Giftun Island

Discover the enchanting beauty of Giftun Island, a paradise in the Red Sea renowned for its rich marine life, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse wildlife. Experience the perfect holiday with exciting activities like diving and snorkeling, and explore the island's historical significance as a protected area.

Written by ETP TEAM

Published Feb 16, 2020 Updated Mar 12, 2024 8 min read

Summary

Giftun Island, located across the waters of the Red Sea, is renowned for its tropical beauty and rich underwater marine life. The island offers a magical experience with its enchanting coral reefs, rare fishes, and diverse marine species living in harmony.
Declared a protected area in 1995, Giftun Island has a rich history due to its economic and tourist importance. It has been a tourist attraction since the mid-90s, known for its high biodiversity and distinctive coral reefs.
Situated 11 km east of Hurghada Coast, Giftun Island is part of the Red Sea marine reserve. It features a subtropical desert climate with mild winters and hot summers, making it an ideal destination year-round.
Giftun Island offers a variety of activities, including diving and snorkeling, with 14 of the best diving spots in the Red Sea. The island attracts tourists with its colorful fish, coral reefs, and birdlife, contributing significantly to the Red Sea Governorate's tourism.
As a natural reserve, Giftun Island is crucial for wildlife conservation, home to endangered species like the Kittiwake and specific eagles. Its beaches are habitats for rare turtles, and it plays a vital role in preserving the biodiversity of the Red Sea's coral reef population.

A piece of paradise is located across the waters of the Red Sea, where you can witness the natural miracles of Egypt floating in front of your eyes, showcasing the enchanting vision of tropical beauty, especially under the water levels where the finest examples of underwater marine life can be located living in total harmony and magic.

Giftun Island is a magical location filled with wonder below and above the surface where the vacation of a lifetime is lived. Discover everything about Giftun Island and read more about how to enjoy your perfect holiday there.

History of Giftun Island

The history of the legendary Giftun island became a reality when it was declared a protected area in 1995 because of its importance both in the economic and tourist manner. From that point on, with the high biodiversity of marine and wildlife, the island became a tourist attraction & one of the best places to visit in Hurghada. The place has always been a source of interest for ages because of its appendance of distinctive coral reefs and rare fishes.

The Island offered the key to living an entertaining and enriching quest through the many riches of the Red Sea since the mid-90s. Since then, it has transformed into the finest location that provides entertaining diving and snorkeling trips from all over the world, which would explain why it was given the name Paradise Island.

Location of Giftun Island

This paradise island is located east of Hurghada where you can enjoy the finest collection of aquatic activities. It is found exactly 11 km east of Hurghada Coast where it is the only Island of 39 Islands which is authorized to conduct thrilling marine activities of all kinds. The Island is accessible through Hurghada as it is part of the Red Sea marine reserve.

The Climate of Giftun Island

Climate of Giftun Island - Egypt Tours Portal

Giftun Island has a subtropical desert climate, with mild-warm winters and hot summers, which makes any month the right month to visit. The tropical sunny Giftun Island experiences hot temperatures throughout the year, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 40 °C (104 °F). Winters are milder but still warm, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 °C (68 to 77 °F).

The climate of the island has always been viewed as totally excellent for all travelers who wish to enjoy an aquatic adventure under the most relaxing skies and atmosphere. It is essential to stay hydrated, wear sun protection, and take precautions against the strong sun.

Geography of Giftun Island

Giftun Island is made of two separate islands which are known to be Big Giftun and Small Giftun. They were formed through cracking operations, resulting in Grand Giftun being the largest island in the Giftun Group, with an area of 18 km2. Small Giftun, covering 3 km2 in the southeast of Grand Giftun, features an 8 km coastline that widens towards the south.

These islands are renowned for their rare geological compositions, rock intensity, and exceptional biodiversity. Giftun Island is the first natural reserve in the Red Sea and is home to various marine wonders. Famous reef spots nearby include Sha’ab Sabrina, Banana Reef, Erg Somaya, and Sha’ab Torfa.

