Hurghada: 3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch

The best part of this eight-hour Red Sea cruise is the variety. In one day, you get a sandy island stop, two snorkeling sessions, dolphin watching, meals on board, and a sunset ride back to Hurghada. At $47 per person, that is a lot of sea time for the money.

I especially like the two separate snorkeling stops, since the first reef near Giftun can offer colorful fish, coral, rays, and puffer fish, while Magawish gives you another chance to swim or relax. I also like the careful support for less-confident swimmers, with guides such as Ashraf and Sabry helping people in the water.

The main drawback is the weather. Wind can make the boat ride cold and the water choppy, especially in January and February. Bring warm layers, a towel, and sunscreen. Orange Bay can also feel rushed if you want plenty of time for photos, and drinks bought on the island may cost more than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops in one day: Orange Bay, Giftun Island, and Magawish each offer a different mix of beach time, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Two snorkeling sessions: One stop is guided, while the other may give you more freedom to explore with the provided equipment.
• Dolphins are possible, not guaranteed: The crew searches for them, but sightings depend on nature and sea conditions.
• Meals are included: Breakfast, seafood lunch, fruit, water, hot drinks, and unlimited soft drinks are part of the day.
• Weather matters: Strong wind can reduce comfort and visibility, so check the forecast and pack a jacket.
• Good value at $47: Hotel pickup in Hurghada, entrance fees, food, equipment, and an eight-hour cruise are included.

What this Hurghada boat day is really like

This is not a quiet sailing trip. It is an active day on a shared yacht with a lively crew, music, snorkeling groups, photographers, and several planned stops. You can book a private group for 10 to 30 people, but the standard outing is designed for people who enjoy meeting others and keeping a steady pace.

The day starts with hotel pickup in Hurghada. The company sends the final details by email or WhatsApp at about 10:00 PM the night before. You should wait at the main entrance by the road, not at reception, and look for a white or black vehicle with the GoShalabi logo.

Allow some patience for the pickup. Hurghada pickup times can vary by up to an hour, and extended areas such as Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga can vary by up to 90 minutes. The driver can wait only five minutes, so be ready outside.

After roughly 30 minutes in the van, you reach the harbor. The guide welcomes you aboard, gives a short safety briefing, and explains the day. The boat has shaded seating, a stereo system, snorkeling gear, and life vests. The crew names change by boat, but guides mentioned during recent outings include Fouad, Ahmed, Saef, Ashraf, Sabry, Talal, and Captain Atia.

The atmosphere is generally upbeat and playful. Sayed, one of the guides mentioned by name, is known for keeping the group entertained, while other crew members focus more on water safety and helping swimmers. That mix works well: you get a fun day without losing the basic instructions you need before entering the sea.

Orange Bay gives you an easy start

Orange Bay is the first major stop, with about an hour on the island. The setting has pale sand, clear shallow water, beach seating, and a Caribbean-style feel. It is the easiest part of the day for anyone who does not want to snorkel.

You can swim, sit in the sun, take photos, or simply enjoy the view. The island is made for pictures, with bright water and simple beach structures that look good in a holiday album. If you want a quiet hour with a book, this is not quite that. The stop is short, and there are plenty of photo opportunities.

I would use Orange Bay for a quick swim and photos rather than spending the whole hour searching for a perfect sun lounger. Several people wanted more time here because the island has many attractive spots, but the tight schedule is the price of visiting three islands in one day.

Be careful with purchases. Drinks sold on Orange Bay are not included, and one complaint described a menu price that did not match the amount charged. Ask for the exact price before ordering and keep some cash with you.

Giftun Island brings the strongest snorkeling

Giftun Island National Park is the main water stop. The protected area receives about 40 minutes for snorkeling, followed by a longer period connected with dolphin watching and swimming. Entrance fees are included, so you do not need to pay separately for the park.

The first reef stop is likely to be the highlight for anyone who enjoys snorkeling. The water can reveal coral, schools of fish, rays, and other Red Sea wildlife. One person spotted an eagle ray, while another saw a stingray and a puffer fish at the later stop.

The guide normally explains how to use the mask, snorkel, and life vest before leading the group into the water. This is useful for beginners. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the guide early. Ashraf and Sabry were specifically praised for helping people who needed extra support, and the crew appears to keep watch while the group spreads out.

You should not expect complete freedom at every reef. Some groups are led closely for safety, which can feel restrictive if you already know how to snorkel. At least one stop may allow more independent swimming, but the exact balance depends on conditions and the crew.

Water conditions change the quality of the stop. On calm days, visibility can be excellent. With wind, the sea can become rough, colder, or cloudy. A strong current was also reported, so do not assume that clear water always means easy swimming.

Dolphin watching needs realistic expectations

The dolphin portion lasts around 40 minutes to an hour, depending on how the schedule is described and how the search develops. The boat looks for dolphins in their natural setting, and you may be able to swim near them if they appear and sea conditions permit.

This is not a guaranteed dolphin encounter. Some groups saw dolphins within the first 20 minutes and again on the return journey. Others saw only one dolphin, or none close enough for swimming. The crew cannot control where wild dolphins go.

There is also a good reason to keep expectations modest. Several smaller boats may gather around the animals, and chasing dolphins can cause them to move away. The larger yacht may approach more calmly, allowing you to take photographs without rushing after the animals, but that can also mean you do not get close enough to swim.

If dolphins are your only reason for booking, this is a gamble. If you see them, it can become the day’s best moment. If you do not, the islands and snorkeling still form the main part of the trip.

