PRIVATE! | Full Day Charter Boat Trip| Up to 14 | Snorkeling and Islands tour

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is control. You leave the marina on a private charter and can shape the day around snorkeling, dolphins, island time, or simply relaxing on deck. I like the fresh lunch prepared on board, and I like that crew members such as Samir and Abdul have helped nervous swimmers in the water. The boat also carries snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and a restroom.

The catch is that the island choices are not all included. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island each charge an entry fee, and the listing uses both up to 14 people and up to 8 people in its capacity and pricing details. Confirm the boat size, final price, and exact route before paying.

Key details to know before you book

• Private boat for your group: You do not share the charter with a large tour crowd, and the crew can adjust the day to your interests.
• Two main reef stops: Omo Gamaar takes about 30 minutes, while Carless Reef gets about 45 minutes in the published plan.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Fresh food, fruit, coffee, tea, bottled water, and snacks are included.
• Island fees are extra: Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island cost €10 per adult and €5 per child.
• Hotel transfers cost extra: Pickup is available on request, with listed prices ranging from €15 inside Hurghada to €25 from Makadi or El Gouna.
• Weather matters: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

A private Red Sea day from Hurghada Marina

This is an eight-hour charter built around flexibility rather than a fixed sightseeing script. You begin at Hurghada Marina, board your private boat, and head out toward reef sites and the Giftun Islands.

That private setup is useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time snorkeling, while nervous swimmers can stay close to the crew or relax on deck. Families, couples, and groups celebrating together can also set a slower pace than they would on a packed shared boat.

The boat has enough room for sun and shade, according to the information provided by past customers. One group of nine used the space to move around during the day, depending on whether they wanted sunlight, shade, music, or a quieter place to sit.

The advertised price is $324.41 per group of up to eight people. Split eight ways, that is a reasonable price for a full private day, especially since lunch, drinks, equipment, and the national park ticket are included. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than just a seat on a boat.

There is one detail I would settle before booking. The title says the boat can carry up to 14 people, while the price is listed for a group of up to eight. Ask which boat you will receive and what the price is for your actual group size. The boats described in the customer accounts include a 22-metre vessel, but boat size may vary.

Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef for underwater time

The first major stop is Omo Gamaar, planned for about 30 minutes. The Red Sea here is known for clear water, coral, and fish such as blackback butterflyfish, Picasso fish, and Red Sea clownfish.

The crew may also look for moray eels, rays, and dolphins. Dolphin sightings are never something you can count on, but several outings included time spent following dolphins when they appeared. One group began the day by finding a pod, while another saw dolphins before heading to Eden Island.

The short Omo Gamaar stop works well as an opening swim. You can test the water, check your mask, and get comfortable before spending longer at the next reef. If you are new to snorkeling, tell the crew at once. Samir was praised for helping a person who had anxiety in the water, and Captain Mohammed helped another first-time swimmer feel safer.

Carless Reef is scheduled for about 45 minutes and is the more substantial reef stop in the basic plan. Expect coral and many small reef fish, with possible sightings of blue-spotted manta rays, morays, eels, and dolphins.

The descriptions use manta ray and blue-spotted manta ray somewhat loosely, so you should treat large ray sightings as a possibility, not a promise. What you can reasonably expect is a Red Sea snorkeling stop with coral and colorful fish, provided sea conditions and visibility cooperate.

The schedule may be adjusted. Some groups spent longer at a favorite reef, while others moved between snorkeling sites and an island. That is the chief benefit of a private charter, but it also means your final route depends on your conversation with the captain.

The Giftun Islands and the choice of beach

The Giftun Islands are a pair of islands near Hurghada: Giftun Kebir, or Big Giftun, and Giftun Soraya, or Little Giftun. The trip includes a visit to the islands in the broad itinerary, along with a 30-minute stop listed for the Giftun area.

The important point is that the named beach clubs are optional and carry their own entrance fees. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island are not included in the base price.

That distinction caused confusion for at least one booking party, so I would ask the operator to write your planned stops clearly before the boat leaves. An included sandbank or shallow-water stop is not the same as entry to one of the managed island beaches.

Eden Island

Eden Island is the most resort-like choice. It has a beach, restaurants, bars, and services aimed at an easy day by the water. Couples may prefer it for a slower break, though families can also use the beach and facilities.

The fee is €10 per adult and €5 per child. The planned visit can last up to two hours, which gives you time to swim, sit under an umbrella, and buy something at the island facilities. One family began at Eden Island with milkshakes, then returned to the boat for lunch and snorkeling.

Choose Eden if you want comfort and services rather than a bare stretch of sand. You may also find more people and a more organized beach setting than at a simple sandbank.

Orange Bay

Orange Bay sits within the Big Giftun Island national park and has shallow water, music, a bar, massage services, and places to relax. Its listed area is more than 7,000 square metres, and the crossing from Hurghada is described as about 40 minutes by boat.

