Full Description
The Mahmya Island Tour Hurghada combines a private boat day with snorkelling at a coral reef and plenty of time on the sandy beach of Mahmya Island. The boat is reserved only for your own group, so you do not share it with a large public excursion group.
After hotel pickup, you travel to the marina. From there, your private boat heads out across the Red Sea. A snorkelling stop is planned at a suitable coral reef before you continue to Mahmya Island, where you can relax on the beach, swim and enjoy lunch at the island restaurant.
Snorkelling equipment, lunch, soft drinks on the boat and private hotel transfer are included in the standard programme.
Participants | Boat | Price per person | Children 6–11 |
|---|---|---|---|
1–2 people | Exclusive private boat | €150 | €75 |
3–5 people | Exclusive private boat | €115 | €57.50 |
6–8 people | Exclusive private boat | €90 | €45 |
Children aged 0 to 5 travel free.
For babies and young children, the weather, boat setup, available shade and suitable life jacket sizes should still be checked before booking.
Mahmya Island Tour Hurghada at a Glance
The standard programme includes:
Exclusive private boat for your own group
Hotel pickup and return transfer
Private air-conditioned transfer
Boat trip across the Red Sea
Snorkelling stop at a selected coral reef
Snorkelling support
Snorkelling equipment
Free time on Mahmya Island
Beach access
Lunch at the island restaurant
Soft drinks on the boat
German-speaking support
Daily operation, subject to weather and sea conditions
Around 8–9 hours in total
If you want to compare different snorkelling and island trips from Hurghada:
What Makes Mahmya Island Different from Other Island Trips?
Mahmya is in the Giftun Islands area off Hurghada.
This tour does not focus on a long list of different activities.
The day mainly centres on three things:
Private boat trip
Snorkelling
Longer beach time on Mahmya Island
This can suit you if you do not want to move between lots of water activities and would rather have a calmer island and snorkelling day.
Private Boat Instead of a Large Group Trip
The boat is reserved only for your booking group.
That means:
No large public group on your boat
More space for your group
More personal support
A quieter boat trip
Easier-to-manage breaks
Private does not mean that the island or coral reef is reserved only for your group.
Other boats and visitors may use the same areas.
Typical Mahmya Island Tour Hurghada Schedule
The day runs from around 08:00 to 17:00.
The total duration is around 8–9 hours.
The exact order may change because of wind, waves, visitor numbers and reef conditions.
Around 08:00 – Hotel Pickup
In the morning, you are collected directly from your hotel.
Your private air-conditioned transfer takes you to the marina in Hurghada.
The exact pickup time depends on your hotel and resort.
Hotels outside Hurghada may require a longer transfer.
Arrival at the Marina
At the marina, you meet the crew.
Before departure, the team explains the expected plan and main safety information.
If you:
Cannot swim
Are snorkelling for the first time
Are travelling with young children
Have health limitations
tell the crew before the boat leaves.
Boat Trip Across the Red Sea
You then head towards the Giftun Islands area.
The boat transfer towards Mahmya takes roughly 45 minutes, depending on the boat, weather and sea conditions.
This should be treated as a guide rather than an exact time.
Wind and waves can make the crossing shorter or longer.
Snorkelling Stop at a Coral Reef
A snorkelling stop at a selected reef is planned during the trip.
There is one main snorkelling stop; a second stop is not part of the fixed programme.
The crew chooses a suitable area based on:
Wind
Waves
Current
Underwater visibility
Boat traffic
Group safety
Why the Reef Does Not Need to Be Fixed in Advance
Sea conditions change every day.
A reef may be calm one day and have stronger current the next.
Choosing a suitable snorkelling area on the day is more useful than promising a fixed reef name in advance.
Snorkelling for Beginners
Beginners can also join the tour.
If you have never snorkelled before, tell the onboard team before entering the water.
Take time to learn:
How the mask should fit
How to breathe through the snorkel
How to move with fins
How to enter the water
How to stay close to the boat
Conditions are checked on the day.
