PRIVATE! | 4-hour Speed Boat Trip | Swim With Dolphins, Snorkeling & Island

The main draw is simple: you get a private speedboat and a real chance to snorkel near dolphins in open water. The route also brings you to coral reefs, shallow sandbars, and island stops around the Giftun area, with time to swim or stay aboard. Sightings are not guaranteed, but several outings have found groups of dolphins, including calves.

I like the privacy for a family or small group of friends, and I like that the crew can adjust the pace to suit confident swimmers, children, and first-time snorkelers. Guides including Islam, Mohammed, Said, and Khalid have been praised for helping nervous swimmers feel safe. The main thing to check before booking is the condition and size of the snorkeling gear, especially for young children.

Key things to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six people: You are not sharing the speedboat with a large excursion group, so the crew can focus on your party.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: You may see one dolphin, a family group, or none at all. The crew searches known Red Sea areas, but wild animals set the schedule.
• Several reef and island stops: The route can include Carless Reef, Omo Gamaar, Giftun Islands, Dolphin House, El Fanadir, Abu Minqar Island, or a shipwreck stop.
• Food and park costs are covered: Snorkeling equipment, a guide, snacks, soft drinks, water, taxes, and the national park ticket are included.
• Transfers cost extra: Pickup inside Hurghada is listed at 15 euros, Sahl Hasheesh at 20 euros, and Makadi or El Gouna at 25 euros.
• Allow four to five hours: The trip starts and ends at Marina Hurghada, with transport to the marina arranged separately if needed.

A private Red Sea outing from Hurghada

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. A speedboat gets you away from Hurghada’s marina quickly, and the ride itself can be part of the fun. You skim across open water toward reef areas, with the possibility of dolphins appearing beside the boat or farther off.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. Up to six people can book the whole boat, so you are not tied to the wishes of a large mixed group. If two people want a longer swim and others prefer to remain on board, the guide can usually work around that. Families have used the arrangement well, especially when children need breaks between stops.

The trip lasts about four to five hours. That is long enough for several water stops without taking up a full day in Hurghada. It is also short enough to fit around a beach afternoon, hotel lunch, or another planned activity.

The boat leaves from Marina Hurghada and returns there. Hotel transfers are offered, but they are not part of the base price. At $183.06 per group of up to six, the value depends on filling the boat. For six people, the cost works out to about $30.51 per person before any transfer fee. For two people, it becomes a much more expensive private outing, but you are paying for space, flexibility, and a dedicated crew rather than a seat on a crowded boat.

What the dolphin search is really like

Dolphin watching is the emotional center of the outing, but it is important to set your expectations correctly. These are wild animals in open water. The crew can search areas where dolphins are often found, but no responsible operator can guarantee that you will swim with them.

Some outings have produced memorable encounters, including groups of up to ten dolphins, a baby dolphin, and repeated swims near the boat. Other outings have seen only one dolphin, and at least one group did not swim with dolphins at all. That is the tradeoff of looking for wildlife rather than visiting a controlled aquarium setting.

The best approach is to treat the dolphins as a possible bonus, not the only reason to book. You still have coral reefs, fish, island scenery, shallow water, and a private boat. If dolphins appear, the day can become extraordinary. If they do not, the snorkeling and island time need to carry the experience.

The crew has also been praised for choosing search areas and helping people enter the water. Captain Islam was specifically credited with supporting a beginner swimmer by holding a hand until the swimmer felt comfortable. Mohammed has been praised for working well with children, and crews including Khalid and Said have been described as friendly and attentive.

Carless Reef and Omo Gamaar

The published route gives about 30 minutes at Carless Reef and another 30 minutes at Omo Gamaar. These stops are presented as Red Sea reef areas, where you can look for coral, small colorful fish, manta rays, moray eels, and other marine life.

The Red Sea is a strong setting for snorkeling. Its reef system covers more than 1,500 square kilometers and supports more than 300 coral species and about 1,000 fish species. Some species are found only in this region. You do not need to identify fish by name to appreciate the reef, but the variety gives the guide plenty to point out.

A 30-minute stop is enough for a worthwhile look, but it is not a long reef session. The time includes getting ready, entering the water, and returning to the boat. If you are an experienced snorkeler, you may wish the water time were longer. For families or mixed-ability groups, the shorter stops can feel more manageable.

Conditions matter. Wind, current, visibility, and the location of marine life can affect how satisfying a reef stop feels. The private format helps because your group is not forced to match the pace of dozens of other people, but the sea still controls the day.

Giftun Islands, sandbars, and shallow water

The Giftun Islands are two islands near Hurghada: Giftun Kebir, or Big Giftun, and Giftun Soraya, or Little Giftun. The itinerary allows around 30 minutes in the Giftun Islands area, though the broader trip description also refers to stops at Abu Minqar Island and shallow sandbars such as White Island.

These island stops give the day a change of rhythm. After swimming over coral, you can stand on a sandbar, walk in very shallow water, or simply sit aboard and enjoy the view. One of the most appealing details from the outing is the shallow final swim, which gave less confident swimmers a comfortable way to enjoy the sea.

