Hurghada: Orange Bay & Magawish Island Speedboat with Lunch

Hurghada’s Red Sea is at its best from a small speedboat, when the ride itself becomes part of the fun. This trip links Orange Bay and Magawish Island with two snorkeling stops, giving you white sand, clear water, coral, fish, and a fast ride in one half-day outing.

I like the early departure option, which can get you to Orange Bay before the beach fills up. I also like the compact format: two islands, two snorkeling sites, lunch, fruit, drinks, and hotel pickup without giving up a full day.

The main drawback is time. Orange Bay and Magawish both deserve longer than the scheduled hour, and Orange Bay can become crowded later in the day. The speedboat can also feel rough in windy weather, so this is not a good choice if you have back problems or dislike bumpy rides.

Key points to know before booking

• Orange Bay is best early: The first boats can reach its white sand and shallow water before the busiest period.
• The snorkeling is a major part of the trip: Two stops of about 20 minutes each offer coral, colorful fish, and sometimes rays or dolphins nearby.
• Magawish feels quieter: Its small sandy setting has a Caribbean look, though drinks and cocktails cost extra.
• The boat keeps the day lively: You get a fast Red Sea ride rather than a slow cruise between stops.
• Private trips offer flexibility: Private groups may choose how long to stay, snorkel, or even remain for sunset if the schedule allows.
• Parasailing is optional: Select the add-on for up to five minutes above the water.

A fast Red Sea start from Hurghada

Your day begins with hotel pickup and a transfer to the harbor. The exact pickup details arrive by email at about 10 p.m. the night before, so check your inbox and make sure the operator has your correct nationality, hotel, address, and room number.

The vehicle collects you at the main entrance of the hotel, by the road. It does not wait at the reception entrance or inside the hotel grounds. Be ready on time, since the activity provider can wait no more than five minutes while other pickups continue.

At the harbor, the team explains the route, safety instructions, and equipment. You receive a life jacket and snorkeling gear, then board the speedboat for the run across the Red Sea. The ride is more exciting than a large group boat, but it is also more exposed to wind and spray.

I would bring a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, and cash. There is shade available through a tent, but much of the day is spent in strong sun. Sunscreen is essential, and you should keep your phone protected from salt water during the ride.

The tour is offered in English and Arabic. Different boats have different staff, but guides named Saif, Momo, Joo, Hassan, Adam, and others have been praised for helping people feel comfortable with the equipment and water. The experience is not built around formal sightseeing commentary. It is more about getting you safely between the islands and into the sea.

Orange Bay before the crowds

Orange Bay is the first main stop, with roughly one hour on the island. It is known for pale sand, clear shallow water, and a relaxed beach setting that gives the Red Sea its Egyptian Caribbean nickname.

The timing matters here. Orange Bay is a popular stop, and later arrivals can find it much busier. An early morning departure gives you the best chance of enjoying the sand with fewer people around. Several departure times may be available, including a morning schedule that finishes around early afternoon and a later option that can reach sunset.

You can use this hour for swimming, sitting under shade, taking photographs, or simply enjoying the contrast between the desert coast and bright tropical-looking water. The island is more about atmosphere than culture. Do not expect an old village, local market, or historic site. You come for sand, sea, and a pleasant pause from Hurghada.

The hour may feel short. Some people would happily spend the whole morning here, especially if they want to swim rather than rush between photo spots. On a private trip, the crew may be able to adjust the time more easily, while shared tours need to keep everyone on schedule.

Orange Bay is also a good place to manage expectations. The water can look wonderfully clear, but the island is a well-known excursion stop, not an untouched beach. If you want quiet, book the earliest departure or consider a private option.

Two snorkeling stops with coral and fish

After Orange Bay, the boat heads to two snorkeling locations. Each stop is planned for about 20 minutes, making this a short but important part of the trip.

The Red Sea is the strongest reason to book this outing. The water is clear, and the snorkeling sites can reveal coral formations, small reef fish, rays, and other marine life. Some groups have also seen dolphins close to the boat, though that is a lucky wildlife encounter, not something anyone can promise.

If you are new to snorkeling, tell the guide before entering the water. Some first-time swimmers have found it difficult to position the mask and breathe through the tube, especially when water reaches the nose. A patient guide can show you how to clear the mask, adjust the strap, and enter the water calmly.

The crew members have been especially praised for staying close to nervous swimmers and checking that families are comfortable. This matters more than fancy equipment. A six-year-old or a hesitant adult may enjoy the stop if the guide gives clear help rather than assuming everyone already knows what to do.

The stops are brief, so you should not expect a long reef session. Twenty minutes can pass quickly once you adjust your mask and get comfortable. If snorkeling is your main goal, a private boat gives you a better chance of requesting more time in the water, subject to conditions and the day’s schedule.

Wind can also change the feel of the sea. One group found the ride quite bumpy in windy weather, although the crew continued to check on everyone. Life jackets are provided, and the guide is there to assist, but you should be honest about your swimming ability and comfort level.

Magawish Island and lunch by the sand

The boat then continues to Magawish Island, where you have about an hour to relax and eat. Magawish is smaller and often feels calmer than Orange Bay, especially later in the day after other groups have left.

Its appeal is simple: clean sand, open water, shade, and a setting that looks more Caribbean than most people expect from the Red Sea. You can stretch out, swim, take photographs, or sit with a drink while the crew prepares the included lunch box.

