REVIEW · HURGHADA
Private Speedboat To Dolphin House & Magawish Island _ Hurghada
Book on Viator →Operated by Bella Tours · Bookable on Viator
The Red Sea turns into a playground here. This private speedboat outing to Magawish Islands puts you close to coral gardens and sea life, with hotel pickup and time ashore to look around. I like that it’s built around real water time—about 2 hours at Magawish—not just a quick stop.
I also like the practical setup: snacks, fruit, soft drinks, water, plus snorkeling gear for a single stop. One thing to think about: an included dolphin-watching slot is listed as 80%, and one review flagged a guide who got pushy with selling other trips.
In This Review
- Key things I’d watch for before you go
- Hurghada To Magawish: A 30-Minute Run You Can Handle
- Your Windy Private Speedboat: Snacks, Shade, and Real Time on the Water
- Magawish Island Time: 2 Hours for Coral Gardens and Fish Watching
- One-Stop Snorkeling Setup: Equipment and How to Make It Worth It
- Dolphin Watching With an 80% Chance: Set Expectations Smart
- Price and Value: What $19 Buys in a 4-Hour Package
- Pickup, Drop-Off, and Extra Transfer Fees by Area
- The Human Factor: One Review Warning About Guide Pressure
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and When It’s Not Your Move)
- Booking Tips: How to Get the Most From This 4-Hour Plan
- Should You Book Bella Tours Private Speedboat To Dolphin House & Magawish?
- FAQ
- How long is the private speedboat trip?
- Where does the tour start from?
- Is this tour private or shared?
- What’s included for food and drinks?
- Do I get snorkeling time and equipment?
- Is dolphin watching guaranteed?
- Are there extra transfer fees from nearby areas?
- Do I need to bring a snorkel mouthpiece?
- How flexible is cancellation?
- What happens if weather is poor?
Key things I’d watch for before you go

- Private boat, only your group: you’re not sharing the experience with strangers.
- Magawish time is the point: about 2 hours on the islands.
- Snorkeling is straightforward: one stop (about 30 minutes) with equipment included.
- Dolphins aren’t guaranteed: the listing gives an 80% chance.
- Hotel pickup is included in Hurghada: but other areas have add-on transfer fees.
- A red-flag review exists: one report described an intimidating, sales-focused guide behavior.
Hurghada To Magawish: A 30-Minute Run You Can Handle
Most people come to Hurghada for the water, and this trip is designed around getting you there fast. Magawish is about 30 minutes from the departure point, so you spend less time in transit and more time on the Red Sea.
The whole experience is listed at about 4 hours. Inside that window, the speedboat component is described as 3 hours total, including 2 hours at Magawish Island. That “big chunk at the islands” matters because coral zones look better when you’re not rushed.
If you’re the type who wants a clear plan—ride out, island time, snorkeling stop, ride back—this one is easy to follow. It’s not a full-day excursion with multiple long stops and time-killers.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hurghada.
Your Windy Private Speedboat: Snacks, Shade, and Real Time on the Water

You’ll go on a private speedboat described as the Windy boat. The big value here is the word private: your group only. That’s a small thing on paper, but it changes the vibe. You can talk, take photos, and keep your day moving without dealing with other random schedules.
On the water, you’re not expected to rough it. The tour includes snacks, fruit, soft drinks, and water, plus you can use the sundeck and spacious cabin. In practice, that’s helpful in Hurghada’s sun: you can chase the breeze when it’s hot and retreat when it gets too bright.
Also note the mobile ticket feature. That tends to make check-in smoother, especially if you’re juggling pickup timing and hotel staff.
One more practical detail: pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. That means you’re not left negotiating taxis after the trip, which is a real quality-of-life win.
Magawish Island Time: 2 Hours for Coral Gardens and Fish Watching

Magawish is a pair of islands surrounded by coral gardens. The listing describes it as a haven for exotic fish and sea creatures, which is exactly what you want if your main goal is ocean life—not just a boat ride.
You’ll get about 2 hours at Magawish Island. That time length is the sweet spot. It’s long enough to walk the shoreline, find a good viewing spot, and settle in with a slower pace. It’s also short enough that you’re not stuck waiting for the boat while the sun climbs.
What makes this feel different from some “photo stop” tours is that the coral gardens are the feature. You’re not just arriving to stand on sand. You’re arriving in the middle of a reef environment.
Small reality check: you won’t see every fish at once, and sea life varies by water conditions. Your best move is to stay flexible during your 2 hours—watch the shallows, then look a bit farther out, and don’t spend the whole time staring at one spot.
One-Stop Snorkeling Setup: Equipment and How to Make It Worth It
The tour includes one snorkeling stop of about 30 minutes, plus snorkeling equipment. That makes it beginner-friendly. You don’t have to bring gear or worry about renting last minute.
Still, this is snorkeling, not scuba. You’ll want to manage expectations: you’re getting a single window, so it pays to be ready when you hit the water. If you’re new to snorkeling, the first few minutes are usually about feeling comfortable—your actual best viewing happens once you’re calm and streamlined.
There’s also an option for a new snorkel mouthpiece for €5 upon request. If you’re sensitive to shared equipment or you’re picky about hygiene, this is the easiest way to improve comfort. Just keep in mind it’s an add-on cost.
Quick practical tips that actually matter:
- Wear swimwear under your clothes so you’re not hunting for privacy.
- Bring a towel or plan for what you’ll dry off with later.
- Protect your phone. Even in calm water, splashes happen.
Dolphin Watching With an 80% Chance: Set Expectations Smart

