Review · HURGHADA

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island

4.5 · 87 reviews From $63 Operated by Go Shalabi · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Book on GetYourGuide →

The best part of this Red Sea outing is the mix: fast speedboat travel, two snorkelling stops, an island beach, and parasailing all fit into one day. You get more variety than on a simple reef cruise, with time both in the water and on shore.

I like the easy all-in format, especially the included hotel transfer, equipment, lunch box, fruit, drinks, and nature reserve fee. I also like that the speedboat keeps the day moving and gives you a clean view of the sea rather than a crowded large boat. The main catch is planning: your pickup time may arrive by email only at 10 pm the night before, and the activity can feel less polished if communication in English is difficult.

Key points to know before you book

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - Key points to know before you book

  • Two separate snorkelling stops give you two chances to see coral and fish, rather than putting all your hopes on one site.
  • Orange Bay, Magawish Island, or Nemo Island is selected for the beach stop, so the exact island is not guaranteed.
  • Captain Momo receives especially warm praise, and the speedboat crew can make a big difference to the day.
  • Parasailing lasts five minutes, with views down over the Red Sea and coral reefs.
  • Pickup is strict: be at the hotel’s main road entrance, not the reception gate, and do not count on more than five minutes of waiting time.
  • Photo sellers may ask for extra money, so bring cash and ask about costs before agreeing to pictures.

Speeding across the Red Sea from your hotel

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - Speeding across the Red Sea from your hotel

Your day starts with a hotel pickup in the Red Sea Governorate, usually around the Hurghada area. The meeting point is important: wait at the hotel’s main entrance by the road, not at the reception entrance or inside the hotel grounds. The driver has other people to collect, so the boat will not wait while you search for the pickup point.

The final pickup details arrive by email at about 10 pm the night before. That is late enough to be inconvenient, especially if you like to plan breakfast, transport, or your morning walk the night before. Check your email before bed, confirm the hotel name and room number, and set an alarm. The operator allows no more than five minutes at the pickup point.

From the hotel, you transfer to the marina and board a speedboat. This is not a slow, formal cruise. The ride is part of the attraction. You feel the wind, hear the engine, and move quickly across open water toward the first snorkelling area. If you prefer a quiet boat with lots of shade and a gentle pace, this format may feel too lively. If you like motion and want to cover several Red Sea stops in one outing, it makes good sense.

The boat has a shaded area, stereo system, life jackets, and a captain. Captain Momo receives specific praise for being helpful and adding to the family-friendly feel. That personal touch matters on a small boat, where the captain’s attitude affects the whole mood.

The exact group size is not supplied, so you should not assume a private charter. The experience is sold as a speedboat trip with other participants, and the boat may have a social, shared-excursion atmosphere.

Two snorkelling stops, with coral below the boat

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - Two snorkelling stops, with coral below the boat

The first major stop is one of two snorkelling locations. Equipment is included, along with life jackets, so you do not need to arrange a mask and fins separately. You can expect to enter the Red Sea near coral formations and see fish below the surface.

Two stops are useful because sea conditions and visibility can change. If one site is less clear, the second gives you another chance. It also breaks up the water time and keeps the outing from feeling like one long swim in one place.

I would treat the snorkelling as a chance to see the Red Sea from close range, not as a guaranteed professional reef expedition. The supplied information does not identify the exact sites, the length of each stop, or the type of coral you will see. Conditions, boat traffic, and weather can affect the experience.

Take the safety briefing seriously and use the life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer. You should also listen carefully to the guide’s instructions around the boat and coral. Avoid touching the reef, and keep your fins away from the formations beneath you. That protects the sea and helps you move more comfortably.

One practical weakness is communication. The guide’s English may be limited, which can make instructions harder to follow. The speedboat captain has been praised for being very helpful, but you should still ask questions before entering the water if you are unsure about the route, timing, or safety rules.

Bring a towel and consider a light jacket for the ride back. The same breeze that feels refreshing on the way out can feel cool after you leave the water.

The island stop: Orange Bay, Magawish, or Nemo

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - The island stop: Orange Bay, Magawish, or Nemo

After the first snorkelling session, the boat heads to one of several island beaches: Orange Bay, Magawish Island, or Nemo Island. The exact choice is not fixed, so do not book this expecting a particular beach every time.

Orange Bay is described as the main example and has the look many people seek in a Red Sea island outing: pale sand, clear water, and a relaxed beach setting. The beach stop is a useful change of pace after the boat ride and snorkelling. You can swim, walk along the shore, sit under the sun, or simply enjoy a slower hour near the water.

The island is presented as a Maldives-like escape, but keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular day-trip setting, not a private desert island. The appeal is the contrast with your hotel: open sea, low-key beach time, and a different view of the coast.

If you are not much of a beach person, this is the least essential part of the outing. One of the strongest pieces of practical feedback is that Orange Bay may not suit you if you would rather keep moving or spend more time in the water. The beach stop is there for relaxation, swimming, and photographs. It is not designed as a cultural visit or a long nature walk.

The island entry fee is included, which helps keep the advertised price honest. You also receive a lunch box, seasonal fruit, soft drinks, mineral water, and juice. This is convenient, though you should think of it as practical excursion food rather than a full restaurant meal.

Bring cash. Photo services are a common extra on this sort of outing, and you may be asked to pay for pictures taken during the day. If you want photos, ask the price before accepting the service. If you prefer to avoid the charge, your own phone or waterproof camera may be enough, but protect it carefully around the water.

