Giftun Island: A Portrayal of Lagoon in Egypt

Turquoise water so clear you can see the coral 10 meters below the surface. White sand beaches framed by the deep blue of the Red Sea. Schools of tropical fish weaving through coral gardens alive with color. This is Giftun Island — and it is one of the most beautiful natural destinations in Egypt.

Located just 10 kilometers off the coast of Hurghada, Giftun Island Egypt is a protected marine reserve and the crown jewel of the Egyptian Red Sea. Whether you are planning a snorkeling day trip, a scuba diving adventure, or simply a blissful day on a pristine beach, this complete guide tells you everything you need to know before you go.

What Is Giftun Island?

Giftun Island (also spelled Gifton or Giftoun) is a small island located within the Giftun Island National Park, a protected marine reserve in the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt. The island is part of a group that includes Big Giftun and Small Giftun (Giftun Saghir), surrounded by some of the richest coral reef ecosystems in the entire Red Sea.

The island sits within the Hurghada Marine Park, one of Egypt’s most important conservation zones, where commercial development is strictly limited to protect its extraordinary natural environment. This protection is precisely why Giftun Island remains so spectacular — its reefs are largely intact, its beaches are immaculate, and its waters are among the clearest in the region.

The Beaches of Giftun Island

Paradise Beach

True to its name, Paradise Beach is Giftun Island’s most iconic stretch of coastline. Powdery white sand, shallow turquoise water, and a calm, gentle atmosphere make it ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling directly from the shore. The beach is relatively secluded by Egyptian resort standards, making it a genuine escape for travelers seeking peace over party.

Mahmya Beach

Mahmya Beach is Giftun Island’s more social hub, managed as an eco-resort beach club. It offers sunbeds, beach umbrellas, a restaurant serving freshly prepared food, and facilities that make a day trip extremely comfortable. Despite its amenities, the beach maintains a relaxed and natural atmosphere, and the snorkeling directly off the shore is exceptional.

Both beaches are typically included in organized day trips from Hurghada, and most tours allow you to experience both during a single visit.

Snorkeling at Giftun Island

 snorkeling is among the best in Egypt — and some of the most accessible in the entire Red Sea. You do not need to be a certified diver to witness extraordinary marine life here. Simply put on a mask and fins, wade in from the beach, and you are immediately surrounded by one of the world’s most vibrant coral reef ecosystems.

The reefs surrounding Giftun Island are home to hundreds of species of coral (both hard and soft, forming elaborate gardens and towers), tropical reef fish including angelfish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, grouper, and lionfish, sea turtles frequently spotted gliding through the shallows, moray eels sheltering in reef crevices, rays cruising silently across the sandy seabed, and dolphins sometimes encountered on the boat ride to or from the island.

Most organized Giftun Island tours from Hurghada include snorkeling equipment and a guided snorkeling session with an instructor, making this an ideal activity even for first-time snorkelers.

Diving at Giftun Island

For certified divers, Giftun Island diving opens up a completely different dimension of the Red Sea. Below the shallow snorkeling zones, the reefs drop dramatically into deeper water, revealing sea walls, caves, overhangs, and dive sites that rank among the finest in the world.

Key Dive Sites Around Giftun Island

Shaab Abu Ramada (The Aquarium) is one of the most popular dive sites near Giftun Island, nicknamed for its extraordinary density of marine life. Coral pinnacles rise from the seabed surrounded by enormous schools of fish, with typically excellent visibility.

Giftun Kebir Reef runs along the eastern side of Big Giftun with diverse coral formations, fish cleaning stations, and regular sightings of turtles and rays.

Umm Gamar is a small island north of Giftun featuring a vertical wall dive reaching depths of over 40 meters, home to glassfish clouds, barracuda, and occasional hammerhead sharks in season.

Dive operators based in Hurghada run regular guided dives to these sites and can arrange everything from introductory “try dives” for beginners to advanced multi-dive day trips for experienced divers.

Giftun Island Tours: How to Visit from Hurghada

The most practical way to visit Giftun Island is by booking a Giftun Island day trip from Hurghada. Dozens of tour operators offer daily departures from Hurghada Marina, with trips typically lasting 6–8 hours including travel time.

A typical Giftun Island tour includes round-trip boat transfer from Hurghada Marina (approximately 30–45 minutes each way), time on one or both of the island’s main beaches, a guided snorkeling session with equipment provided, lunch (usually a buffet served on board or at Mahmya Beach), and use of sunbeds and beach facilities. Optional add-ons available include scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours for non-swimmers, banana boat and other water sports, and semi-submarine tours.

Tour prices typically range from $25–$60 USD per person for a standard day trip. Always read reviews and compare operators before booking.

How to Get to Giftun Island

Giftun Island is only accessible by boat. All departures leave from Hurghada Marina or the nearby El Dahar port — there are no ferries or public boats to the island. The journey takes approximately 30–45 minutes depending on the vessel and sea conditions.

From other Red Sea resorts such as El Gouna, Safaga, or Makadi Bay, transfers to Hurghada Marina can be arranged, though many resorts in these areas organize their own day trips to Giftun or nearby islands.

Marine Life and Conservation at Giftun Island

Giftun Island sits within a protected national park managed by Egypt’s Nature Conservation Sector. Visitor numbers are regulated, certain areas are off-limits, and conservation rules apply to all visitors. These protections have allowed Giftun’s reefs to remain in significantly better health than many other Red Sea sites that have suffered from overdevelopment.

As a visitor, you play a direct role in keeping this ecosystem healthy. Do not touch or stand on coral — even light contact can kill polyps that took decades to grow. Do not feed the fish, as it disrupts natural reef ecology. Do not collect shells, coral, or any marine organisms, as this is illegal within the national park. Use reef-safe sunscreen, as standard sunscreen chemicals damage coral and biodegradable alternatives are widely available in Hurghada. Leave the beach exactly as you found it.

Responsible tourism at Giftun Island is the reason it remains one of Egypt’s most spectacular natural destinations.

Best Time to Visit Giftun Island

Giftun Island can be visited year-round, but the experience varies by season.

October to April is the best time for most visitors. Temperatures are comfortable (22–28C), seas are generally calm, and underwater visibility is at its peak — often exceeding 20–30 meters. This is also the main tourist season in Hurghada, so tours run frequently and with plenty of options.

May to September brings hotter temperatures (30–40C on land) and warmer sea temperatures, which some divers prefer. The summer months see more domestic and European holidaymakers. The heat can be intense, but the island’s beaches and sea breezes make it manageable, and marine life sightings remain excellent.

What to Pack for a Giftun Island Day Trip

Come prepared with swimwear (and a spare set if possible), reef-safe sunscreen applied before boarding the boat, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, a light cover-up or rash guard for sun protection on the water, your own snorkel mask if you have one (recommended for hygiene and comfort), an underwater camera or waterproof phone case, cash in Egyptian pounds for tips and optional extras, and any personal water and snacks beyond what your tour provides. If you are sensitive to boat travel, bring motion sickness medication.

Practical Tips for Visiting Giftun Island

Book your tour in advance during the high season (December–February) as popular operators sell out quickly. Choose a reputable operator — quality varies significantly in Hurghada, so look for strong recent reviews, small group sizes, and knowledgeable marine guides. Arrive at the marina on time, as boats depart on schedule. Remember that the island has no shops, so bring everything essential from Hurghada. Non-swimmers can still enjoy Giftun Island through glass-bottom boat tours and beach relaxation.