Hurghada: Yacht trip To Magawish island w Snorkeling & Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada day is the mix of guided Red Sea snorkeling and quiet island time. You get two water stops, a dolphin search, lunch, and two hours on Magawish Island without having to arrange separate transport or boat tickets.

I like the small-group feel reported on some departures, with one group of about 20 people and another day running almost like a private trip. I also like that the snorkeling guide stays with the group in the water and helps less confident swimmers. The main caution is simple: dolphins are wild, so the 30-minute search may not produce a sighting, and the hotel pickup window can shift by up to 90 minutes.

Key points at a glance

• Two 45-minute snorkel stops: You visit separate Red Sea sites, giving you a better chance to see different fish and coral.
• Two hours on Magawish Island: This is more than a quick photo stop. You have time to swim, rest, eat, and use the island facilities.
• A 30-minute dolphin search: The crew looks for dolphins in open water, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• Lunch is part of the day: The standard food is described as a cheese and roast beef sandwich, with island and seafood lunch upgrades available.
• Hotel pickup from Hurghada: Transport, equipment, water, fruit, soft drinks, guides, and island fees are included for the standard Hurghada service.
• Useful help for nervous swimmers: The guide keeps the group together and can accompany you in the water.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, this is a strong-value full-day boat outing if you are staying in Hurghada. You are paying for roughly eight hours of activity, hotel transport within Hurghada, boat travel, two guided snorkel sessions, equipment, island access, lunch, water, fruit, and a soft drink.

That bundle matters in Hurghada, where separate transport to the marina, boat tickets, snorkeling gear, and island fees can quickly add up. You also avoid having to compare several operators at the harbor. The price is less attractive only if you do not plan to snorkel or prefer a short beach visit rather than a full day at sea.

The standard lunch is modest: a lunch box with a cheese sandwich and roast beef. The supplied details also include lunch on the island, so check exactly which food option applies to your booking. An island lunch or seafood lunch can be added at checkout, and the seafood option is the better choice if food is a major part of your day.

Parasailing is available only if you select that option. Do not assume it is part of the $41 base price. The same applies to long-range hotel pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay. Those areas require a paid add-on.

The morning pickup from Hurghada

Your day begins with hotel pickup and a van ride to the harbor. The drive is listed as about 30 minutes, though your actual pickup time can vary by one to one and a half hours because the van collects people from several hotels.

The pickup point is the main entrance of your hotel’s main gate by the road. It is not the reception entrance or an interior hotel area. This is worth taking seriously in large resort properties. Be ready at the road-facing gate, and do not wait inside the lobby expecting the driver to find you.

Pickup information is sent by email at 10:00 p.m. the night before. Share your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number accurately. The driver can wait no more than five minutes because other people are being collected, so punctuality is important.

Hurghada pickup is included, with three general pickup and drop-off areas listed as Hurghada, Hurghada 1, and Hurghada 2. If you are based farther south or north, add the correct long-range service during checkout rather than assuming it is covered.

Setting out on the mega yacht

At the harbor, the crew gives you a safety briefing before the boat leaves. The boat is described as a mega yacht, but you should think of this as an organized group excursion rather than a private luxury charter unless you pay for a private transfer or your departure happens to have very few people.

Group size can vary. Some departures have had only a handful of people, while another had about 20 people on board. That is a useful advantage over very large day boats, but it is not a fixed promise. Your experience will depend on the number of bookings for that date.

The open water can be sunny and exposed, so bring sunscreen, a towel, and cash. Wear swimwear under your clothes if that makes changing easier. Pets are not allowed. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm the practical arrangements with the provider if you need help boarding or moving around the boat.

The 30-minute dolphin search

The first water-based section is a 30-minute search for dolphins. The crew looks for them in their natural setting rather than taking you to a controlled display. That makes a sighting exciting, but it also means there is no guarantee.

Keep your expectations realistic. The dolphin search is a bonus, not the main reason to book this trip. One account describes trying to find dolphins without success, while the rest of the day was still considered excellent because of the snorkeling and island visit.

If dolphins appear, you may see them swimming near the boat. If they do not, you have not lost the day’s main activity. The snorkeling sessions and Magawish stop make up most of the schedule.

Two separate 45-minute snorkeling stops

The boat then makes two snorkeling stops, each lasting about 45 minutes. This is one of the strongest features of the trip. Two separate locations give you more water time and a better chance of seeing different conditions, fish, and coral than a single short stop.

You receive snorkeling equipment, and a snorkeling guide leads the activity. The guide’s role is especially useful if you are new to snorkeling. The group is kept together in the water, and the guide can swim with you and help you find your way around.

That support also helps if you are uneasy in the sea. A 60-year-old mother was given careful assistance during one outing, and another group specifically appreciated the way the crew looked after people who were not confident swimmers. You still need to be comfortable entering the water, but you do not have to explore alone.