Suitable for beginners does not mean the sea will always be completely calm.
More advice for first-time snorkellers:
If You Cannot Swim
You do not have to snorkel.
You can stay on the boat during the snorkelling stop and enjoy the island later.
If you cannot swim, tell the crew before departure.
A life jacket can provide extra flotation but does not replace swimming ability in every situation.
What Marine Life Might You See?
Many different fish live around the reefs.
Examples include:
Parrotfish
Butterflyfish
Other reef fish
Rays or sea turtles may also appear from time to time.
None of these sightings can be guaranteed.
Marine animals move freely, and sightings depend on conditions and time of day.
Protecting the Coral Reefs
Corals are living and fragile.
When snorkelling:
Do not touch coral
Do not stand on coral
Keep your fins away from the reef
Do not feed marine animals
Do not remove shells or coral
Do not leave rubbish behind
Mahmya is in a protected island and marine area.
Protecting the reefs should therefore be part of the whole day.
Continue to Mahmya Island
After snorkelling, the boat continues to the island.
Mahmya is known for its light-coloured sandy beach and clear water.
The exact appearance of the sea still depends on:
Sun
Clouds
Wind
Time of day
Water conditions
Online photos should not be treated as a guarantee of exactly the same conditions during your visit.
Arrival on Mahmya Island
You have free time on the island.
You can:
Swim
Relax on the beach
Walk
Take photos
Stay in shallow water
Rest
There is no fixed number of minutes for the island stay.
Lunch at the Island Restaurant
Lunch is served at a restaurant on Mahmya Island.
There is no fixed menu.
If you:
Are vegetarian
Have allergies
Have food intolerances
mention this when making your enquiry.
Drinks on the Boat
Soft drinks on the boat are included.
Drinks ordered separately on the island are not included in the standard price.
Beach Time After Lunch
After lunch, you have more time for the beach and sea.
You do not have to follow another activity at this stage.
This is one of the main differences between Mahmya and tours that move through many short activity blocks.
If you prefer to:
Read
Swim
Take photos
Sit in the shade
that is just as suitable as spending more time in the water.
Is Mahmya Only for Snorkellers?
No.
The island section can also suit guests who do not want to snorkel.
You can skip the reef stop and still enjoy the boat trip, beach and island time.
Mahmya Island with Children
The private boat can give families more space and a calmer setup than a large public boat.
Children do not need to take part in every activity and can rest on the boat or at the beach.
It is still a full day at sea.
Useful items for children include:
Sun cream
Sun hat
Towel
Dry change of clothes
Personal medication
Extra snacks if needed
Light jacket during cooler months
More advice about choosing a boat trip with children:
Child Prices
The current booking system uses:
Adults: 12 years and over
Children 6–11: 50% of the adult price
Children 0–5: free
Provide the exact age of each child when enquiring.
This also allows the team to check whether suitable life jackets are available.
Babies and Young Children
For very young children, do not decide based on price alone.
Before booking, check:
Current weather
Sea conditions
Boat type
Shade on board
Correct life jacket size
Total duration
Transfer time
A free child place does not mean every sea condition is suitable for a toddler.
Pregnancy
Even a larger boat can move in waves.
If you are pregnant, ask your doctor whether a full-day boat trip is suitable for you.
Mention the pregnancy when making your enquiry.
The boat type and conditions can then be checked before booking.
Back, Neck or Joint Problems
Boat movement can become noticeable in rougher water.
Boarding, getting off and sitting for longer periods may also be difficult for some guests.
If you have significant back, neck, hip or joint problems, mention this before booking.
Limited Mobility
The tour is suitable for many travellers with health limitations.
This does not mean full accessibility.
Before booking, check:
Marina access
Boarding the boat
Steps on board
Toilet access
Seating
Entering the water
Boat ladder
Paths on Mahmya Island
Walking on sand
A private boat can make personal assistance easier, but it is not automatically fully accessible.
More information:
Seasickness
Seasickness can occur even on a larger boat.
If you are prone to it, ask a doctor or pharmacist about suitable options before the trip.
