Hurghada: Yacht trip To Magawish island w Snorkeling & Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada day is the mix: you get open-water time, two proper snorkeling stops, and a long break on Magawish Island rather than a rushed boat outing. I especially like the two 45-minute reef stops and the fact that the crew guides you in the water, which helps if you are not fully confident at sea.

I also like the chance of a smaller group. One recent outing had fewer than 20 people, while another became almost private when no other bookings joined. The main drawback is the dolphin search: you have about 30 minutes to look, but sightings are never guaranteed. Pickup times can also shift by 1 to 1.5 hours.

Key points to know before booking

• Two long snorkeling stops: Each stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you more water time than a quick swim.
• Two hours on Magawish Island: You have time for swimming, photos, lunch, and a proper rest.
• Dolphin watching is wildlife viewing: The crew searches for dolphins, but no sighting is promised.
• Small groups may happen: Some departures have had fewer than 20 people, and quiet dates can feel nearly private.
• Optional upgrades change the day: Private transfers, seafood lunch, and parasailing are available only when selected and paid for as add-ons.
• Hotel pickup has a wide time window: The final pickup details arrive by email at 10 p.m. the night before.

A full day on the Red Sea for $41

At $41 per person, this is a strong-value boat trip if you want several activities in one day. Your price covers round-trip pickup from Hurghada, the yacht ride, dolphin watching, two snorkeling stops, equipment, a guide, water, fruit, a soft drink, island fees, and lunch on the island.

That is a useful bundle. You are not paying separately for a boat ride, reef stops, and island access. The price also compares well with the eight-hour duration, though you should remember that pickup from Hurghada-area hotels can add a fair amount of road time at the start and end.

The final cost can rise if you choose a long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay. Private transfers, seafood lunch, and parasailing are also optional extras. I would check the checkout total carefully, especially if you are comparing this with a cheaper shared boat trip.

Getting from your hotel to the harbor

Pickup is included from Hurghada, with collection areas listed as Hurghada 1, Hurghada 2, and Hurghada. Your pickup point is the main entrance of the hotel gate by the road, not the reception entrance or an inner hotel area.

You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. The pickup details are sent by email at 10 p.m. the night before, so check your inbox before going to bed.

The scheduled pickup time is not exact. It can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours because the van collects people from different hotels. The driver can wait no more than five minutes at the stated pickup point, so be ready early. This is one place where patience helps. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel, sunscreen, and cash easy to reach.

The drive to the harbor takes about 30 minutes once you are on the road. Transport is by van, and the return follows the same general arrangement after the boat trip.

Dolphin watching for 30 minutes

Once the yacht leaves the harbor, the first planned activity is a 30-minute search for dolphins. This is a pleasant way to begin because you are still settling into the boat, taking in the sea, and watching the water rather than rushing straight into snorkeling.

Keep your expectations sensible. Dolphins live in the Red Sea, but they do not follow a tour schedule. The crew will look for them, yet a sighting is not certain. One recent outing made the search but did not find any dolphins, and the day still continued with snorkeling and the island visit.

If dolphins are your main reason for booking, this is a gamble. If you see them, it may become the day’s best memory. If you do not, the trip still has three other main parts, including two extended reef stops and Magawish Island.

Two 45-minute snorkeling stops

The two snorkeling stops are the strongest part of the schedule for anyone who wants real time in the water. Each lasts about 45 minutes, and the sites are different, giving you a better chance to see a range of coral and fish than you would on a single short stop.

The Red Sea is known for clear water, coral formations, and plentiful marine life. Conditions can change with wind, current, and visibility, but the plan gives you enough time to get comfortable instead of spending the whole stop adjusting your mask.

A snorkeling guide goes into the water and helps keep the group together. This matters if you are a beginner, an older swimmer, or simply prefer not to wander alone. One 60-year-old participant received close help from the guide, and another account described the guide taking swimmers out and leading them in the water.

You receive snorkeling equipment, but I would still pack your own mask if you already have one that fits well. A familiar mask can make the first few minutes easier. Bring a towel and sunscreen, and use sun protection between water stops.

The water time is not a scuba session. This is surface snorkeling, suitable for people who want to see fish and coral without a certification or heavy equipment. If you are nervous in open water, tell the guide before entering. The crew’s role is to help, but you should be honest about your swimming ability.

Lunch, drinks, and what is actually included

Food is part of the day, but the exact meal needs a little attention. The trip information describes a lunch box with cheese and roast beef, while the inclusions also state lunch on the island. A seafood lunch is available as an add-on.

Because the wording gives more than one lunch detail, confirm the meal arrangement when booking. Do not assume that the seafood option is included in the $41 base price. It is specifically listed as an upgrade.

Water, fruit, and a soft drink are included. The island also has a bar, according to the available trip details, so bring cash if you want to buy anything beyond the included drinks or if you plan to use optional services.

