Red Sea Islands Guide 2026: Honest Hurghada Island Hopping

Quick facts

Number of accessible islands near Hurghada:7

Best for snorkeling: Giftun (outer slope)

Best for beach photos: Orange Bay

Best for privacy: Mahmya (pay extra) or Magawish (weekdays)

Cheapest island trip: €25 (Giftun only)

Most expensive: €80 (private Mahmya VIP)

Water temp: 21–30°C

Crowded months: July–August, Christmas, Easter

Right.

You want islands.

Not just one. All of them.

I’ve lived here 12 years. I’ve been to every island you can reach from Hurghada. Some multiple times.

Some are worth it. Some are tourist traps. Some are empty paradise – if you know when to go.

Let me give you the complete, no‑bullshit guide to island hopping hurghada and every spec of sand worth stepping on.

What Even Is an “Island” in the Red Sea?

Good question.

Most aren’t islands. They’re sandy bumps on a reef. Some are real islands – Giftun, Shadwan. Some are artificial patches (Orange Bay – just a beach, not an island).

But tour companies call them islands. Tourists expect islands. So islands they are.

The Red Sea near Hurghada has:

Giftun Islands (main Giftun + small Giftun Saghir) – real, rocky, with sand strips.

Orange Bay – a beach on Giftun’s south tip. Not a separate island. But marketed as one.

Mahmya Island – private beach on Giftun’s eastern side. Extra fee.

Magawish Island – small, quiet, part of Giftun National Park.

Shadwan Island – real island, 1.5 hours by boat, military presence, remote.

Tawila Island – near El Gouna, mangroves, shallow lagoons, good for kite surfing.

El Gouna islands – artificial lagoons with hotels. Not real islands but beautiful.

Giftun Islands (main Giftun + small Giftun Saghir) – real, rocky, with sand strips.

Orange Bay – a beach on Giftun’s south tip. Not a separate island. But marketed as one.

Then there are Elphinstone, Rocky, Brothers – those are open‑ocean reefs, dive‑only, liveaboard territory. Not day trips.

This guide focuses on day‑trip islands from Hurghada.

The 7 Islands of Hurghada – Ranked Honestly

. Giftun Island (Main) – The Classic

Also called: Giftun Kebir, Big Giftun, Giftun National Park.

How to reach: Most day trips include it. Boat 30 minutes from Hurghada marina.

Snorkel quality: 8/10. The outer slope has table corals, turtles, schools of fish. Inner bay is shallow and calm – good for beginners.

Beach quality: 6/10. Sand is nice but rocky edges. Facilities? Basic. A few toilets, a snack bar. Sunbeds extra (€5).

Crowds: 9/10. Packed by 11am. Morning is better.

Cost: €25–35 for a shared trip including lunch.

Best for: First‑timers. It’s the benchmark.

Honest take: Solid. Not life‑changing. But you won’t be disappointed.

Orange Bay – The Instagram Trap

Also called: Orange Beach (it’s not an island).

How to reach: 35 minutes by boat. Often combined with Giftun.

Snorkel quality: 2/10. Almost no reef. A few small corals. It’s a beach stop, not a snorkel stop.

Beach quality: 9/10. White sand, turquoise water, palm umbrellas. Looks like the Maldives in photos.

Crowds: 10/10. Shoulder to shoulder. 500+ people at peak.

Cost: €30–50 as part of island hopping. Private tour? €150+.

Best for: Instagram. One photo. Then leave.

Honest take: Beautiful but overcrowded. Go early morning (before 10am) if possible. Or skip.

3. Mahmya Island – The VIP Option

Also called: Mahmya Beach (private section of Giftun).

How to reach: Only through specific operators (Mahmya official boats). 40 minutes.

Snorkel quality: 7/10. Decent reef offshore. Not as good as Giftun outer slope.

Beach quality: 8/10. Soft sand, sunbeds included, cleaner than public Giftun.

Crowds: 5/10. Limited entry. Quieter than Orange Bay.

Cost: €45–80. Includes lunch, sunbed, umbrella. Transfer extra.

Best for: Couples, older travellers, people who hate crowds.

Honest take: Worth the extra €15. Less chaos. More comfort.

4. Magawish Island – The Hidden One

Also called: Magawish Beach (another Giftun offshoot).

How to reach: Some island hopping tours stop here instead of Orange Bay. 30 minutes.

Snorkel quality: 6/10. Shallow reef, small fish. Good for kids.

Beach quality: 7/10. Sand, basic facilities, fewer people.

