Private Speedboat Dolphins and Snorkelling Cruise in Hurghada

The main draw is simple: you get a private speedboat and a real chance to see dolphins in the Red Sea, rather than spending the whole morning on a large excursion boat. The route includes Dolphin House, El Fanadir, and Abu Minqar Island, with snorkeling stops along the way.

I like the included hotel pickup and the small-group setup, especially for families or friends who want their own boat. I also like that water, soft drinks, fruit, snacks, equipment, and a snorkeling guide are covered. The main catch is the low advertised price: the national park fee adds $10 per person, and some resort areas carry extra transfer charges.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphin House is the main goal: The tour gives you an estimated 80 percent chance of seeing dolphins in their natural environment.
• A private three-hour boat: Only your group takes part, which gives you more control than a standard shared cruise.
• Several Red Sea habitats: You may see coral, reef fish, manta rays, moray eels, and dolphins around Dolphin House and El Fanadir.
• Abu Minqar adds a shipwreck stop: The final snorkeling area offers something different from the coral reefs.
• Useful inclusions: Hotel pickup in Hurghada, a speedboat, snorkeling gear, a guide, water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks are included.
• Check the final cost: National park fees are extra, as are transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, Soma Bay, and El Gouna.

A private speedboat instead of a crowded day boat

This is a short Red Sea outing built around speed and flexibility. You are collected from your Hurghada hotel, taken to the boat, and spend about three hours on the water. Since the activity is private, only your own group joins the boat.

That matters more than it may first appear. A private boat usually makes it easier to keep the pace suited to your group. If some people want more time in the water and others prefer to sit in the sun, you have a better chance of balancing both interests than you would on a large shared boat.

The speedboat also suits a short holiday schedule. You get a half-day at sea without giving up an entire morning and afternoon. The trade-off is that three hours goes quickly, particularly if dolphins take time to locate or if the sea conditions slow the route.

The listed price is $10 per person, which looks exceptionally low for a private boat. You should treat that as a starting price rather than the full cost. The $10 national park fee is not included, and transfers from several nearby resort zones cost extra. Even with those additions, the tour may offer good value for a private outing, but check the final total before booking.

Setting out from Hurghada with pickup included

Private pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. That removes one of the common annoyances of a short boat trip: arranging a separate taxi before sunrise or finding your way to the marina.

The pickup area matters. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €5 per person. From Safaga, Soma Bay, and El Gouna, the extra charge is €10 per person. If you are staying outside Hurghada, add this amount when comparing the tour with other boat trips.

The tour includes private transportation, but the supplied details do not give a precise pickup time or meeting point. Your booking confirmation should clarify those details. Confirmation is issued at the time of booking, so check the message for the exact arrangements rather than relying only on the general tour description.

The provider is Bella Tours. One account of the outing describes a warm welcome from the hotel pickup, followed by a friendly captain and a photographer with a good sense of humor. No names are provided, so I would not count on requesting a particular crew member. Still, those details suggest that the human side of the trip can be part of its appeal, not just the time spent in the water.

Dolphin House and the search for wild dolphins

Dolphin House is the headline stop. The area is known for reef life and is visited in the hope of seeing dolphins in their natural surroundings. The stated chance of seeing them is 80 percent, which is strong but not a promise.

That distinction is important. Dolphins are wild animals, not a scheduled performance. You may see them clearly, briefly, or not at all. Sea conditions, animal behavior, and the timing of the boat all matter. A good attitude is to treat dolphin watching as the main possibility, while judging the snorkeling and scenery as worthwhile on their own.

If dolphins appear, the crew will direct your attention to them and may give you a chance to swim in the area. One account describes being able to swim with the dolphins, but you should understand that any in-water encounter depends on safe conditions and the animals’ behavior. Do not expect a controlled interaction or a guaranteed close approach.

This is also where the private format can help. Your group is not sharing the boat with a large crowd, so the experience should feel more personal. At the same time, a private boat cannot control nature. A smaller group improves comfort and communication, not the certainty of a dolphin sighting.

Snorkeling around El Fanadir’s coral reefs

The route also includes El Fanadir, another area known for Red Sea marine life. The waters around Dolphin House and El Fanadir may contain coral, reef fish, manta rays, and moray eels.

The appeal here is variety. Dolphins provide the memorable headline, but snorkeling gives you a second reason to value the trip. You are not simply racing out, looking for fins, and returning if the animals stay away. The reef areas offer a chance to see smaller life and underwater structure at a slower pace.

Snorkeling gear and a snorkeling guide are included. That is helpful if you are new to the activity or want support identifying what you see. A new snorkel mouthpiece is available on request for €5, which may matter if you prefer your own fresh mouthpiece rather than using standard shared equipment.

The tour data does not specify the exact brands or types of masks, fins, or flotation equipment. If fit is important to you, ask before departure. A poorly fitting mask can take the fun out of a short snorkeling stop, while a comfortable set of gear lets you spend your limited time watching the reef rather than adjusting equipment.

The Red Sea can be bright and exposed, so bring sensible sun protection and use it carefully around the water. The tour includes time for tanning, but three hours on a speedboat can mean more sun than you expect. A hat, cover-up, and reef-safe sunscreen are practical additions, even though they are not listed as inclusions.