Parasailing above the Red Sea

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - Parasailing above the Red Sea

The final major thrill is parasailing. The advertised flight lasts five minutes, despite the more general promotional wording about a longer adventure. Five minutes in the air is enough to give you a clear overhead view, but it is not a long flight.

You are lifted above the water behind the boat, with the Red Sea spread below you. From that height, the appeal is the view: bright water, the boat beneath, and coral areas visible through the surface when conditions are clear.

The short flight works well as a first parasailing experience. You get the sensation of height without committing a large part of the day to one activity. It also adds a different perspective after you have seen the reef from water level.

One participant raised concern about the setup, particularly the feeling of being held by a single rope. That concern is worth acknowledging rather than brushing aside. Parasailing involves safety equipment and a trained crew, but anyone who feels uneasy with heights, open water, or the launch process should ask for a full explanation before taking off.

You may also find that the parasailing operation feels more commercial than the snorkelling and beach stops. The activity itself is brief, and the focus is on getting each person up and back down efficiently. Ask who will handle photographs, how much they cost, and what the flight procedure involves before you board the parasailing boat.

The activity is not suitable for people with back problems. If you have a medical condition, recent injury, or serious concern about the harness and launch, this is not the place to ignore your limits.

What the $63 price really covers

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - What the $63 price really covers

At $63 per person, the price is reasonable if you want several Red Sea activities in one booking. You are paying for hotel pickup and return, a speedboat cruise, two snorkelling stops, snorkelling equipment, island entry, a five-minute parasailing session, a guide, captain, lunch box, fruit, nonalcoholic drinks, life jackets, and nature reserve fees.

That list matters because separate costs can quickly make a day on the water more expensive. Here, the main practical inclusions are already grouped together. You do not need to hire equipment or arrange your own transport to the marina.

The value is strongest for someone who wants variety. A dedicated snorkelling trip might provide more time at the reef. A dedicated island day might offer a slower beach experience. This excursion trades depth for range: speedboat, two reef stops, beach time, and parasailing in the same outing.

The price does not appear to include optional photographs, and you should budget cash for those only if you want them. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area is available as an add-on during checkout. That extra transfer charge can change the total value, so compare it with the cost of reaching the main pickup area yourself.

The package is also useful for families and mixed groups. One person can enjoy the beach, another can focus on snorkelling, and someone else can try parasailing. The family outing with Captain Momo was described as very well organized, though you should remember that the quality of the day may depend on the assigned guide and the group on your boat.

Timing, communication, and small details that matter

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - Timing, communication, and small details that matter

Do not expect a detailed pickup schedule several days ahead. The email sent at about 10 pm the previous evening may give you only a short window to prepare. Check your spam folder and make sure the operator has your correct nationality, hotel name, address, and room number.

You must provide a passport copy for daily permissions. This is an administrative requirement for the trip, so send the requested information promptly if you want to avoid a last-minute problem.

The stated language is English, but English ability may vary between staff. Keep instructions simple, and ask the guide or captain to repeat anything unclear. This is especially important before snorkelling and parasailing.

Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothes, carry a towel, and pack a jacket for the speedboat ride. Cash is useful for optional photographs and any small personal purchases. Pets are not allowed.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Red Sea hotel schedule.

Who will enjoy this speedboat day most

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - Who will enjoy this speedboat day most

I would recommend this for an active first-time visitor who wants several headline Red Sea activities without arranging them separately. You get water time, a beach stop, and a short aerial thrill in one package.

It suits families with older children who can follow boat and water instructions, couples looking for a full day outside the resort, and friends who want a lively shared outing. The included food, drinks, equipment, and transfers make it fairly easy to manage.

You may want a different tour if your priority is serious snorkelling, long quiet beach time, or polished guiding in fluent English. The island stop can feel secondary if you do not enjoy sitting on a beach, and the short parasail flight will not satisfy someone seeking a long aerial experience.

It is also a poor match if you have back problems or strongly dislike speedboat motion. The strict pickup rule means it is not forgiving for people who tend to run late.

Should you book it?

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - Should you book it?

Book this outing if you want maximum variety for $63 and like the idea of moving quickly between Red Sea highlights. The two snorkelling stops, island beach, parasailing, food, drinks, equipment, and transfers create a solid package for the money.

Go in with realistic expectations. Orange Bay or another island will be a shared day-trip beach, parasailing lasts five minutes, and optional photos may cost extra. Confirm your pickup details late the night before, stand at the correct hotel entrance, bring a towel, jacket, and cash, and ask questions if the English instructions are unclear.

For an active day with a helpful captain such as Momo, this is a good-value choice. For a slow, private, highly polished marine excursion, I would keep looking.

FAQ

Speedboat,Parasailing, Snorkeling & Piece Of Paradise Island - FAQ

How long does the parasailing activity last?

The included parasailing session lasts five minutes.

Which island will the boat visit?

The beach stop may be at Orange Bay, Magawish Island, or Nemo Island. The exact island is not fixed in advance.

Are snorkelling equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment and life jackets are included, along with two snorkelling stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the standard service. Long-range pickup from Makadi, Safaga, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and the Soma Bay area is available as an added option.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, a jacket, and cash. You should also provide the requested passport copy and accurate hotel details for daily permissions and pickup.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later.

More Parasailing Boat Trips in Hurghada

Scroll to Top

Find a coast that flies

Pick the water, then the height.