Hurghada: Magawish Island and Reefs Snorkeling Yacht Cruise

Magawish Island is the main draw here: you get an hour on a sandy island, two chances to snorkel over Red Sea coral, and a boat ride that feels like part of the holiday rather than just transport. The trip mixes easy beach time with active water sports, so you are not stuck doing one thing all day.

I like the two snorkeling stops, since the first gives you an introduction and the second takes you to Magawish Reef. I also like the simple value: for $27, you get pickup, boat transport, equipment, lunch, fruit, and a banana boat ride. The main consideration is that communication may be a little uneven, and you may not have much time for independent snorkeling away from the planned stops.

• One hour on Magawish Island: Swim, sit on the beach, and enjoy a change from Hurghada’s hotel strip.
• Two Red Sea snorkeling locations: A guide explains the basics before your first stop, then you visit Magawish Reef.
• Lunch and fruit on board: Food is served during the cruise, so you do not need to arrange a separate meal.
• Banana boat ride included: The final water activity adds a playful, fast-moving finish.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off: Transfers are included from Hurghada hotels, with extra fees for Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.
• Small enough to stay manageable: The maximum group size is 30 people, though this is not a private cruise.

From Hurghada hotel to the marina

The day starts with an 8:00 am pickup from your hotel in Hurghada. You then travel to the marina, receive your snorkeling gear, and board the boat for the trip toward Magawish Island.

That transfer matters more than it may seem. You do not need to find a taxi to the port or work out where to meet the boat. For a budget boat excursion, included hotel transport makes the morning easier and helps explain the strong value of the $27 price.

The tour is described as sailing on a luxury boat, while the ride itself has also been enjoyed as a speedboat-style part of the day. Either way, the journey over the Red Sea is not treated as dead time. You get open water, a change of pace, and a clear sense that the outing is more than a shuttle to a beach.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is large enough for a social boat trip but limited enough to avoid the biggest excursion crowds. You should still expect shared equipment, shared activity times, and a set schedule rather than the freedom of a private charter.

An hour on Magawish Island

The first main stop is Magawish Island. You have about one hour here to relax on the beach or swim in the clear water.

This is a useful pause before the snorkeling begins. If you want to sit in the sun, you can do that. If you would rather get straight into the sea, the island gives you an early chance to swim without waiting for the reef stops.

I like this part because it keeps the day from becoming a nonstop sequence of instructions. Snorkeling requires attention, especially when you are learning how to use the mask and equipment. A quiet hour on the island gives you time to settle into the heat, the boat rhythm, and the water.

The tradeoff is time. One hour is enough for a swim and a little beach time, but not enough for a long island walk or extended solo exploration. If your main goal is to spend a full day on a beach, this schedule will feel short. If you want several different activities in one outing, the brief stop works well.

The island is also not presented as a place for extensive independent snorkeling. You should plan on the organized snorkeling stops being the main underwater experience. That point matters because one of the few clear drawbacks is the limited chance to snorkel freely at extra points around the island.

Lunch with fruit on the yacht

After roughly an hour on Magawish Island, you return to the boat for lunch. Fresh fruit is included, and the meal is served on board.

The practical benefit is obvious: you do not lose more time looking for food, and you can eat while moving on to the next part of the trip. Lunch also breaks up the morning before the snorkeling sessions, which is helpful in the sun.

The menu is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or special dietary arrangement. The useful promise is simpler: lunch and fruit are included. If you have strict dietary needs, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the meal will suit you.

This is also a good point to pace yourself. The day includes swimming, snorkeling, and a banana boat ride. Eat enough to keep your energy up, but remember that more water activities follow. The schedule is active even though none of the individual activities is especially demanding.

Learning the basics before the first stop

The first snorkeling location comes after lunch. A professional snorkeling master explains the basics before you enter the water.

That short introduction is valuable for beginners. You can learn how to use the mask and equipment, get a sense of the instructions, and ask for help before reaching the second reef location. You do not need to arrive as an experienced snorkeler.

The wording of the trip suggests guided instruction rather than a long lesson. This is not a certification course, and it is not designed as a private coaching session. You should expect a practical orientation that helps you get started safely and comfortably.

The guide is one of the most important parts of the experience. A friendly, clear briefing can make the difference between spending your first stop adjusting equipment and actually enjoying the fish and coral. The available feedback praises the guides and the fun of the snorkeling, while also pointing to communication as an area that could be sharper.

That means you should listen closely to meeting instructions and activity times. If something is unclear, ask the guide directly before entering the water. The trip is organized, but communication may not always be perfectly smooth.

Magawish Reef and the Red Sea underwater world

The second snorkeling location is Magawish Reef, described as one of the most beautiful reef areas in the Red Sea. Here you swim among coral and marine life, with the reef as the main natural attraction of the cruise.

