Is Giftun Island Worth Visiting? Orange Bay, Mahmya and Snorkeling from Hurghada

Is Giftun Island worth visiting? Yes. Giftun Island is the easiest and most rewarding day trip from Hurghada: a short boat ride, two or three snorkeling stops on coral reefs with very clear water, and a few hours on a white-sand beach at Orange Bay or Mahmya, which are both on the island. It is less worth it if you dislike boats or came to Egypt mainly for temples and museums.

Below we explain where Giftun is, the difference between Orange Bay and Mahmya, what a typical trip includes and costs, how good the snorkeling is, when to go, and what to bring. Our Hurghada team sends guests to Giftun almost every day of the year, so the tips are first-hand.

Three things: the reefs, the water and the fact that nobody lives there. The Giftun Islands are a protected marine area, so there are no hotels, no roads and no overnight stays, and the reefs around them are in much better shape than the ones off the Hurghada city beaches. The island's beach areas, Orange Bay, Mahmya and Paradise Beach, have white sand and shallow lagoons that look almost unreal in the morning light. Sea turtles are sometimes seen in the quieter bays, and dolphins now and then on the crossing.

The protected status also brings a fee for each visitor. Many trips include it; when they do not, it is usually collected in cash at the marina before the boat leaves, so ask your operator and carry some cash.

Giftun is ideal for travellers who want clear Red Sea water, easy snorkeling and a beach day without organising anything. It suits families (calm, shallow water at the beach stops), couples, beginners who want to try snorkeling with a guide, and anyone staying in Hurghada, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi.

It is less suitable if you get seasick easily (the crossing can be choppy on windy days), if you want a quiet, empty island (the beaches are busy in high season), or if you prefer history to the sea. In that case a day trip to Luxor from Hurghada is a better use of a day.

A common mistake is to treat Orange Bay, Mahmya and Giftun as three different islands. They are not: Orange Bay and Mahmya are two beach areas on Giftun Island, run by different operators, and most boat trips stop at one of them after the reefs.

How to get to Orange Bay, and what is there

There is no road and no public ferry: you reach Orange Bay on a boat trip or a private boat from one of the Hurghada marinas, and many trips add a snorkeling stop on the way. The beach has sun loungers and shade, several restaurants and bars, toilets and changing rooms, and the wooden swings standing in the shallow water that appear in most photos. Expect a queue for the swings and a crowded beach from late morning; the first boats of the day get the empty lagoon.

How to get to Mahmya, and what to do there

Mahmya runs its own boats from the Mahmya marina in Hurghada, and you book directly or through a tour that includes it. The day is built around the beach: swimming inside the buoyed area, wooden umbrellas, the buffet restaurant and, on the full programme, a snorkeling trip to Sabina Reef. Outside food and drink are not allowed.

Mahmya prices at the time of writing

Mahmya publishes its own prices. We last checked on 4 November 2026: day use with the boat transfer EUR 38 per adult (EUR 19 per child), day use with buffet lunch EUR 60 (EUR 30), and a full programme with a snorkeling trip to Sabina Reef EUR 85 (EUR 42.50). Children aged 7 and over pay the adult price and children under 3 go free. Prices are charged in Egyptian pounds at the day's rate and can change, so check before you go.

Our advice

If your priority is snorkeling, book a Giftun boat with two or three reef stops and a short beach stop. If your priority is a relaxed beach day with lunch, book Mahmya. If you want the photos on the swings, ask for a trip that stops at Orange Bay, and leave early: the lagoon is most beautiful before the midday boats arrive.

1. Hotel pickup in the morning, usually between 7:30 and 8:30 depending on where you stay.
2. Boat from the marina: about 30 to 45 minutes across open water to the first reef, depending on the boat and the sea.
3. Snorkeling stops: two or three reefs around the islands, with masks, fins and life jackets on board and a guide in the water.
4. Lunch on board: most full-day trips serve a simple buffet of rice, salads, chicken or fish, with soft drinks.
5. Beach time: one to three hours at Orange Bay or Mahmya.
6. Return in the afternoon, back at the hotel around 16:00 to 17:00.

Check what your trip includes before you book: the beach entry, drinks, towels and the protected-area fee are sometimes extra.

