Hurghada: 6 Islands Tour with Dolphin Watching & Snorkelling

Dolphins, reefs, and six islands in one day. I like the small speedboat groups, which make the trip quicker and less crowded than a large yacht outing, and I like the mix of coral snorkelling, white sand, and open-water cruising. The main caution is that hotel pickups can take time, and the rough ride may not suit anyone with back problems.

I also like that the crew takes water safety seriously. Guides such as Basil, Omar, Ahmed, and Fatih have helped nervous swimmers and children feel comfortable in the water, while captains including Joe, Karim, and Fati are often praised for smooth, lively boat handling. Dolphins are a wonderful bonus, not a promise, since wind and sea conditions decide the matter.

Six things to know before you book

• Fast speedboat travel: The boat lets you reach several islands and snorkelling sites in one long day.
• Dolphins are wild: You may see them close to the boat, but sightings depend on conditions.
• Three snorkelling stops: Giftun National Park and a shipwreck provide the strongest underwater moments.
• Small groups matter: Limited capacity gives you more space and easier access to the guide.
• Island food costs extra: Water, soft drinks, and fruit are included, but lunch and many island drinks cost more.
• Bring protection from the sun: Pack sunscreen, a towel, cash, sunglasses, and a shirt for cool or windy weather.

Why this Hurghada boat trip offers good value

At $51 per person, this is a strong-value day on the Red Sea if you want variety. The price covers hotel pickup in Hurghada, a speedboat, a captain, a guide, snorkelling equipment, three snorkelling stops, island entry fees, water, soft drinks, fruit, shade, and life jackets.

You are not paying only for beach time. The speedboat carries you between several islands, sandbanks, and reef sites without the slow transfers of a larger vessel. That matters because an eight-hour sea trip can lose much of its value if half the day is spent waiting around.

The high rating of 4.7 from 1,624 ratings reflects the experience’s strongest points: friendly crews, good organisation, attractive beaches, and plenty of activity. I would still read the price carefully. Lunch is listed as an add-on, parasailing costs extra, and food and drinks on the islands can be expensive.

One important detail is the pickup. You receive the exact information by email or WhatsApp at 10:00 PM the night before. The vehicle may be white or black and should carry the GoShalabi logo. You wait at the hotel entrance by the road, not at reception, and the driver can wait only five minutes.

Pickup in Hurghada can vary by up to an hour. From Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga, the window can stretch to 90 minutes, and the extra transfer costs €10 per person if selected. One passenger reported nearly two hours of hotel pickups, so if you stay outside central Hurghada, count the transfer as part of your day.

The speedboat ride sets the tone

The trip begins with a van ride to the marina, a short orientation, and the handout of snorkelling gear. Once aboard, the speedboat becomes part of the attraction rather than just transport.

Several people describe the boat ride as fast and exciting, with speeds reported around 70 kilometres per hour. That sounds fun, and it is, but the ride can fling you around when the sea is choppy. I would avoid this outing if you have back trouble, and I would choose a calmer cruise if you dislike wind, spray, or sudden movement.

The boat has a shaded area, cushions, life jackets, and drinks. Capacity can vary by boat, so comfort is not completely identical each day. Some departures use newer boats with generous seating, while others may feel tighter. The small-group format is still a major advantage, especially when you want to ask for help or get into the water without a crowd around you.

Bring a light shirt for the return ride in cooler months. The sun may be warm on the islands, but wind on an open speedboat can feel surprisingly cold.

Giftun National Park brings the best snorkelling

Giftun Island National Park is the main underwater stop, with two snorkelling sessions among coral and colorful fish. This is where the trip earns much of its price.

The first reef stop can be the most rewarding for fish and coral. The guide points out marine life and helps you stay together in the water. If you are a confident swimmer, you can explore at your own pace within the group. If you are not, the crew has a good record of offering hands-on support.

Basil is repeatedly praised for helping first-time snorkellers, children, and people who cannot swim. Omar has also assisted nervous swimmers, and one guest said the guide helped them attempt snorkelling for the first time. That does not turn the sea into a swimming pool, but it does make the activity more approachable.

You still need to be honest about your comfort level. Life jackets are provided, and the guide is there to assist, but you should not treat the support as a substitute for basic water safety. Bring your own towel and use plenty of sunscreen. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, partly because of the boat ride and partly because getting in and out of the water can be awkward.

Shipwreck snorkelling adds a different kind of thrill

The wreck stop lasts about 30 minutes and gives the day a change of mood. Instead of looking only at coral and fish, you get to inspect submerged relics and marine life around a sunken boat.

Some people find this stop thrilling and slightly spooky. That makes sense: a wreck has a darker, more enclosed feel than a bright reef. You do not need to be an expert snorkeller to appreciate it, but you should be comfortable in open water before attempting the stop.

The shipwreck is one reason I prefer this trip to a simple beach-transfer boat. You get both the postcard scenery and an underwater feature with more character. If rough weather affects the route, the crew may adjust the plan or replace a stop. That flexibility is useful, though it means the exact experience can change.

Orange Bay gives you classic beach time

Orange Bay is usually a one-hour stop for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing on pale sand. It is the most polished and easygoing part of the day, with time to settle into a beach chair or shaded area rather than rushing straight back onto the boat.

The setting is beautiful, but it is also one of the more developed and tourist-focused stops. You may find food and drinks available, but island prices are higher than many people expect. Water and soft drinks are supplied during the trip, so you do not need to buy every drink.

