Hurghada: Private Speedboat to Magawish Island

Magawish Island gives you the best part of a Red Sea outing in a compact package: a fast private boat ride, clear water, coral reefs, and time on a sandy island. You can choose a shorter 4-hour outing or stretch the day toward 8 hours, which makes this easier to fit around a Hurghada stay. I especially like the calm, shallow water for mixed swimming abilities and the snacks, fruit, and soft drinks included along the way.

I also like the personal help in the water. A snorkeling guide can assist less-confident swimmers with a flotation ring, and one recent outing included enough time for two unhurried snorkeling sessions. The main consideration is pickup: hotel collection can shift by 1 to 1.5 hours, and nearby resort areas such as Makadi Bay and El Gouna cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Private speedboat crossing: You avoid the feel of a large shared boat and get a quicker ride toward Magawish Island.
• Two snorkeling areas: The plan includes time near Hurghada and on Magawish Island, with a snorkeling guide and equipment.
• Calm water for beginners: A life jacket and flotation support make the water easier for nervous swimmers.
• Flexible timing: Choose a 4-hour or 8-hour version, depending on how much island time you want.
• Useful extras included: Hotel transfers in Hurghada, island entrance, water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit are covered.
• Optional upgrades: Add lunch, parasailing, or a massage, and pay extra for pickup from several resort districts.

A fast start from Hurghada

Your day begins with private hotel pickup in Hurghada. The vehicle ride to the marina takes about 30 minutes, though your exact collection time may move by 1 to 1.5 hours because of hotel location and traffic.

This is the one part of the day that requires patience. Pickup is from the main hotel gate on the road, not the reception desk, so you need to wait in the right place. The final pickup details are sent by email at 10:00 PM the evening before, and you should provide your correct nationality, hotel name, and room number when booking.

At the marina, you receive a short safety briefing before boarding. The speedboat is the main reason to choose this outing over a standard group cruise. You spend less time in transit and more time at the water stops, while a private group can keep the pace more personal.

The Red Sea crossing is part of the pleasure. You get open views across the water and a lively ride toward the island, though a speedboat can feel bumpy if the sea is choppy. Anyone prone to motion sickness should take that into account and bring suitable medication if needed.

Snorkeling near Hurghada

The first water portion is listed as a two-hour stop near Hurghada for swimming and snorkeling. This gives you a chance to settle into the equipment before reaching Magawish Island.

You receive a mask, snorkeling equipment, and a life jacket, with a guide in the water. The stated conditions are shallow and calm, so this is not aimed only at strong swimmers. If you are uncertain in the water, the guide can help you use a flotation ring. That small bit of support can make the difference between sitting on the boat and actually seeing the reef.

The coral and fish are the main attraction here. Water clarity changes with wind and sea conditions, so you should not expect the same view every day, but the Red Sea is well suited to this kind of short snorkeling stop. Keep your expectations sensible: this is a guided recreational stop, not a specialist marine expedition.

The timing also matters. Two hours gives you room to snorkel, rest, and try again instead of rushing in and out. One recent outing included two relaxed snorkeling sessions before lunch, a useful sign for anyone who values time in the water more than a packed schedule.

Magawish Island and its sandy beaches

After the water stop, the speedboat carries you to Magawish Island. The island visit includes another two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time.

Magawish works well because it gives the day a change of pace. You move from the open water to a sandy place where you can stretch out, take photos, and simply stop doing things for a while. The water around the island is described as turquoise and shallow, which suits easy swimming and casual snorkeling.

The island is not presented as a sightseeing site filled with monuments or local neighborhoods. Its appeal is simpler: sand, sea, and quiet time. If you want culture or ancient sites, this is not the right excursion. If you want a break from Hurghada’s hotels and a few hours beside clear water, it fits well.

The two-hour island stop can feel just right on the shorter trip, but people choosing the 8-hour option should check exactly how the extra time is used. The supplied schedule describes two hours near Hurghada and two hours at Magawish, plus the road transfers, while the booking offers a 4-hour to 8-hour duration. Confirm the selected option and timing before paying if a precise return time matters.

What is included for the $88 price

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea. Its value comes from combining several costs and services in one private outing.

The price includes round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, the speedboat trip, island entrance, a guide, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, one snorkeling stop, water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit. That is a useful bundle, especially for a private group that would otherwise need to arrange a boat and transfers separately.

Lunch is included only if you select that option. Parasailing is also an add-on, not part of the basic rate. Massage is offered as an optional upgrade as well. Check the final booking total carefully so the headline price does not surprise you after extras are added.

Pickup from Hurghada is covered, but collection from Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, and Safaga costs extra. If you are staying outside central Hurghada, compare that surcharge with the price of arranging your own transport.

The private format is the strongest value point for families, couples, and small groups. You are not simply paying for a seat on a large boat. You are paying for a more controlled pace, private transfers, and the ability to spend the day around your own group.