Yes, it is one of the best snorkeling areas near Hurghada, because the good reefs are around the islands and not at the city beaches. Visibility is usually very good, often 20 m or more on calm days.

• Marine life: parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish in anemones, lionfish and surgeonfish are seen on almost every stop; sea turtles and rays sometimes; dolphins now and then on the crossing.
• Coral: hard and soft coral gardens with shallow tops, so you see colour without diving down.
• Beginners: the guides choose sheltered stops, and you can snorkel with a life jacket or a ring. Non-swimmers should tell the crew before the first stop.
• Divers: dive boats visit the same island reefs and nearby wrecks such as the El Mina; the Straits of Gubal are a longer day.

The islands are part of a protected area, so do not touch or stand on coral, do not feed the fish, and use reef-safe sunscreen. For more spots, see the best beaches in Hurghada for snorkeling.

The best time of day is the morning, when the sea is usually calmer and the beaches emptier. If the wind is strong, the port authority can stop boats from sailing; keep a flexible day in your plan. See the best months to visit Egypt for the wider picture.

What to bring

• Reef-safe sunscreen with high SPF, a hat and sunglasses
• Swimwear under your clothes and a towel (if not provided)
• A waterproof phone pouch and a small bag; leave valuables at the hotel
• Water shoes for the boat and the beach
• A light long-sleeved top, and a jacket from November to March for the ride back
• Cash in Egyptian pounds for drinks, photos and tips

What to wear

Swimwear under light, loose clothes, a long-sleeved top or a rash guard for snorkeling in the midday sun, and sandals or water shoes that can get wet. There is no dress code on the boats or the beaches.

What to avoid

• Swimming outside the buoyed areas at the beaches
• Skipping the life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer
• Touching coral, standing on reefs or taking shells
• Booking the cheapest boat without checking the stops: some trips spend most of the day at the beach and little time on the reefs

Yes. There is no public ferry, and boats need a licence to take visitors to the islands, so you go with an organised trip, a private boat, or Mahmya's own transfer. A shared boat is the cheapest option; a private boat costs more but lets you choose the reefs and leave before the crowds, which is worth it for families and small groups.

Types of Giftun Island trips

• Shared snorkeling boat: the classic day, with two or three reef stops, lunch on board and a beach stop. Check how long you get on the reefs.
• Private boat or speedboat: your own route and timing; a speedboat cuts the crossing and lets you reach Orange Bay before the crowds.
• Mahmya day use: Mahmya's own transfer and a beach day with lunch, with or without the Sabina Reef snorkel.
• Dive trip: book with a Hurghada dive centre; the Giftun reefs are among the standard local dive sites.

If you are in Hurghada, Giftun is the natural first sea trip. If you travel on to Sharm El Sheikh, Ras Mohamed National Park has more dramatic reef walls. For a dry alternative with small children, the submarine shows the reef through windows. And for everything else to do on land, see our guide to things to do in Hurghada city, or compare the coasts in Marsa Alam vs Hurghada.

Our Hurghada day tours include Giftun Island boats with reef stops and beach time. For non-swimmers, the submarine tour in Hurghada shows the same reefs. To combine the islands with the pyramids, see the 7 days Cairo and Hurghada holiday.

Is Orange Bay on Giftun Island?

Yes. Orange Bay and Mahmya are both beach areas on Giftun Island off Hurghada, not separate islands.

Is Giftun Island better than Orange Bay?

They are not alternatives: Orange Bay is a beach on Giftun. Choose a trip with more reef stops for snorkeling, or a longer Orange Bay stop for a beach day.

How long is the boat ride to Giftun Island?

Usually 30 to 45 minutes from Hurghada on a regular trip boat and around 20 minutes by speedboat, depending on the marina and the sea.

Can you stay overnight on Giftun Island?

No. There are no hotels on the island; all visits are day trips.

Is Giftun Island good for children?

Yes. The beach stops have calm, shallow water, and crews provide life jackets. Children under 3 often travel free; check the age rules of your trip.

Can non-swimmers go to Giftun Island?

Yes. Non-swimmers can snorkel with a life jacket or ring next to the guide, or stay on the beach, where the water is shallow.