Giftun Island is the most popular boat-trip destination off Hurghada, and the first name most visitors hear when they ask what to do beyond the beach. It offers clear water, coral reefs and sandy shores within a short boat ride of the city. This guide explains where it is, why it is famous, what you can do there, how it compares with Orange Bay, how to get there and when to go, so you can decide whether a Giftun Island day trip fits your holiday.
What Is Giftun Island in Hurghada?
Giftun Island, also written Geftun or Giftun, is a small island group in the Red Sea opposite Hurghada. Most visitors mean the main island, Giftun Kebir (Big Giftun), together with the smaller island, Giftun Saghir (Small Giftun), and the reefs around them. The area is a protected marine park, which is one reason the reefs are in better condition than many sites close to the shore.
Day boats leave Hurghada marina and the nearby harbors every morning. Most trips combine a stop at a beach for swimming and sunbathing with one or two snorkeling stops on the reef, and divers use the same reefs for introductory and certified dives. Orange Bay, a well-known beach stop, is on the island and is covered in its own section below.
Where Is Giftun Island Located?
Giftun Island is in the Red Sea, a short boat ride east of Hurghada, and it can only be reached by boat. There is no bridge, no public ferry service and no hotel on the islands, because the area is protected.
How Far Is Giftun Island From Hurghada?
The distance depends on which part of the islands you visit. Orange Bay is reported to be about 17 km from the coast, and other sources give figures up to roughly 25 km for the outer sites. As a rule of thumb, expect 15 to 25 km by sea from the Hurghada marinas. Your operator will confirm the exact route, because the boat may stop at several places.
How Long Does It Take to Reach Giftun Island?
Most day boats need about 30 to 60 minutes, and Orange Bay is commonly quoted at around 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada marina. Slower charter boats, rough water or a farther stop can push the crossing toward an hour and a half. Speedboats are faster than large charter vessels, but they are also more exposed to waves, so many families prefer a bigger boat.
Why Is Giftun Island Famous?
Giftun Island is famous because it puts three things within one day trip: clear water, healthy coral reefs and sandy beaches. The islands are part of a protected area that is often described as Egypt's first marine protected area, declared in 1986. That protection limits development and fishing, and it is a large part of why the reefs and beaches look the way they do.
Crystal-Clear Water and Coral Reefs
The water around the islands is clear and calm in sheltered bays, and many reef sites start in shallow water, so snorkelers can see coral and fish a short swim from the boat. Some reefs drop away into deeper water, which is why Giftun is also used by divers. Conditions change with wind and tide, so a good operator picks the stops on the day.
White-Sand Beaches and Island Scenery
The islands are low and dry, with pale sand, scrub and rocky shores, and the turquoise water against the sand is what most visitors photograph. The area has several named beaches and stops, including Orange Bay, Paradise Island, Mahmya and Hula Hula, and different boats call at different ones.
Marine Life Around Giftun Island
Visitors regularly report tropical reef fish, rays, barracuda and turtles, and sometimes dolphins in the open water between stops. Wildlife sightings depend on the day, the season and the boat, so treat them as a possibility rather than a promise.
Things to Do on Giftun Island
Most visitors spend the day on the water: snorkeling, swimming and a long beach break. Divers join separate trips, and some operators add a glass-bottom boat or a sunset return. The exact mix depends on the tour you book.
Snorkeling Around Giftun Island
Snorkeling is the main activity. Boats usually stop at one or two reefs where the coral starts close to the surface, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer to see it. Many operators provide masks, snorkels and life vests, but a mask that fits well makes a big difference, so bring your own if you can. Stay above the coral and never stand on it.
Scuba Diving Near Giftun Island
The reefs around Giftun are used for both beginner and certified dives. Shallow, sheltered sites suit first-time divers on an introductory dive, while experienced divers can use the reef walls and drop-offs on boat dives. If you have never dived, read our guide to learning to dive in Hurghada, and for more reef ideas see our list of Hurghada dive sites.