Food, drinks, and optional extras

Water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit are included, which is helpful in the sun. You should still bring cash for personal purchases and any added activity.

Lunch on the island is available if selected. The food has been described as solid, with salads a better choice than pizza for one recent meal. That is useful practical advice: choose the fresher, lighter options if you plan to get back into the water after eating.

Parasailing changes the mood of the day. It gives you an activity above the water rather than another swim, but it also adds cost and may not suit anyone uneasy with heights. A massage is another optional extra for people who want the island stop to feel more like a resort break.

The basic version already has a clear shape: boat, snorkeling, island, beach. I would add lunch if you want to avoid organizing food, but I would treat parasailing and massage as personal choices rather than necessary upgrades.

Guides, safety, and the feel of a private outing

The tour operates in Arabic and English, and a live guide accompanies the experience. The guide handles the snorkeling support and helps keep the water portion comfortable for different skill levels.

The strongest human detail connected with this outing is Mohammed, the company’s boat owner. After a passenger injured an ankle during a boat change on one occasion, Mohammed helped arrange a taxi, stayed through the hospital visit, translated into Arabic, and helped with the return journey. That does not change the normal itinerary, but it suggests a hands-on approach when something goes wrong.

You should still take ordinary care. Listen to the safety briefing, use the life jacket if instructed, and bring sunscreen and a towel. The boat and island expose you to strong sun, and there may be little shade during parts of the day.

The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but the practical details of boarding a speedboat and moving between boat, beach, and water are not explained. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking to confirm the exact transfer arrangement.

Choosing between four and eight hours

The shorter option makes sense if you want a taste of the Red Sea without giving up most of your day. It suits a tight Hurghada schedule, families who may tire in the sun, or anyone combining this outing with another activity.

The longer option gives you more breathing room. You can spend extra time swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, or taking an optional activity without making the whole day feel rushed. For a private group, that flexibility is often the point.

The supplied schedule shows roughly 30 minutes by van each way, two hours of swimming and snorkeling near Hurghada, and two hours at Magawish Island. That adds up to about five hours before any added time, waiting, or optional activity. Because the advertised duration ranges from 4 to 8 hours, ask for the exact schedule attached to your chosen option.

I would choose 4 hours for a first look and 8 hours if the Red Sea is the main reason you came to Hurghada. The island is for slowing down, so a rushed visit weakens the best part of the experience.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This outing is a good match for:

• Couples who want a private day on the water
• Families with children or mixed swimming abilities
• Small groups who prefer a speedboat to a large cruise boat
• Beginners who want a guide, equipment, and flotation support
• Visitors who want beach time without planning a full day independently
• People staying in Hurghada who value included transfers

It is less suitable if you want a serious scuba experience, a cultural tour, or a fully fixed departure time. It also may not be ideal if you dislike speedboat motion or have no interest in snorkeling and swimming.

The private setup helps families and small groups, but it does not remove the need to follow the sea conditions. The water may not look identical each day, and the boat ride may be livelier than a slow cruise.

Practical details before you book

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Wear swimwear under your clothes if you want to get into the water quickly, though that clothing suggestion is practical rather than a stated requirement.

Keep your phone protected from spray and sun. The tour includes scenic boat views and island time, so photos are part of the appeal, but you should not handle expensive electronics carelessly around the water.

Book with accurate hotel information. Pickup is from the main road gate, not the reception area, and final details arrive by email the night before. The activity accepts reservations with payment later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

The tour is offered as a private group and has a 4.8 rating from 19 listed ratings. That number suggests a strong record, but your decision should rest on the details that matter most: private transport, time in the water, island relaxation, and the flexible length.

Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat?

I would book this if you want a straightforward Red Sea day with real time for swimming and snorkeling, not a crowded boat ride with a long list of brief stops. The private speedboat, included equipment, guide support, snacks, and Hurghada transfers make the $88 price reasonable for a small group.

Choose it with clear expectations. Magawish Island is about beach and sea, not ancient Egypt or local culture. Confirm your duration, ask about any extra pickup charge, and add lunch only if you want the convenience. For couples, families, and small groups staying in Hurghada, this is a practical way to get clear water and island time without managing the day yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island trip last?

You can choose an experience lasting from 4 to 8 hours. Check the available starting times and confirm the exact schedule for your selected option.

What does the $88 price include?

The price includes private round-trip pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, the speedboat, island entrance, a guide, water, soft drinks, snacks, fruit, one snorkeling stop, snorkeling equipment, and a life jacket.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option. It is not part of the basic package.

Is parasailing included?

No. Parasailing is an optional add-on selected separately.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is from the main hotel gate on the road, not from the reception area. Pickup time can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours because of hotel location and traffic.

Can I book pickup from Makadi Bay or El Gouna?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide service is available in Arabic and English.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets are not allowed.