Crowds: 4/10. Underrated. Weekdays are quiet.

Cost: Usually included in standard island hopping (€35–50).

Best for: Families, people who want a quieter beach.

Honest take: Better than Orange Bay for actual relaxation. Not as photogenic. But you won’t fight for a chair.

5. Shadwan Island – The Remote One

Also called: Shadwan, Shaker Island. Military presence.

How to reach: 1.5–2 hours by speedboat. No big boats. Private charter only. €300+.

Snorkel quality: 9/10. Pristine reef. Less visited. Big fish – groupers, napoleons.

Beach quality: 5/10. Rocky. Not for sunbathing. Military buildings on shore.

Crowds: 1/10. Almost none. You’ll have the reef to yourself.

Cost: €300–500 for private boat (up to 6 people).

Best for: Serious snorkelers and divers who want untouched reef.

Honest take: Expensive but unforgettable. The clearest water I’ve seen in Hurghada. If you have the budget and a full day, do it.

Tawila Island – The Kite Surfer’s Paradise

Also called: Tawila, Tawila Mangrove.

How to reach: Boat from El Gouna (20 min) or private charter from Hurghada (45 min).

Snorkel quality: 4/10. Not the focus. Shallow seagrass – dugongs possible (rare).

Beach quality: 6/10. Sandy, but windy.

Crowds: 3/10. Mostly kite surfers, not tourists.

Cost: Part of El Gouna kite packages. Day trip from Hurghada? €100+ private.

Best for: Kite surfing (world‑class), not island hopping.

Honest take: Don’t go for snorkeling. Go for wind and water sports.7. El Gouna Lagoons – The Artificial “Islands”

Also called: Abu Tig Marina, Zeytouna Beach, Mangroovy.

How to reach: Taxi from Hurghada (€15–20) or public bus (€2).

Snorkel quality: 3/10. Small reefs near Zeytouna jetty. Fine for training kids.

Beach quality: 7/10. Man‑made, clean, sunbeds, restaurants.

Crowds: 6/10. Busy on weekends.

Cost: €10 entrance to some beaches. Free if you stay in El Gouna.

Best for: A relaxing day without a boat. Good for non‑swimmers.

Honest take: Not real islands. But convenient. And no seasickness.

H2: Deep Comparison – Snorkel, Beach, Crowds, Price

How Island Hopping Works – The Practical Reality

Most island hopping hurghada tours follow a standard formula:

8am pickup

9am first snorkel at Giftun outer reef

11am Orange Bay (1 hour – rushed)

12:30pm lunch on boat

1:30pm second snorkel at Magawish or Giftun inner bay

3pm return

4pm back at hotel

You visit 3 places in 7 hours.

You get about 2 hours total in water. 1 hour on beaches. The rest is sailing and eating.

It’s efficient. But rushed.

If you want more time at one place, book a single‑island trip (Giftun only or Mahmya only). Same price, more relaxation.

The Deep Dive on Each Island – What Nobody Tells You

Giftun Outer Slope (Snorkeling)

Coordinates: 27.18°N, 33.92°E

Depth: 3–30 metres

What you’ll see: Table corals, staghorn, parrotfish, butterflyfish, bannerfish. Turtles before 10am.

Best time: 8am–10am. Light is soft. Fish are feeding.

Hidden issue: The current can be strong. Snorkel with fins. Stay near the boat.

My story: I saw a hawksbill turtle here last March. It ate from a sponge. Unbothered by me. 2 metres away. Cried in my mask.

Orange Bay Beach

Truth: It’s a constructed beach. Sand shipped in. Palm trees planted. Water is clear because of constant currents.

Cost trap: Sunbed €5. Umbrella €3. Fresh water shower €1. Drink €3. You’ll spend €12 extra.

Best hack: Bring a beach mat and find a free spot on the sand. Skip the beds.

Crowd story: I counted 50 boats on a Friday. 500 people. Felt like a festival. Not my thing.

Mahmya Island

Entry limited to 300 people per day. That’s why it’s quieter.

Lunch is better – grilled chicken, pasta, salad. Not the usual buffet.

Downside: The reef is a 5‑minute swim offshore. Not at the beach. You need to be a confident swimmer.

Worth it? For a honeymoon or anniversary, yes. For a budget family, no.

Magawish Island

The local’s choice. Guides go here on their days off.

Reef is shallow – 2–6 metres. Good for beginners. Small fish, soft corals.

No big vendors. No pressure to buy. Just sand and water.

Downside: No Instagram glory. But peace.

