PRIVATE! | Full Day Charter Boat Trip| Up to 14 | Snorkeling and Islands tour

Hurghada’s best boat days are not always about squeezing into a packed excursion. This private charter lets you set the pace, from snorkeling Carless Reef and Omo Gamaar to hunting for dolphins or resting in the shade. I especially like the private format and the ability to adjust the day around your group.

I also like the practical touches: fresh lunch prepared on board, fruit and drinks, snorkeling gear, a restroom, and crew members who can help nervous swimmers in the water. The main catch is that the advertised island stops are not all included. Orange Bay, Paradise Island, and Eden Island cost extra, so confirm your route and final price before sailing.

Key points to know

• Private boat for your group: The experience is restricted to your party, with capacity advertised for up to 14 people, although the listed price is for up to 8.
• Two strong snorkeling stops: Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef are the main attractions, with coral, clownfish, Picasso fish, morays, eels, and possible rays or dolphins.
• Island visits cost extra: Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island each list an entry fee of €10 per adult and €5 per child.
• Lunch is cooked aboard: Food, snacks, tea, coffee, bottled water, and drinks are included.
• Hotel transfers are available: Transfers inside Hurghada cost €15 for the full group, with higher rates from Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, and El Gouna.
• Weather matters: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Why a private Hurghada charter can be worth the money

A private boat changes the feel of a Red Sea day. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable or forced to leave a snorkeling site just as you get comfortable. The captain can work around your interests, and the crew can give more personal help in the water.

That flexibility has real value for families, mixed-age groups, and friends who want different things. One person can sunbathe while another snorkels. You can ask for more time at a reef, choose an island stop, or skip a beach that does not interest you.

The listed rate is $324.41 per group of up to eight. For eight people, that works out to about $41 per person before optional transfers and island fees. For a smaller group, the per-person price rises, but you are paying for the whole boat rather than individual seats.

There is one important detail to settle before booking. The experience is advertised for groups of up to 14, but the displayed price covers up to 8. Ask how the cost changes for groups of 9 to 14, and confirm which boat you will receive. The boat used in one family booking was described as 22 metres long, but that should not be treated as a guarantee for every departure.

Leaving Hurghada Marina for an eight-hour day

All departures begin at Hurghada Marina. The marina portion is brief, about 10 minutes, but it sets up the day and gives the crew time to get everyone aboard and explain the plan.

The full trip lasts about eight hours. That sounds generous, and it is, but the day still involves travel between Hurghada, reef sites, and the Giftun Islands. Your actual time in the water depends on the route, sea conditions, and the island option you choose.

Hotel pickup is available on request, but it is not included in the base price. The listed rates are €15 for the full group from inside Hurghada, €20 from Sahl Hasheesh, and €25 from Makadi or El Gouna. This is a useful add-on for a group, especially if you want one arranged transfer rather than several taxis.

I would confirm the pickup point and transfer cost in advance. One booking had trouble finding the port, so allow time for the marina meeting point rather than cutting it close.

Omo Gamaar: your first look at Red Sea coral

Omo Gamaar is scheduled for about 30 minutes. The attraction is underwater, not on land: coral formations and Red Sea fish such as blackback butterflyfish, Picasso fish, and clownfish.

You might also see morays, eels, blue-spotted manta rays, or dolphins. The word sometimes matters here. Marine life is wild, and nobody can promise a particular animal, especially dolphins or rays.

Thirty minutes is enough for a first swim and a quick look around, but it may feel short if snorkeling is your main reason for booking. The private format helps because you can ask about the day’s pace, though the captain still has to work with travel time and sea conditions.

If you are new to snorkeling, tell the crew before entering the water. Several bookings describe crew members helping nervous swimmers, including one person who had anxiety in the sea. That kind of support can make the difference between watching from the boat and enjoying the reef.

Carless Reef: the main snorkeling stop

Carless Reef receives about 45 minutes in the planned schedule and is presented as the major reef stop. The area is known for coral and fish, with the same possibility of clownfish, Picasso fish, butterflyfish, morays, eels, rays, and dolphins.

The strongest part of this outing is the chance to reach good snorkeling water without the crowding of a standard group cruise. The crew can guide you over the reef, point out fish, and help you stay comfortable. One family booking described clear water, live coral, colourful fish, and eagle rays, though conditions can vary from one day to the next.

Forty-five minutes in the water is a reasonable starting point, but it is not an all-day reef session. If your group wants long snorkeling periods, ask how much flexibility the captain has. You should also keep realistic expectations about visibility and wildlife. The Red Sea can be spectacular, but currents, wind, and boat traffic affect each stop.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You still need to be comfortable in open water, and anyone who is unsure should say so. The crew can assist, but the activity remains a sea outing rather than a pool lesson.

Giftun Islands and the choice of three beach stops

The Giftun Islands are two islands near Hurghada: Big Giftun, or Giftun Kebir, and Little Giftun, or Giftun Soraya. The schedule includes a 30-minute Giftun Islands stop, but the beach clubs listed for the longer visits are optional.

This is where clear communication matters most. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island each charge €10 per adult and €5 per child. Those fees are not part of the base price.

Eden Island

Eden Island is presented as a comfortable beach stop with restaurants, bars, and facilities aimed at both couples and families. The planned visit is about two hours if selected.

Choose Eden Island if your group wants a more organized beach setting and time to relax on shore. One family day included Eden Island before returning to the reef, while another group enjoyed milkshakes and sun there before snorkeling.

