Hurghada: Private Speedboat Adventure with Snacks & Pick-up

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the freedom to shape the day around what you actually want to do. You can spend your time searching for dolphins, snorkeling over coral, resting on a sandbank, or racing between the Giftun Islands with your own captain. Crews such as Captain Abdo, Ahmed, Momo, and guides including Abubakar and Seif have been praised for adapting the trip to families and first-time snorkelers.

I like the private boat and the chance to avoid the fixed schedule of a large cruise. I also like the practical extras: hotel pickup, water, soft drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, a shaded boat area, and a guide who can help you in the water. The main catch is that dolphins live in the open sea, so no sighting is promised, and island entrance fees cost extra.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to two people at $116: Larger groups should confirm the exact group pricing before booking.
• Choose two or four hours: Four hours gives you time for dolphins, snorkeling, and an island or sandbank without rushing.
• Dolphins are possible, not guaranteed: The crew searches in their natural habitat, and rough water can change the plan.
• Snorkeling can be tailored: Guides have helped nervous swimmers, children, and people who wanted quieter reef locations.
• Giftun Island fees are extra: Orange Bay, Nemo Island, and Magawish Island each list a €5 per-person entrance fee.
• Parasailing is an optional add-on: You can spend up to five minutes above the Red Sea.

Why a private Hurghada speedboat makes sense

Hurghada has plenty of boat excursions, but many use large vessels with fixed departure times and a set route. This one takes a different approach. You book the boat for your own party, then work with the captain to decide how to use the time.

That flexibility has real value. If you care most about coral and fish, you can ask for more snorkeling. If your children lose interest after one swim, you can move on. If dolphins are the main goal, the crew can spend more time searching, provided sea conditions and the clock allow it.

At $116 for a group of up to two, the price is not the cheapest way to reach the Red Sea. It becomes more appealing when you value privacy and control. A couple can have the boat to themselves, and a small family may find the extra cost worthwhile compared with joining a crowded boat and following someone else’s schedule.

The advertised experience is available in two or four-hour versions. I would choose four hours if dolphins, snorkeling, and an island stop are all important to you. Two hours can work well for a focused morning on the water, especially if you mainly want a fast ride and one good snorkeling stop.

Pickup from your Hurghada hotel

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in the main Hurghada area. Pickup is at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not the reception gate or an interior lobby area. This detail matters, since the vehicle cannot search around the property for you.

The exact pickup information is sent by email at about 10 pm the night before. You need to provide your nationality, hotel name, address, and room number, and a passport copy is required for daily permissions.

Be ready on time. The pickup service can wait no more than five minutes because other appointments may follow. If you stay in Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Makadi, Safaga, or the Soma Bay area, a longer-range transfer is available as an add-on during checkout. It is worth checking this cost before you compare the total price with other boat trips.

Most of the transport feedback is positive, including punctual pickups and air-conditioned cars. One family did report an unexpected shared ride on the way back despite arranging a private transfer, so confirm the return arrangement if having a completely private car matters to you.

The speedboat ride and onboard setup

The boat itself is part of the attraction. You are not simply using it as transport to a reef. The fast ride across open water adds a bit of excitement, and the captain can slow down or change direction as the day develops.

A shaded area, cushions, life jackets, a shower, a stereo system, and basic refreshments are included. The setup suits a small party that wants to move between active stops and quiet time on board. You can listen to music, sit in the shade, or stretch out in the sun between swims.

The ride may be bumpy, particularly in the morning or when the sea is choppy. If you have back problems, this experience is not recommended. Even if your back is fine, bring a secure grip and expect a more energetic ride than you would get on a large, slow boat.

The captain is also an important part of the experience. Names associated with highly praised trips include Captain Kareem, Captain Fathay, Captain Wissam, Captain Ahmed, Captain Momo, and Captain Abdo. Guides such as Abubakar, Boka, Saif, Gimi, Fahd, and Mahmoud have helped with snorkeling, children, photography, and general safety. Your crew will depend on the date, but the useful point is that the captain and guide are expected to work with your priorities rather than read from a fixed script.

Dolphin watching in open Red Sea waters

Dolphin searching is often the emotional center of the trip. The captain communicates with other boats and scans the water for pods. Several outings have found dolphins more than once, and some groups were able to enter the water when conditions were judged safe.

That can be an extraordinary moment, but you should book with realistic expectations. Dolphins are wild animals, not a scheduled performance. The official information makes clear that you may not see them at all. Rough seas can also make swimming near them unsafe, even if the crew spots a pod.

The crew may spend a substantial part of your trip looking. This is useful if dolphins are your top priority, but it leaves less time for islands and reefs. Tell the captain at the start how you want to balance the day. You might say that dolphins come first, or that you would rather guarantee a snorkeling stop instead of spending too long searching.

When a pod is found, the captain’s handling matters. Good accounts describe boats moving away from the main cluster, slowing down near dolphins, and giving people a more personal view. Still, keep your expectations modest. A sighting from the boat may be the result even when swimming is not possible.

Snorkeling over coral reefs

Snorkeling is where this excursion often delivers its best value. Guides have taken people to coral areas with clownfish, lionfish, barracudas, moray eels, squid, eagle rays, turtles, and other Red Sea fish. The exact site changes with conditions and the captain’s judgment.

A guide can make a big difference if you are new to snorkeling. Some guides have shown beginners how to breathe through the mask, led them gently toward the reef, and stayed with children in the water. One guide even helped teach a partner to swim. That kind of hands-on support is more useful than simply dropping you beside a reef and pointing over the side.