Lunch on board is better than a simple boat snack

Food is one of the stronger parts of this outing. Breakfast is served on board and includes eggs, cheese, butter, honey, and bread. Later, lunch includes fish fillet, rice, pasta, calamari, shrimp, green salad, tuna salad, tahini, and bread.

The menu gives you plenty of choice, especially if you want something other than seafood. Fresh fruit is also served, and you have unlimited water, soft drinks, and hot drinks during the day.

Most people found the lunch tasty and filling. Calamari received particular praise, although one meal was described as chewy and cold. That is a fair reminder that food served on a moving boat will not always be restaurant-perfect.

Still, the meal adds real value. At $47, you are not paying separately for lunch, breakfast, drinks, island fees, snorkeling equipment, or hotel transport from Hurghada. For a full day on the water, the total package is strong.

Magawish offers the most flexible final stop

Magawish Island is the last island visit and lasts about an hour. You can snorkel, swim, sunbathe, or stay on the boat and enjoy the view. This flexibility makes it a good final stop, especially after several hours in the sun.

The water near Magawish may be shallower and easier for a relaxed swim. One group found the second snorkeling area a little murky and choppy, but still saw a stingray and puffer fish. Your results will depend heavily on wind, tide, and the day’s sea conditions.

Magawish was a favorite for some people because it offered more open time to snorkel or sit back. If you are not comfortable in the water, you can stay on deck, use the shaded seating, and enjoy the island scenery without feeling left out.

The schedule does move along. You will not get a full beach day at any one island. That is worth remembering when comparing this cruise with a slower trip that visits only one or two locations.

Sunset on the way back

The return journey is part of the experience rather than dead time. After the final island, the yacht heads back toward the harbor, often with the chance to watch the sunset from the deck.

By then, you will probably be ready for a dry layer. Even in warm Hurghada, wind on an open boat can feel cold after snorkeling. A jacket, dry robe, large towel, and spare clothes are sensible, particularly in the cooler months.

The boat has shaded seating, but you should still use sunscreen. Pack cash for optional purchases, including drinks at the islands and possible photos or videos taken by the onboard photographer. Personal belongings remain your responsibility, so keep phones, wallets, and passports secure.

What the $47 price includes

The price is unusually competitive for the amount included. You receive:

• Hotel pickup and return within Hurghada
• An eight-hour yacht trip
• A shaded seating area and stereo system
• Snorkeling equipment and life vest
• A professional snorkeling guide
• Two snorkeling stops
• Orange Bay, Giftun, and Magawish entrance fees
• Breakfast and seafood lunch
• Fruit, water, hot drinks, and soft drinks
• English and Arabic guide support

The cost does not include pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay unless you select the long-range add-on. If you booked without that service, you may be asked to pay at the harbor, and the extended transfer cannot be canceled after 6:00 PM the day before.

For a couple or family staying in Hurghada, the value is clear. You get transport, food, equipment, and several activities without paying separate entrance charges. A private group option is useful if you want the day arranged for 10 to 30 people, but it may not offer the same low per-person cost as the shared departure.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Hurghada’s Red Sea islands. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and beginners who want help in the water.

It is also a good fit if you want a mix of activity and downtime. You can snorkel, but you are not required to spend the entire day in the sea. The shaded deck and island beaches give non-swimmers something to enjoy.

I would think twice if you dislike group outings, crowded dolphin encounters, strict schedules, or boat travel in wind. People with mobility impairments may find the yacht, transfers, beaches, and water entry difficult. The company also lists pets as not allowed.

Plan your clothing around the season. In January and February, warm layers are not optional. Even people who enjoyed snorkeling found the wind cold after leaving the water. On a calm, sunny day, the trip should feel much easier and more comfortable.

Should you book the Go Shalabi yacht trip?

Book it if you want a full Red Sea day at a sensible price, with three island stops, two snorkeling sessions, food, transport, and a lively crew. The strongest reasons are the first Giftun snorkeling stop, the helpful water guides, the generous meal service, and the chance of seeing dolphins.

Do not book it only for a guaranteed swim with dolphins. Nature sets the schedule, and other boats may affect the encounter. Also, choose your date carefully if possible. Calm weather can make the difference between a relaxed island day and a cold, bumpy one.

For most people staying in Hurghada, this is a well-priced way to see several of the area’s best-known islands in one outing. Bring warm clothes, protect your valuables, confirm island drink prices, and leave room for the day to follow the sea rather than the clock.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada 3-island yacht trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, the yacht cruise, island stops, snorkeling, meals, dolphin watching, and the return journey.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The trip visits Orange Bay, Giftun Island, and Magawish Island.

Is dolphin swimming guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins, but sightings and swimming opportunities depend on the animals and sea conditions.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops at different sites are included. Equipment, life vests, and a professional snorkeling guide are provided.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes eggs, cheese, butter, honey, and bread. Lunch includes fish fillet, rice, pasta, calamari, shrimp, salads, tahini, and bread. Seasonal fruit is also served.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, hot drinks, and unlimited soft drinks are included during the trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Soma Bay costs extra.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, jacket, cash, and your passport or a copy of it. Warm clothing is especially useful during windy or cooler weather.

Where should I wait for the pickup?

Wait at your hotel’s main entrance by the road, not at reception. The pickup vehicle is white or black and carries the GoShalabi logo.

Can I book a private group?

Yes. Private groups are available for groups of 10 to 30 guests.