Hurghada: Private Speedboat to Magawish Island

A fast Red Sea ride with real snorkel time. This private trip pairs a speedboat run to Magawish Island with guided coral snorkeling and island beach breaks. I also love how the gear and guidance are handled for you, which makes getting in the water feel easy. One thing to consider: pickup timing can slide by up to 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic and where your hotel sits.

You’ll start in Hurghada with hotel pickup, ride to the marina, and then spend focused time in and on the water with a private group. And yes, one standout review highlighted how the crew can show up in serious moments too, including a manager named Mohammed who helped coordinate hospital care and translation.

Key things to know before you go

• Private round-trip pickup in Hurghada keeps the day simple, with drop-offs in multiple Hurghada zones.
• Guided snorkeling with provided equipment means you do not have to figure out anything once you arrive.
• Two main time blocks (water time and island time) make it easy to plan your day around the tour.
• Food and drinks are included, and you can add lunch if you want a fuller island meal.
• Optional parasailing lets you turn the trip into an even bigger adrenaline day.
• One crew member is repeatedly praised, including Mohammed for calm, practical help when things got complicated for a passenger.

Hurghada to Magawish Island in a Private Speedboat

This is a straightforward Red Sea day: you get picked up, transferred to the marina, and then you cruise over to Magawish Island by speedboat. The appeal is not just speed, it is the way it compresses the journey so you can spend more time snorkeling and relaxing.

Once you are underway, expect scenic passing views and the feeling of being on a proper day trip rather than a long bus tour. The island side of the day stays relaxed too, with time built in for swimming, snorkeling, and beach lounging.

Because this is a speedboat, plan for some motion. If you are sensitive to waves, bring what helps you feel steady and keep your plans flexible.

Price at $88 a Person, What You Actually Get

At $88 per person, the value comes from what is bundled, not from the boat ride alone. You get private round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off, speedboat transport to the island, island entrance fees, and a tour guide.

You also get the snorkeling package: snorkeling equipment plus a life jacket, a snorkeling guide, and even one snorkeling stop. On top of that, the day includes water, soft drinks, snacks, and fruits, which matters more than it sounds once you are out in sun and salt air.

If you add lunch and/or parasailing at checkout, you can turn it into a more complete package. The key is that the baseline tour still feels like a full experience, not a half-day sketch.

Pickup, Marina Transfer, and the Timing Reality

Your day starts with hotel pickup in Hurghada. The tour uses one of three pickup points depending on where you stay, and drop-off also happens at three different Hurghada locations.

The van transfer time is around 30 minutes each way. That is the good news. The practical note is that pickup time may shift by up to 1 to 1.5 hours due to traffic and hotel location.

A detail I really like for stress level: pickup details are sent by email at 10:00 PM the evening before the trip. Also, pickup is from the main hotel gate on the road, not the reception area. If your hotel is big, do not wait inside the lobby. Step out to the correct gate at the emailed time window so the driver does not have to search.

The day also includes a safety briefing before boarding, and you get skip-the-line express security check. That can save real time when the marina area is busy.

First Water Stop: One Guided Snorkeling Session

The plan includes swimming and snorkeling time early in the day, with about 2 hours in the water block. You are not just dropped off with a mask and hope for the best. You get a snorkeling guide, plus snorkeling equipment and a life jacket.

That guidance matters if you are less confident. One review specifically mentioned a snorkeling guide using a swim ring to help people who were not completely sure in the water snorkel comfortably. If you want calmer confidence while floating around coral, this kind of support makes a noticeable difference.

Snorkeling here is set up for clear, turquoise water and colorful coral reefs, and the shallow, calm conditions are designed to work for beginners and experienced swimmers. Still, bring your own comfort mindset. If you want to go slow, you can. If you want to focus and move faster, you can too.

Also keep an eye on the water and sky. One review talked about seeing dolphins during the day. You might get the same luck when conditions are right.

Magawish Island Beach Time, Food, and Photos

After the snorkeling block, the speedboat takes you to Magawish Island. Island time is also about 2 hours in the core plan, which is enough to do the big three: swim, snorkel again if you want, and then relax on the sand.

The island is known in the reviews for being calm. That is a big part of why people rate this so highly. You are not racing through a checklist. You get time to slow down, rinse off, and enjoy the beach vibe.

