Hurghada: Magawish Island Speedboat W Snorkelling & Lunch

A speedboat run across the Red Sea, then two chances to snorkel, is the kind of half-day plan that beats another hot, slow afternoon in town. Add Magawish Island with its Caribbean-like sand and shallow swim time, and you get a mix of motion and beach that feels like a real mini vacation.

What I like most is the straightforward combo of two snorkel stops for coral and fish, plus the way you actually get time to relax on the island, not just a quick splash and rush back. One consideration: pickup timing can shift by 1 to 1.5 hours from the scheduled time, and the driver can only wait about 5 minutes at the pickup spot.

Key points before you go

• Two snorkel stops with provided equipment and a snorkel guide, so you are not guessing where to go
• Magawish Island beach time for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, long enough to swim and lounge
• Speedboat ride with shade onboard, plus a stereo system to make the trip feel more like a day out
• Parasailing add-on for up to 5 minutes if you select the option
• English live guide and clear pickup/drop-off zones around Hurghada and Safaga

Speedboat-and-snorkel energy in the Red Sea

This tour is built for people who want real water time without burning your whole day. You start with a speedboat cruise that gets you away from the shoreline fast, then you switch gears to snorkeling at two separate spots. The rhythm matters. Instead of one long snorkel session where you are stuck hoping for fish, you get multiple shots at coral and different underwater scenery.

The Magawish portion is the payoff. The island feel is beach-forward: white sand underfoot, bright turquoise water, and a break from sitting in the sun on the mainland. Even if you are not a hardcore snorkeler, you usually end up loving the contrast, boat motion to quiet sand time.

And yes, there is an optional aerial view. If you choose the parasailing add-on, you get a short 5-minute ride to look down at the Red Sea from above.

Pickup and timing: the 4-hour day plan, explained

The total duration is listed as 4 hours, but the day starts with hotel pickup. Pickup is available from several Hurghada and Safaga areas, including Hurghada, Safaga, Hurghada 1, and Hurghada 2. You are also able to add long-range pickup from Makadi, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay areas during checkout, if needed.

Here is how the timing tends to feel:

• You get a van transfer of about 25 minutes to the harbor area.
• You spend about 20 minutes snorkel time at each reef spot.
• You get around 1.5 hours on Magawish Island, with the overall plan describing 1.5 to 2 hours depending on how the schedule lands.
• There is some scenic cruising time on the way back.

Two practical notes you should plan around. First, pickup time may vary by 1 to 1.5 hours from the scheduled pickup. Second, the operator can wait no more than 5 minutes at your hotel pickup point. That means you should be ready early and meet at the correct place, which is the main entrance by the road, not the reception gate.

You also get important details by email the night before, sent at about 10 pm. If you are booking close to your travel dates, keep an eye on your inbox that evening.

Boarding the boat: what makes the ride more comfortable

Once you arrive at the harbor, you get instructions and board the speedboat. The trip includes life jackets, plus snorkeling equipment when it is time. You also have access to an onboard shaded area and a stereo system, which sounds like a small perk until you have been sitting in heat all morning. It makes the cruise feel like a real outing.

There is also a guide on board. The tour is listed with a live English guide, and the snorkeling is supported with a snorkel guide. That matters because snorkeling in the Red Sea works best when you get a clear sense of where to enter and where to float.

From the experience style people mention, the crew can be attentive, with positive mentions of Hassan as a guide and captain Momo as a careful, considerate captain.

Snorkel stop 1: Shaab Eshta kebir (your first look underwater)

Your first reef stop is at Shaab Eshta kebir. Plan on about 20 minutes for snorkeling here. This is a short window, so treat it like a warm-up lap rather than expecting to explore every inch of coral.

What you will likely care about most:

• The chance to see coral and reef life without needing to be an expert swimmer
• The opportunity to get comfortable with the gear and water conditions early in the day
• A chance to compare what you see later at the second snorkel stop

The biggest drawback of a 20-minute snorkel window is also the reality of the schedule: you will not cover every corner. If you are the kind of person who wants to linger, you might feel a little time-compressed. The tradeoff is that you get a second reef after this, which often makes up for it.

Tip for your first stop: relax your breathing and keep your movements controlled. Reef snorkeling is less about doing more and more about staying calm so you can watch instead of chasing.

Snorkel stop 2: Aruk Talata and Shaab Pytra area

The second snorkeling session is at Aruk Talata, also listed alongside Shaab Pytra. Again, you get about 20 minutes here.

This second stop is where you can get a better sense of the underwater variety the Red Sea offers. Different reef areas can mean different coral shapes and different fish patterns. People who love this tour often talk about seeing many fish and enjoying beautiful coral, and the two-stop structure is the reason that kind of outcome is more likely.