The time limit is worth noting. Forty-five minutes passes quickly once you receive instructions, enter the water, and adjust your mask. Listen to the briefing, check your equipment early, and use the full time rather than lingering on the boat.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Water, fruit, and a soft drink are included, but the supplied information does not promise a full range of drinks or special dietary meals. If you have food restrictions, ask before booking.

Two hours on Magawish Island

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Magawish Island for about two hours. This is the relaxing middle section of the day, and it keeps the trip from feeling like nonstop water activity.

You can swim, sit in the sun, take photos, or continue snorkeling in the clear water around the island. The stop is long enough to slow down, eat lunch, and enjoy the setting instead of rushing from boat to boat.

The island has toilets and a bar, and massage services are available. A massage costs extra, but it can be a pleasant way to use the slower part of the afternoon. Bring cash for optional purchases, as the tour specifically advises carrying it.

The island lunch is a major part of the appeal for some people. The standard details mention a lunch box with cheese and roast beef, while the included services also refer to lunch on the island. Since the exact meal can vary by package, check your selected option during booking. If you want a fuller meal with a clear seafood focus, choose the seafood add-on.

The island is beautiful, but this is not an untouched private beach. There may be other boat groups, and facilities such as a bar and massage area make it more developed than a remote sandbank. If you want comfort and convenience, that is useful. If you want total solitude, a private boat would be a better fit.

What the food and drinks are like

Food is included, which makes the $41 price easier to justify. The standard description gives a cheese sandwich and roast beef, and the outing also includes fruit, water, and a soft drink.

Do not book this as a gourmet seafood cruise. The seafood lunch is an upgrade, not the standard meal. You can also select lunch on the island as an added option. Clarify the exact food package if you care about having a hot meal, seafood, or a particular dietary choice.

The island’s bar gives you another option, but bar purchases are not listed as included. Carry cash for extras, tips, or services such as massage. Sunscreen and towels are also your responsibility.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip if you want one organized day that covers the main Red Sea highlights without a packed sightseeing schedule. It suits couples, families, small groups, and first-time snorkelers who want a guide nearby.

It is especially useful for people who are unsure in open water. The guide helps keep the group together, and the crew has shown care with older or less confident swimmers. You should still tell the guide if you need assistance before entering the water.

This is also a good match for anyone who wants both activity and rest. The two snorkeling sessions provide the main exercise, while Magawish Island gives you two hours to sit down, eat, swim, or book a massage.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, have very little patience for pickup delays, or want a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The schedule is long, the sea can be unpredictable, and the dolphin search may end without a sighting.

Practical booking advice before you pay

Select the correct pickup area and add long-range transport if your hotel is outside Hurghada. A private transfer is also available as an upgrade if you prefer not to share the van.

Check whether your package includes the standard lunch or an island or seafood upgrade. If parasailing interests you, select it during booking. These extras are not part of the basic price.

The activity is offered in Arabic and English, and a live guide is provided. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. The tour also lists an express security check, which may save some waiting at the harbor.

The experience is wheelchair accessible according to the supplied information. Since a yacht involves boarding and moving around a marine setting, contact the provider ahead of time if you require specific assistance.

Should you book the Magawish yacht trip?

Book it if you want a good-value Red Sea day with two long snorkeling stops, a relaxed island visit, and transport handled from your Hurghada hotel. The strongest parts are the attentive water guide, the chance of a smaller group, and the generous two-hour Magawish stop.

Treat dolphin watching as an extra possibility rather than a promise. Also check the lunch and transfer options carefully, since seafood meals, parasailing, private transport, and pickups outside Hurghada cost more.

For $41, this is an easy recommendation for first-time snorkelers and families who want structure without giving up free time. If your priority is privacy, guaranteed dolphins, or luxury dining, spend more on a private charter instead.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada yacht trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, the boat journey, dolphin watching, two snorkeling stops, and the Magawish Island visit.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip hotel pickup is included from Hurghada. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay requires a long-range transfer add-on.

Where do I meet the driver?

Meet the driver at the main entrance of your hotel’s main gate by the road. The pickup is not at the reception gate or inside the reception area.

When will I receive pickup details?

Pickup details are sent by email at 10:00 p.m. the night before the trip. Your pickup time can vary by one to one and a half hours from the scheduled time.

How long is the dolphin watching section?

The dolphin search lasts about 30 minutes. Dolphins are wild, so a sighting is not guaranteed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Each lasts about 45 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide are included.

What food and drinks are included?

The standard food is described as a cheese sandwich and roast beef lunch box. Water, fruit, and a soft drink are also included. Island and seafood lunches can be selected as upgrades.

Can I add parasailing?

Yes, parasailing is available if you select the relevant option during booking. It is not automatically part of the base price.

What should I bring?

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