PRIVATE! | Full Day Charter Boat Trip| Up to 14 | Snorkeling and Islands tour

A full-day private boat charter from Hurghada Marina is interesting because you are not stuck on a fixed group schedule. You can plan the day around what you actually want, from snorkeling reefs to island time, and even trying to spot dolphins.

I especially like two things. First, you get real Red Sea snorkeling in focused spots like Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef, with a crew that helps you make the most of the water. Second, the day has lunch and drinks on board, so you are not burning energy hunting down food between swims.

One possible drawback: the most famous beaches are often optional and may require extra entry fees. Also, your route depends on sea conditions and what the captain can find that day, so it helps to stay flexible.

Key highlights that matter before you book

• True private time: only your group on the boat, with a crew ready to adjust the plan for your pace.
• Snorkeling gear included: you do not have to pack or rent masks and fins.
• Reef stops with big-name marine life: expect coral and fish like Picasso fish and clownfish, plus chances for manta rays and dolphins.
• Giftun Islands are included: you get at least one classic island stop with the park ticket included.
• Beaches like Eden, Orange Bay, and Paradise are add-ons: plan for extra fees if you want them.
• On-board food is a standout: many groups praise fresh lunch and fruit, not just basic catering.

Why a private Hurghada charter feels different from big cruises

This is built around the idea that your day should fit your group, not the other way around. You start at Hurghada Marina, and from there the captain sets the rhythm: stop for snorkeling, move when it makes sense, and keep travel time sane.

The best part of booking private is simple. If someone wants shade, you can adapt. If you want more time at a reef, you can ask. If you are new to snorkeling, a good crew can help you feel steady before you commit to the water.

It also helps that the operation is set up to handle a day of movement. You have restroom access on board, snorkeling equipment is provided, and lunch plus coffee or tea plus snacks are part of the package.

The 8-hour plan: how the timing actually supports snorkeling and islands

On paper it is about 8 hours. In practice, that time gets divided between a few focused marine stops and one included island segment, with optional beach time if you want it.

Here is the structure you can expect:

• A morning start from Hurghada Marina.
• A reef-and-fish stop at Omo Gamaar for about 30 minutes.
• A longer snorkeling stop at Carless Reef for about 45 minutes.
• Then a move toward island time, with Giftun Islands included.
• Optional beach add-ons like Eden Island, Orange Beach, or Paradise Island, each for about 2 hours.

A key point: your snorkeling windows are not meant to be endless. They are timed to give you meaningful reef time without turning the whole day into one long session in saltwater. If you go in expecting several short, high-quality snorkels rather than one marathon, you will enjoy it more.

Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef: your main snorkeling payoff

This charter shines at the two reef stops, because that is where the Red Sea “wow” usually shows up.

Omo Gamaar (about 30 minutes)

This stop is described as coral reef country with plenty of fish. You can look for species such as:

• Picasso fish
• Red Sea clownfish
• blackback butterflyfish
• morays and eels
• and sometimes dolphins in the surrounding water

The time here is long enough to settle, get your mask on, and see fish before you feel rushed. Admission is free for this stop, so you are not paying extra just to get in the water.

Carless Reef (about 45 minutes, admission included)

Carless Reef is the longer reef break. It is also where the tour text highlights marine life more strongly, including:

• manta rays (with mention of blue spotted manta ray)
• clownfish and Picasso fish
• butterflyfish
• morays and eels
• and occasional dolphin sightings

This is also the stop most likely to feel like your “main event.” If you want the best odds of seeing bigger animals, this is the one to treat like priority time. Gear is included, and a competent crew can help you get comfortable quickly.

A practical note from real-world experience patterns: snorkeling is much better when you are calm, confident, and not constantly adjusting a loose mask. If you get anxious in open water, plan to take it slow and ask for help before you start. Some groups mention that the captain and snorkel support helped when someone felt nervous.

Giftun Islands and the included park ticket: classic island scenery

After the reef time, the tour includes Giftun Islands with the park ticket included. The Giftun area is generally associated with two islands near Hurghada:

• Big Giftun (Giftun Kebir)
• Little Giftun (Giftun Soraya)

You will not be stuck in one tiny place. The timing is about 30 minutes, which usually means a short visit for photos, a chance to enjoy the shoreline, and time to reconnect after snorkeling.

Why this matters for value: many “snorkel only” trips skip the island feel. Here, you still get a taste of the island side, without spending extra money just to step onto sand.

Also, one included shallow-water option can show up in the plan: Abu Minqar, described as a shallow sandbank. That matters because sandbank time can be easier for non-snorkelers and often feels more relaxed than reef swimming.

Optional beaches: Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island (and what they really cost)

This is where people sometimes get confused. The reefs are built into the main plan. The “top beach” stops are usually add-ons, and you pay an entry fee if you want them.

Here are the optional stops and costs:

• Eden Island Hurghada: 10 euros per adult, 5 euros per child (about 2 hours).
• Orange Beach (Orange Bay Hurghada): 10 euros per adult, 5 euros per child (about 2 hours).
• Paradise Island: 10 euros per adult, 5 euros per child (about 2 hours).

Each island stop is positioned as a beach-relaxation moment, with time for sun and enjoying the island environment. Eden Island is described as a good fit for couples and families. Orange Bay mentions shallow waters and on-island services like music and massage. Paradise Island is framed as an eco-tourism style island experience with food and music.

