Hurghada: Yacht trip To Magawish island w Snorkeling & Lunch

The sea does most of the entertaining. This eight-hour Hurghada outing combines a mega yacht, two guided snorkeling stops, dolphin watching, lunch, and two hours on Magawish Island, all for about $41 per person. I especially like the small-group feel reported on several departures, including one with fewer than 20 people aboard, and the patient snorkeling support for less confident swimmers. The main caution is that dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, and hotel pickup can vary by as much as 90 minutes.

I also like the balance of activity and downtime. You get two 45-minute water stops, then a proper stretch of beach and swimming time on the island instead of being rushed from one photo stop to the next. The long pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay costs extra, so your final price depends on where you sleep.

Quick takeaways before you book

• Two separate 45-minute snorkeling stops: You get time to settle into the water at each site rather than making one very short stop.
• A full two hours on Magawish Island: This is enough time for swimming, sun, lunch, photos, and a slower pace.
• Dolphin watching lasts about 30 minutes: The crew searches in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be promised.
• Helpful water supervision: The guide stays with the snorkeling group and has helped older or less confident swimmers.
• Small groups may be possible: Recent departures included a boat with about 20 people and even a private-feeling trip when few bookings were made.
• Seafood is an upgrade: The standard food arrangement includes lunch, while a seafood lunch can be selected for an additional charge.

From your Hurghada hotel to the harbor

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada. The included transfer covers Hurghada hotels, with three general pickup and drop-off areas listed as Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and Hurghada 2. A van ride to the harbor takes about 30 minutes, though your actual pickup time may shift by one to one and a half hours because the vehicle collects other people.

That wide pickup window is the first practical point to accept. You should not plan a tight morning appointment or a fixed breakfast afterward. The provider sends pickup details by email at 10 p.m. the night before, so check your inbox and provide your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number in advance.

The pickup point is at the main entrance of the hotel’s main gate, by the road. It is not the reception entrance or an interior lobby area. Be ready at the stated time, since the vehicle can wait no more than five minutes while other pickups are scheduled.

If you are staying in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or the Soma Bay area, you can add long-range transportation during checkout. That extra cost is worth considering before comparing this trip with other boat tours. The advertised $41 price is most useful for people staying in or near Hurghada.

Setting out on the mega yacht

At the harbor, the crew gives a safety briefing before the boat heads out. The description calls this a mega yacht, but the actual feel of your day depends on how many people are booked. Some departures have been surprisingly intimate, with one party reporting only around 20 people aboard and another describing a private-style trip because no other tourists joined.

That smaller setting matters. A guide can keep a closer eye on the snorkeling group, and you spend less time waiting for people to board, eat, or return from the water. Still, you should not book this expecting a guaranteed private yacht. Group size can change with demand.

The boat provides drinking water, fruit, and soft drinks. Bring cash for anything extra, including optional services on the island. You also need a towel and sunscreen. Pets are not allowed.

The boat ride itself is part of the pleasure, but the schedule gives the water activities most of the attention. This is not mainly a sightseeing cruise along Hurghada’s coast. It is a day built around swimming, coral, lunch, and island time.

Thirty minutes searching for dolphins

The first planned activity is a 30-minute search for dolphins in their natural habitat. The wording matters: this is wildlife watching, not a guaranteed dolphin show. The crew looks for signs of dolphins and may spot them near the yacht, but the animals choose the schedule.

That uncertainty is normal for a responsible wildlife outing, but it is worth keeping your expectations in check. One recent departure tried to find dolphins and did not see any. The day still continued with snorkeling and Magawish Island, which is why I would treat dolphin watching as a welcome bonus rather than the reason to pay for the trip.

If you do see dolphins, the moment can be memorable because the animals are free in the open sea, not performing on command. Keep your phone ready, but do not let the search distract you from the wider boat ride. The Red Sea is the main attraction here, with clear water and plenty of time later to enjoy it directly.

First snorkeling stop: 45 minutes in the Red Sea

The first snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is a useful amount of time, especially if you need a few minutes to adjust to the mask, fins, and water temperature. The trip includes snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide, so you do not need to bring your own gear.

The guide leads the group in the water and works to keep everyone together. This is especially helpful if you are new to snorkeling, have not swum in open water recently, or simply want someone nearby while looking at the coral and fish.

The underwater scenery is described as clear, colorful, and full of marine life. One departure found the snorkeling area so attractive that the group had it almost entirely to itself. Exact conditions depend on the day, weather, water clarity, and boat traffic, so you should allow for some variation.

You will want sunscreen before boarding, but use it thoughtfully near the water. A towel is not included in the listed equipment, so bring one from your hotel. The guide can help with the water activity, but you remain responsible for following the crew’s safety instructions.

Second 45-minute snorkeling stop

After the first stop, the yacht moves to a second location for another 45 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. Two sites give you a better chance of seeing different underwater views and make the experience less dependent on one reef.

The second stop also breaks up the day well. You are not asked to spend several continuous hours in the water, which can become tiring in the sun. You can use the movement between stops to dry off, drink water, eat fruit, and rest.

The guide’s role is one of the strongest parts of this trip. Direct supervision has helped people who felt uncertain in the sea, including a 60-year-old mother on one departure. That does not turn the outing into a learn-to-swim lesson, but it does make the activity more approachable for families and mixed-ability groups.