Do not expect a long island visit with extensive facilities. The value is the setting and the pause between snorkeling stops. Some groups have enjoyed fruit platters, snacks, music, and time to relax. The exact food selection is not fully specified, so think of the refreshments as simple boat provisions rather than a full meal.

The island or sandbar portion is especially useful for families. A child who is not ready to snorkel can remain on the boat, feed fish under crew supervision where permitted, or enjoy shallow water. Parents also get a chance to slow down instead of spending the whole morning helping with masks and fins.

Dolphin House, El Fanadir, and the possible wreck stop

The main description names Dolphin House and El Fanadir as reef areas used for snorkeling and wildlife viewing. It also mentions Abu Minqar Island and a final snorkeling stop at a shipwreck. The detailed route names Carless Reef, Omo Gamaar, and Giftun Islands, so you should understand that the precise sequence may depend on conditions and the captain’s judgment.

This is not necessarily a problem. A flexible route can be useful on the Red Sea, where sea conditions influence comfort and visibility. The important point is to confirm the planned route with the operator if one particular reef, island, or wreck matters most to you.

Dolphin House is the key wildlife area in the description. It is also where the expectation gap matters most. You may watch dolphins from the boat, enter the water near them, or spend your time snorkeling without a close encounter. The crew’s experience can improve your chances, but it cannot control animal behavior.

The possible shipwreck stop adds variety. A wreck can provide structure for fish and a memorable setting for snorkeling, but the supplied details do not specify the wreck’s name, depth, or condition. Ask the operator before departure if this stop is important to your group.

Equipment, safety, and comfort in the water

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a private snorkeling guide. That saves you from packing your own mask and fins, but I would still treat equipment as the main point to verify before departure.

One family reported that the boat did not initially have suitable masks, fins, or life jackets for their eight and ten-year-old children. The crew borrowed additional equipment from another boat, but the children still found the oversized gear uncomfortable. Another participant noted that a full-face mask leaked and had to be replaced.

This does not mean every departure has poor equipment. Other outings describe comfortable boats and helpful crews. It does mean you should give the operator the exact ages and sizes of everyone who needs gear, and ask for confirmation that child-sized life jackets, masks, and fins are available.

There is also a practical boat detail worth noting: one person found there were no stairs for getting back into the water. If you have limited mobility or simply dislike climbing onto a boat from the sea, ask how reboarding works before you pay. The tour is described as suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed, but the equipment and reboarding questions deserve direct attention.

The guides can be particularly helpful for beginners. Islam was praised for staying beside a nervous swimmer, and other crews have helped uncertain participants enter the water gradually. Still, you should be comfortable with the fact that the main activities involve open-water swimming and snorkeling.

What is included, and what is not

The price includes the private boat, a snorkeling guide, snorkeling equipment, snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, taxes, and the national park ticket. The description also specifies that there are no hidden fees for the park ticket and no cameraman on the boat.

The lack of a cameraman cuts both ways. You are not paying an extra photography fee, but you should not expect a dedicated person to take underwater photos or videos. Bring a waterproof camera if you want your own record, provided you can use it safely without distracting from the water.

Hotel transfers are separate. The listed prices are 15 euros from inside Hurghada, 20 euros from Sahl Hasheesh, and 25 euros from Makadi or El Gouna. You meet at Marina Hurghada, and the activity ends back there. Build the transfer cost into your comparison, especially if you are booking for only two people.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this private speedboat trip

I would choose this for a family, two couples, or a group of friends who want a Red Sea day without sharing a large boat. It suits people who value privacy and want a guide focused on their group.

It is also a good fit for mixed swimming abilities. Confident snorkelers can explore the reef while less confident people take a shorter swim, remain aboard, or enjoy a shallow sandbar. The crew’s reported patience with beginners and children is a real advantage.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is a guaranteed dolphin swim. Wild dolphins are unpredictable, and the experience can range from a close encounter with several animals to a distant sighting or no sighting. I would also hesitate to book without asking about equipment if your children need small sizes.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a private, active half-day on the Red Sea and will be happy with snorkeling, island time, and wildlife searching even if the dolphins keep their distance. The strongest reasons to choose it are the small group, flexible feel, friendly guides, included park fee, and chance to see reefs and dolphins in open water.

Before booking, confirm the pickup charge, child-sized equipment, life jackets, reboarding method, and likely route. If those details check out, the price is fair for a full boat shared by up to six people. I would call it a particularly good value for a family or group of friends, and a less certain choice for anyone seeking only a guaranteed dolphin encounter.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Marina Hurghada in Egypt and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately four to five hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Transfers are available for an additional fee. The listed prices are 15 euros inside Hurghada, 20 euros from Sahl Hasheesh, and 25 euros from Makadi or El Gouna.

Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins in open water, but sightings and swimming encounters cannot be guaranteed.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, colorful corals, fish, manta rays, moray eels, and other Red Sea marine life.

Which reef and island areas may be visited?

The route information names Carless Reef, Omo Gamaar, and the Giftun Islands. The wider trip description also mentions Dolphin House, El Fanadir, Abu Minqar Island, and a possible shipwreck stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a private snorkeling guide are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, soda or other soft drinks, and bottled water are included.

Is the national park ticket included?

Yes. All fees and taxes are included, including the national park ticket.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.