Hurghada Islands, Egypt | The 10 best, most beautiful and well-known nature reserves, What is the island next to Hurghada and more…
A jewel on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Hurghada is the top choice for many tourists seeking calm turquoise waters and adventurous desert excursions. However, it’s true: the Red Sea is the northernmost tropical sea in the world, and Egypt has the soft white sand beaches, warm waters, and rich coral and marine life to prove it. (There’s a reason we’re one of the top diving destinations in the world!)
The waters of the Red Sea around Hurghada, Egypt are famous for their marine life. Visitors to the beautiful coastal city snorkel and dive to see the wonders that the Red Sea’s underwater world has to offer. There are also dolphin-watching cruises that bring you closer than ever to these wondrous creatures performing breathtaking aquatic acrobatics in shoals before your very eyes.
Hurghada lovers Offer Luxury Hurghada Snorkeling Trips | El Gouna Snorkeling Trips | Makadi bay Snorkeling Trips | Sahl Hasheesh Snorkeling Trips | Soma bay Snorkeling Trips.
Hurghada Islands
Water fun in Hurghada takes place not only under the sea, but also on it. Experience the excitement of kite and windsurfing as you glide across the water at breathtaking speeds. Or just relax and sail on the various boat tours on offer while enjoying the views of the fascinating land from the sea.
If you’re feeling even bolder and braver, paragliding and parasailing activities are available for those who want to experience the rush of the sky. There is nothing better than experiencing Hurghada from above!
So the next time you’re on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera (which really should be on your to-do list, by the way), hop on a boat and see these stunning, remote tropical islands. They’re not well known even to locals, so don’t worry about crowds interrupting your #TropicalParadise moment.
GIFTUN ISLANDS BEACHES
Qulaan Islands (Hamata)
The island of the pharaoh
White island
Tawila Island
Zabargad/St. John’s island
Shadwan Island
Abo Monkar Island
Omo Gamaar
Eden island Hurghada
Giftun Islands
These two islands are Giftun El Kabeer (Big Giftun) and Giftun el Sagheer (Little Giftun), but Big Giftun is where the real action happens, as it’s home to the beachfront oases of Mahmya and Orange Bay. These day destinations offer beachfront restaurants, bars and water activities, as well as bathrooms and showers for those who have spent a long day diving or snorkeling and want to sit back and relax.
Visitors to the island can enjoy the stunning views of the Red Sea, swim under the warm sun, snorkel and also scuba dive. It is a top tourist destination due to its proximity to 14 stunning dive sites. The islands can be reached by boat from Hurghada.
Qulaan Islands (Hamata) – Hurghada Islands
The Qulaan Islands are an archipelago of four islands situated in a sheltered bay in Wadi El Gemal National Park in Egypt’s deep south in the Hamata region. These empty, secluded islands are known for their mangrove trees and ecosystem built around the mangroves. Marine life thrives among the trees and it’s a great spot for bird watching. You can take a boat from Hamata Marina and spend a few hours picnicking, swimming, and snorkeling at the islands.
During your visit you can find dolphins, sea turtles and various biological habitats around the islands. To visit the islands, you can take a boat from Hamata Marina and spend a few hours swimming and snorkeling around the islands.
The island of the pharaoh
Also known as Coral Island due to the adjacent reef, Pharaoh’s Island lies in the Gulf of Aqaba and is on the “Tentative List” of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (read our article on Egypt’s seven World Heritage Sites here). As early as the Middle Ages, the Christian Crusaders built a citadel on the island to protect the route between Cairo and Damascus. It was later taken over by Salah El Din (leader of the Islamic Ayyubid dynasty) in 1170 and although the citadel was later occupied it is known to this day as the Castle of Salah El Deen. Today, the island is a popular diving and tourist attraction for Taba visitors.
White island – Hurghada islands
In Hurghada, in the Ras Mohamed Protected Marine Park, is a white sandbar island called (for obvious reasons) White Island. It is on this plateau that the waters of the Gulf of Suez meet the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, and as you sit on the island you can see Africa to your left and Asia to your right. It’s a big nice place for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing.
Tawila Island
Located 15 miles off the coast of El Gouna, Tawila Island is an uninhabited island popular with kite surfers and anyone looking to spend the day on a pristine white sand beach. Tawila has no amenities, so you’ll need to bring your own food, drinks, and gear (but please be sure to leave the beaches as pristine as you found them!). They can arrange a boat to take you to Tawila and back for a day trip from El Gouna.
Zabargad/St. John’s island
Located 15 miles off the coast of El Gouna, Tawila Island is an uninhabited island popular with kite surfers and anyone looking to spend the day on a pristine white sand beach. Tawila has no amenities, so you’ll need to bring your own food, drinks, and gear (but please be sure to leave the beaches as pristine as you found them!). They can arrange a boat to take you to Tawila and back for a day trip from El Gouna.
Shadwan Island – Hurghada Islands
Shadwan, one of the largest islands in the Red Sea, was once an Egyptian military base and was the target of an Israeli helicopter attack in 1970. Most of the buildings were demolished except for the Shadwan Lighthouse built in 1889 and to this day the island remains deserted except for divers, fishermen and other tourists on the Red Sea Riviera.
Abo Monkar Island
Abo Monkar is an extension of Giftun Island and is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Red Sea. The island is 45 kilometers from Hurghada and can be easily reached by boat. It is a perfect place for sightseeing, snorkeling and diving activities. Abo Monkar is a short 45 minute boat ride from Hurghada.
Omo Gamaar
One of the most beautiful dive sites in Hurghada is Omo Gamaar. With a fantastic array of marine life beneath the crystal clear blue waters of the Red Sea, Omo Gamaar offers an underwater exhibition of natural beauty that will make you want to visit again and again.
The best way to experience the mesmerizing beauty of the Red Sea is to be in the midst of it. The small island of Giftun offers such a great sight. Just a short boat ride away, Giftun Island offers an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving, as well as a fantastic place to just sit back and enjoy the sun and sparkling clear blue waters from the shore.
Eden Island Hurghada – Islands Hurghada
Experience unforgettable moments on one of the best beaches in Hurghada, Eden Island is the perfect destination for an unforgettable vacation. The nature and luxury of the island are designed with your comfort in mind. The beauty of nature is in perfect harmony with the services offered by the top restaurants and bars on the beach. Eden Island is the perfect place to relax for couples, but also for families looking for fun.