You may also get a photographer or videographer with the crew. This can produce underwater pictures and videos, including footage near dolphins. It can also interrupt the quiet mood if you prefer to handle your own camera. Tell the crew early if you do not want repeated photo sessions.

The equipment is included, but it is not the strongest part of the package. One person specifically found the snorkeling equipment could be improved. If you own a comfortable mask, bring it. You should also pack a towel, swimwear, and sunglasses.

Some reef stops can be crowded. If you want more peace, ask about a sandbank or a quieter area such as Magawish Island. The private boat gives you a better chance of moving away from the main group, though it cannot remove every other boat from a popular Red Sea site.

Giftun Islands, Orange Bay, and quieter alternatives

The Giftun Islands offer the classic Red Sea postcard stop: pale sand, clear water, and time to swim or sit in the sun. Orange Bay is the best-known option, but it can be busy. The entrance fee listed for Orange Bay is €5 per person.

Magawish Island also costs €5 per person and has been used as a quieter alternative. Some parties spent time there after snorkeling, took photographs, and enjoyed a calmer beach stop. Nemo Island is another €5 option. Other islands have their own entrance charges, so ask the captain or operator to confirm the fee before you settle on a route.

You can also ask for a sandbank. This is not the same as a developed island beach. It is a simple patch of sand and shallow, clear water, with fewer facilities but a more natural feel. Several outings used a sandbank for photographs and a swim, and it suited people who wanted scenery without a full beach-club stop.

Think about what you want from an island visit. Orange Bay may suit you if you want a recognizable beach stop and a little time ashore. Magawish or a sandbank may be better if your priority is quiet water, photographs, and a break from crowds. Island fees are not included, so build them into your budget.

Abu Ramada and sea turtles

Abu Ramada Island can be added for snorkeling and the chance to see sea turtles around the coral reefs. Like dolphins, turtles are wild and cannot be guaranteed. The longer four-hour trip gives you a better chance of fitting this in alongside other stops.

The route depends on your chosen activities and the conditions that day. If turtles matter more to you than an island beach, say so before leaving the marina. If you also want dolphins, you may need to accept a shorter snorkeling session or less time ashore.

The crew has found turtles on some trips, while other outings produced dolphins but no turtles. That is normal for a wildlife-focused day. The value comes from having a captain who can adjust the plan, not from a promise that every animal will appear.

Food, drinks, and the parasailing add-on

The boat includes water, a soft drink, fruit, and a lunch box. Fruit has been praised as a welcome part of the meal, while the lunch box has been described as basic and lower quality. I would treat the food as convenient fuel, not as a reason to book the trip.

If you need a larger meal, have breakfast first and consider bringing any specific snacks you require, subject to the operator’s rules. The included water and fruit are useful on a sunny boat, especially when you are moving between swimming sessions.

Parasailing is available as an add-on and gives you up to five minutes above the Red Sea. It adds a completely different view from the boat and may suit you if your group wants one more activity beyond snorkeling. Check the extra cost before confirming, since it is not part of the base price.

Some crews also take photographs and videos during the trip. Ask how these are handled and what is included before you agree to a photo session. This avoids confusion at the end of the day.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this outing to couples, small families, and friends who care about control more than the lowest price. It is especially useful if one person wants dolphins, another wants snorkeling, and someone else mainly wants to relax on a beach or sandbank.

Families have had good results with guides who stayed close to young children and helped nervous swimmers. Still, the speedboat can be bumpy, and the sea may be rough. Parents should decide if their children are comfortable with a fast boat and open-water swimming.

This is less suitable for anyone with back problems or for people who want a guaranteed animal encounter. It is also not the best match if you dislike changing plans. Dolphins, wind, waves, and crowded reef sites can all affect the route.

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. I would also pack reef-safe sun protection, a waterproof phone pouch, and a small amount of cash for island fees, although only the first three items are specifically required.

Is the $116 price good value?

For two people, $116 works out to $58 each before island fees, add-ons, and any long-range pickup charge. That is a fair price for a private boat, captain, snorkeling guide, hotel transfers, equipment, drinks, fruit, and a lunch box.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a snorkeling trip, and an island visit. It also improves if you dislike waiting for a large group. A private boat can leave a crowded stop, stay longer at a reef, or move on when you have had enough.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short boat ride or a simple beach visit. You are paying for flexibility and personal attention, not a guaranteed schedule or luxury dining. Families of more than two should confirm the group price, since the advertised base rate is for up to two people.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That gives you some protection if the forecast looks poor, though the pickup time and permission details still require careful attention.

Should you book the private speedboat?

Book it if you want a flexible Red Sea day and are willing to accept nature’s uncertainty. The strongest reasons are the private format, attentive guides, good snorkeling potential, and the ability to choose between dolphins, reefs, islands, and a sandbank.

Choose four hours if you want the fullest version of the experience. Choose two hours if your schedule is tight or you mainly want one reef stop and a fast ride. Ask for quieter sites if crowds bother you, and confirm island entrance fees and pickup costs before paying.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed dolphin swim, have back problems, or prefer a slow, stable boat with a fixed route. For everyone else, this is one of the more personal ways to get out on the Red Sea from Hurghada, with enough flexibility to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

You can choose a 2-hour or 4-hour private speedboat trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area requires an add-on.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings and swimming opportunities are not guaranteed.

What is included on the boat?

The package includes the speedboat with a shaded area, skipper-guide, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, water, a soft drink, fruit, lunch box, shower, and stereo system.

Are Giftun Island entrance fees included?

No. Orange Bay, Nemo Island, and Magawish Island each list an entrance fee of €5 per person. Other islands may have their own charges.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. You must also provide a passport copy and correct hotel and nationality details for the daily permissions.