Private Speedboat Charter with Skipper Hurghada

The Giftun Islands

The Giftun Islands lie a short speedboat ride off Hurghada and are the best-known stretch of protected sea on this part of the Red Sea coast. White sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs just below the surface give the area its postcard look, and the speedboat lets you reach them quickly instead of spending hours on a slow, crowded boat.

On this private speedboat trip you can ask the skipper to anchor wherever the water looks most inviting and spend as long as you like swimming or floating on the surface. The Giftun Islands are part of a protected area, which is why a nature reserve fee applies and is paid separately. The best time to visit the Giftun Islands is in the morning, when the sea is calm and the light is clear.

Dolphin watching in open water

Many guests choose a private speedboat in Hurghada to look for dolphins, which live in the waters off the coast and are often seen in the early part of the day. Your skipper knows the areas where dolphins feed and rest and takes the boat there slowly, so you can watch from the deck while the animals go about their day. The sea is calmest in the morning, and so is the best chance of a sighting.

Dolphins are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed, and what you see depends on the weather and on how many boats are in the area. The boat keeps a respectful distance, and you are asked to be quiet and calm on deck. Even without dolphins, the open-water ride on a fast boat, with the wind and spray, is part of the fun.

Snorkelling and swimming stops

Snorkelling is the main activity once the boat stops. The charter includes snorkelling equipment and life jackets for the whole group, so you can slip into the water straight from the deck, then climb out using the ladder and rinse off in the onboard shower. Beginners can float near the boat, while confident swimmers explore the reef edge with the skipper.

Another popular spot, the island of Abu Ramada, is known for its coral reefs and sea turtles, and your skipper can advise whether it suits your time and sea conditions. The Red Sea is warm for most of the year, though the water is cooler from December to February. A thin rash vest or a wetsuit top makes winter swimming more comfortable.

Orange Bay and Magawish Island add-ons

If you want a beach as well as a reef, you can add an island visit to your charter when you book. Orange Bay is a small island with long white sand and shallow turquoise water, great for swimming and photos. Magawish Island offers a calm, sheltered bay and a reef close to the shore, suited to relaxed snorkelling.

Island visits are optional and carry an extra charge. Each visit usually takes about an hour, so the four-hour boat leaves more room for it than the two-hour boat. Ask our team which combination suits your group, and we help you plan the order of stops. Your skipper-guide can also suggest quieter spots if you prefer fewer other boats around.

Your private boat and how the day works

Hurghada speedboat charters are popular for good reason: the boat is yours for the whole time and the schedule is flexible. We pick you up from your hotel in Hurghada and drive you to the harbour, and you board a speedboat with a shaded area, a shower and a music system. The skipper-guide steers and also acts as your guide, so there is no group to wait for and no fixed route.

The pickup details are sent the evening before, and departures are available from morning to afternoon. Guests staying in Makadi Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga or Soma Bay can choose the options that include long-range pickup. Ask us about the luxury speedboat if you want extra comfort.