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

A private boat changes the whole Red Sea day. This eight-hour charter gives you your own boat and crew, with room to shape the outing around snorkeling, swimming, dolphins, fishing, or island time. I especially like the chance to reach reef sites such as Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef, then settle into a freshly prepared lunch instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I also like the helpful crew support, particularly for nervous swimmers and first-time snorkelers. Guides such as Samir have helped people who felt anxious in the water, while captains including Mohammed and Abdul have adjusted the route to suit the group. The main caution is simple: the advertised island choices do not all come with the base price. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island each require an extra entry fee, so confirm your preferred route before boarding.

What Makes This Charter Worth Considering

• Private use for your group: The boat is reserved for your party, with capacity advertised for up to 14 people. The listed price of $324.41 applies to a group of up to eight, so larger groups should confirm the final rate.
• Two serious reef stops: Omo Gamaar and Carless Reef offer coral, colorful fish, morays, eels, rays, and the possibility of dolphins.
• Fresh lunch on board: Food, fruit, snacks, coffee, tea, bottled water, and other beverages are included.
• Flexible pacing: You can spend more time snorkeling, relaxing, or visiting an island instead of keeping pace with a large shared boat.
• Optional Giftun beaches: Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island each charge €10 for adults and €5 for children.
• Support for hesitant swimmers: Crew members can accompany and assist you in the water, an important plus for families and first-time snorkelers.

From Hurghada Marina to an Eight-Hour Day at Sea

The day begins at Hurghada Marina. The marina portion is brief, listed at about 10 minutes, but it is your chance to meet the captain and crew, settle aboard, and clarify the plan.

The biggest advantage here is control. On a standard group cruise, you generally accept the operator’s timetable and stops. This charter is private, so you can ask for a quieter pace, more time in the water, or a longer island visit. The boat has a restroom, snorkeling equipment, space to sit in sun or shade, and a large refrigerator according to one detailed account.

Hotel pickup is available for an added fee. The stated rates are €15 inside Hurghada, €20 from Sahl Hasheesh, and €25 from Makadi or El Gouna. That is a useful service if you do not want to arrange your own ride, though you should make the pickup request in advance and confirm the exact meeting point.

Omo Gamaar: A Strong First Look Below the Surface

Omo Gamaar is scheduled for about 30 minutes. It is known for coral and Red Sea fish, including blackback butterfly fish, Picasso fish, clownfish, morays, and eels. Blue-spotted manta rays may appear, and dolphins are also possible, though no wildlife sighting can be promised.

This is a good early stop because it gives you a quick sense of the water conditions and your own comfort level. If you are new to snorkeling, you can test the mask and fins here before spending longer at Carless Reef. The crew can help you get into the water and provide guidance, but you should still be comfortable following basic safety instructions.

Thirty minutes is not a long snorkeling session. If this stop is especially good, ask whether the captain can adjust the timing. The private format makes that conversation possible, although sea conditions and the day’s route still matter.

Carless Reef and the Best Snorkeling Time

Carless Reef receives about 45 minutes in the planned schedule and is the main underwater attraction. Expect coral formations and a broad mix of Red Sea fish. The stated marine life includes clownfish, Picasso fish, morays, eels, rays, and occasional dolphins.

The strongest part of this experience is not simply the location. It is having a crew member nearby to help you see what is around you. On one family outing, the crew pointed out eagle rays and led the group over living coral in clear water. On another, Samir helped a nervous swimmer remain calm. That kind of personal attention is much harder to arrange on a crowded boat.

You should keep expectations sensible. Snorkeling conditions depend on wind, visibility, currents, and wildlife. Dolphins are described as occasional, not guaranteed. The same applies to manta rays. The coral and fish are the reliable reason to book this trip, while dolphins are a fortunate extra.

If you have children, practice snorkeling in a pool before the boat day. One family specifically found that children were more confident at sea after learning to use their equipment beforehand. That small bit of preparation can turn a stressful swim into the best part of the day.

Choosing Between Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island

The island stops are where the pricing needs careful attention. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island are presented as optional, and each costs €10 for an adult or €5 for a child. Those charges are separate from the charter price.

Eden Island is designed as a beach stop with restaurants, bars, sun loungers, and other services. It suits you if you want a comfortable break from snorkeling, especially if your group includes people who prefer sunbathing and swimming in shallow water.

Orange Bay sits within the Big Giftun Island National Park. It has shallow water, beach facilities, music, a bar, and massage services. The stop is described as lasting about two hours, making it the most conventional beach-and-relaxation choice. Expect a developed beach setting rather than an empty island.

Paradise Island is presented as an eco-tourism beach with white sand, food, music, and a relaxed social atmosphere. It may appeal most if you want your island stop to feel like a full beach outing instead of a short swim from the boat.

These options can create confusion if you assume every island is included. One disappointing outing involved a group expecting an island tour, only to learn that the main beach stops required payment. The operator explains that Abu Minqar, a shallow sandbank, is the included island-style stop, while Eden, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island carry an entry charge.