Food is another standout in the feedback. One review described the meal as very good, with a preference for salads and pizzas. Another mentioned lunch after snorkeling and then arriving on the island with enough time for a best-possible snorkeling experience. In other words, the meal is not treated like a throwaway add-on.

If you care about photos, bring a waterproof phone case or bag. You will likely spend time in and around the water, and sun on the sand makes for sharp pictures.

Optional Add-Ons: Lunch, Parasailing, and Extra Choices

You can customize this trip a bit depending on what you want from your day.

Lunch on the island is included if you select the lunch option. If you skip it, you still get snacks, fruits, water, and soft drinks as part of the tour, so you should not leave hungry. But if you want a proper sit-down meal feeling during island time, choose lunch.

Parasailing is available as an add-on during checkout. That means your day can range from chill beach and snorkeling to a more action-packed outing if that is your style.

If you want the simplest version, you can keep it to snorkeling and island time. If you want a bigger story for your vacation photos, add parasailing and have the meal covered too.

What the Reviews Reveal, Mohammed and the Crew

The overall rating is very strong, with many five-star comments pointing to two things: friendly professionalism and good pacing in the water. Guides are described as attentive and helpful, including a snorkeling guide who makes it possible for less confident swimmers to join in.

The most memorable detail comes from a review that mentions a crew manager named Mohammed. In that story, a passenger suffered an ankle ligament injury and needed hospital care. Mohammed reportedly stayed with the pair, coordinated transportation to the hospital, helped with Arabic translation, and managed the situation so they could leave the hospital without additional costs after care.

Even when your day goes smoothly, that kind of support mindset shows up in smaller ways: calm instructions, clear check-ins, and people who do not disappear once you are on the boat.

There is also praise for a guide/captain being upbeat and joking, which sounds small until you realize how much it affects the whole day. A good mood matters when you are out in the sun for hours.

What to Bring, What to Skip, and Common-Sense Tips

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You will be exposed to strong sun during boat time and island time, and you will want to dry off quickly after getting in and out of the water. Cash is also recommended, though the tour does not specify what you might need it for, so I treat it as a backup for small purchases or tips.

Not allowed: pets. If you are traveling with an animal, this may not be the right fit.

Quick practical checklist:

• Towel and sunscreen
• Cash as a backup
• Anything you need to feel secure in the water (even with life jackets and guidance)

If you want the smoothest pickup, double check your details during booking: correct nationality, hotel name, and room number. Pickup is from the main hotel gate, not the reception area, so save yourself time by knowing where that gate is.

Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Should Rethink

This works especially well if you want a day that mixes water time and beach downtime without turning it into a long, complicated excursion. It is also a good choice if you value guidance and equipment because the tour handles snorkeling gear and includes a snorkeling guide.

Because you can choose between a 4-hour and 8-hour experience, it also fits different rhythms. If you want a shorter hit of sun and coral, go 4 hours. If you like to linger longer on the island, choose the longer option.

It is a private group, which tends to feel better when you are traveling as a couple, friends, or family who want less waiting around. Wheelchair accessibility is listed, so if mobility is part of your planning, this is something to confirm directly with the provider for your exact needs.

If you hate speedboats, or if your travel style is “stay in one place all day,” you might find the day slightly too mobile. The upside is that the schedule is focused, not chaotic.

Should You Book This Magawish Speedboat Trip?

I would book this if you want an efficient Hurghada day with guided snorkeling, provided equipment, and a real island break. The price makes more sense when you add up the included parts: pickup, island fees, speedboat ride, guide support, snorkeling gear, and snacks plus fruits and drinks.

I would hesitate only if your schedule cannot handle pickup variability. Since pickup time can shift by up to 1 to 1.5 hours, keep some cushion before and after the tour. Also, if you are extremely weather-sensitive, you should plan for the fact that a sea trip depends on conditions, even though the tour details here do not spell out weather rules.

For most people looking for classic Red Sea fun with solid support, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is listed as 4 to 8 hours. You can choose the option that matches your schedule.

Is this a private group?

Yes. The tour is described as a private group.

What is included for snorkeling?

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a life jacket. You also get a snorkeling guide and one snorkeling stop.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. You get private round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, with multiple Hurghada pickup and drop-off location options.

What add-ons are available?

Lunch on the island is available if you select the lunch option, and parasailing is available as an add-on during checkout.

Are other pickup locations available besides Hurghada?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen, and cash is recommended.

What languages is the guide available in?

The tour guide is available in Arabic and English.