Activities to do Giftun Island

There are a number of incredible natural attractions and an entertaining number of aquatic activities like diving and snorkeling as Giftun Island possesses some of the most entertaining aquatic spots across the red sea as it is surrounded by 14 of the best diving spots which represent about 31% of the diving centers in Hurghada.

It is also surrounded by a number of small islands, which are part of the larger archipelago known as El Gifton El Kabeer, El Gifton El Sagheer, and Abu Monqar Island. Giftun Island is known for its unique geological composition and rock intensity, which showcases that it dates back to about more than 33 million years ago, which makes it one amazing super safari. The most visited places on Giftun Island include Mahmya Beach and Orange Beach, where the true marine beauty and rich biodiversity of the Red Sea are highlighted to the fullest.

Tourism in Giftun Island

It is famous for its colorful fish, phenomenal coral reefs, and phenomenal birdlife. It contains more than 196 species of solid coral reefs that represent about 80% of the biodiversity of the entire Red Sea coral reef population and more than 794 species of coral reef fish, which stands for about 65% of the biodiversity of the underwater population.

Two species of birds affected by extinction are found on Gifton Island: the kittiwake and the eagles. Gifton Island attracts about 187,512 tourists annually that represents about 12% of Red Sea Governorate visitors.

Marine and Wildlife in Giftun Island

It contains more than 196 species of solid coral reefs that represent about 80% of the biodiversity of the entire Red Sea coral reef population and more than 794 species of coral reef fish, which stands for about 65% of the biodiversity of the underwater population. Two species of birds affected by extinction are found on Gifton Island: the kittiwake and the eagles.

Giftun Island is crucial for wildlife conservation, being a habitat for endangered species like the Kittiwake and a specific eagle. The island's beaches are home to rare turtles, contributing to its significance as a natural reserve. Giftun Island is a vital habitat for seagulls, with historical statistics suggesting that about 50% of the world's seagulls once inhabited the island.

Diving Locations in Giftun Island

The southern region of Giftun Island contains a magical plateau with an elevation ranging from 15 to 25 meters that transitions into an expansive shelf and forms an imposing underwater wall. Mooring points are situated on the southern side, which guides divers in entering the water adjacent to a vertical wall, where they can follow the current in a southward direction. Although the mooring system facilitates access to the plateau, drifting is the preferred and natural choice. The steep eastern wall plunges to significant depths that showcase a rugged profile adorned with captivating caves, some reaching considerable depths.

The primary reef takes a slight westward curve, which creates a zigzag pattern, and it has an impressive tunnel that is approximately 15 meters deep. The plateau itself hosts a partially covered coral garden that leads to shallower sections of the wall. The presence of longnose hawkfish, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and cruising moray eels, plus Pelagic species such as barracuda and tuna, patrol the site, which enhances the underwater experience to the most epic levels.

Giftun Island Hotels

Giftun Azur Beach Resort is an epic hotel that holds casual rooms with garden or sea views in a breezy beachfront property with seven eateries & 7 bars. The Boutique Hotel is a true relaxing wonder located directly beside the marina, featuring 2 restaurants, plus an outdoor pool & a private beach. Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort is a blessed upscale quarter in a chic beachfront hotel with eight restaurants, an outdoor pool & a diving center.

Sand Beach Resort is an all-inclusive beachfront hotel that offers buffet dining & 3 bars, plus two outdoor pools & a spa. Sunrise Holidays Resort will be a marvelous place to relax on the majestic shores of the Red Sea, where a sense of pure relaxation awaits.

Giftun Island Snorkeling

Snorkeling on Giftun Island offers the chance to witness the most magical collection of vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life in the clear and warm waters of the Red Sea. All travelers will examine a whole new world filled with a majestic marine existence that holds a number of the most enchanting creatures who created an environment worthy of exploring through snorkeling.

Everyone will enjoy the rare chance to explore a vivid group of epic marine treasures that include shallow & deep reefs teeming with colorful fish, coral formations, mangrove forests, sea turtles, rays, and even dolphins. All the snorkeling spots of Orange Bay, Abu Hashish, Mangrove Bay, and Erg Soma Bay. Everyone will explore the most magnificent aquatic ecosystem in existence while creating some of the most incredible memories.

