Hurghada: Orange Bay & Magawish Island Speedboat with Lunch

Speed, sand, and Red Sea snorkelling make a strong day out. This Hurghada trip combines a private or shared speedboat ride with two island stops, two snorkelling sessions, lunch, fruit, and drinks for about $47 per person. It is a useful choice if you want several Red Sea highlights without spending a full day on a large boat.

I like the early run to Orange Bay, which can mean reaching the beach before the crowds, and I like the small-boat format. You spend less time waiting around and more time moving between the islands and reef sites. Guides and captains, including Saif, Momo, Hassan, Islam, Karim, and others, receive especially warm praise for being friendly and careful in the water.

The main consideration is time. Four to six hours goes quickly once hotel transfers, boat travel, two islands, and snorkelling are counted. Orange Bay can also become crowded later in the day, and the lunch box may feel light if you have a big appetite. Bring cash if you want drinks or cocktails on the islands.

Quick points before you book

• Orange Bay before the crowds: The schedule aims to reach this popular beach early, when the sand and shallow water can feel much calmer.
• Two proper snorkelling stops: Each stop is planned for about 20 minutes, giving you a look at coral and Red Sea fish rather than just a quick swim.
• Magawish Island includes lunch: You get about an hour here, with a shaded tent, food, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and water included.
• A fast, small-boat experience: The speedboat makes the ride exciting and avoids the slower pace of a large group boat.
• Parasailing is optional: Select the right booking option if you want up to five minutes in the air above the Red Sea.
• Private trips offer more control: A private group may have more say over time at the islands and snorkelling sites, subject to the day’s conditions.

What this Hurghada boat trip is really like

This is not simply a beach transfer. It is a compact Red Sea day with several distinct parts: hotel pickup, a speedboat ride, a beach stop, two reef stops, lunch, and another island visit. The advertised duration is four to six hours, so you should expect an active half-day rather than a leisurely resort afternoon.

The experience is offered as either a private or shared trip. A shared boat keeps the $47 price attractive and gives you the social feel of a small group. A private boat costs more, but it can be worthwhile for families or couples who want greater flexibility. One private booking allowed the group to choose how long to stay at the islands and snorkel, and even offered time for sunset.

The provider is Go Shalabi. English and Arabic are available, and the crew normally includes a captain, a guide, and a snorkelling assistant. The strongest part of the service is the human side. Guides have helped nervous first-time snorkellers, kept children company on the boat, checked on passengers in rougher water, and taken photographs.

Hotel pickup and the run to the harbor

Pickup is included, but the details require care. The operator sends the pickup information by email at about 10 pm the night before. You need to give your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number, along with a passport copy for the daily permissions.

The meeting point is the main entrance of the hotel by the road. It is not the reception entrance or an internal hotel pickup area. Be ready on time. The vehicle can wait no more than five minutes because it may be collecting other people.

The standard pickup area covers Hurghada. Hotels in Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay require a long-range pickup add-on during checkout. That extra transfer can affect the value, especially if your hotel is far from Hurghada harbor, so check the total price before deciding.

Once at the harbor, the team gives instructions and explains the plan. The transfer vehicle may feel tight, according to one passenger, but the ride is part of a practical hotel-to-boat service rather than a luxury transfer. If you want the easiest day, a private transfer back to your hotel is worth considering.

The speedboat ride across the Red Sea

The boat is one of the reasons to choose this trip. You get open views, a quick ride, and the fun of cutting across the Red Sea instead of sitting on a slower, larger excursion boat. Several people praised the clean, well-maintained boats and the smooth handling from captains such as Ali, Rashid, Islam, Karim, and Mo.

Speed comes with a trade-off. Wind can make the ride bumpy, and one family found the sea rough on the day of their outing. If you have back problems, this trip is not suitable. Sit securely, hold on when the boat accelerates, and do not treat the ride as a calm cruise.

The crew supplies life jackets, and the boat carries water and soft drinks. You should still bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, and cash. The sun reflects strongly off the water, so a hat and sunglasses are not just useful for photographs. Keep anything sensitive to water in a secure bag.