A small consideration: because both snorkeling times are capped at about 20 minutes, you do not get a long single-session “find your spot” experience. If you are planning a day focused on snorkeling for hours, this is not it.

But if you want a smart mix of reef time plus real beach time, the two-stop plan is exactly what you want. It keeps you moving, and it avoids the risk of spending all your time at one site that just is not your favorite.

Magawish Island: why the beach time is the real reward

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Magawish Island. You get about 1.5 hours of island time, with the overall description also indicating 1.5 to 2 hours depending on how the day runs.

This is the part of the trip you will remember on land. Magawish is where the Red Sea experience turns into something you can do with your whole body, not just your face in the water. You can swim, walk the sand, and take a break from saltwater gear.

You also have included comforts that make the island time easier. The tour includes seasonal fruits, plus soft drinks and mineral water. It is not described as a full restaurant-style lunch here, but the fruits and drinks are clearly part of what is included. If you booked specifically expecting a big lunch plate, it is worth double-checking what is served, since the inclusions list points to fruits and drinks rather than a full meal.

One more practical detail: the island visit includes an island entry fee, so you are not dealing with surprise charges on arrival.

If you want to take photos, do it during the sand time, not just underwater. The colors are strong in direct sun, and the contrast between white sand and turquoise water is a big part of why people rate this stop so highly.

Parasailing add-on: the 5-minute view from above

There is an optional 5-minute parasailing adventure if you select it. It is short by design, and that can actually be a good thing. You get the aerial perspective without losing too much of the day.

Your safety and comfort still matter. The tour is listed as not suitable for people with back problems, and that is important to take seriously for any aerial activity. Pregnant women are also listed as not suitable.

If you are healthy and comfortable with heights, parasailing can be a neat way to see how the boat route and coastline line up. It also gives you a different kind of Red Sea moment, one where you are not looking horizontally, you are looking down.

Price and value: what $196 buys for up to two people

The price is listed as $196 per group up to 2 for a 4-hour experience with hotel pickup and drop-off, a speedboat cruise, snorkeling equipment, two snorkeling stops, and a guide. You also get an island entry fee plus fruits and soft drinks.

So is it good value? For me, the value comes down to two things:

1. You are paying for logistics, not just time on the water. Pickup, harbor boarding, reef stops, and return transport are all included.
2. You are getting multiple experiences in one block. Reef snorkeling plus island beach time is a more complete outing than the quick in-and-out boat trips.

If you are traveling solo, the per-group pricing can feel different depending on how the operator handles single-party bookings, so check what is meant by up to 2 people for your exact booking. But for couples or two friends, the setup usually lines up well with what you want: a real half-day, not a rushed stop.

Practical tips that actually matter (and a few you will be glad you remembered)

Because this is water-focused, your “day-trip packing list” is mostly about comfort and timing.

Bring:

• Towel
• Jacket (smart for the boat ride and the breeze you can get returning)
• Cash (it is listed as a thing to bring, so do not ignore it)

Not allowed:

• Pets

Timing and pickup:

• You must meet at the main entrance by the road, not the reception gate area.
• The team can wait only about 5 minutes after the stated pickup time.
• Pickup details go by email the night before, around 10 pm.

If you are prone to back issues or you are traveling with someone with a sensitive back, take the “not suitable” note seriously. If you are pregnant, also skip this one. The plan involves boat time and gear handling, and the operator is explicitly flagging these limits.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong fit if you want:

• Short, high-impact snorkeling without a full-day commitment
• A real Magawish Island beach break with time to swim and relax
• A guided experience in English that keeps things simple
• A tour structure that gives you two reef chances instead of just one

It is not the best fit if:

• You want extended snorkeling for multiple hours
• You need a very flexible pickup window, since timing can shift and waiting is limited
• You are dealing with back problems or you are traveling when pregnancy is part of the equation

Should you book the Magawish Island speedboat tour?

If you are looking for an efficient Hurghada water day, I would book this. The structure is practical: speedboat energy, two reef stops for coral and fish viewing, and a chunk of island time where you can actually enjoy the sand and turquoise water.

Book it if you like the idea of doing snorkeling in timed segments, then switching off and enjoying Magawish as a proper beach break. Skip it if you need long uninterrupted snorkeling time or if you fall under the not-suitable health categories.

One last decision tip: if your goal is the aerial perspective, add the parasailing option. If your goal is maximum relaxation, stick with the beach time and enjoy the cruise for what it is, a fast way to get out to the Red Sea and back without draining your day.