Book Your Visit to Giftun Island

The vacation of a lifetime lies across Paradise Island, just one click away, where you can witness the essence of tropical beauty and explore the underwater marine treasure located at the bottom of the Red Sea. Book your holiday to Gifton Island and enjoy tranquility and peace of mind. Also, check out our tailor-made Egypt private tours to combine everything in Egypt, from the beauty of the Red Sea to the historical attractions in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan.

Tags: Hurghada Travel Guide

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Erin W

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"We had a great experience touring Aswan, Edfu, and Luxor with Mahmoud. I would highly recommend him as a guide. He adapted to our needs (2 teenagers) and kept everything interesting. He was always prompt, professional, and easy to communicate with. He was also very prompt answering questions via WhatsApp"

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Bluff Park, Alabama

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Hook, United Kingdom

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"Our experience in Egypt, especially in Luxor and Aswan, was truly unforgettable, and a huge part of that was thanks to our incredible guide Omar. We cannot recommend him highly enough. From the moment we met him, it was clear that he was exceptionally knowledgeable, professional, and deeply passionate about Egyptian history and culture. What made our tour extraordinary was that our guide is not only a master’s in Egyptology but is also currently pursuing a PhD in Egyptology. His depth of knowledge was absolutely remarkable. He is also very creative and artistic. Every temple, tomb, monument, and historical site came alive through his explanations. He did not simply recite facts, he explained the historical context, symbolism, religious beliefs, architecture, and fascinating stories behind everything we saw. It truly felt like we were traveling through ancient Egypt with a real scholar and expert by our side. He brought ancient Egyptian history to life by assigning us the roles of Egyptian gods and legendary heroes. Through these interactive mini-plays, we were able to experience, understand, and truly connect with the stories he shared. In Luxor, visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut Temple became an unforgettable educational and emotional experience because of the way he explained the history in such an engaging and easy-to-understand manner. In Aswan, his insights about Philae Temple, Nubian history, and ancient Egyptian civilization added so much depth to our trip. He answered every question thoughtfully and with incredible detail, and you could genuinely feel his passion for Egyptology. Beyond his academic expertise, he was one of the kindest and most caring people we met during our travels. He constantly made sure we were comfortable, safe, hydrated, and enjoying ourselves. He was patient, attentive, organized, and always willing to help with anything we needed. His warm personality and kindness made us feel welcomed not just as tourists, but as friends. He also paced the tours perfectly, allowing us enough time to truly appreciate each site without ever feeling rushed. His professionalism, friendliness, and genuine care created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the trip. Thanks to him, our visit to Egypt became far more than a vacation. It became an unforgettable journey into history and culture. If you are planning to visit Luxor, Aswan, or anywhere in Egypt, choosing this guide will be one of the best decisions you can make. He is truly exceptional, and we feel incredibly lucky to have had him as our guide. Thank you again for such an amazing experience. We will never forget it. Marianna and Khris"

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West Palm Beach, Florida

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Joe P

"We had a wonderful week long vacation in Egypt, split between Cairo and Luxor. The tour was very professionally run with excellent communication starting weeks before our arrival and then nearly daily while in Egypt. A highlight was our English-speaking guide in Luxor, Walid Ahmed, who was extremely knowledgeable and exceptionally kind. The tour was flexible and accommodating, allowing last minute special detours and restaurant choices. Overall, it was one of the best vacations of our life."

Damien B

"We had Ahmed Refaat as our family guide in Cairo, and he truly made our trip to Egypt unforgettable. His positive attitude, passion for Egypt’s history and culture, and incredible patience made all the difference throughout our stay in Cairo. Ahmed brought every site to life with fascinating explanations and was always attentive to our needs, making the experience enjoyable for both adults and children. We especially recommend him for visits to Saqqara and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), where his deep knowledge and enthusiasm greatly enhanced our understanding and appreciation of these extraordinary places. Without any hesitation, we highly recommend Ahmed Refaat to anyone visiting Egypt. Thank you again for helping create such wonderful memories for our family!"

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"Knowledgeable guide, clean vehicle, interesting stories about the sites. Tour guide: Muhmmed Abd El-aal was very nice to be in the company of, dry attentive and honest."

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