Hurghada: Yacht trip To Magawish island w Snorkeling & Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada day is the mix: two proper snorkeling stops, open-water sailing, and two hours to relax on Magawish Island. You are not stuck on a beach all day, and you are not rushed from one photo stop to the next.

I like the friendly in-water guidance, especially if you are nervous in the sea, and the small-group feel reported on some departures, with one boat carrying fewer than 20 people. The island lunch and free drinks add real value at $41. The catch is simple: dolphins are never guaranteed, and hotel pickup can vary by 60 to 90 minutes.

Quick facts about the Magawish yacht trip

• 30-minute dolphin search: The crew looks for dolphins in open water, but sightings depend on nature.
• Two 45-minute snorkeling stops: You get two separate chances to see Red Sea fish and coral rather than one brief swim.
• Two hours on Magawish Island: Use the time for swimming, sun, photos, a bar visit, or a massage.
• Lunch and drinks included: The basic meal details include cheese sandwiches and roast beef, while island and seafood lunch options may depend on the package selected.
• Hotel pickup from Hurghada: Longer transfers from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay cost extra.
• Parasailing is optional: Add it only if you want a paid water-sports upgrade alongside the snorkeling day.

Why this Red Sea day works so well

This is a full-day boat outing built around variety. The schedule gives you about 30 minutes looking for dolphins, 90 minutes of snorkeling split between two stops, and two hours on Magawish Island. Add the drive, boarding time, meals, and return trip, and the advertised duration is eight hours.

That pacing suits you if you want a taste of several Red Sea experiences in one booking. You get sea time, guided snorkeling, an island stop, lunch, and a chance to rest. It is more active than a simple beach day, but it is not an exhausting sports excursion.

The boat is described as a mega yacht, though the exact vessel can vary. Some departures have had fewer than 20 people aboard, which makes a difference when you are getting equipment, entering the water, or asking the guide for help. Group size is not guaranteed, so ask if this matters to you.

The published price is $41 per person. For a Hurghada departure, that is a fair package because hotel transport, boat travel, snorkeling equipment, a guide, island fees, water, fruit, soft drinks, and lunch are covered. It becomes a stronger deal if you plan to snorkel anyway and would otherwise pay separately for transport and a boat trip.

Getting from your hotel to the harbor

Pickup is available from Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada. Your exact pickup may be 60 to 90 minutes different from the scheduled time, so do not plan a tight appointment for the morning or afternoon.

The pickup message is sent by email at about 10 p.m. the night before. Give the operator your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. The van meets you at the main entrance of the main hotel gate by the road, not at the reception entrance.

The drive to the harbor takes about 30 minutes once you are collected, though the full pickup period can be longer because other people are being collected. The vehicle cannot wait more than five minutes at a pickup point, so be ready early. This is one place where a little discipline saves a lot of stress.

Hotels in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area can be served, but the longer-range pickup is an extra paid option. Check that cost before booking, since it changes the value of the $41 base price.

Starting the yacht trip with a dolphin search

After boarding, the crew gives a safety briefing before heading into the Red Sea. The first activity is a 30-minute search for dolphins in their natural setting.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a dolphin show, and there is no promise that the animals will approach the boat. One recent outing tried to find dolphins during the route to the snorkeling area but did not see any. That is normal for a wild-animal search and should not define your view of the day.

The search still gives you a pleasant start on the water. Bring a hat, apply sunscreen before boarding, and keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole time staring at the horizon. The boat ride itself is part of the experience.

Two snorkeling stops, 45 minutes each

The main value here is the amount of time in the water. You get two stops of 45 minutes each, usually at different reef areas. That gives you a better chance to see fish and coral than a single short swim.

The snorkeling guide stays with the group and helps keep people together. This matters if you are new to snorkeling, not fully comfortable in open water, or traveling with an older family member. A report from one outing specifically noted that the guide took careful care of a 60-year-old mother, while another said people who felt unsure in the sea were well supported.

You should still be a capable swimmer or at least comfortable using the provided equipment in open water. The guide can help, but this is not a pool lesson. Listen to the briefing, stay with the group, and tell the crew if you need assistance.

The Red Sea is known for clear water, coral formations, and plenty of fish. Visibility and marine life vary with weather, sea conditions, and the exact stop. Expect a pleasant reef swim, not a guaranteed private aquarium.

The two-stop structure also gives you a useful reset. After 45 minutes, you can return to the yacht, drink water, eat fruit, and catch your breath before the next swim. If you prefer a quiet boat ride, you can sit out one stop, though the trip is best value for people who plan to use both.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You should bring your own towel and sunscreen. Cash is also recommended for optional purchases, such as paid services on the island or other upgrades.

Lunch before two hours at Magawish Island

The timing of lunch can vary with the boat’s schedule, but food is part of the package. The basic meal is described as a lunch box with cheese sandwiches and roast beef. Other details describe lunch on the island as included, with a seafood lunch available as an add-on.

