Hurghada : Sunset & Barbecue at Magawish Island By Speedboat

Magawish Island gives this short Hurghada outing a fine shape: a quick speedboat ride, clear Red Sea water, and dinner on the beach before sunset. You get the island setting without giving up most of your day, and the private-group format keeps the trip more personal than a large boat excursion.

I like the simple three-hour plan and the fact that snorkeling gear, drinks, fruit, shade, and a life jacket are included. I also like the barbecue timing, since a meal on the island makes this feel like more than a fast swim stop. The main caution is the pickup window: hotel collection can vary by up to 60 minutes in Hurghada, and the boat will wait only five minutes once your pickup arrives.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunset timing: The outing is planned for roughly 2 pm to 5 pm, with the best light saved for the return ride.
• Private group: The advertised price is $371 for up to two people, so the value is strongest for a couple or two friends sharing the cost.
• Two water experiences: You get a 20-minute speedboat cruise and about 45 minutes of snorkeling around Magawish Island.
• Beach barbecue: Lunch lasts about 45 minutes and comes with soft drinks, water, seasonal fruit, and a shaded tent.
• Named guides: Momo is the captain noted for a quick, enjoyable afternoon, while Mahmoud and another captain named Mahmoud are praised for friendly service.
• Pickup details matter: Wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not at reception, and check your email or WhatsApp at 10 pm the night before.

A short speedboat trip with a proper island stop

Magawish Island is close enough to Hurghada to fit into an afternoon, yet far enough from the hotel zone to feel like a change of scene. The trip begins with a hotel pickup, followed by a van ride of about 25 minutes to the harbor. From there, the speedboat takes roughly 20 minutes to reach the island.

That short crossing is one of the pleasures of the outing. You are not spending hours on a slow boat just to reach the water. Instead, the ride gives you open views of the Red Sea and the Hurghada coastline, then gets you to the main activity quickly.

At the harbor, the team provides the schedule and safety instructions before departure. You should listen closely, especially if you are not used to speedboats or snorkeling. A life jacket is included, and the boat ride is part of the experience rather than just transport.

The private format is worth noting. The price is listed at $371 for a group of up to two, not per person. For two people, that works out to $185.50 each before any extra pickup charges or the tourist tax. That is not a bargain outing, but it can make sense if you want your own boat arrangement, a beach meal, and a small-scale afternoon rather than a crowded group cruise.

Snorkeling around Magawish Island

The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time to get comfortable in the water, look around the reef area, and return to shore without making the day feel like a long technical water excursion.

The Red Sea is known for clear water and colorful coral, and this trip is built around that simple appeal. You can expect the guide to point you toward the snorkeling area and help with the equipment. Mask, snorkel, and other snorkeling gear are included, as is a life jacket.

I would rate this as a good fit for a first-time snorkeler as well as someone who already enjoys the activity. You do not need to organize equipment or arrange a separate reef trip. If you are new to snorkeling, the safety briefing and guide support are useful. If you are experienced, keep your expectations sensible: the schedule allows for a single 45-minute stop, not a full day of reef exploration.

Bring your own towel. That small detail is easy to miss, and there is no reason to start the afternoon without one. A jacket is also recommended, particularly for the speedboat ride back when the sun is lower and the wind may feel cooler.

The water stop is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. That restriction matters more on a fast boat than it would on a quiet beach visit, so take it seriously when deciding.

A beach barbecue under a shaded tent

After snorkeling, you have about 45 minutes for the barbecue. This gives the afternoon a welcome pause. You can dry off, eat, take in the island views, and enjoy the setting without rushing straight back onto the boat.

The meal is prepared on the island, with guides helping you grill the food. The supplied information does not give a full menu, so you should not book this expecting a specific dish. What is clear is that the barbecue comes with soft drinks, water, and seasonal fruit.

The shaded tent is a useful inclusion. Magawish Island may offer a beautiful open setting, but strong sun can quickly take the pleasure out of a beach meal. Shade lets you enjoy the food and rest without spending the whole stop searching for cover.

The timing also works well with the sunset. The trip is planned from around 2 pm to 5 pm, so you are on the island in the afternoon and heading back as the light begins to soften. One German-language booking described the food as plentiful and tasty, with a memorable sunset and a relaxed spell on the island. That gives you a fair idea of the outing’s strongest combination: good scenery, a satisfying meal, and enough quiet time to enjoy both.

Do not expect a full restaurant service or a long beach stay. The island stop is compact, and the barbecue takes up nearly half of it. If your priority is hours of swimming or lying on the sand, a full-day island trip may suit you better. If you want several highlights in one short outing, the balance is sensible.

What the return ride adds

The return speedboat ride is more than a transfer back to the harbor. With the excursion ending around 5 pm, the changing light can make the coastline and open water feel very different from the earlier crossing.

The sunset is a major reason to choose this departure time. It is not just a standard daytime snorkeling trip with a meal added. The schedule leaves room for the island stop and then places you on the water during the late afternoon, when the views are at their most attractive.

The exact sunset experience will depend on the date and the weather. Still, the timing is designed around it, and one booking specifically praised the sunset as extraordinary. You should bring a jacket and keep a little cash with you, since both are listed among the suggested items.