The fee is also €10 per adult and €5 per child. If you want a beach stop with facilities and a social feel, Orange Bay is a sensible pick.

The tradeoff is time. A two-hour island stop plus the return boat ride leaves less time for reefs. I would choose Orange Bay only if beach lounging matters as much to you as snorkeling.

Paradise Island

Paradise Island is presented as an eco-tourism beach with white sand, clear water, food, music, and a relaxed island setting. The fee is €10 per adult and €5 per child, with up to two hours planned.

It is a good choice for a group that wants a full beach break. It is less suited to anyone who wants to pack in several reef sites and keep moving.

One four-person group spent the day at Paradise Island and praised the food and captain. That makes it clear that the captain may work the island into the route when it fits your wishes, but you should not assume all three island beaches will fit into one eight-hour day.

Lunch, drinks, and life on board

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. A cook prepares the meal on the boat, and the included food is described as fresh, tasty, and filling. Fruit platters, including mango, were also served on some outings.

Coffee, tea, snacks, bottled water, and other beverages are included. One larger group especially appreciated the large drinks fridge, along with room to move between sun and shade.

The boat has a restroom, which matters on a full day at sea. Snorkeling equipment is included as well, so you do not need to rent the basic gear separately. If you rely on a particular mask or use a full-face mask, you may still prefer to bring your own, but the provided equipment is part of the charter.

Music is possible, too. One group used the boat speakers during a celebration. That can be fun for a birthday or bachelorette day, but ask the crew to keep the volume down if your group wants a quieter afternoon.

The crew setup can include a captain, cook, and assistants. Names connected with different outings include Abdul, Samir, Captain Mohammed, Yousuf, Ayad, and Regyep. Do not assume the same people will be on every departure, but you can expect a captain and support crew rather than a bare boat rental.

Hotel pickup and the extra costs

Hotel transfer is available on request, but it is not included in the headline price. The listed one-way or group transfer figures are:

• Inside Hurghada: €15 for the full group
• Sahl Hasheesh: €20 for the full group
• Makadi or El Gouna: €25 for the full group

The supplied information describes these as transfers for the full group, so confirm whether the quoted amount covers both directions and your exact hotel. One customer found the port difficult for the driver to locate, while another found the hotel transfer convenient.

Hurghada Marina is the starting point for all trips. Plan to arrive ready for a marine day, with swimwear, sun protection, and any personal medication you need. The activity is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Most people can participate, but snorkeling in open water still requires sensible judgment. Tell the crew if you are anxious or inexperienced. The staff have helped first-time swimmers and people who needed extra support, but you should not treat the outing as a substitute for formal swimming instruction.

Who will get the most from this charter?

I would choose this boat for a family or friend group that values privacy. You can avoid the fixed rhythm of a shared cruise, ask for a quieter reef, and spend longer at a place your group likes.

It also suits celebrations. The larger boat, onboard food, drinks fridge, and speakers give a group room to spread out. A bachelorette party of nine used the boat successfully, though the capacity and price should be checked carefully because the published details also say the base rate covers up to eight.

This is a good match for confident snorkelers who want several water stops. It also works for beginners if they are comfortable telling the crew what they need.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is visiting every named island. The tour description lists several options, but an eight-hour day cannot realistically provide generous time at Omo Gamaar, Carless Reef, Giftun Islands, Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island all at once. Pick your priorities before departure.

Booking, cancellation, and weather

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 48 days. That suggests you should reserve early if you need a particular date or boat size.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The sea and weather can affect the day. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Since snorkeling depends on visibility and safe conditions, this policy is a useful safeguard rather than a minor footnote.

Is the Hurghada private boat trip worth booking?

I would book it if you want an easy private day with good food, personal attention, and freedom to choose between reefs and beaches. The combination of lunch, equipment, drinks, a restroom, and a private crew gives the $324.41 group price real value for up to eight people.

Before booking, confirm three things in writing: the exact number of passengers the boat carries, which island or sandbank stops are included, and the full cost of entrance fees and hotel transfer. If you do that, this is a strong choice for a flexible Red Sea day.

If you want the lowest possible price or a guaranteed island-hopping schedule, choose a standard shared cruise instead. If you want the captain to adjust the route, help nervous swimmers, and serve lunch while your own group enjoys the boat, this charter earns serious consideration.

FAQ

How long does the private boat trip last?

The trip lasts about eight hours.

Where does the boat trip start?

All trips start from Hurghada Marina.

How much does the private charter cost?

The listed price is $324.41 per group of up to eight people. The title also refers to groups of up to 14, so confirm the capacity and price for your party before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is available on request but costs extra. The listed group transfer prices are €15 inside Hurghada, €20 from Sahl Hasheesh, and €25 from Makadi or El Gouna.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch, coffee or tea, snacks, bottled water, and beverages are included.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Do Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island cost extra?

Yes. Each optional island beach lists an entry fee of €10 per adult and €5 per child.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.