Skip to content

Island Escapes

White sandbars and national-park water, 20–60 minutes offshore

Step 4 of 4 — 5 curated spots, ready to book

IconicPhoto heavenSnorkel stops

Giftun Islands National Park

Orange Bay (Giftun Island)

THE postcard: a white sandbar you can walk across

The most photographed patch of sand on the Egyptian Red Sea — a shallow, glass-clear lagoon and a walkable sandbar on Giftun Island, with beach beds, swings-in-the-water and two snorkelling stops on the boat ride out. It's popular for a reason; go early-season or on the first boats to see why locals still love it.

Best time

First boat of the day — by 11:00 the bay fills up

Entry & fees

Boat trip + Giftun National Park fee (collected per person, usually included in your ticket — we confirm at booking).

Insider tip

Sit on the boat's shaded side heading out (right/starboard in the morning) — you'll arrive unburnt and ahead of the crowd at the sandbar.

From €18 / person

Direct Book
Eco-managedComfortableHouse reef

Giftun Islands National Park

Mahmya Beach (Giftun)

The eco-managed, grown-up corner of Giftun

Mahmya is the managed beach concession on Giftun's south side — capped visitor numbers, proper restaurant, real loungers and a house reef right off the sand. It costs more than a standard Giftun trip and is worth it on days you want island beauty without island chaos.

Best time

Any day — capacity is capped, so it never feels rammed

Entry & fees

Premium day package (boat, park fee, lunch and facilities bundled). Live price on the booking page.

Insider tip

Book the earliest departure and claim the loungers at the far right end of the beach — best snorkel entry and afternoon shade.

From €21 / person

Direct Book
Great valueEasy dayFamily friendly

Giftun archipelago

Paradise Island

The easy-going classic island day, best value of the three

The workhorse of Hurghada island trips: a long sandy spit, shallow swimming on both sides, buffet lunch under the palms and two decent snorkel stops en route. Less exclusive than Mahmya, less Instagrammed than Orange Bay — and usually the friendliest price.

Best time

October–May; summer works if you love heat

Entry & fees

Boat + park fee bundled into the trip price — see live price below.

Insider tip

The sandspit's far tip has a current line where two channels meet — great fish action for confident snorkellers, but keep kids on the lagoon side.

From €15 / person

Direct Book
QuieterSmall boatsSnorkel-first

Northern Hurghada islands

Magic Bay & Nemo Island

The quieter sandbank the day-trip crowds haven't found

A newer island-day option pairing a shallow 'Nemo' reef (clownfish guaranteed, hence the name) with a magic-hour sandbank stop. Boats run smaller and the vibe is noticeably calmer than the Giftun circuit — the pick for a second island day or for crowd-allergic travellers.

Best time

Midweek, when the Giftun boats absorb the crowds

Entry & fees

Trip price bundles boat, gear and lunch — live price below.

Insider tip

Ask the crew to do the reef stop before the sandbank — light on the anemones is better before noon.

Fast reply on WhatsApp

Direct Book
Crystal waterFewer boatsRepeat-visitor pick

Safaga waters (day trip from Hurghada)

Utopia Island

Safaga's calm-water island with the coast's clearest lagoons

South of Hurghada off Safaga, Utopia rewards the slightly longer transfer with fewer boats and startling water clarity — the lagoon reads as swimming-pool blue even by Red Sea standards. Two snorkel stops plus beach time; a favourite with repeat visitors who've done Giftun already.

Best time

Calm-wind days — check the forecast strip on our destination page

Entry & fees

Full-day trip price includes transfer from Hurghada, boat, lunch and gear.

Insider tip

This is the island day to pick in spring, when north winds chop up the Giftun sites but Safaga's bay stays flat.

Fast reply on WhatsApp

Direct Book
Ask the AI — instant answers
Chat with an Agent