Magawish Island or Paradise Island: Which to Pick?

Magawish Island and Paradise Island are two of the most popular boat days from Hurghada, and they are easy to mix up: both are full-day trips, both include lunch and both involve snorkeling. They feel quite different once you are on board, though. One is built around reefs and a quiet beach, the other adds water sports and parasailing to the island day.

This guide compares the two trips using the details on our own trip pages, so you can decide before you message us. Programs and timings can change with weather and sea conditions, and we confirm the final details with you on WhatsApp when you book.

Magawish Island: reefs and beach time

The Magawish Island trip takes about 8 hours with hotel pickup around 8:00 AM. The boat heads out to the island, and the day has two guided snorkeling stops at coral reefs, followed by about 1.5 hours of free time on the island and beach. Lunch is served on board with soft and hot drinks.

Snorkeling gear and a snorkeling guide are included, which suits beginners who have never worn a mask before. The pace is relaxed: you swim, eat, then walk the sand or sit in the shade before the boat returns to the marina.

• Two guided snorkeling stops at coral reefs
• About 1.5 hours of free time on the island and beach
• Lunch on board with soft and hot drinks
• Snorkeling gear and guide included

Paradise Island: a busier day with water sports

The Paradise Island trip runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with hotel pickup between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. Besides the boat cruise and guided snorkeling stops, the package includes banana boat and cobra rides, a parasailing flight, island entry fees, beach chairs and an open buffet lunch with soft drinks on the yacht.

Parasailing is the headline extra. The flight is single, double or triple depending on total weight, flies at roughly 30 to 50 metres above the sea and lasts about 8 to 10 minutes in the air, with a safety briefing before takeoff, a harness and a life jacket. Take-off and landing are from the boat platform. The price is EUR 50 per person.

• Banana boat and cobra rides included
• Parasailing flight included (single, double or triple, depending on weight)
• Island entry fees, beach chairs and buffet lunch included
• Photographer, island drinks and optional tips are not included

Side by side: which one suits you?

Choose Magawish Island if the reef is the point of the day for you, you want two guided snorkeling stops and you prefer a calmer schedule with a long swim and a beach break. Choose Paradise Island if you want more activity: water sports and a parasailing flight are already part of the package, so you do not need to arrange them separately.

If you are travelling with people who do not want to swim much, the water sports and chairs on the Paradise Island trip give them something to do. If everyone is happy in a mask, Magawish is the more snorkeling-focused of the two.

• Length: Magawish about 8 hours; Paradise 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Snorkeling: Magawish has two guided stops; Paradise includes guided snorkeling stops
• Activities: Paradise adds banana boat, cobra and parasailing
• Price: Paradise EUR 50 per person; for Magawish, ask us on WhatsApp

Pickup, what is included and what to bring

Both trips include hotel transfers in the Hurghada area. On the Paradise Island page, transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna and Soma Bay are listed as not included, and the Magawish trip can carry an extra transfer fee for hotels outside Hurghada city, so send us your hotel name and we will confirm what applies. Magawish may also have a national park or environmental fee, paid locally, if applicable.

Pack light and bring the same basics for either trip.

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• A water bottle
• ID or passport, plus a photo of your passport on your phone
• Some cash for extras such as tips or photos

How to book

Send us a message on WhatsApp at +20 128 8062555 with your date, hotel and number of guests. We will confirm the pickup time, what is included and the price for the trip you choose. If you are still undecided, ask us which one fits your group.