Relaxing on the Beach
The beaches are the other main reason to go. Expect sand, shade structures at some stops and a lunch break, followed by free time to sunbathe or swim. Facilities differ a lot between stops, and because the island is protected there are no permanent restaurants on most of it, so ask what your trip includes.
Swimming and Water Activities
Swimming in the bays is easy, and shallow areas such as Orange Bay are popular with families. Some operators offer extra activities such as paddling or towed rides, but rules for the protected area limit what is allowed, so check what is available before you book.
Exploring the Red Sea by Boat
The crossing is part of the experience. Larger boats have shaded decks, and glass-bottom boats let non-swimmers see the reef from above. Late-morning light is usually best for seeing color in the water, and dolphins are sometimes seen from the deck.
Giftun Island vs Orange Bay: What's the Difference?
Orange Bay is not a different island. It is one beach and bay on Giftun Island, run as a destination of its own with facilities, while a standard Giftun Island boat trip usually visits several reef and beach stops. So the real choice is between a single, comfortable bay day and a trip that moves between several spots.
Which Is Better for Snorkeling?
A standard multi-stop trip gives you more variety, because the boat can visit different reefs in a day. Orange Bay has calm shallow water with coral around the edges, which is easy and relaxed, but you see fewer sites. If snorkeling is your priority, choose a trip that lists at least two reef stops.
Which Is Better for Families?
Orange Bay is the easier choice for families with young children. The operator describes a shallow bay with a maximum depth of about 5 m, along with restaurants and beach facilities. A multi-stop trip works well for older children who enjoy the boat and the reefs, but there is more time on the water and fewer facilities.
Which Offers the Better Beach Experience?
Orange Bay, because it is set up for a beach day, with sunbeds, shade and food on site. Other beaches on Giftun, such as Paradise Island, are simpler and more natural. Orange Bay entry and extras are normally part of a package, so check what the price includes before you book.
How to Get to Giftun Island From Hurghada
The only practical way to reach Giftun Island is by boat from a Hurghada marina. You can join a group excursion, book a private charter or take a dive or snorkel trip that includes the islands. Group trips are the simplest, because the operator handles the route, the permits and the safety equipment.
Giftun Island Boat Trips
There are three common formats: a shared day boat with several stops, a trip to a single destination such as Orange Bay, and a private charter that follows your own plan. Speedboats are quicker but bumpier, and larger boats are slower but steadier. Most boats leave in the morning from Hurghada marina, and many operators offer hotel pick-up.
What Is Included in a Typical Day Trip?
Packages differ, so compare them before you book. Common inclusions are:
Round-trip boat transport
Snorkeling equipment and life vests
Lunch on board or on the beach
Drinking water and sometimes soft drinks
A guide or crew member in the water
Ask whether the national park entry fee, towels, hotel transfers and extras such as diving are included. Drinks and optional activities are often paid separately.
How Long Should You Spend on Giftun Island?
A full-day trip is the best choice for most visitors. It gives you time for the crossing, two snorkeling stops, lunch and a relaxed beach break. Boats generally return in the late afternoon, because overnight stays on the protected islands are not allowed, and some trips leave only an hour or two on the beach. If you want to snorkel properly, choose a trip that gives you at least two hours in the water in total.
What Marine Life Can You See Around Giftun Island?
The reefs around Giftun hold the kind of marine life typical of the northern Red Sea. What you see depends on the site, the depth and the time of day, and nothing is guaranteed.
Colorful Coral Reefs and Tropical Fish
Snorkelers can expect hard and soft corals, schools of small orange anthias and fusiliers, butterflyfish, parrotfish, damselfish and anemonefish, often called clownfish. Giant moray eels and larger fish are more often seen by divers in deeper water. The best views come early in the day, when the water is usually calmer and clearer.
