if you want to add one more activity without extending the tour. The option is particularly appealing for people who have already enjoyed snorkeling and want a simple way to see the coastline and water from a higher angle.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Those restrictions should be taken seriously, particularly if you are considering the parasailing option or dealing with discomfort on a fast-moving boat.

What the price really gives you

At $196 for a group of up to two, the value depends on how you use the booking. Two people sharing the cost get a better per-person rate than a solo customer. The package includes hotel transfers, the speedboat, snorkeling equipment, two guided snorkeling stops, island entry, life jackets, drinks, fruit, and shade on board.

That is a useful bundle. You do not have to arrange a separate ride to the harbor or rent basic snorkeling gear on your own. The private-group format can also make the outing feel more personal, though the details of private versus shared service should be confirmed before booking.

The price is harder to justify if you want a long snorkeling session or a full meal included without extra planning. You are paying for speed, convenience, and a mixed itinerary. Someone who wants six hours in the water may find the 40 minutes of scheduled snorkeling too limited. Someone with only one free morning may find the format just right.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add flexibility. Those terms are useful if your Red Sea plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to watch the pickup email and confirm the meeting point.

Practical advice for a smoother morning

Pack a towel, jacket, and cash. The towel is obvious after two water stops, while the jacket helps on the boat. Cash is useful if you want food or drinks on the island, since the full meal arrangement is not clearly specified.

Wear swim clothing under something easy to remove. The schedule moves from van to boat to water and then to beach, so complicated clothing only slows you down. Keep personal items secure and avoid bringing anything you would not want exposed to spray.

Arrive at the hotel entrance early. The driver waits only five minutes, and the correct entrance is the main gate by the road. At a large resort, ask hotel staff the night before if you are unsure which gate the vehicle can reach.

This trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Pets are not allowed. The speedboat, transfers, and water entry also make this a better fit for people comfortable with an active morning rather than those looking for a gentle, slow-paced boat ride.

Who should book the Magawish speedboat trip?

I would choose this trip if you want to combine reef snorkeling and beach time in four hours. It suits couples, friends, and hotel-based visitors who want transport handled for them and prefer a fast boat to a larger, slower vessel.

It is also a good choice if your schedule is tight. The two snorkeling stops are short, but you still get a real island visit rather than only a quick photo stop. The optional parasailing flight adds variety without turning the outing into a full-day commitment.

I would think twice if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The total scheduled snorkeling time is about 40 minutes, and the rest is transfer, cruising, and island time. I would also confirm the lunch details before booking, since the published inclusions clearly cover drinks and fruit but do not clearly promise a full lunch.

Should you book it?

Book this Magawish Island trip if you value speed, convenience, and variety more than long hours at one reef. The strongest parts are the two coral stops, the pale beach, the included transfer, and the chance to add parasailing.

Before booking, check three things: the pickup add-on for your hotel area, the exact private or shared arrangement, and whether lunch is included or simply available to buy. If those details fit your plans, this is a practical half-day way to see the Red Sea from the boat, the water, and the beach.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island trip last?

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

How much snorkeling time is included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the standard service areas. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area requires an add-on.

Is lunch included?

A full lunch is not clearly listed among the included items. Seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and mineral water are included, and food and drinks may be available to buy on Magawish Island.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, jacket, and cash. You should also provide the requested hotel and identification details and wait at the main hotel entrance by the road.

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Pets are not allowed.