Orange Bay: beautiful, popular, and short

Orange Bay is the first island stop, with about one hour scheduled on the beach. The appeal is simple: pale sand, clear shallow water, and a chance to stretch out after the boat ride. It is the closest part of the trip to a classic beach break.

Timing matters here. The tour aims to arrive before Orange Bay becomes crowded, and early departures received praise for creating a quieter visit. One private group had its own area, which helped at a beach that can become busy. A later afternoon departure may offer a different mood, including the possibility of sunset later at Magawish, but you may find more people at Orange Bay.

Do not expect a deserted island every time. Orange Bay is a well-known stop, not an untouched beach. Facilities and paid drinks are available around the island, but the included package covers water, soft drinks, fruit, and lunch rather than every purchase on shore.

One hour is enough for a swim, some sun, and photographs. It may feel short if you want a long beach session. One person particularly wished for more time here, so keep your expectations realistic. This is an island-hopping itinerary, not an all-day Orange Bay stay.

Two 20-minute snorkelling stops

After Orange Bay, the boat visits two snorkelling spots, with about 20 minutes at each. This is the natural high point for many people. The Red Sea sites feature coral and colorful fish, and several passengers described the water as clear and pleasantly warm, with only a brief chill at entry.

The short sessions work well for beginners or families who want to try snorkelling without committing to a long water session. The guide supplies masks, snorkels, and other needed equipment, then helps people enter the water and get comfortable.

If you have never snorkelled, ask for a full explanation before putting your face in the water. One first-time snorkeller found that the gear was not explained clearly enough and swallowed water. That is an easy problem to avoid: check how the mask seals, practice breathing through the snorkel, and tell the guide if you are nervous.

The guides are a major asset. Saif was praised for his kindness and humor. Adam was described as caring in the water, while Momo, Hassan, Islam, and others helped people feel safe and supported. Families with young children also received attentive help. A three-year-old joined the boat outing, and the crew kept the child included and safe when snorkelling felt too intimidating.

Wildlife sightings are possible but not guaranteed. Some outings saw dolphins near the boat, along with rays and large numbers of fish. Treat those moments as luck, not a promise built into the tour. The coral sites themselves provide the reliable attraction.

Twenty minutes passes quickly. You may spend part of that time receiving equipment and getting into the water, especially if the sea is choppy. Still, having two separate stops is better than relying on a single reef location. If one site is less impressive on your day, the second gives you another chance.

Magawish Island and the Egyptian Caribbean setting

Magawish is the longer island stop, with about one hour planned for relaxing and lunch. It is described as resembling the Caribbean, with clean sand, clear water, and a broad feeling of space. After the faster boat ride and snorkelling, this is where you can slow down.

The stop is attractive for its simplicity. You can sit beneath the shaded tent, eat, walk on the sand, swim, or take photographs. The setting is more about open beach and sea views than sightseeing in the traditional sense. There are no monuments or museums here, and that is precisely the point.

The included lunch is served as a lunch box. Fruit, snacks, water, and soft drinks are also provided, and several outings received praise for having plentiful food. Still, one person advised not relying entirely on the lunch and suggested buying food at Magawish or bringing something extra. If you eat a lot, plan for that possibility.

Drinks such as cocktails may cost extra. Bring cash if you want to buy anything on the islands. The price of the boat trip includes island entry, nature reserve fees, food listed in the package, and basic drinks, but not every shore purchase.

Magawish can feel much quieter later in the day. One afternoon outing found very few people on the island and enjoyed a peaceful sunset. On the other hand, the island is small, and one person felt the scheduled time was longer than needed. Your ideal visit depends on what you value: beach relaxation or more time in the water.

The optional five-minute parasail

You can select an option that includes up to five minutes of parasailing. This gives you a view of the Red Sea from above, adding a short aerial activity to a day otherwise focused on the water and beach.

Read the booking option carefully. Parasailing is included only when selected, so do not assume it comes with the basic price. Five minutes is a brief ride, but it is enough to add a change of pace and a different view of the islands.

If snorkelling is your priority, the standard trip already has plenty to offer. If you like trying several activities in one outing, the parasailing option makes the package more varied.

