Giftun is a protected desert island roughly a boat-hour off Hurghada, fringed by some of the most photogenic water on the coast: broad shallows in impossible shades of turquoise over white sand, edged by living reef. Its famous corner, Orange Bay on Big Giftun, has become the postcard image of Hurghada, with a sandbar you can wade far out along and beach clubs offering loungers, umbrellas, and lunch. Because Giftun is a nature-protected area, boats pay a small conservation fee and are meant to moor rather than drop anchor on the coral. The classic outing is a full-day trip combining a couple of snorkel stops on the surrounding reefs with beach time on the island. It can get busy, especially at the developed beach clubs, so the quality of the day depends heavily on the operator and how early they get you there. The snorkelling straight off the island is genuinely good.
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