Islands Speedboat with Dolphin Watching and Snorkelling El Gouna

4.8 (2,679 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience
Top pick Certified by Haqqi Tours
Islands Speedboat with Dolphin Watching and Snorkelling El Gouna
Islands Speedboat with Dolphin Watching and Snorkelling El Gouna
Islands Speedboat with Dolphin Watching and Snorkelling El Gouna
5.0 on Google
  • Fair, honest prices
  • Real people, not bots
  • Confirmed before you pay
  • Secure payment
Tripadvisor Travelers Choice 2026

Overview

This full-day speedboat trip takes you from El Gouna out to the Red Sea islands off Hurghada for beaches, coral reefs and the chance of seeing wild dolphins at sea. You are collected from your hotel, travel to the marina and cruise by speedboat to Orange Bay, the Giftun Islands national park, Abu Minqar sandbank, the Magawish islands and White Island, with three snorkelling stops including a wreck. Mask, fins, life jacket, soft drinks, water and seasonal fruit are included. The default option is a small-group trip, and a private version for your party alone is also listed. It suits families, couples and friends who want a lively day on the water.

Highlights

  • Speedboat cruise to the islands off Hurghada
  • Three snorkelling stops including a wreck stop
  • Chance to see wild dolphins at sea, depending on conditions
  • Orange Bay, White Island and Magawish beaches
  • Walk on the Abu Minqar sandbank in clear shallow water
  • Mask, fins and life jacket included, with a professional guide
  • Soft drinks, water and seasonal fruit on board, with shade on deck
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off, small group or private option

Full Description

Giftun Islands National Park and its reefs

The Giftun Islands lie a short boat ride off Hurghada and form a protected national park, part of the Red Sea's marine reserves. The surrounding reefs shelter colourful fish such as parrotfish, butterflyfish and anemonefish, together with sea turtles in places, and the visibility is often excellent.

Three snorkelling stops let you float above coral gardens with your mask and fins, guided by a professional who knows the best spots. Snorkelling in the Red Sea in Hurghada is possible all year, and the water is warm for most of the season. A national park fee is paid locally on the day and is not included in the price.

Orange Bay and White Island beaches

Orange Bay is the long beach on the Giftun coast famous for its turquoise water and pale sand, set in a bay protected from waves. It is a favourite for swimming, sunbathing and photographs, and this trip allows around an hour here to relax.

White Island is a sandbank of bright white sand that appears in the sea, ideal for photographs and a quick swim at the edge of the reef. Entrance fees to Orange Bay and White Island are included. Lunch and refreshments are available on the islands at an extra cost, and your guide can recommend options before you board. Bring a waterproof camera or phone case for the shallow water, because the colours of the sand and the sea are the main reason people take this trip.

Abu Minqar and the Magawish islands

Abu Minqar is a small island with a sandbank that stretches into shallow water, and walking along the sand with clear sea on both sides is a highlight. The Magawish islands, large and small, are surrounded by reef and calm lagoons, and the small island's shallow pool feels like the middle of nowhere.

These stops combine swimming, snorkelling and time on the sand. Entrance to Abu Minqar and the Magawish islands is included, along with a wreck snorkelling stop that shows how the sea has turned a sunken ship into a habitat for fish. The islands are quieter in the morning and warmer in the afternoon, and the guide chooses the order of stops to avoid the busiest times.

Dolphin watching at sea

Dolphins live wild in these waters, and the speedboat route crosses areas where they often feed. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, because the animals move freely, but when conditions allow, the captain slows down and keeps a respectful distance so you can watch from the boat.

Watching dolphins in the open sea is a very different experience from an aquarium show. Please follow the guide's advice, keep noise low and never try to touch or feed the animals. Morning trips often offer calmer seas and better chances of spotting them near the surface, and if you are searching for dolphin watching from Hurghada or El Gouna, this combined island and snorkelling day is the way most guests do it.

Planning your day: pickup, timing and what to bring

The pickup window is around 08:30 for the start of the trip, and for hotels in El Gouna and other outer areas it can be 90 minutes before or after, so please be ready at the main entrance. Our team sends your exact pickup time the evening before on WhatsApp.

