Giftun Island & Mahmya Beach
جزيرة الجفتون / محمية
A national park island off Hurghada, ringed by white sand beaches and shallow coral reefs. The eco-friendly Mahmya beach is the signature destination for day trips.
The Giftun Islands lie about 10 km east of downtown Hurghada. They consist of Big Giftun and Small Giftun and are part of the Red Sea Islands protected area. There are almost no buildings on the islands, just white fine-sand beaches and water shading from light green to deep blue, surrounded by rich coral reefs. They are Hurghada’s classic day-trip destination. On the south side of Big Giftun, Mahmya is an eco-conscious beach resort. Its shade shelters and restaurant are built from wood and palm leaves, and it offers sun loungers, showers and lunch. The reef flat in front allows direct snorkeling, where you often see parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, clownfish and sea anemones. A typical itinerary: depart from the Hurghada pier in the morning, stop at one or two coral reefs for snorkeling along the way (dolphins are sometimes spotted), go ashore at midday to rest and have lunch, and return in the afternoon. The whole day takes about 7–8 hours. The price includes boat fare, protected area admission (confirm on site) and lunch, and varies by boat type. Note: there is limited shade on the island, so bring sunscreen and plenty of drinking water. Wear a life jacket or buoyancy vest when snorkeling, and do not stand on the coral.
Opening hours
Day tours approx. 8:00 am–5:00 pm
Nearby sights
- Paradise Island
- Sakkala & Sheraton Street
- Hurghada Marina
- El Mina Mosque
- Sindbad Submarine
- El Dahar Old Town & Souk
- Hurghada Museum
- Hurghada Grand Aquarium