Mahmya Island is a stretch of beach on Big Giftun Island, inside the protected marine area off Hurghada. It is reached only by organised boat, roughly an hour from the mainland, and the island is mostly rock and sand, with a beach club feel: loungers, a bar, a lunch buffet or served meal, and activities such as beach volleyball, a trampoline and a water slide. Boat trips usually combine the beach with one or two snorkeling stops, and some visit Sabina Reef. This all-inclusive day trip lasts about eight hours, so you can swim, snorkel and do very little in the same day. It differs from the standard Giftun and Orange Bay cruise in being centred on one beach with more facilities, which suits groups who want a base for the day rather than a series of quick stops.
The day in outline
Pickup from your hotel comes in the morning, followed by the transfer to the marina, a boat ride of about an hour and then the beach. Snorkeling gear is normally provided, and the reef near the island is a healthy one by Hurghada standards. Lunch and drinks form part of an all-inclusive trip, but check what your ticket covers, because extras such as water sports or alcohol can cost more. You are back at the marina in the afternoon and at your hotel by early evening.
Who it suits
Mahmya is popular with families, friends travelling together and anyone who likes a sociable beach day with something to do. Children enjoy the trampoline and slide. It is less suited to travellers who want a quiet, empty-island feeling, because the beach can be busy at midday, and to people with limited mobility, as the boats and the island are not wheelchair accessible. If you want fewer people, arrive in the early part of the stop and choose a weekday.
What to bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest, a hat, a towel, a dry bag and a little cash for tips and extras. Reef shoes help on the rocky entry points. Take seasickness tablets if you are prone to it, because the crossing can be choppy in the afternoon wind.
Treat the reef with respect
Do not stand on coral, and do not feed the fish. If you have only one sea day, choose between this and the Giftun and Orange Bay cruise based on whether you prefer a facilities-rich beach or a quieter classic snorkel.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day all-inclusive boat trip to a beach on Big Giftun Island with snorkeling, lunch and beach activities.
Best time
Spring to autumn for the warmest water; weekdays and the early part of the beach stop are quieter.
How long
About eight hours including the hour-long boat crossing.
Tips
Check what the all-inclusive ticket covers, bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest, and take seasickness tablets if you need them.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Groups and families who want a lively, facilities-rich beach day with snorkeling.
- Families
- Good for children who can swim with a life jacket, with a slide and trampoline to keep them busy.
- Couples
- Fun and sociable rather than secluded, so arrive early for the quietest part of the stop.
- Pair with
- A desert safari on another evening, or the Grand Aquarium for a cooler day indoors.
- Time needed
- One full day.
Good questions
Where is Mahmya Island?+
It is a beach on Big Giftun Island, off Hurghada, within a protected marine area. You can only reach it by an organised boat trip.
How is it different from Orange Bay?+
Both are on Giftun. Mahmya is a beach club style stop with a bar, a meal and activities, while Orange Bay is better known as a snorkel and swim beach.
Is the trip suitable for non-swimmers?+
Yes, with a life jacket and the beach shallows. Staff and guides help, but weaker swimmers should stay close to the shore.
Is it wheelchair accessible?+
No, the boats and the island are not wheelchair accessible, and the ground is mostly rock and sand.
How long is the boat ride?+
Around an hour each way, depending on sea conditions and where the boat leaves from.
