A boat of your own for the day
Your party, your crew and your pace: island beaches and snorkelling stops around the Giftun islands, without the crowded day boats.
- Where
- The Giftun islands, off Hurghada
- Length
- About 7 hours on the water
- Needs
- None; snorkelling gear and life jackets on board
The story
Big Giftun and Little Giftun lie just off Hurghada, and Orange Bay on the larger island is one of the Red Sea's best-known beaches (Wikipedia). On a shared boat it can mean sixty people and a fixed timetable.
Private boats are among Hurghada's most praised days out: reviewers return again and again to a crew who cooked for them and changed the plan when dolphins appeared. The boat, its safety equipment and the island fees are what we check.
What happens
Board at the marina with only your own party and crew.
Choose the stops with the captain: a snorkelling reef, an island beach, time to swim.
Lunch cooked on board, served when you want it rather than when the schedule says.
Head back when you are ready, before the afternoon wind rises.
A proposed shape, not a fixed programme. The final arrangements and order are agreed before booking.
Who it suits
Very little: sun, sea and an easy climb on and off the boat. Tell us about anyone who cannot swim so that life jackets are ready.
- Previous experience
- None; snorkelling gear and life jackets on board
- Minimum age
- All ages, with life jackets for children
- Best season
- Year-round; calmer in the morning
- What you see
- Island beaches, shallow reefs and sometimes dolphins
Time and travel
- Starting location
- Hurghada
- Total time
- About 7 hours
- Active time
- As much or as little time in the water as you like
Times are planning estimates. Confirm pickup, travel from your accommodation and the time you need to be back. Our effort judgement: gentle.
Our recommendation
A shared boat sells a timetable. A private one gives you the same sea at your own pace; we make sure it is a safe boat first.
What we confirm before you go
- The boat's licence, life jackets for every size in your party and a working radio
- Island and national park fees, and whether Orange Bay's beach charge is included
- Lunch, drinks and dietary needs
- The wind forecast: the captain decides the route on the day
Every item is settled in writing before anything is arranged.
Where it fits
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Questions?
Ask about “A boat of your own for the day”
Tell us your dates, where you will be and who is coming. We confirm the host, the timing, the price for your party and the terms before anything is booked.
Sources and review
Reviewed on by Deluxe Trips Egypt. Facts are attributed to their sources; where we give a judgement, we say so. Arranged on request; we confirm every detail before anything is booked.
Photography credits (5)
cattan2011, CC BY 2.0; Igorgalli, CC BY-SA 4.0; Wikicomman, CC BY-SA 4.0; Lars Plougmann, CC BY-SA 2.0; Marc Ryckaert, CC BY 3.0. Resized and cropped for display.
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