Hurghada: 3-Island Speedboat, Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the mix: you get a fast private boat, two reef stops, wild dolphin watching, and three very different island settings in one day. The speedboat also lets you move between sites faster than a large excursion boat, leaving more time for swimming and beaches.

I like the small-group feel and the patient water support, especially if you are new to snorkeling. I also like the variety: Orange Bay is made for beach photos, Magawish is quieter, and Abu Monkar is a bare sandbank in the open sea. The main drawback is that dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, and some stops can feel short if you want a long, slow snorkeling session.

Key points to know before you book

• Two 35-minute reef stops: One may be near Giftun Island, and another is scheduled at the Balena wreck site.
• Three island settings: Orange Bay has white sand and facilities, Magawish offers a calmer beach stop, and Abu Monkar is a simple open-water sandbank.
• Dolphins remain wild: The stated chance of seeing them is about 80 percent, but swimming with them is only possible if conditions allow.
• A true private-group outing: The $233 price covers up to two people, so it makes the most sense for couples, friends, or a small family willing to share the cost.
• Food is light: Expect fruit, water, soft drinks, and, according to the day’s arrangements, a simple packed lunch such as sandwiches and pastries.
• Bring your own towel and cash: Hotel pickup, equipment, a guide, life jackets, and reserve fees are included.

Why the speedboat changes the day

A seven-hour sea trip can feel long on a regular excursion boat. Here, the speedboat is the main reason the schedule works. You spend less time chugging between Hurghada and the islands, and more time moving between the swimming, snorkeling, and beach stops.

The trade-off is motion. At speed, spray can reach the back of the boat, and sunglasses or loose hats can disappear into the Red Sea. Secure your belongings before the captain accelerates, and keep your camera in a dry bag when the boat gets lively.

The boat includes a shaded area, stereo system, life jackets, and a captain. Those details matter on a full day in strong sun. You can sit in the shade between stops, but you should still bring sun protection, a hat that fits well, and water-friendly clothing.

The group is described as private, with the cost covering up to two people. That gives you more control than a large boat trip, especially during snorkeling. It also explains the price. At $233 per group, this is not the cheapest way for one person to reach the islands. For two people, though, it comes to about $116.50 each before any extra pickup fee, which is reasonable for a full day with a private speedboat, captain, guide, equipment, fruit, drinks, and island fees.

Setting out from Hurghada

Your day begins with hotel pickup, followed by roughly 30 minutes in a van to the harbor. The exact pickup time can shift by one to one and a half hours, depending on your hotel and the other collections. The scheduled activity lasts seven hours, but you should allow extra time around the transfer.

You will receive pickup details by email or WhatsApp at about 10 PM the night before. The message should give you the time and meeting instructions. Wait at the main entrance of the hotel, by the road, rather than at the reception entrance. Look for a white or black bus with the Go Shalabi logo.

This is one part of the trip where you need to be organized. The vehicle can wait only five minutes, so be ready early. For hotels in Hurghada, the pickup window can vary by about an hour. From Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga, the window can stretch to about 90 minutes, and long-range pickup costs extra unless you add it when booking.

At the harbor, the captain gives a short safety briefing. Life jackets are available, and an English-speaking guide stays with the group. Previous crews have included captains and guides named Kareem, Ahmed, Adam, Tarek, Abdul, Saif, Islam, and Sherif, but your exact team will depend on the date.

Dolphin watching near Giftun Island

The first major stretch of the day combines dolphin watching and snorkeling around Giftun Island. The boat searches for dolphins in their natural setting rather than taking you to a marine park. The advertised chance of seeing them is 80 percent, which is encouraging but not a promise.

If dolphins appear, the captain may slow down and the guide may explain when it is safe to enter the water. Swimming with them is listed as possible, not certain. A short sighting is still the most realistic expectation. One group saw a dolphin only briefly because several large boats were nearby, while other outings reported seeing dolphins twice or swimming near a group.

The number of boats can affect this part of the day. The captain and guide may work hard to find dolphins, but they cannot control the animals or the traffic on the water. I would book this for the chance to see wild dolphins, not as a guaranteed swim-with-dolphins program.

The same area includes one of the two main reef stops. Each snorkeling stop lasts about 35 minutes, enough for a useful look at coral and fish but not a full reef expedition. Guides such as Ahmed and Tarek have helped nervous swimmers stay close and get comfortable in open water. That makes this a good choice if you are a beginner, provided you are comfortable entering the sea with supervision.

You receive mask, fins, and other snorkeling equipment, plus guidance in the water. If you already own a well-fitting mask, bringing it can still be worthwhile, but the tour supplies the standard gear.

Orange Bay for white sand and photographs

Orange Bay, on Giftun Island, is the most developed and photo-friendly stop. You get about an hour to swim, sit on the white sand, and take pictures of the bright water.

This is a good first island stop because it gives you a break from the boat. You can dry off, stretch your legs, and enjoy a simple beach setting rather than spending the whole day in the water. The clear, shallow-looking colors make it especially appealing for photographs.

Orange Bay is also the stop most likely to feel busy compared with the sandbank. Early departures help. Some outings reached the islands before larger groups arrived, which made the beach time calmer. You do not control the wider harbor schedule, but an early start improves your chances of enjoying the beach with fewer people around.

Do not expect a completely untouched island. Orange Bay is a popular stop, and its appeal comes partly from the easy beach access and organized setup. If your ideal day is a deserted shore, save your highest hopes for Abu Monkar.