The stated figures are impressive: more than 1,000 species of fish and 150 species of coral are associated with the reef area. You should treat those numbers as the broad richness of the Red Sea environment, not a promise that you will see every type during one short stop. What you see on the day depends on water conditions, visibility, timing, and where the guide takes the group.

The two-stop format is a smart choice. The first stop lets you get comfortable, while the second gives you a better chance to enjoy the reef once you understand the equipment. I prefer this arrangement to a single long stop, especially for people trying snorkeling for the first time.

Still, the schedule has limits. You are following the boat’s timing and the group’s pace. This is not the right outing if you want to spend hours quietly photographing one section of coral or exploring separate reef points on your own.

You should also keep your expectations realistic about wildlife. The Red Sea is known for colorful coral and many fish species, but no operator can guarantee a particular animal or exact viewing conditions. The appeal is the chance to see a lively underwater setting, not a fixed checklist.

Banana boat ride along the coast

After snorkeling, the tour adds a banana boat ride along the coast. This is a short, playful water-sports activity rather than another sightseeing stop.

It gives the day a change of mood. After the calm concentration of snorkeling, the banana boat is about speed, balance, and laughter. If you enjoy active group activities, it is a nice extra because it is already included in the price.

If you prefer quiet swimming and reef viewing, this part may feel less important. You can think of the banana boat as a bonus rather than the reason to book the excursion. The central experience remains the island and the two snorkeling locations.

The tour says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed medical, age, or swimming restrictions. If you have a health concern or are unsure about the water sports, ask the operator before booking. Do not wait until the boat is leaving to raise an important safety question.

What $27 really gets you

At $27 per person, this is priced as an accessible full-day water excursion rather than a premium private cruise. The value is strong because several costs are bundled together: hotel transfers in Hurghada, the yacht trip, snorkeling equipment, a guide, lunch, fruit, two snorkeling stops, and water sports.

You are also buying variety. A cheaper boat trip that only takes you snorkeling might cost less, but it would not necessarily include an island stop, a meal, and a banana boat ride. Here, the price covers a full schedule of experiences across about eight hours.

The compromises are just as clear. This is a shared trip with up to 30 people. You do not control the departure time, the length of each stop, or the exact amount of time available for independent snorkeling. The boat is described as luxury, but the price means you should still think of this as a group excursion, not an exclusive charter.

Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels. Extra fees apply for Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna, so check the transfer cost if you are staying outside central Hurghada. That extra charge could change the value calculation for your trip.

The tour is booked, on average, 11 days ahead. You do not need to treat that figure as a rule, but it is a useful planning hint. If your holiday dates are fixed, booking before the last few days gives you a better chance of securing a place.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this cruise for a first Red Sea snorkeling experience, a family or couple wanting several activities in one day, or anyone who prefers a planned outing with transport included. Beginners benefit from the equipment and introductory guidance, while more active visitors get the reef stops and banana boat ride.

It also suits people who like variety. In one day, you move from a Hurghada hotel to the marina, then to an island, a lunch table on the boat, two snorkeling sites, and a water-sports activity. You are rarely doing the same thing for long.

I would be more cautious if your priority is solitude, long reef sessions, or complete freedom to choose your own snorkeling points. The schedule is fixed, and the island time is only about an hour. You should also be comfortable with a shared group and with communication that may occasionally need clarification.

The trip can work for people with limited snorkeling experience because the guide explains the basics. Still, the tour does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you need specific assistance, contact Egyptra Travel Services before paying.

Weather, cancellation, and planning details

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.

Bring the attitude of a day on the water: expect sun, swimming, and a schedule that keeps moving. The operator provides the snorkeling equipment, lunch, fruit, and water sports listed for the trip. You should still confirm any personal needs before departure, since the supplied details do not specify special meals, particular boat facilities, or detailed accessibility arrangements.

Should you book the Magawish Island cruise?

Book it if you want a low-cost, full-day introduction to Hurghada’s Red Sea reefs with plenty included. The strongest reasons are the two snorkeling stops, the hour on Magawish Island, the guided equipment briefing, and the banana boat ride. The $27 price is especially appealing when hotel pickup, lunch, fruit, and gear are included.

Skip it if you want a private boat, long stretches of quiet snorkeling, or plenty of time to explore the island independently. You may also want to look elsewhere if communication needs to be very polished from start to finish.

For most people comparing group boat trips in Hurghada, this is a sensible choice. Go for the mix of reef time and water activities, not for unlimited island freedom. Keep your expectations practical, listen carefully to the guide, and you get a full day on the Red Sea at a notably modest price.

FAQ

What time does the Hurghada snorkeling cruise start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am, with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada before traveling to the marina.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours, including hotel transfer, the island stop, lunch, snorkeling, the banana boat ride, and the return to your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from and back to your hotel in Hurghada is included. Extra fees apply for pickups from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling locations are included. The first includes an explanation of the basics from a professional snorkeling guide, and the second is at Magawish Reef.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Are lunch and fruit included?

Yes. Lunch and fresh fruit are served on board the yacht.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.