Giftun Islands
Islands off Hurghada within a Red Sea protected area. Boat trips combine snorkelling stops on the reef with time on the beach.
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Hurghada
Coral reefs, islands and Red Sea beaches
Quick facts
- Region
- Red Sea
- Best months
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Days recommended
- 5 days
- Nearest airport
- Hurghada International Airport (HRG)
Hurghada runs along the western shore of the Red Sea, with the Eastern Desert behind it. Within a few decades it grew from a fishing village into a resort town, and today it offers beaches, hotels in every category and easy access to the reefs.
The water is clear and mild for much of the year, and coral reefs start a few metres from many beaches. For snorkelling or a first dive, boats leave the marina every morning for the nearby islands and reefs.
Offshore lie the Giftun Islands, within a protected area, with white sand and shallow water. About 25 km to the north, El Gouna is a lagoon town built around canals, popular for kitesurfing and quieter evenings.
Hurghada pairs well with the Nile Valley: Luxor is about 4 hours by road, so many travellers take a day trip to the temples or add a few beach days at the end of a tour.
Five days give you time to relax, take a boat to the islands and add a desert outing or a trip to Luxor.
Getting there
Hurghada International Airport, about 5 km from the centre, has direct flights from many European cities and domestic flights from Cairo [verify]. Luxor is about 4 hours away by road, and Marsa Alam 3 to 4 hours to the south.
Top sights
Hurghada Marina
A waterfront promenade with cafes and restaurants, and the departure point for many excursion boats. A pleasant place for an evening walk and dinner.
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El Gouna
About 25 km north, a town built on lagoons and canals, with calm beaches, kitesurfing and a small centre full of restaurants.
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Coral reefs
Hard and soft corals, parrotfish, clownfish and shoals of colourful fish in shallow water. Use reef-friendly sunscreen and never touch the coral.
View on the mapTrips that visit Hurghada
12 daysEgypt and the Red Sea in 12 days
Cairo and Giza · Luxor · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Hurghada
From $1,820 per person in a double room
7 hours
14 hoursNearby destinations
Guides about Hurghada
Snorkelling in the Red Sea: what to know
Giftun Islands, Abu Dabbab and Samadai: water temperature, gear, reef etiquette and practical tips for snorkelling in the Red Sea.
When to visit Egypt: the weather month by month
Typical temperatures, wind, Red Sea water and dates that move every year: what to weigh up when choosing the month for your trip to Egypt.
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