Shadwan Island

Military zone. You need permission. Licensed operators have it. Don’t just turn up.

Reef is wall – drops from 5 to 40 metres. Visibility 25 metres. Big schools of barracuda sometimes.

No facilities. No toilet. No snacks. Bring everything.

My trip: Left at 7am. 2 hours on speedboat. Snorkeled 2 hours. Back by 2pm. Best day on water in Egypt.

Island Hopping Hurghada – Full Day Itinerary (Optimised)

You don’t have to follow the tour script. Here’s how I’d do it with a private boat (€200–300 for up to 6 people):

7am – Leave marina
8am – Giftun outer slope (1.5 hours snorkel – the best light)
9:30am – Mahmya beach (2 hours – sunbeds, chill, breakfast?)
11:30am – Magawish (1 hour – shallow reef, quiet)
12:30pm – Lunch on boat (bring your own picnic)
1:30pm – Slow sail back, nap in sun
3pm – Marina

Three stops, no rush, no crowds (if you go early). That’s a perfect island hopping day.

Costs Breakdown – Shared vs Private

Shared island hopping (€35–50 per person)

40–50 people on boat

Rush at each stop

Buffet lunch average

ncludes pickup & drop‑off

Private speedboat (€150–250 for 4 hours, up to 6 people)

Choose your own itinerary

Stay as long as you want

No strangers

Food not included (bring your own)

Private luxury yacht (€300–500 for 6 hours, up to 8 people)

Big boat, cabin, toilet

Crew cooks fresh lunch

Best for special occasions

If you’re a group of 4–6, a private speedboat costs the same as shared (€40–50 each). Better value.

When to Go Island Hopping – Monthly Breakdown

October–November: Best. Water warm, crowds thin, visibility high.

March–May: Good. Easter week is packed – avoid.

December–February: Water cool (21–23°C). Need wetsuit. Wind can cancel trips.

June–August: Too hot (40°C+). Water 30°C – feels like bath. Reef stress. Skip unless you love saunas.

Best day of week: Tuesday or Wednesday. Friday/Saturday are hell.

Best time of day: Morning (8–10am snorkel). Afternoon trips are murky and rushed.

Frequently Asked Questions – Deep Answers

Which island is best for snorkeling?

Shadwan (if you can afford private boat) or Giftun outer slope (shared trip). Orange Bay has no reef.

Can I do two islands in one day without a tour?

No. You need a boat. Shared tours are the only affordable option. Private boats exist but cost €150+.

Is Mahmya worth the extra money?

Yes, if you hate crowds and want a sunbed included. No, if you’re on a tight budget.

What’s the most underrated island?

Magawish. Quiet, shallow reef, fewer tourists. Guides go there on their days off.

Can I stay overnight on any island?

No. All islands close at sunset. No accommodation. Day trips only.

Are there dangerous animals?

Stonefish in shallow sand – don’t step. Lionfish – pretty but spines hurt. Sea urchins – common. Wear water shoes.

The Honest Verdict – Which Island Should You Choose?

For first‑timers: Giftun Main. It’s the standard for a reason.

For couples: Mahmya or private speedboat to Shadwan.

For families with kids: Magawish. Shallow, safe, less chaos.

For Instagram: Orange Bay. Get there before 10am or the crowds ruin the shot.

For serious snorkeling: Shadwan (budget permitting) or Giftun outer slope.

For non‑swimmers: El Gouna lagoons. No boat needed.

For value: Shared Giftun-only trip (€25). Not island hopping – just one island. But you get 3 hours snorkeling, 2 hours beach. Better use of time.

Should You Book Island Hopping Hurghada in 2026?

Look.

The island hopping hurghada tour is a sampler. A taster menu. You see three places in one day. You don’t get deep anywhere.

For a traveller who has one day at the Red Sea and wants to see as much as possible – it’s fine.

But if you have two days?

Day 1: Giftun only. Relax. Snorkel proper.

Day 2: Mahmya or private speedboat to Shadwan. That’s the real Red Sea.

I’ve done all these islands. Some multiple times.

The ones I’d return to? Giftun outer slope. Shadwan. Mahmya. Magawish for a quiet morning.

Orange Bay? Once was enough. It’s a photoshoot, not a beach.

So here’s my honest rule: Don’t try to do everything in one day. Pick one island. Stay longer. Go deeper.

The Red Sea rewards patience.

A flat here costs less than a deposit back home. And having seven islands in your backyard? Not bad for a Thursday morning. Just saying.