Abu Minqar Island and the shipwreck finish

The final destination is Abu Minqar Island, where you can finish the snorkeling session by exploring a shipwreck. This gives the outing a different visual focus from the coral reef stops.

A shipwreck can be especially appealing if you have already snorkeled in several reef areas during your Egypt trip. It offers hard surfaces, unusual shapes, and a clear sense of place beneath the water. The provided details do not explain the wreck’s size, depth, age, or condition, so you should not book this as a technical wreck excursion. Think of it as a snorkeling stop with a wreck to investigate.

The phrase conclude your snorkeling excursion also suggests that Abu Minqar is the final water-based section before returning. You will want to keep some energy for this stop rather than using all your time and effort earlier in the morning. A three-hour trip is compact, and the return journey is part of that total.

Because the tour depends on good weather, the exact order or length of stops can change. If conditions are poor, the activity may be canceled and you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful for a boat trip, where wind and waves can affect both comfort and safety.

What the private format is really worth

A private tour is most valuable when your group has a shared idea of a good day. You might want plenty of time for snorkeling, a relaxed pace, or a quieter ride back. Families, couples, and small groups of friends are the natural audience.

The format is less useful if you are traveling alone and mainly want the lowest possible cost. A shared boat could spread the expense across more people, while this option charges for a private experience. Group discounts are available, but the exact discount is not given, so ask how the rate changes with your group size.

The speedboat itself makes the tour feel different from a slow, large boat cruise. You spend less time waiting for other passengers and more time moving between sites. The downside is that a speedboat can feel more exposed to wind and spray. If you are prone to seasickness, ask about the conditions and seating before departure.

You also need to be comfortable with a flexible wildlife outing. The tour is not a museum visit with fixed opening hours and guaranteed sights. Its strongest moments depend on the sea, the reefs, and the animals.

Food, drinks, and the practical extras

Water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks are included. For a three-hour outing, that is enough to make the trip easier, particularly if you do not want to organize food before hotel pickup.

The inclusions are simple rather than a full meal. If you need a substantial breakfast or have dietary restrictions, arrange that separately. No specific menu is provided, so do not assume that the snacks will suit allergies, medical diets, or strong food preferences.

Snorkeling equipment and a guide are also included. The optional €5 new snorkel mouthpiece is the one listed equipment surcharge. The €10 national park fee is separate from the advertised tour price and applies per person.

The mobile ticket is convenient for most visitors. You should still keep the booking confirmation available on your phone, especially because pickup and extra transfer charges need to be confirmed for hotels outside central Hurghada.

Who should book this Hurghada cruise

I would put this near the top of your list if you want three things in one short outing: a chance to see dolphins, reef snorkeling, and a private boat. It is also a sensible fit if you are staying in Hurghada and do not want a full-day sea trip.

Families may appreciate the private setting, since the group can stay together without adapting to dozens of strangers. Friends can split the private cost, making the $10 starting price look attractive once the added fees are understood.

This is also suited to casual snorkelers. You do not need to be an expert to take part, and most people can participate. The guide and supplied equipment make the activity approachable, though the tour details do not say whether flotation support is available, so ask if that is important to you.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed dolphin contact, a long time underwater, or a detailed wreck exploration. The dolphin sighting is estimated at 80 percent, not guaranteed. The trip lasts about three hours, and the shipwreck is presented as a snorkeling stop, not a specialized wreck tour.

Booking, cancellation, and final cost

The tour is often booked around nine days ahead, so booking a little early is sensible if your Hurghada schedule is tight. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the experience is offered as a private activity for your group alone.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted. Since the outing requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions comes with a different date or a full refund.

Before paying, ask for the complete price based on your hotel location and group size. Include the national park fee, any resort transfer supplement, and the optional new mouthpiece if you want one. This quick check prevents the $10 headline price from giving you the wrong impression.

Should you book the Bella Tours speedboat?

Book it if you want a compact, private Red Sea trip with a strong chance of dolphin watching, several snorkeling areas, and a shipwreck finish. The included pickup, guide, gear, drinks, fruit, and snacks make the package practical, and the private boat is the feature that gives it real value.

Skip it if your budget depends on the advertised $10 being the final price, or if seeing dolphins is the only reason you are going. The national park fee and possible transfer charges change the calculation, while wildlife can never be guaranteed.

For most people staying in Hurghada, this looks like a good short outing when you value privacy and variety more than a long day at sea. Just confirm the extra fees, accept that the dolphins set their own schedule, and keep enough time and energy for Abu Minqar’s shipwreck.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, including the speedboat ride and snorkeling stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Private pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €5 per person, while transfers from Safaga, Soma Bay, and El Gouna cost an additional €10 per person.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The stated chance of seeing dolphins is 80 percent. Dolphins are wild animals, so a sighting and any chance to swim near them depend on their behavior and sea conditions.

What snorkeling locations are included?

The route includes Dolphin House and El Fanadir, followed by Abu Minqar Island, where you can snorkel near a shipwreck.

What is included in the tour price?

The package includes private transportation from and to Hurghada hotels, a private three-hour speedboat, dolphin watching, snorkeling gear, a snorkeling guide, water, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks.

Are there extra fees?

Yes. A national park fee of $10 per person is not included. A new snorkel mouthpiece costs €5 on request, and transfer supplements apply for several resort areas outside Hurghada.