What to do in Hurghada: fun activities and other tips
April 21, 2022
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One activity you don't want to miss in Hurghada is a boat tour of the Giftun Islands. You don't expect to find yourself in Egypt tropical islands to visit, but think light blue sea water and colorful and vibrant marine life and you can already imagine the Giftun Islands. Boats depart from Hurghada harbor for a fun day trip to the islands. Along the way, you will make several stops to snorkel and explore the islands independently. It is a wonderful day at sea and an absolute must if you are on a sun vacation in Hurghada!
The Giftun Islands
When you think of Egypt, you may rather think of pyramids and the vast desert. But did you know that the Red Sea is the northernmost tropical sea in the world? And that is directly the reason why you will find tropical white sandy beaches with crystal clear seawater in Egypt.Â
The Giftun Islands belong to a national park and consist of two islands: Giftun El Kabeer (Big Giftun) and Giftun El Sagheer (Little Giftun). The island of Big Giftun is where every boat docks and you have a few hours to relax. As such, you will find a restaurant, bar, shisha lounge, sunbeds and an observation tower. This part of Big Giftun is also called Orange Bay. On Big Giftun you will find two more beautiful beaches, these are Paradise Beach and Mahmya.Â
A boat tour of the Giftun Islands
From the port of Hurghada, boats depart daily for a fun excursion to the Giftun Islands. These tropical islands are truly breathtaking and offer fine facilities to enjoy a day in the sun. It is about 45 to 60 minutes by boat until you reach the Giftun Islands. Our first stop was at Little Giftun, here we were allowed to jump off board to admire the marine life with our own eyes. All the snorkeling gear was on board, but you can of course bring your own.
Our second stop was at Big Giftun, but before we were taken to the islands we had lunch on board. While we were at anchor, a floating supermarket also sailed by. Our boat ride included food and drinks, but it's certainly nice to sponsor the locals by buying a Coke.
Snorkeling at the Giftun Islands
Egypt ranks high on the list of the world's most beautiful snorkeling and diving destinations. The coral reefs in the Red Sea are still very colorful and there is an awful lot of marine life. There are some 300 species of coral and 1,200 species of fish you can encounter in Egypt's waters. So during the boat trip to the Giftun Islands, there are several stops at beautiful coral reefs where you can snorkel. Depending on which boat trip you book, you can also dive at the Giftun Islands. For the possibilities be sure to check out Get Your Guide!
Relaxing on Orange Bay, Big Giftun
To reach Big Giftun, you are taken to the island by a smaller local boat. We were given about 2 hours to explore the island on our own. The lookout point is definitely worth going to, as here you have a breathtaking view of the island and the very blue sea. In the water you will find several Instagrammable spots such as a hammock, swing and even a terrace where you sit with your feet in the water.
A sun-drenched vacation in the Egyptian resort of Hurghada
A boat tour of the Giftun Islands is one of the fun activities you can do during your vacation in Hurghada. How about a trip to the desert where you can race around on a quad bike. Or perhaps you might even enjoy a day trip to the temples of Luxor. Nevertheless, the resort of Hurghada is a very nice place to spend your vacation.Â
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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