Orange Bay suits you if you want a clear stretch of beach time after snorkelling. If you prefer quiet, untouched places, the later Magawish and sandbank stops may feel more appealing.

Nemo Bay and Abo Monqar slow things down

Nemo Bay is listed as a one-hour visit, while Abo Monqar offers a quieter stop and natural scenery. These places help break up the fast pace of the day.

The details of the stops can vary with weather, sea conditions, and the boat’s timing. Lunch and drinks are not available on every island, with Nemo and Monqar specifically excluded from the island food service. Bring some cash and a small snack so you are not relying on a meal at one particular stop.

Abo Monqar is especially useful for a peaceful pause. After the noise of the speedboat and the activity around the main beaches, a quieter shoreline gives you room to swim, take photos, or simply sit in the shade.

Magawish offers more space and a memorable pool

Big Magawish Island gets about an hour and is one of the strongest beach stops. You can swim, snorkel, relax, and take in wide sea views. Some sections feel less crowded than Orange Bay, which makes Magawish a better choice if you want the setting without constant activity.

Small Magawish Island has a natural-looking swimming area described as a middle-of-nowhere pool. It is a simple pleasure, but the sense of floating in open sea with no city around you is exactly what makes the stop memorable.

Lunch may be served at Magawish if you add it to the booking. Here I would pause before paying for the optional meal. One person praised the seafood lunch as generous and delicious, while others found pre-booked meals poor, small, or overpriced. The cost and quality appear inconsistent enough that I would ask exactly what the meal includes, especially drinks.

Food on the islands may give you more choice and can cost about €15 to €20 for a meal and drink, based on one passenger’s experience. Carry cash because card payment may not work everywhere.

White Island and Juzur Abu Monqar are made for photos

The White Island sandbank is a short, 30-minute stop with bright sand, shallow water, and plenty of photo opportunities. You will not have much time, so this is a quick walk, swim, and camera stop rather than a full beach afternoon.

Juzur Abu Monqar is another sandbank-style finish, where you can walk along the sand, swim, and enjoy the quiet around the Magawish Islands. The simple setting contrasts nicely with Orange Bay’s more organised beach atmosphere.

Sandbanks depend heavily on water level, wind, and weather. On a clear, calm day, they are among the most attractive parts of the trip. On a windy day, the stop may feel less comfortable, and loose belongings need careful watching.

Dolphins are the day’s biggest gamble

Dolphin watching takes place during the cruise, and the best sightings can happen early. Some passengers saw dolphins leaping close to the boat and even saw them more than once. Others saw none, especially when wind made the conditions difficult.

That is not a fault in the tour. Dolphins are wild animals, and the crew cannot schedule their appearance. I would book this for the islands and snorkelling first, then treat dolphins as a bonus.

The captain may slow down when dolphins appear, but the boat still needs to follow safe practices. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire day staring at the horizon. You have coral, beaches, and a wreck to enjoy even if the dolphins stay away.

What the crew does well

The crew is one of the tour’s strongest features. Guides and captains are often praised for being funny, patient, and alert to individual needs. Names that come up repeatedly include Basil, Ahmed, Omar, Fatih, Bram, Khalid, and several captains called Joe, Karim, and Fati.

The important point is not the name on your particular boat. It is the way the guide manages the water. Families with children and adults who cannot swim have received extra help, while confident snorkellers get explanations about fish and the best places to look.

Small groups also make a difference. One group had only eight people, which allowed time with the guide and some quiet time alone. You still share the experience with others, but the boat does not feel like a floating crowd.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want to pack a lot into one Red Sea day. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and first-time snorkellers who want crew support. It is also a good fit if you prefer speed and variety to spending an entire day on one large boat.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, slow cruise, have back problems, dislike strong sun, or need a guaranteed dolphin encounter. The speedboat can be bumpy, the schedule is full, and hotel pickups can eat into the advertised eight hours.

Pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, cash, and a light shirt. Leave pets at home, protect your phone and other valuables, and expect to pay extra for lunch, parasailing, and long-distance pickup.

Should you book the six-island tour?

Yes, if you want the most varied island day for about $51. The combination of three snorkelling stops, Giftun National Park, a wreck, several beaches, sandbanks, and fast boat transfers gives you more substance than a basic beach cruise.

Book it with realistic expectations. Dolphins may not appear, lunch quality can vary, island food is not cheap, and weather can change the route. If you accept those limits, the trip offers excellent value and a lively introduction to Hurghada’s islands, reefs, and open sea.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada six-island tour last?

The advertised duration is eight hours. Pickup and drop-off are included, but hotel collection times can vary, so the amount of time on the water may differ.

What is included in the $51 price?

The price includes Hurghada hotel pickup and return, the speedboat, a professional guide, an experienced captain, snorkelling gear, life jackets, three snorkelling stops, island entry fees, water, soft drinks, fruit, and a shaded area on the boat.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphin watching is included when conditions allow, but sightings depend on wild animals, wind, and sea conditions.

How many snorkelling stops are included?

Three snorkelling stops are included. These include reef areas around Giftun National Park and a wreck snorkelling stop.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the standard price. It can be booked as an add-on, and food is also available at some islands. Nemo and Monqar do not have island lunch and drink service listed.

Can I book pickup outside Hurghada?

Yes. Pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay is available as a €10 per-person add-on. Pickup times in these areas can vary by up to 90 minutes.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, cash, and a light shirt for cooler or windy conditions. You should also protect your personal belongings.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems?

No. The experience is not recommended for people with back problems because the speedboat can move sharply, especially in rougher water.