Back at the marina, a transfer takes you to your hotel. The day is designed to finish without requiring you to arrange your own transport from the harbor, which is particularly helpful if you are staying in Hurghada and do not know the port area.

Hotel pickup is convenient, but not precise

Hotel pickup is included for Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and Hurghada 2. The van ride to the harbor takes about 25 minutes, although your total collection time can be much longer because the vehicle may be gathering other people.

For Hurghada hotels, allow a pickup variation of roughly 60 minutes from the scheduled time. For Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga, the window can stretch to about 90 minutes. Extended-area pickup is available as a paid add-on, unless you choose to pay at the harbor under the stated conditions.

The confirmation is sent by email or WhatsApp at 10 pm the night before. It includes the pickup details, so check your messages late in the evening. You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number when booking.

On the day, wait at the main entrance of the hotel by the road. Do not wait inside reception or at a separate reception gate. Look for the white or black bus with the GoShalabi logo, and be ready on time. The vehicle can wait no more than five minutes, since the driver has other collections to make.

This system is practical, but it asks you to pay attention. I would set a reminder, keep your phone available, and avoid planning a tight activity immediately before or after the tour.

Guides, safety, and the feel of the outing

The guide language is English, and the group type is private. At the harbor, the team explains the schedule and gives safety instructions before you leave. The crew also helps with the barbecue and the snorkeling equipment, so you are not left to work out every part of the afternoon alone.

Specific crew members praised for the experience include Momo, described as the captain on a quick and enjoyable afternoon, and guides named Mahmoud, along with another captain named Mahmoud. Their friendly and non-pushy manner is an important part of the outing’s appeal. You get assistance without the feel of a hard-sell activity.

The private arrangement should be especially useful if you want a calm afternoon with a partner or close friend. You can enjoy the beach, meal, and water stop without the noise and fixed social rhythm of a large shared group. At the same time, the word private does not mean every minute is fully customizable. The trip still follows a set schedule, and pickup timing depends on transport arrangements.

Keep your belongings close. You are responsible for personal items, and the company does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged property. A small, secure bag is more practical than bringing valuables to the island.

Who gets the best value from $371?

At $371 for up to two people, this is a premium half-day outing. The price includes hotel transport, the round-trip speedboat, island entry, snorkeling, equipment, barbecue, drinks, fruit, shade, and a life jacket. You are paying for the private setup and the convenience of having the main pieces arranged for you.

For a couple celebrating a special day, the price may feel reasonable because the outing combines transport, a private boat experience, a meal, and sunset scenery. Two friends can also split the cost. For a solo visitor, the same total is much harder to justify unless a private boat is the main goal.

There is also a €5 tourist tax per person, paid on the day. Pickup from the more distant resort areas costs extra unless you select the add-on. Add these charges to the advertised price before comparing it with other Red Sea excursions.

I would not choose this trip only because it is the cheapest way to snorkel. It is not. I would choose it because you want a compact private outing with a strong finish, good transport support, and a meal on an island.

Practical details that can make the afternoon better

Bring a towel, jacket, and cash. The towel is for after snorkeling, the jacket is for the speedboat, and cash covers the tourist tax or any extra transport payment that applies.

Pets are not allowed. Pregnant women and people with back problems should not book this activity. You also need to provide a passport copy and accurate hotel details.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still changing. For extended-area pickup, the stated conditions are stricter after 6 pm the day before, so read the pickup terms carefully before relying on last-minute changes.

The activity has a 4.5 rating from five bookings, with every supplied rating giving it five stars. The strongest praise centers on the guides, the relaxed mood, the food, and the sunset. That pattern tells me what to prioritize: this is an atmosphere-and-service outing first, and a serious snorkeling expedition second.

Should you book the Magawish sunset trip?

Book it if you want a private afternoon for two that combines a fast boat ride, a short reef stop, a beach barbecue, and late-day Red Sea views. It suits couples and friends who value comfort, an easy plan, and a meal in a memorable setting.

Think twice if you dislike uncertain pickup times, have back problems, or want several hours in the water. The 45-minute snorkeling stop is pleasant but limited, and the pickup window requires patience.

For the right person, the appeal is clear: guides such as Momo and Mahmoud, a well-packed three-hour schedule, and a sunset return that gives the day a fitting final touch. Add the tax and any distant pickup fee to your budget, then book this as a polished private escape rather than a low-cost beach trip.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island tour last?

The activity lasts about three hours, with the planned schedule running roughly from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and Hurghada 2.

Is pickup available from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and Soma Bay?

Yes, but pickup from those extended areas requires an add-on unless you arrange payment at the harbor under the stated conditions.

How long is the speedboat ride to Magawish Island?

The listed boat ride to the island takes about 20 minutes.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling session lasts about 45 minutes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included.

Is food included?

Yes. A beach barbecue is included, along with soft drinks, water, seasonal fruit, and access to a shaded tent.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, jacket, and cash. You should also provide the required passport copy and accurate hotel information when booking.

Where should I wait for pickup?

Wait at the main entrance of your hotel by the road, not inside reception or at a reception gate. Look for the white or black bus with the GoShalabi logo.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Pets are also not allowed.