The trade-off is simple: you pay extra, and two hours on shore reduces time available for reefs or other islands. Ask the captain to explain the order of stops before you leave the marina.

Orange Bay

Orange Bay sits in the Big Giftun National Park and is described as a shallow-water beach area with music, a bar, massage service, and other visitor facilities. The listed visit lasts about two hours, with the same €10 adult and €5 child entry fee.

This is a good fit if your group wants a relaxed beach break rather than a day spent entirely at reef sites. Shallow water can also suit families, but children still need close supervision around the sea and boat.

Orange Bay is a developed beach stop, not a deserted island experience. If you want quiet snorkeling and open water, make that clear when you discuss the route.

Paradise Island

Paradise Island combines white sand and shallow blue water with food, music, and beach facilities. It is also priced at €10 per adult and €5 per child, with about two hours scheduled.

It works well for a group that wants a social beach atmosphere. It may be less appealing if your priority is seeing several reef sites, since the stop takes a substantial part of an eight-hour charter.

One important lesson from the available feedback is that the phrase island tour can mean different things. Some island beaches require entry fees, while other shallow-water or sandbank stops may be included. Before boarding, ask specifically which island or sandbank is included and which ones cost extra.

Lunch, drinks, and life aboard the boat

Lunch is included and prepared on board, along with snacks, bottled water, tea, and coffee. Several bookings praised the fresh meal, fruit platters, and generous drinks. One group singled out mango and sweets, while another described the lunch as the best meal of its holiday.

That is more than a small convenience. After snorkeling, you will want food without having to return to Hurghada or buy lunch at a beach club. A cook aboard also gives the crew a chance to serve the meal around your schedule.

The exact menu is not specified, so tell the operator about any dietary needs before the trip. Do not assume that every preference can be handled at short notice.

The boat includes a restroom and space to move between sun and shade. A larger group can spread out, and one nine-person group appreciated having room to change position during the day. Some boats also have speakers, but music preferences are best discussed with the group and crew.

The crew makes the difference

The crew setup can include a captain, cook, and snorkeling assistant. Names connected with particularly praised outings include Capt. Mohammed, Abdul, Samir, Yousuf, Ayad, and Regyep, though the exact crew for your departure may differ.

The most useful service is practical rather than theatrical. Crew members can help you enter the water, guide you over the reef, bring drinks, prepare lunch, and keep an eye on the return transfer. That is especially useful if one person in your group is a first-time snorkeler or feels uneasy in open water.

The captain also has some control over the day’s rhythm. One group began at a more distant site and worked back toward Hurghada, finding quieter snorkeling areas before other boats arrived. You should not expect an empty reef every time, but a private charter gives you a better chance to discuss timing.

At the same time, a private boat is not a guarantee of a perfect route. Sea conditions, marine traffic, and the captain’s judgment affect the schedule. Agree on your top priorities before departure: reef time, dolphins, island beaches, swimming, or relaxing aboard.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this charter most strongly to:

• Families who need a slower pace and personal help in the water
• Friends celebrating a birthday, hen party, or other special day
• Couples who want a private boat rather than a large cruise
• Groups with both swimmers and non-swimmers
• People who want lunch and drinks handled on board
• Snorkelers who prefer flexibility over a fixed group schedule

It may be less suitable if you want the cheapest possible boat trip or a fully included island-hopping package. The optional beach fees can add up, especially for a large family, and the base itinerary focuses heavily on snorkeling.

Small children can enjoy the day, but one useful tip is to let them practice with a mask and snorkel in a pool before arriving at the sea. Confidence in the water makes the reef stop much more enjoyable.

Cost, inclusions, and what to confirm

The $324.41 group price is attractive for a party of eight, particularly because lunch, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, a restroom, and the national park ticket are included. Add the €15 Hurghada transfer and the total remains fairly reasonable for a full private day.

The value is weaker for a very small party unless privacy and flexibility are your main goals. A group of four still gets the whole boat, but the per-person cost is much higher than a standard shared excursion.

Before paying, confirm these points:

• Your exact group size and any added charge above eight people
• The boat size and available shaded seating
• The final pickup location and transfer cost
• Which snorkeling sites are planned
• Which island or sandbank stops are included
• Entry fees for Eden Island, Orange Bay, or Paradise Island
• Any food allergies or special meal needs

Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The trip also depends on good weather, with a different date or full refund offered if poor conditions cancel the outing.

Should you book this private Hurghada boat day?

Book it if you value personal space, flexible timing, fresh food aboard, and crew support more than the lowest possible price. The strongest reasons are the private boat, two worthwhile reef stops, and the ability to build the day around your group.

Go in with clear expectations. Dolphins are possible, not guaranteed. The main island beach clubs cost extra, and an eight-hour day cannot provide unlimited time at every reef and island. If you confirm the route and fees before departure, this is a strong choice for families and groups who want a personal Red Sea day rather than a fixed boat excursion.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

The experience lasts about eight hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

The trip starts at Hurghada Marina.

How many people can join the boat?

The experience is advertised for up to 14 people, but the listed price of $324.41 covers a group of up to 8. Confirm the price for larger groups before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfer is available on request but costs extra. The listed rates are €15 for the full group inside Hurghada, €20 from Sahl Hasheesh, and €25 from Makadi or El Gouna.

Are snorkeling equipment and lunch included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, bottled water, tea, coffee, and the onboard restroom are included.

Do the island stops cost extra?

Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island are optional and list an entry fee of €10 per adult and €5 per child. Confirm which stops are included in your planned route.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.