Sea Turtles and Other Red Sea Marine Life
Green and hawksbill turtles are reported around the islands, along with rays and barracuda, and dolphins are sometimes seen from the boat. Keep your distance from every animal. Do not touch turtles, chase dolphins or feed fish, because the protected status of the area depends on visitors leaving the reef as they found it.
Best Time to Visit Giftun Island
You can visit Giftun Island all year, because Hurghada has warm weather and sunshine in every season. The best month for you depends on how warm you want the water to be and how much wind you are prepared to accept on the crossing.
Giftun Island Weather by Season
Winter (December to February): mild days, cooler water at roughly 22 °C and more wind, so the sea can be choppy. Bring a wetsuit if you feel the cold.
Spring (March to May): warming water and generally comfortable conditions. Many people consider this the best balance.
Summer (June to August): very hot and humid on land, with the warmest water of the year, at around 28 to 29 °C. The sea is refreshing, but you need strong sun protection.
Autumn (September to November): warm water and usually calmer seas, with fewer extremes than summer.
These water temperatures are approximate and vary from year to year.
Best Months for Snorkeling and Diving
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months for most visitors, with warm water and fewer windy days. Summer is best if you want the warmest water, and winter is quieter, with cooler water but still good visibility on calm days. Whatever the month, mornings are usually calmer than afternoons. Our guides to diving in Hurghada in winter and to choosing a 3 mm or 5 mm wetsuit can help you plan.
What to Bring for a Giftun Island Trip
Pack light, because there is little shade and storage on a day boat. Most visitors need:
Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes
Sun protection: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
A light jacket or windproof layer for the boat ride back
A reusable water bottle
Your own mask and snorkel, if you have a pair that fits well
A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag, and a waterproof camera if you like
Some cash for extras, drinks and tips
Motion sickness tablets, if you are prone to seasickness
Leave valuables at the hotel, and follow the crew's briefing about the reef.
Is Giftun Island Worth Visiting?
Yes, for most visitors. Giftun Island is the easiest way to see clear water, coral and beaches in a single day without leaving Hurghada, and it suits a wide range of ages and abilities. It is less suitable if you dislike boats, need shade and full facilities all day, or are looking for a deserted beach, because the popular stops are busy in high season.
Who Will Enjoy a Giftun Island Day Trip?
It suits couples, friends and families who want a mix of swimming, snorkeling and relaxing, and it works well for first-time visitors to the Red Sea. If you prefer a quiet visit, pick an early boat and a smaller group.
Giftun Island for Families and Non-Divers
Non-divers and families have plenty to do. Shallow bays, life vests and glass-bottom boats make the island accessible to non-swimmers and children, as long as an adult stays close. Orange Bay is the most family-friendly stop, and babies and small children need extra sun protection and shade.
Giftun Island for Snorkelers and Divers
Snorkelers get easy reef access from the boat, and divers can combine the reefs with an introductory or certified dive. If you want to see more of the Red Sea underwater, our team can help you choose between a snorkeling trip and a dive.
Ready to plan your day? Explore diving with Dive More in Hurghada, or message the team on WhatsApp with your dates and group size.
FAQ
Where is Giftun Island located?
Giftun Island is in the Red Sea, a short boat ride east of Hurghada, roughly 15 to 25 km offshore depending on the stop. It is a protected island group and can only be reached by boat.
How do you get to Giftun Island from Hurghada?
You take a boat from a Hurghada marina. Most visitors join a day excursion that includes the crossing, snorkeling and lunch, but private charters and dive trips are also available.
How far is Giftun Island from Hurghada?
The distance varies by stop. Orange Bay is reported at about 17 km from the coast, and the crossing usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, or longer on slower boats and farther sites.
Is Giftun Island worth visiting?
For most travelers, yes. It offers clear water, coral reefs and beaches within a day trip of Hurghada, and it suits families, snorkelers and divers. It can be busy in high season, so an early departure and a smaller group make the day more relaxed.
