Per boat, not per person
Group trips sell seats. Private boats sell the whole boat for a block of time, with captain, fuel and usually snorkel gear included. That changes the maths. For two people, a private speedboat costs a lot more than two big-boat tickets. For a family of five, the gap gets small. For eight people on a mid-size yacht, it can come close to group-trip prices per head, and you get the boat to yourselves.
The boat size decides who fits. One Hurghada charter company publishes its fleet like this: 5-metre speedboats for up to 4 people, 9–10-metre speedboats for up to 8, 11–14-metre yachts for up to 8, and 24-metre yachts for 14–16. Other operators run similar boats. When a listing shows one nice photo and no length or passenger limit, ask.
Speedboat or yacht
| Private speedboat | Private yacht with crew | |
|---|---|---|
| Usual length of trip | 2–4 hours | 7–8 hours, sometimes half day |
| Where it can go in that time | One island or Dolphin House, plus 1–2 reefs | Island, 2 reefs, Dolphin House on some routes |
| Shade and toilet | Little shade, no toilet on small boats | Shaded deck, toilet, sometimes a shower |
| Food | Fruit, water, soft drinks | Lunch cooked on board; chef on bigger yachts |
| In wind | Fast but bumpy, wet in the front | Slower and steadier |
| Who it suits | Couples, small families, people short on time | Bigger groups, small kids, older travellers |
A practical point: if anyone in your group gets seasick, take the yacht. A speedboat crossing to Giftun in a north wind is a fast ride over short waves, and there is nowhere to hide from the spray.
What to agree before you pay
Local private-boat operators mostly take bookings on WhatsApp and payment on the day in cash, sometimes by card. That can work well, but put these in writing first:
- Route and stops. Which island, which reefs, Dolphin House or not. "Orange Bay" on a private boat can mean a snorkel stop near the beach, not landing on it.
- Hours. Do they count from hotel pickup or from leaving the marina? A "4-hour" trip that includes an hour of driving is a 3-hour trip.
- What's extra. Island entry per person, the protected-area fee (see the fee card), lunch, soft drinks beyond water, a dive instructor if someone wants to dive, and the photographer.
- Transfers. Most include pickup in Hurghada town. From Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay or El Gouna it's often a supplement, or you leave from a closer marina.
- Gear and sizes. Life jackets for each child in the right size, masks that fit kids, fins.
- Weather. What happens if the coastguard closes the port or the wind is too strong for a small boat.
- Payment and cancellation. Currency, whether a deposit is needed, and what you get back if you cancel.
Booking through a platform costs a little more on some boats, but you pay by card, the cancellation terms are written, and you have someone to complain to. Booking direct can be cheaper and more flexible on the route. Either way, the questions above are the same.
Mornings, afternoons and sunset
Morning trips usually get flatter water, because the wind tends to build during the day, and they reach the reefs before the big boats unload. Afternoon slots get busier water at first, then quieter beaches once the day boats start heading back to the marina. Sunset cruises and dinner yachts are their own thing: little snorkelling, a meal on deck, back after dark. Pick the slot for what you want to do, not just for the price.