If you are a strong swimmer who prefers to explore alone, you may find the group approach slightly restrictive. The guide’s job is to keep the group together, not to provide unlimited independent time far from the boat. For most people, that tradeoff improves safety.

Lunch before two hours on Magawish Island

The food arrangement needs a close look because the description includes more than one lunch format. A lunch box is described as cheese and roast beef sandwiches, while the included services also mention lunch on the island. The trip details also list fruit, water, and a soft drink.

A seafood lunch on the island is available as an add-on. Some departures have included an island meal that people enjoyed, and one departure specifically praised the food there. If fresh seafood is important to you, select the upgrade when booking rather than assuming it is part of the base price.

Do not expect a long restaurant meal to be the center of the day. Lunch supports a full schedule of swimming and boating. The island setting adds appeal, but food quality and exact presentation may vary by the selected option and the day’s operation.

The timing after snorkeling is sensible. You can eat, regain energy, and then spend the afternoon at the island instead of returning straight to the hotel. Carry cash if you want extras, and keep your belongings organized. One person accidentally left a bag on the boat and was driven back to retrieve it, which shows useful flexibility but is not a reason to leave valuables behind.

Two unhurried hours at Magawish Island

Magawish Island is the main relaxation stop, with about two hours for swimming, sun, photos, and lunch. After the active snorkeling sessions, this pause gives the day a better rhythm. You can stop chasing fish and simply enjoy the water.

The island has toilets and a bar, and a massage parlour is available. One person described the massage as excellent, but treat that as an optional extra rather than part of the tour. The listed inclusions cover island fees, not every service you might choose there.

The water around the island is clear, and you can continue snorkeling if you still have energy. You might instead prefer to sit in the sun, take photos, or enjoy lunch with a view. Two hours is long enough to make the stop feel worthwhile, though not long enough for a full beach day.

The island is not a remote wilderness experience. It is set up for day visitors, with basic facilities and optional services. That will suit you if you want comfort mixed with sea time. If you are looking for an untouched island with no facilities, this is not that kind of stop.

What the $41 price really buys you

At about $41 per person, the base price offers solid value for a full day on the Red Sea. You receive round-trip Hurghada hotel transport, the yacht trip, dolphin watching, island fees, a guide, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, water, fruit, soft drinks, and lunch.

The value comes from the amount of usable activity. Two 45-minute snorkeling sessions total about 90 minutes in the water, followed by two hours on Magawish Island. You also get the dolphin search and transport, so this is not merely a short boat ride with one swim stop.

The price becomes less simple if you add extras. A private transfer costs more, long-range hotel pickup costs more, and seafood lunch costs more. Parasailing is also available if you select that option. Check the final total before booking, especially if your hotel is outside Hurghada.

For a family or small group, the included guide and equipment reduce the need to arrange separate snorkeling gear. For a solo person, the social boat setting may be good value, provided you are comfortable with a shared outing and a variable pickup time.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several Red Sea activities in one day without arranging separate transport, boat hire, snorkeling equipment, and island access. It suits couples, families, small groups, and mixed-ability parties especially well.

It is also a good choice if you are nervous in open water. The guide stays with the snorkeling group, and the crew has shown care toward older swimmers. You should still be comfortable entering the sea and following safety directions.

You may prefer another outing if your main goal is guaranteed dolphin watching, a luxury private yacht, or a quiet island with no commercial facilities. You should also think twice if you dislike early uncertainty, because the pickup time can shift and the vehicle waits only five minutes.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied details do not explain how boarding the yacht or entering the water is handled. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical arrangements with the provider before paying.

Booking details that save trouble

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some useful flexibility if your Hurghada plans are still moving around.

The live guide service is available in Arabic and English. Pickup details arrive by email at 10 p.m. the night before, so check your messages before going to bed. Give the provider accurate hotel information and stand at the road-facing main gate, not the reception area.

Bring:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Comfortable swimwear
• A secure way to carry small items

The stated duration is eight hours, but the exact day length can be affected by hotel pickup routes and harbor timing. Plan to give the whole day to this experience.

Should you book the Magawish Island yacht trip?

I would book it if you want a good-value Red Sea day with a strong mix of snorkeling, island time, lunch, and guided support. The highest praise centers on the friendly crew, attractive snorkeling, the beauty of Magawish Island, and the care shown to people who are less sure in the water.

Book with realistic expectations. Dolphins may not appear, group size is not guaranteed to be tiny, and the standard lunch may not be the seafood meal you picture. If you accept those limits, the $41 base rate gives you a lot of sea time and a pleasant break from Hurghada’s hotel routine.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada yacht trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, the boat trip, snorkeling, Magawish Island time, and the return transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip hotel pickup is included for hotels in Hurghada. Pickup details arrive by email at 10 p.m. the night before, and pickup may vary by one to one and a half hours.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup takes place at the main entrance of your hotel’s main gate, by the road. It does not take place at the reception gate or inside the reception area.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins for about 30 minutes, but sightings depend on the animals and cannot be guaranteed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Each stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide.

How long do you stay on Magawish Island?

You spend about two hours on Magawish Island. You can swim, snorkel, relax, eat lunch, and use the island facilities during that time.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included, along with water, fruit, and a soft drink. A seafood lunch is available as an add-on, and the food details also describe a cheese and roast beef lunch box.

Can I book long-range pickup from another resort area?

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

What should I bring?

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