Magawish Island and a quieter hour

Magawish Island gives you another hour beside clear water, but the mood is often more relaxed than at Orange Bay. The stop is useful because the day is not built only around snorkeling. You have time to sit, swim, and enjoy the setting without rushing straight back onto the boat.

Some people prefer Magawish to Orange Bay because it feels less crowded. That can vary by day, yet the schedule gives you enough time to form your own opinion. If you have spent the morning watching for dolphins and snorkeling, this slower beach stop is a welcome change of pace.

Bring a cover-up or dry shirt for the islands. The boat has shade, but beach time is exposed, and seven hours in the sun can catch up with you. Towels are not included, so pack one from your hotel.

The Balena wreck snorkeling stop

The second snorkeling session is planned for about 35 to 40 minutes at the Balena wreck site. This gives you something different from a standard coral reef. Fish gather around wrecks, and the structure creates a more interesting place to look beneath the surface.

Water conditions and visibility can change, so the wreck will not look exactly the same on every trip. Still, it adds variety to the day. You are not simply repeating the first reef stop, and the guide can point out fish and underwater features as you move around the site.

This is where the guide’s presence is most useful. If you are a confident swimmer, you can explore at your own pace while staying within the group. If you are not, stay close to the guide and use the life jacket or flotation support as needed. One of the strongest features of this outing is the personal help given to people who are nervous in open water.

Underwater photos and videos may be offered for purchase at the end. The crew has taken photographs during snorkeling and around the islands, including sunset images on some outings. Treat this as an optional extra, not part of the advertised price.

Abu Monkar sandbank, the simplest stop

The final island visit is Abu Monkar, also called Abo Monkar or Juzur Abu Minqar. This is a small sandbank rather than a developed beach resort. You get around 30 minutes to walk, swim, relax, and take pictures.

The sandbank is the most unusual setting of the day. There may be little to do beyond standing in shallow water, walking along the sand, and taking in the open sea, but that simplicity is exactly its appeal. It feels very different from Orange Bay, where the focus is a more organized beach visit.

Because the stop is short, keep your expectations practical. You will not have a long beach break here. Use the time for photographs and a quick swim, then return to the boat when the guide signals.

Food, drinks, and the five-minute flight

Seasonal fruit, bottled water, and soft drinks are included. Some departures also provide a basic onboard lunch, such as cheese and meat sandwiches, pastries, and fruit. This is enough to keep you going, but it is not a full restaurant meal.

Food quality and quantity appear to vary by day. If you need a substantial breakfast or lunch, eat before pickup and bring a small snack if permitted. Cash is useful for optional extras and personal needs, though the supplied details do not specify every possible onboard charge.

You can also choose an optional five-minute flying experience. The description calls it a flying option, and one booking included parasailing. Confirm the exact activity and added cost at checkout if this is important to you. Five minutes is brief, but it can give you a striking view of the Red Sea and the islands from above.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing if you want several Red Sea experiences in one day rather than a single long snorkeling session. It suits couples and small groups who value privacy, a fast boat, and a flexible feeling between stops.

It is also a strong option for first-time snorkelers. The guides have been praised for staying nearby, explaining what to do, and helping people who are uneasy in the sea. That personal support can make the difference between standing on the boat and seeing the coral for yourself.

Families should consider the speed and the water time carefully. Life jackets are available, but the trip is not suitable for people with back problems, and the boat can move quickly. Anyone joining should be comfortable with a full day on the Red Sea, getting in and out of the water, and sitting in a moving boat.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, slow cruise with a long lunch or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. It is an active day with several changes of scene, and the schedule keeps moving.

Practical details that affect your decision

Bring a towel, cash, swimwear, sun protection, and a secure waterproof bag for phones and valuables. The company is not responsible for lost or damaged personal belongings, so avoid leaving sunglasses, wallets, or cameras loose on the boat.

You will need to provide a passport copy, nationality, hotel name, address, and room number. Pets are not allowed. The tour is conducted in English.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. If you are staying in an extended pickup area and have not added the long-distance transfer, payment may be due at the harbor, and cancellations are not accepted after 6 PM the day before.

Should you book the Hurghada speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a busy, well-filled sea day with dolphin watching, two snorkel sites, and three island stops. The private-group format, quick boat, attentive guides, and mix of beach and reef time make the $233 group price fair for two people.

I would not book it solely for swimming with dolphins. Wild animals set the schedule, and sightings can be brief. Choose it for the complete Red Sea outing: a chance to see dolphins, coral, fish, a wreck, white sand, a quiet sandbank, and the open water all in one day.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada speedboat trip last?

The activity lasts about seven hours, not including possible variation in hotel pickup and return transfer times.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Orange Bay on Giftun Island, Magawish Island, and Abu Monkar, also called Abo Monkar or Juzur Abu Minqar.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Each lasts about 35 minutes, with the second scheduled near the Balena wreck site.

Is seeing dolphins guaranteed?

No. The stated chance of seeing dolphins is 80 percent. Dolphins remain wild, so sightings and swimming with them cannot be guaranteed.

Is swimming with dolphins included?

Swimming with dolphins may be possible if conditions and dolphin behavior allow, but it is not guaranteed.

Is food included?

Seasonal fruit, water, and soft drinks are included. Some departures also provide a simple lunch with sandwiches and pastries.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and cash. You should also provide the required passport copy and hotel details before the trip.