My advice is to settle this before departure. Ask three direct questions: Which island is included? Which island requires a fee? How much time will remain for snorkeling after the beach stop? That quick conversation protects your budget and your expectations.

Giftun Islands and the Included National Park Ticket

The Giftun Islands are two islands near Hurghada, Big Giftun and Little Giftun. The trip includes the national park ticket, which removes one extra cost from the basic day.

The scheduled Giftun Islands stop is about 30 minutes, but the optional beach locations can take up to two hours. Those are very different experiences. The shorter stop is useful for a look at the islands and a swim, while the paid beach options provide organized facilities and more time ashore.

You should not treat the island names as a guarantee that every one will be visited. The day is customizable, but the route depends on your requests, weather, sea conditions, and available time. A private charter gives you more say, not unlimited time.

Lunch, Fruit, and the Crew Service

Lunch is included and prepared on board. The food received some of the strongest praise, with fresh meals, fruit platters, drinks, and snacks served during the day. One family called the lunch the best meal of its holiday, while another group specifically praised the cook for a delicious spread.

That matters because an eight-hour boat trip needs a proper pause. You can eat without leaving the boat, then rest before another swim. Coffee, tea, bottled water, snacks, and beverages are also included.

The crew is a major part of the value. Captains and staff named in the accounts include Mohammed, Abdul, Yousuf, Ayad, and Samir. Their roles may vary by departure, but the repeated pattern is clear: the captain handles the route, a cook prepares lunch, and other crew members help with drinks, equipment, and water safety.

I would not assume every outing will feel identical. One four-person group found the crew exceptionally attentive, while a less satisfied group felt the service was merely pleasant. That is a fair reminder that communication matters. Tell the crew at the start if anyone is nervous, wants more shade, prefers less time at a beach, or hopes to focus on snorkeling.

Boat Comfort and Group Size

The boat is described as large enough for groups to move between sun and shade. A 22-meter boat was used by one family of five, while a group of nine found enough room to spread out and change position during the day.

That space is valuable on a long charter. You are not confined to one seat, and you can find a quieter place while lunch is prepared or music is playing. One group also appreciated the boat’s large drinks refrigerator and on-board speakers.

The advertised capacity is up to 14 people, but the displayed price is for up to eight. Ask for the correct price if your group has nine or more members. A private boat becomes especially good value when the cost is divided among a larger party, but only if the boat size, crew, and final rate are confirmed.

The boat is well maintained according to one detailed account, though it is not described as new or modern. That is an honest expectation to set. You are paying for privacy, crew service, food, flexibility, and access to the sea, not for a luxury yacht finish.

Price and Practical Value

The listed price is $324.41 per group of up to eight. For eight people, that works out to roughly $41 per person before optional island fees and transfers. For a smaller group of four, the per-person cost is much higher, but you are buying privacy rather than a seat on a shared cruise.

I see the best value for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups of six to 14. A larger party can divide the charter cost while keeping the entire boat private. You also avoid the usual tradeoff of having one person who wants to snorkel while another wants to sit on a beach, because the route can be discussed and adjusted.

For two people, the price requires more thought. The boat, lunch, equipment, crew, and flexibility may still justify it for a special occasion, but a shared cruise will usually cost less. The private format makes the most sense if privacy, personal attention, or a custom route matters more than the lowest possible price.

Optional beach fees can add up. A family of two adults and two children would pay €30 for one of the named island beaches, before transfer costs. If you prefer to avoid those charges, ask about the included Abu Minqar sandbank and plan to spend more time snorkeling from the boat.

Weather, Cancellation, and Who Should Book

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

This is a good choice for you if:

• You want a private day rather than a shared cruise.
• Your group includes first-time or nervous snorkelers.
• You care about fresh lunch and attentive service.
• You want to combine reefs with an island beach.
• You are traveling with enough people to share the cost.
• You want to adjust the pace instead of following a rigid schedule.

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed dolphin encounter, a completely empty beach, or a modern luxury yacht. It is also not ideal if your budget does not allow for transfer costs and optional island entry fees.

Should You Book This Hurghada Boat Trip?

I would book it for a group that values privacy, good snorkeling, and a relaxed day on the Red Sea. The reef stops, on-board lunch, helpful crew, and ability to shape the schedule give it more character than a standard group outing.

Before paying, confirm the final group price, boat size, pickup fee, included sandbank stop, and optional island charges. If you do that, the experience offers a strong blend of sea time, food, comfort, and personal service. For a family or larger group, it is particularly good value. For two people, it becomes a special splurge rather than an obvious bargain.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

The trip lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the boat trip begin?

All trips begin at Hurghada Marina.

How many people can join the private charter?

The experience is advertised for up to 14 people, while the listed price of $324.41 covers a group of up to eight. Confirm the final rate for larger groups.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfers are available for an additional charge. The stated prices are €15 inside Hurghada, €20 from Sahl Hasheesh, and €25 from Makadi or El Gouna.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, and other beverages. Lunch is prepared on board.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the boat also has a restroom.

Do the island beach stops cost extra?

Yes. Eden Island, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island each list an entry fee of €10 for adults and €5 for children. The national park ticket is included.