Dolphins are part of the pitch, and the listing includes dolphins watching with an 80% chance. That’s unusually specific. It also means you should plan your day as a “try for dolphins” outing, not a guaranteed dolphin encounter.
An 80% figure suggests it’s common enough to schedule, but still not always. Weather and sea conditions can affect visibility and where the boat can go.
How to make this work emotionally:
- If dolphins show up, great—enjoy it fully.
- If they don’t, you still get Magawish Island time plus the reef and snorkeling stop, which are the tour’s core features.
You’ll also be on a speedboat, which can be fun. Just remember speedboats move. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider what helps you before you go.
- Swimming with Dolphin VIP Snorkeling Sea Trip With Lunch and Transfer – Hurghada
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Price and Value: What $19 Buys in a 4-Hour Package
At $19 per person, this is one of the lower-cost ways to combine dolphins, snorkeling, and Magawish island time. The value isn’t only the price tag—it’s what’s bundled.
Included items that change the math:
- Pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels
- Tax & entrance fees
- Snacks, fruit, soft drinks, water
- 3 hours private speedboat time, including 2 hours at Magawish
- One snorkeling stop with equipment
- Dolphins watching listed at 80%
So what’s the catch? Like most tours in this category, the extras are where cost can creep up depending on where you’re staying. If you’re outside central Hurghada, transfer fees apply.
Also, any time you see an 80% dolphin rate, you’re buying the effort and a higher chance—not a contract.
Still, for a compact 4-hour plan that gets you reef time and a proper island chunk, the price feels fair—especially if you’re traveling with people you trust and can enjoy the “only your group” setup.
Pickup, Drop-Off, and Extra Transfer Fees by Area

Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels. That’s the easiest scenario, because the tour covers your door-to-water logistics.
If you’re staying in Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh, there’s an extra €5 per person transfer fee. For El Gouna or Safaga, it’s €10 per person.
This matters because it affects real cost. A $19 headline price can become $19 plus transfer. Before you book, calculate your total with those add-ons so there are no surprise regrets later.
If you’re coordinating with friends, also confirm where the pickup happens and how the meeting point is handled. The tour offers mobile tickets and confirmation at booking time, which usually helps, but pickup success still depends on clear communication.
The Human Factor: One Review Warning About Guide Pressure
A single review in the set reported a rough experience with the guide. That person described a guide who kept pushing other trips, wouldn’t leave them alone, and even took their phone to write a review on TripAdvisor.
I’m not going to generalize from one account. But I do think it’s worth being ready. If you’re someone who values space and calm, you can protect your day by staying firm on boundaries early.
Practical steps:
- Keep your phone on you. Don’t hand it over.
- If you don’t want add-on tours, say so clearly and don’t engage.
- If something feels off, ask for a supervisor or manager on the spot (as per how the local operator handles it).
That review is a reminder: even a well-priced trip can vary in how staff interact with you.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and When It’s Not Your Move)
This is a good fit if you want:
- A half-day plan with a clear structure
- Private boat time for your group
- Coral-focused scenery at Magawish
- A basic, included snorkeling stop without organizing your own gear
It’s also good if you don’t want to spend your vacation juggling multiple tours. You get the main ingredients in a tight timeframe.
It may not be your move if:
- You’re chasing dolphins as the whole reason for going. With an 80% chance, you could be disappointed.
- You hate sales-style pressure from tour staff. (That negative review is your heads-up.)
- You’re staying far from Hurghada and the transfer fee adds up enough to change the value.
Overall, I think it’s best for couples, small groups, and families who want a fun water day with a lot of reef time and less logistics stress.
Booking Tips: How to Get the Most From This 4-Hour Plan
A few choices can help you enjoy this more:
- Go in expecting a reef day, not a wildlife guarantee.
- If you care about snorkeling hygiene, consider the new mouthpiece (€5) option.
- Bring sun protection and a plan for your phone and photos.
- If you’re sensitive to motion, think about seasickness prep before you leave.
Also, the tour notes that confirmation is received at booking time and that most travelers can participate. If you have any mobility or health concerns, you’ll want to judge whether speedboat travel and water time fit you comfortably.
Should You Book Bella Tours Private Speedboat To Dolphin House & Magawish?
If your goal is a fast, water-heavy Red Sea experience with real island time and included snorkeling, I’d say it’s worth considering. The strongest selling points are the private speedboat, the 2 hours at Magawish, and the bundled extras like snacks, water, snorkeling equipment, and included fees.
The main reasons to hesitate are also clear: the dolphin encounter is listed at 80%, and there’s at least one reported case of an overly pushy guide. If you’re okay with that risk—or you’re confident you can handle firm boundaries—then booking can make sense.
If you want my simple rule: book it when you’re excited for coral and snorkeling first, dolphins second. That way, the day still works even if dolphins are shy.
FAQ
How long is the private speedboat trip?
It’s listed at about 4 hours total, with 3 hours of private speedboat time and about 2 hours at Magawish Island.
Where does the tour start from?
Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels.
Is this tour private or shared?
It’s a private tour/activity—only your group participates.
What’s included for food and drinks?
You get snacks, fruit, soft drinks, and water.
Do I get snorkeling time and equipment?
Yes. There’s one snorkeling stop of about 30 minutes, and snorkeling equipment is included.
Is dolphin watching guaranteed?
No. Dolphin watching is listed with an 80% chance.
Are there extra transfer fees from nearby areas?
Yes. Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh is €5 per person, and El Gouna or Safaga is €10 per person.
Do I need to bring a snorkel mouthpiece?
You don’t have to. A new snorkel mouthpiece is available for €5 upon request.
How flexible is cancellation?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If it’s canceled less than 24 hours before, the amount paid isn’t refunded.
What happens if weather is poor?
The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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