Some guests find it helpful to look towards the horizon and sit in a steadier part of the boat.
Sun Protection
Sun exposure is strong on the Red Sea.
The water and light-coloured sand can reflect additional sunlight.
Useful items include:
Sun cream
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Lightweight clothing
Enough water
Reapply sun protection after swimming.
What to Bring
For the Mahmya Island Tour Hurghada, we recommend:
Swimwear
Towel
Sun cream
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Dry change of clothes
Personal medication
Waterproof phone case
Phone or camera
Some cash
Light jacket during cooler months
Towels are not included.
Kayaks
Kayaks are not included in the standard price.
If kayaking matters to you, confirm before booking:
Whether it is available on your date
Whether advance booking is needed
Current price
Photography Services
Professional photography is also not included in the standard price.
If photography is offered during the day, it is an extra service.
You are not required to buy any photos.
Weather and Operation
The tour is offered daily but depends on sea conditions.
Strong wind or poor weather may lead to:
A different snorkelling area
Adjusted timing
Route changes
Rescheduling
Cancellation for safety reasons
The captain and operator make the final decision on safe operation.
How Long Does the Mahmya Island Tour Hurghada Take?
Allow around 8–9 hours.
This leaves enough room for transfers, boat travel, snorkelling and island time.
Pickup from Different Red Sea Resorts
The tour is available from:
Hurghada
El Gouna
Sahl Hasheesh
Makadi Bay
Soma Bay
Safaga
Marsa Alam
El Quseir
Direct hotel transfer is part of the offer.
For hotels outside Hurghada, confirm:
Whether transfer is included
Whether an extra charge applies
Exact pickup time
Additional transfer duration
Mahmya Island or Orange Bay?
Both are in the Giftun Islands area but use a slightly different day format.
Mahmya focuses on:
Private boat day
One main reef snorkelling stop
Longer beach time
Lunch at the island restaurant
Orange Bay has a different beach-club-style setup and is sold by Orient Discovery as a separate product.
If you want to compare different island trips:
Best Time of Year for Mahmya Island
Boat trips can run throughout the year when weather conditions allow.
Summer has strong sun and high temperatures.
In winter, wind and the period after swimming can feel much cooler.
Spring and autumn can offer comfortable conditions for many visitors.
More information about the seasons in Hurghada:
Included in the Price
Exclusive private boat for your own group
Hotel pickup within the confirmed transfer area
Return transfer to your hotel
Private air-conditioned transfer
Boat trip across the Red Sea
Snorkelling stop at a selected reef
Snorkelling equipment
German-speaking support
Free time on Mahmya Island
Lunch at the island restaurant
Soft drinks on the boat
Standard services included in the confirmed booking
Not Included in the Standard Price
Kayaks
Towels
Photography services
Extra drinks on Mahmya Island
Personal expenses
Souvenirs
Tips
Extra services not confirmed in advance
Possible transfer supplements for more distant resorts
Who Is the Mahmya Island Tour Hurghada For?
This tour may suit you well if you:
Specifically want to visit Mahmya Island
Prefer a private boat
Want to combine snorkelling with longer beach time
Want lunch on the island
Want to travel privately with your partner, family or friends
Do not want a large public boat trip
Want to enjoy the beach even if you do not snorkel
If you want a day with several water activities, another island tour may suit you better.
If beach time, one reef stop and a private boat are more important, Mahmya is more clearly focused on that type of day.
Enquire About the Mahmya Island Tour Hurghada
If you want to visit Mahmya Island on a private boat and combine the day with snorkelling, beach time and lunch, you can enquire for your preferred date.
Tell us:
Travel date
Number of adults
Number and ages of children
Hotel name
Holiday resort
Swimming ability
Dietary requirements
Health limitations
Mobility limitations
If you cannot swim, are travelling with a baby, are pregnant, or have significant back or neck problems, mention this before booking.
Before booking, availability, transfer details, pickup time, weather conditions and the exact daily programme are confirmed.