The lunch is useful rather than elaborate. You also receive water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, and snacks during the trip. If you have a large appetite, bring extra food or budget for something at the island stop. Drinks and cocktails are not included in the tour price, so cash is helpful.

One practical point is that the island may feel small after the first few minutes. An hour is enough for a relaxed stop, but some people would prefer more snorkeling time or a longer stay at Orange Bay. Private groups have more say over the pace and may be able to stay longer, including a sunset stop when conditions and the crew’s schedule allow.

The late afternoon option has a special advantage. The islands can become quieter toward sunset, and one private group enjoyed having Magawish almost to themselves at that time. If you prefer cooler light and fewer people to the brightest beach conditions, ask about the later departure.

Choosing shared or private speedboat service

The shared option is the better value for many visitors. At about $47 per person, the price covers hotel pickup and return, speedboat transport, island entry fees, nature reserve charges, snorkeling equipment, a guide, lunch, water, soft drinks, fruit, shade, and a life jacket.

That is a strong package for a four to six-hour outing. You are paying for several separate elements that would otherwise add up: transport to the harbor, boat hire, island access, snorkeling gear, food, and staff support. The cost is especially appealing if you want an active half-day without committing to a full-day cruise.

A shared boat also adds a social element. One departure had a group of about eight people, which kept the boat small enough to feel personal without the cost of a private charter. The tradeoff is a fixed route and fixed timing. If one stop feels too short, the group still needs to follow the plan.

A private boat costs more, but it can be worthwhile for families, couples, and small groups with specific priorities. You may have greater flexibility over snorkeling time, island stops, music, photography, and the order of the day. One private group was able to stay for sunset, though that should be confirmed when booking rather than assumed.

The private option is also helpful when your group includes a young child or nervous swimmer. The crew can focus on your family and adjust the pace. Still, private does not remove the effects of wind, waves, or sea conditions.

Optional parasailing above the Red Sea

You can add up to five minutes of parasailing to the booking. This gives you a view of the islands and open water from above, balancing the snorkeling experience below the surface.

Five minutes is brief, so think of it as an extra thrill rather than a separate major activity. If you want both a water-level adventure and an aerial view, it is a neat addition. If your main interest is coral and fish, spend your budget on the basic trip or a private boat instead.

Check that parasailing is selected during booking. It is not automatically included in every option.

What the crew does well, and where you should stay alert

The strongest part of the operation is the personal attention from the captain and guide. Staff members such as Saif, Momo, Joo, Hassan, and Adam have been singled out for being friendly, patient, helpful, and good with children. Guides also take photographs on some trips, though photography should not be treated as a guaranteed service for every departure.

Safety support is another positive. The crew provides life jackets, explains the snorkeling setup, and checks on people in the water. That is particularly valuable for first-time snorkelers, who may need help getting the mask to seal properly.

Communication can vary by crew. English and Arabic are offered, but some groups have found conversation a little difficult with particular staff members. Simple questions, hand signals, and a calm approach usually help.

The speedboat itself is part of the attraction, but it can be noisy and bumpy. People with back problems should not book this experience. If you get seasick or dislike wind, ask for the calmest available departure and sit where the crew recommends.

Pickup is another area where you need to be organized. Confirm your hotel details, wait at the correct gate, and be ready early. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as an added service during checkout.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Pets are not allowed.

Who should book this Hurghada island trip?

I would choose this tour if you want several Red Sea highlights in one manageable day. It suits couples, families, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who prefers a small speedboat to a large excursion vessel.

It is especially good for you if you want:

• A half-day rather than a full-day commitment
• A fast, energetic boat ride
• Two island stops with white sand
• Short snorkeling sessions with staff support
• Hotel pickup and most costs included
• The option to add parasailing
• A private schedule for your own group

I would look elsewhere if you want long, uninterrupted snorkeling, a quiet deserted island, or a slow sailing experience. Orange Bay is popular, Magawish is compact, and the schedule moves quickly. This is a highlights tour, not a remote-island expedition.

Should you book it?

At $47 per person, I think this is a good-value way to sample Hurghada’s Red Sea coast. The package combines a lively speedboat ride, two attractive island stops, two reef visits, food, drinks, equipment, permits, and transfers.

Book the earliest shared departure if your priority is a less crowded Orange Bay. Choose a later time if you like sunset and cooler light. Pay extra for a private boat if flexibility matters more than price, especially for a family or a group with mixed swimming ability.

Bring cash for island drinks, do not rely on the lunch box to satisfy a very large appetite, and expect the sea to feel rough if the wind rises. With those points in mind, this is an enjoyable and practical choice for a first Red Sea snorkeling day.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip last?

The full experience takes about 4 to 6 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, the harbor transfer, the boat ride, both island stops, and snorkeling.

What is included in the price?

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip speedboat transport, Orange Bay and Magawish Island entry fees, two snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, a lunch box, water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, a guide, a shaded tent, a life jacket, and nature reserve fees.

Is parasailing included?

Parasailing is included only when you select the relevant option during booking. The add-on provides up to five minutes of parasailing.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup takes place at the main entrance of the hotel’s main gate, by the road. It does not take place at the reception gate or inside the reception area.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, and cash. Cash is useful for drinks or cocktails purchased on the islands.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.