The drawback to keep in mind: when you choose extra beach time, you may spend less of your 8 hours inside the water. If your top goal is maximum snorkeling, you might keep it simple and focus on the included reef stops plus Giftun.

On-board lunch, drinks, and crew help that people remember

Here is one reason this charter earns such high marks: the onboard experience tends to feel cared for, not rushed.

What is included on board:

• lunch
• bottled water
• coffee and/or tea
• snacks
• plus fruits are commonly mentioned in the praise

The lunch is repeatedly described as delicious and fresh. Many groups also mention fruit platters with mango and sweet bites, which is a nice change from the usual “sandwich and hope” cruise model.

Crew behavior is another big theme. Captains and staff are praised for being friendly and professional, and for taking time to help people enjoy the day. Specific names come up in the feedback, including:

• Capt Mohammed
• Samir (snorkeling support)
• Yousuf and Ayad (crew members)
• Regyep (chef on board)
• Abdul (captain support described in one account)
• Mark (owner mentioned)

You should treat names like a hint of the kind of service to expect, not a promise of who you will meet. Still, it gives you confidence that the crew is not running on autopilot.

One extra comfort detail that shows up: some boats have space to move around, including room for shade or sun, so your day does not feel cramped when you are between stops.

Price and value: what $324.41 per group really covers

The listed price is $324.41 per group for up to 8 people. Meanwhile, the overall charter is described as up to 14. That means the exact pricing and headcount can depend on the specific boat arrangement for your party, so it is worth confirming the group size you will be charged as.

Either way, the value math often works because several major items are included:

• snorkeling equipment
• lunch and drinks
• coffee or tea plus snacks
• restroom on board
• national park ticket included (this matters because island and reef areas often charge fees)

On top of that, you get private time. In Hurghada, that typically means fewer compromises. You are less likely to lose reef minutes waiting for a big group to finish, and you can adapt if someone needs a break.

What may add cost:

• Transfers for full group are not included. Inside Hurghada is listed at 15 euros, Sahl Hasheesh 20 euros, and Makadi or Gouna 25 euros.
• Eden, Orange Bay, Paradise are optional with their own entry fees.

If you are traveling with family or friends, private often becomes good value quickly. If you are a solo traveler or a couple, it can still be worth it, but you will want to compare it against group cruises and decide if privacy is the priority you care about most.

Who should book this snorkeling and islands day in Hurghada

I think this charter fits best if at least one of these is true:

• You want a private boat and hate the feeling of being herded on a schedule.
• You want hands-on help with snorkeling, especially if someone in your group is nervous.
• You care about both reefs and island time, not just one or the other.
• You are traveling with kids or a group that needs flexibility.

One useful tip that came up in real life: if kids are involved and snorkeling is part of the plan, practice basic confidence in a pool first. Another suggestion was using a well-fitting mask, and that some people prefer full-face style masks for comfort before getting into open water.

It also works for special occasions. One group chartered for a bachelorette day, and the big boat plus space to move between sun and shade made it feel like a real celebration, not a rigid tour.

Practical tips to get the best day out of the reefs

You cannot control fish, manta rays, or dolphins. You can control comfort.

• Bring a plan for snorkeling confidence. If you know you or someone you love gets anxious, start slow and ask the crew for help.
• Use the gear you are given and make sure it fits. A loose mask can ruin your focus and turn a fun stop into a constant adjustment session.
• If you want maximum island beauty without sacrificing snorkeling, pick one optional beach instead of all of them. Each beach is about 2 hours, so your choices shape the whole day.

Also, if your priority is seeing bigger marine animals, treat Carless Reef as your main snorkeling slot and be ready when it is time to go in.

Should you book this private Hurghada boat trip?

Yes, if you want a private day that balances reef snorkeling with island scenery, and you value a crew that helps you have an enjoyable day in the water. The best reason to book is the combination of included snorkeling gear, included lunch and drinks, and reef stops aimed at real Red Sea wildlife, including chances for manta rays and dolphins.

Maybe pause and think twice if your idea of the trip is purely an island beach tour, because the top beach stops (Eden, Orange Bay, Paradise) are optional and cost extra. In other words, the reefs are the core product. Island beaches are add-ons.

If you message your organizer with your must-dos in advance, you will align the schedule to your expectations and end up with the kind of private charter day that people call a highlight.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start in Hurghada?

The tour starts at Hurghada Marina.

How long is the private charter boat trip?

It is listed at about 8 hours.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered on request. Transfers for the full group cost extra, depending on where you are in Hurghada.

What is included for snorkelers?

Snorkeling gear is included, along with lunch, bottled water, coffee or tea, and snacks.

Are national park tickets included?

Yes. The national park ticket is included.

Which snorkeling stops are included?

Omo Gamaar is included as a stop, and Carless Reef is included as a stop with admission included.

Are Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island included?

They are optional. Each has an entry fee and includes about 2 hours.

What is the entry fee for Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island?

Eden Island is 10 euros per adult and 5 euros per child. Orange Bay is 10 euros per adult and 5 euros per child. Paradise Island is also 10 euros per adult and 5 euros per child.

How does cancellation work if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What are the transfer costs if I want pickup for my group?

Inside Hurghada is 15 euros for the full group. Sahl Hasheesh is 20 euros. Makadi or Gouna is 25 euros.