Food, shade, equipment, and comfort

The practical inclusions are strong for the price. You receive:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Round-trip speedboat transport
• Orange Bay and Magawish entry fees
• Two snorkelling stops
• Snorkelling equipment
• Lunch box
• Water, soft drinks, and seasonal fruit
• Guide and captain support
• Shaded tent
• Life jacket
• Nature reserve fees

That list means you do not need to arrange separate island tickets, reef equipment, or basic refreshments. The shaded tent matters because the island stops expose you to direct sun, even when the sea breeze feels pleasant.

The main comfort issue is the sea itself. Wind can create a very bumpy ride, and the speedboat is not designed for people seeking a soft, quiet crossing. Anyone with back problems should choose another outing. Children can enjoy the trip, but parents should be comfortable with boat movement, sun, and time in open water.

Bring a towel, hat, sunglasses, and cash. Pets are not allowed. You should also protect phones and cameras from spray, since the boat ride is fast and the water is close.

Is $47 good value?

At about $47 per person, the package offers good value if you want variety. You are paying for transport, two islands, two snorkelling locations, equipment, food, drinks, entry fees, and a guide. Comparable outings may cost more when they use larger boats or separate excursions for island visits and snorkelling.

The best value comes from the small-boat format. You spend less time waiting for a large group to board, and the speedboat covers the route quickly. The shared option is especially appealing for solo visitors, couples, and families who want a half-day activity without committing to a full-day cruise.

The price becomes less attractive if you are staying in a distant resort and need the long-range pickup add-on. It may also feel less worthwhile if you mainly want to sit on one beach for hours. In that case, a dedicated beach trip could suit you better.

The private option is the stronger choice for families, groups of friends, or anyone who wants flexibility. One private outing allowed the group to vary its time at the snorkelling spots and islands, and even stay until sunset. You will pay more, but control can matter more than the lowest rate.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want a lively half-day with several activities and minimal planning. It suits first-time snorkellers because the guides provide equipment and personal help. It also works well for families, provided everyone is comfortable with a fast and sometimes bumpy boat.

Couples may like the private option, especially for a quieter island visit or sunset. Friends who want music, photographs, swimming, and a bit of adventure will find the mix easy to enjoy.

I would hesitate if you have back problems, dislike speedboats, or want a long, quiet stay on one beach. I would also look carefully at the departure time. Early trips give you a better chance of a quieter Orange Bay, while an afternoon departure may give you sunset at Magawish.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Hurghada plans are still changing.

Final verdict: a strong half-day Red Sea choice

This is a well-priced way to see two Hurghada islands and several reef sites in one outing. The strongest features are the quick speedboat, clear snorkelling water, attentive crew, and early chance to enjoy Orange Bay before it fills up.

I would book it for the mix of activity and relaxation, but I would bring extra snacks, cash, sun protection, and a waterproof phone bag. Choose private if you want control over the schedule. Choose shared if value matters most.

For $47, this is a good fit for anyone who wants more than a beach transfer but less than a full-day boat cruise. Just remember that the day moves quickly, the sea may be rough, and Orange Bay is popular. With those points in mind, Go Shalabi offers a practical and enjoyable Red Sea outing.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat experience last?

The activity lasts approximately four to six hours, including the hotel pickup, boat ride, island visits, snorkelling stops, lunch, and return to the harbor.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the standard service area in Hurghada. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as an add-on.

Where do I meet the pickup vehicle?

You meet the vehicle at the main entrance of your hotel’s main gate by the road. The pickup is not at the reception entrance or an internal reception area.

When will I receive the pickup details?

The pickup details are sent by email at about 10 pm on the night before the trip.

Do I need to provide passport information?

Yes. You need to provide a passport copy for the daily permissions and give your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment and two snorkelling stops are included. Each snorkelling stop is planned for about 20 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A lunch box is included, along with seasonal fruit, water, and soft drinks. Extra food or cocktails on the islands may cost additional money.

Is parasailing included?

Parasailing is included only with the option selected at booking. The parasailing activity lasts up to five minutes.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the experience and pay later.