Bring a towel, sun cream, a hat, swimwear and some cash. A shaded area on deck gives relief from the sun, and soft drinks, water and seasonal fruit are provided. Pregnant women and people with back problems should avoid the speedboat. Passport details and hotel information are needed at booking for the marina. If you prefer a quieter day with only your party on board, ask our team about the private speedboat option before you choose your date.

Itinerary

  1. Hotel pickup in El GounaPickup from your hotel, with a window of up to about 90 minutes around 08:30, then transfer to the marina.
  2. Safety briefing and boardingA short briefing, snorkelling gear and life jacket, then the speedboat leaves harbour.
  3. Giftun reefs and dolphin watchingSnorkelling in the national park area and a chance to spot dolphins at sea.
  4. Orange BayAbout an hour to swim, relax and have lunch if you booked it as an extra.
  5. Magawish islands and White IslandSwimming, snorkelling and photographs on the beaches and sandbank, including the wreck stop.
  6. Abu Minqar sandbank and returnA last swim and a walk on the sandbank, then the cruise back and the transfer to your hotel.

What's included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in El Gouna, Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh
  • Speedboat cruise to the islands
  • Three snorkelling stops including a wreck stop
  • Mask and fins, life jacket
  • Professional guide and experienced captain
  • Entrance fees to Orange Bay, White Island and Magawish islands
  • Soft drinks, water and seasonal fruit
  • Shaded area on the boat

Not included

  • Nature reserve fee payable on site
  • Lunch on the island (optional)
  • Tips

Not suitable for

  • People with back problems, because of the speedboat ride
  • Pregnant women
  • Travellers who are prone to seasickness or cannot manage a full day on the water

Meeting point

Pickup is from your hotel in El Gouna, Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, around 08:30 for the start, with a window of up to about 90 minutes before or after for outer areas. Our team sends the exact pickup time the evening before via WhatsApp. Wait at your hotel's main entrance by the road, as the vehicle waits only a few minutes. Please send your passport copy, nationality, hotel name and room number when you book.

Important information

  • Bring a towel, sun cream, a hat, swimwear and some cash
  • A national park fee is paid separately on the day and is not included
  • Lunch and refreshments on the islands, and extras such as parasailing, cost extra
  • Dolphin sightings depend on conditions and cannot be guaranteed
  • Wait at the main entrance of your hotel; the vehicle waits only a short time
  • Passport details and hotel information are needed at booking
  • No pets; you are responsible for your belongings
  • Check your WhatsApp the evening before for your confirmed pickup time

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

Is this a shared or a private tour?

The default option is a small-group trip shared with other guests. A private speedboat trip for your party alone is also listed, so you can choose the style that suits you.

Can we change the itinerary or the pace?

On the small-group trip the route follows the day's plan, with the captain adjusting to sea conditions. For a more flexible pace, choose the private option.

How many people can join, and how many fit in the boat?

Group size varies by day on the small-group option. For a private trip, tell our team how many are travelling and we will confirm the boat.

Is the price per person or per group?

The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option and how it is calculated for your travellers, so you see the total before confirming.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for El Gouna and nearby areas, with the pickup window explained above.

What is included?

Speedboat cruise, three snorkelling stops including a wreck stop, mask, fins and life jacket, a professional guide and captain, entrance fees to Orange Bay, White Island and the Magawish islands, soft drinks, water and seasonal fruit, and shade on the boat. The national park fee and lunch on the island are extra.

How long is the tour?

It is a full day, from the morning pickup until the return transfer to your hotel in the afternoon.

Is it suitable for children and people with reduced mobility?

Children who like the water usually enjoy it, with life jackets provided. The boat and the beaches involve steps and uneven sand, and people with back problems should not join.

What should we bring?

A towel, swimwear, sun cream, a hat, sunglasses, some cash and your passport details for booking.

What is the best time of day and season to go?

Mornings are calmer for dolphins and snorkelling. The Red Sea is warm all year, with spring and autumn the most comfortable.

Will we definitely see dolphins?

No one can guarantee it, as the dolphins are wild and move freely. The crew looks for them along the route when conditions allow.

How do I book and confirm?

Choose your option and date on this page and send your request. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes.

Keep exploring

More in El Gouna

Everything in El Gouna
From 118 USD