Snorkeling in Hurghada: Swim with Dolphins & Abu Minqar Island

Swim alongside dolphins, then drop into reefs teeming with coral and fish

A private 4-hour speedboat snorkeling trip from Hurghada takes you to Careless Reef and the Giftun Islands to swim with dolphins in open water, explore coral reefs with a guide, and rest on Abu Minqar Island. The boat includes snorkeling equipment, a private guide in your choice of language, bottled water and snacks. The National Park ticket is built in, and there's no onboard photographer or upselling.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Careless Reef30m
2. Giftun Islands30m

Speed boat trip with marine activities

• Embark on private speed boat
• Swim with dolphins
• Snorkel at coral reefs
• Visit Abu Minqar Island
• Relax on sandy beaches

The experience

The speedboat leaves Hurghada and heads into the Red Sea, where the reef system stretches over 1,500 km and holds more than 300 species of coral and 1,000 species of fish: 10% of them found nowhere else on earth. You'll stop first at Careless Reef to snorkel in clear water, mask and fins already fitted, moving through the coral gardens with your guide. The reef sits shallow enough to see the bottom and the fish moving through it, and deep enough that the color doesn't fade as you descend.

After the reef, the boat takes you to the Giftun Islands: two islands in the Red Sea near Hurghada where the water opens up for dolphin swimming. This is where the encounter happens: you're in the water with the dolphins in their habitat, not watching from the boat. The guide stays with you, and the moment is unrushed. Once you've had time in the water, you'll head to Abu Minqar Island to rest on the sand, dry off, and eat the snacks and drink the water the boat carries.

Everything is arranged before you board: snorkeling gear fits to your size, the guide speaks your language (English, Spanish, Italian, French or two others), and the National Park ticket is already paid. No photographer will try to sell you pictures, and no one will pitch add-ons once you're at sea. The whole trip runs four hours, which leaves the rest of your day free.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment fitted to your size.
• private snorkeling guide in your choice of language.
• bottled water and snacks.
• National Park ticket.
• hotel pickup.
• no hidden fees and no onboard photographer.

Before you book

Lasts 4h–5h, runs every day at 08:30, 09:00 and 13:00, from US$ 182 per group, with live guides in 6 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 13:00

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Is this one for you?Four hours leaves the rest of your day free, which suits a first-time snorkeler or a family who wants the dolphins and the reef without committing the whole afternoon. The private boat and guide mean no crowded departures and no schedule built around other groups.

Traveler reviews

4.86★★★★★★★★★★

510 verified traveler reviews

5 ★469

4 ★21

3 ★13

2 ★4

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Red Sea reef like when you snorkel it in Hurghada?

Careless Reef holds over 300 species of coral and 1,000 species of fish across the Red Sea's 1,500-km reef system. 10% of the fish species live nowhere else. You snorkel in clear water shallow enough to see the bottom and the coral gardens in full color.

Do you actually swim with dolphins, or watch them from the boat?

You're in the water with the dolphins in their natural habitat, not watching from the boat. The guide is with you, and the time in the water is unhurried.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Snorkeling equipment, the private guide, bottled water, snacks, and the National Park ticket are all included. There's no hidden fees, no onboard photographer, and no upselling once you're at sea.

How long is the whole trip, and what time does it start?

The speedboat trip runs four hours. Pickup from your hotel is included. The operator will confirm your departure time when you book.

What are the Giftun Islands, and what do you do there?

The Giftun Islands are two islands in the Red Sea near Hurghada: Giftun Kebir (Big Giftun) closer to shore and Giftun Soraya (Little Giftun) further east. You stop at Abu Minqar Island to rest on the beach, soak up the sun, and recover between the reef snorkeling and the dolphin swim.