Because those descriptions differ slightly, confirm exactly what your selected package includes before departure. The important point is that you should not assume the seafood option comes with the base fare. If fresh seafood matters to you, select that upgrade clearly at checkout.

Magawish Island is the day’s long stop, with about two hours to slow down. You can swim, sit in the sun, take photographs, or keep snorkeling in the clear water around the island. There are also toilets, a bar, and a massage parlour.

That makes the island more practical than a bare sandbar. You have somewhere to use the facilities and buy a drink, but bring cash because optional services are not part of the standard package. A massage can be a pleasant extra after the sea time, though it adds to the total cost.

Two hours is enough to enjoy the place without turning the entire outing into a stationary beach visit. If you like constant activity, you may find the island stop a little long. If you want a break after snorkeling, it is exactly the right amount of time.

Food, drinks, and what the price really covers

At $41, the included extras matter. Hotel pickup from Hurghada removes the need to arrange a taxi, and the package also includes:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Two guided snorkeling stops
• Dolphin watching
• Island fees
• Water
• Fruit
• Soft drinks
• A guide in Arabic or English
• Lunch, depending on the selected meal arrangement

For many people, the best value comes from the combination of transport and guided water time. Buying a boat trip, equipment hire, island access, and food separately would be less convenient and could cost more.

The price is less attractive if you are staying far outside Hurghada and need the paid long-range transfer. It also rises if you add private transportation, seafood lunch, island extras, or parasailing. Compare the final checkout price, not only the advertised base fare.

Parasailing is available if you choose that option. It is suited to someone who wants a short thrill above the water, but it is not necessary to enjoy the core trip. If your priority is coral, fish, and island time, spend the day’s energy on snorkeling instead.

Comfort, access, and the small practical details

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but water entry and movement around a yacht can still depend on the boat and sea conditions. If you use a wheelchair, ask the operator for exact boarding and transfer details before paying.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A hat and a light cover-up are sensible additions, though only the first three items are specifically required in the supplied instructions. Pets are not allowed.

Wear something suitable for swimming and expect to be in strong sun for much of the day. Keep valuables to a minimum, since you will move between van, boat, water, island, and van again.

The crew speaks Arabic and English. The guide is especially useful during snorkeling, when a clear explanation of where to swim and how to stay with the group makes the experience calmer and safer.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is helpful if your Hurghada plans may change, but read the final booking terms for your selected date and add-ons.

Who should book this excursion

I would choose this trip if you want a broad Red Sea outing rather than a single-purpose boat ride. It suits couples, families, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants guided help in the water.

It is also a good fit for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can spend more time snorkeling, while less confident people can stay near the guide and enjoy the island stop. The two-hour shore break gives non-snorkelers something worthwhile to do.

You may want a different trip if you need guaranteed dolphin sightings, a quiet private boat, or a serious scuba experience. This is a shared excursion with a planned route, and the dolphin search is dependent on wildlife and conditions.

A private transfer is available as an upgrade, but that does not necessarily mean a private yacht. One departure happened to have only a very small number of people aboard, while another had around 20. Treat that as a pleasant possibility, not a promise.

Should you book the Magawish yacht trip?

Yes, if you want an affordable full day that combines guided snorkeling, island time, lunch, and transport without arranging each piece yourself. The strongest parts are the two long water stops, the helpful snorkeling guide, and the relaxed two-hour stay at Magawish Island.

Book with three points in mind. Dolphins may not appear, your pickup time can shift by up to 90 minutes, and seafood, parasailing, private transfers, and longer-distance hotel pickups may cost extra. Confirm the lunch format as well, since the basic details mention both a lunch box and a meal on the island.

For $41 from Hurghada, this is a sensible choice for a first Red Sea boat day. Bring sunscreen, a towel, cash, and a flexible attitude about wildlife. The reef and island time are the dependable parts of the experience, and they are enough to make the outing worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Magawish Island trip last?

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

What is included in the $41 price?

The Hurghada package includes round-trip hotel pickup, dolphin watching, island fees, a guide, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, water, fruit, soft drinks, and lunch according to the selected arrangement.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed?

No. The crew spends about 30 minutes searching for dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings depend on wildlife and sea conditions.

How long are the snorkeling stops?

There are two snorkeling stops, each lasting about 45 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide are included.

How much time do you spend on Magawish Island?

You spend about two hours on Magawish Island for swimming, snorkeling, relaxation, photographs, and other island activities.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included, but the details describe both a cheese sandwich and roast beef lunch box and lunch on the island. Confirm the exact meal included with your selected package. Seafood lunch is available as an add-on.

Can I add parasailing?

Yes, parasailing is available if you select that option. It is not part of the standard inclusions.

Does hotel pickup cover all Hurghada-area hotels?

Pickup is included from Hurghada locations. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as a paid long-range add-on.

What should I bring?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in Arabic and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.