The meal is best understood as practical fuel between activities rather than a formal dining experience. You will have been outside, in the sun, and in the water, so a simple sandwich or island lunch can be exactly what you need.

Two hours on Magawish Island

Magawish Island gives the day a welcome change of pace. After the boat and snorkeling, you have about two hours to swim, sit in the sun, take photos, eat, or continue snorkeling near the island.

This longer stop is valuable. Many boat trips keep island time short, leaving you just enough minutes to step ashore before returning to the harbor. Here, you can actually relax. If you do not want nonstop activity, Magawish is the part that makes the schedule feel balanced.

The island has toilets and a bar. A massage parlour is also available, and one person described the massage as excellent. Massage is not listed as included, so treat it as an extra service and bring cash if you may want it.

You may also find photo services on the island. Again, these are not listed among the included features, so ask about the price before agreeing. The scenery is the main attraction, with clear water around the island and time to enjoy it without watching the clock every few minutes.

The two-hour visit will suit you if you want sun and swimming. It may feel long if you dislike beach time or prefer a packed sightseeing schedule. There is no major historical site to visit here. Magawish is about water, sand, lunch, and rest.

The yacht, group size, and comfort

The trip uses a mega yacht, giving you a larger platform for the full-day route. The exact onboard facilities and seating arrangement are not specified, so I would not book it expecting a luxury cruise in the formal sense. Think of it as a roomy boat built for a shared day at sea.

Group size can vary. Some departures have had around 12 people, another had fewer than 20, and one low-demand date became almost a private trip. That is a real advantage when it happens, but it should not be treated as guaranteed.

A smaller group means less time waiting for people to enter the water and more personal help from the snorkeling guide. A larger group can feel less quiet, especially at the snorkeling stops. If group size matters greatly to you, the private transfer upgrade does not necessarily mean a private yacht, so ask the operator exactly what that add-on changes.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since the trip includes a van, yacht boarding, swimming, and island access, I would confirm the practical arrangements before booking if you use a wheelchair, particularly for getting on and off the boat.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing if you want one easy package that covers transport, snorkeling, lunch, and a beach stop. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and first-time snorkelers who want a guide nearby.

It is also a good choice for a relaxed day in Hurghada. The timetable gives you two active water periods, then a long island break. You can take part in everything or sit out one activity and enjoy the yacht.

The trip is less suitable if you want a guaranteed dolphin encounter, a private boat, or a quiet luxury sailing experience. It is also not the right choice if you dislike early uncertainty around pickup times or if you want every meal and optional activity clearly included in the basic price.

Parasailing may be available if you select that option. If you want more speed and height, it can add a thrill to an otherwise gentle beach-and-snorkel day. If you prefer calm water time, skip the extra and use Magawish Island for swimming and rest.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Pack a towel, sunscreen, and cash, as specifically requested for the activity. A waterproof bag for your phone and small valuables is sensible, though it is not listed as required.

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes. You will move from the van to the yacht and then into the water, so changing on a full-day boat may be less convenient than arriving ready.

Keep your booking email accessible. The operator sends pickup information at 10 p.m. the night before, and the exact collection time can vary. Stand at the hotel’s main roadside entrance and do not wait inside reception.

Do not cut the pickup close. The vehicle can wait only five minutes, and the route includes other hotel collections. If you are staying outside Hurghada, arrange the long-range pickup add-on in advance rather than assuming standard transport covers your hotel.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you useful flexibility if your Hurghada plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Magawish yacht trip?

I would book it for the combination of value and variety. For $41, you get a full eight-hour outing with two substantial snorkeling stops, island time, food, drinks, equipment, and hotel pickup from Hurghada. The water guide is an important plus for beginners and anyone who wants support in the sea.

Go in with realistic expectations. Dolphins may not appear, group size can change, and pickup can be late by more than an hour. Confirm which lunch is included, price any add-ons, and choose long-range transport if your hotel is beyond Hurghada.

If those conditions suit you, this is a well-rounded Red Sea day rather than a one-note boat ride. You get enough snorkeling to make the sea time worthwhile, and enough time on Magawish Island to slow down before heading back.

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, the island visit, and the return transfer.

What is the price?

The listed price is $41 per person. Extra charges may apply for long-range pickup, private transfer, seafood lunch, and other selected upgrades.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel pickup is included from Hurghada. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as an add-on.

Where do I meet the driver?

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

When will I receive the pickup time?

Pickup details are sent by email at 10 p.m. the night before the trip. The exact time can vary by 1 to 1.5 hours.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins for about 30 minutes, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide are included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch on the island is included. The trip information also describes a cheese and roast beef lunch box, so confirm the exact meal arrangement when booking. Seafood lunch is available as an add-on.

Can I cancel the booking?

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