Mahmya Island Day Trip: trip overview
Mahmya is a small beach retreat on the far side of Giftun Kebir, built with wooden walkways and palm-leaf shades to keep its footprint light. Visitor numbers are limited each day, so it feels noticeably calmer than the busier public beaches.
This is the trip for guests who want the Red Sea's colours without the crowd: a quicker boat ride, a snorkel stop on the house reef, lunch at the beach restaurant and hours on a sun lounger with your feet in the sand. It costs more than a classic boat trip — the island's capped entry, your lounger and lunch make up most of the difference — and for a truly relaxing day it's worth it.
Highlights
- Limited-capacity island beach with sun loungers and shade
- Snorkeling on the house reef directly from the beach
- Lunch at the Mahmya beach restaurant
- Clear, shallow water ideal for children
- Shorter day than most boat trips
Your day, as it feels
Mahmya feels different the moment you step onto its wooden jetty. There's no rush for space — loungers and palm-leaf umbrellas are waiting, the water in front of you is clear enough to count the fish from the shore, and the only schedule is lunch.
Spend the morning drifting over the house reef, walk along the shoreline, read a book in the shade, or let the kids splash in the shallows while you actually relax. Lunch at the beach restaurant is unhurried, and the afternoon passes the way holiday afternoons should.
Because the island limits how many visitors arrive each day, Mahmya keeps its calm atmosphere. It is the trip we recommend to couples, families who value comfort, and anyone who has already done a busy boat day and wants something gentler.
Why guests choose this trip with Hurghada Day Trips
Comfort included
Sun lounger, umbrella and lunch are part of the price — no competing for shade.
Genuinely calmer
Daily visitor numbers are limited, so the beach never feels packed.
Snorkel from the sand
A marked house reef lets beginners snorkel at their own pace, close to shore.
Eco-minded island
Wooden structures and low-plastic policies protect the island you came to enjoy.
Itinerary, hour by hour
- 08:30
Hotel pickup
Transfer to the departure marina.
- 09:30
Boat to Giftun Kebir
About 40 minutes, with a snorkel stop on the way when the sea allows.
- 10:30
Arrive at Mahmya
Pick your lounger, swim and snorkel at your own pace.
- 13:00
Lunch
Buffet lunch at the beach restaurant.
- 15:00
Boat back
Return to the marina and transfer to your hotel.
Times are approximate and confirmed with your booking. Pickup times vary by hotel area — you receive yours the evening before.
Places you'll visit
What you will see on this trip, in a few words. The exact order can change on the day.
Giftun Kebir (Big Giftun Island)
Giftun Kebir is the larger of the two Giftun Islands, part of a protected national park about 40–50 minutes by boat from Hurghada. Its sheltered bays have white sand and shallow turquoise water, and its fringing reefs are home to corals, reef fish and sometimes turtles. Orange Bay and the Mahmya beach area are both on this island. A park fee applies, and no one is allowed to stay overnight. Full guide & map →
Mahmya
Mahmya is a nature-focused beach club on Giftun Kebir with shaded sunbeds, a restaurant and a strict environmental concept: no plastic, limited guest numbers and no construction on the reef. Boats moor just off the beach, and coral patches start only a few metres from the shore, so even beginners and children reach the reef easily. Because places are limited, it should be booked ahead in high season. Full guide & map →
Read more about every reef and island in our Hurghada reefs, islands & wrecks guide.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Boat transfer to the island
- Mahmya entry, sun lounger and umbrella
- Lunch and water
- Snorkel equipment
Not included
- Drinks at the beach bar
- Towels
- Tips (optional)
Optional extras — told to you before you book
| Optional extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Drinks at the beach bar | pay on the island |
| Tips | optional |
Your safety on this trip
- Marked swimming and snorkel zones keep you away from boat lanes.
- Life jackets and snorkel equipment are available for all guests.
- Short boat transfer compared with most island trips.
- Shade, loungers and a restaurant mean you're never stuck in the midday sun.
What other travellers complain about — and what we do instead
We read public reviews of Hurghada excursions so you don't have to learn the hard way. Here is what goes wrong on some trips of this kind, and the standard we hold ourselves to.
Is this trip right for you?
Perfect for
- Couples and honeymooners
- Families with young children
- Guests who prefer comfort over adventure
- A relaxing day after Luxor or Cairo
Maybe not for you if…
- Travellers wanting multiple reef stops by boat
- Budget-focused guests (Orange Bay is cheaper)
Insider tips from our team
- Book a few days ahead in high season — places are limited.
- Bring water shoes; parts of the shoreline are rocky.
- Snorkel in the morning when the water is calmest and clearest.
- Cash is useful for drinks and snacks at the beach bar.
What to bring
- Swimwear and towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Water shoes for the shoreline
- Cash for drinks
Good to know
- Daily places are limited — book a few days ahead in high season.
- Plastic is minimised on the island; please take any waste back with you.
Hotel pickup areas
Pickup and drop-off are arranged from hotels in central Hurghada and from El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga. Read our pickup areas guide for typical transfer times.
Guest reviews
Reviews on this page come only from guests who booked this trip with us; we publish positive and critical ones alike. After your trip we send you a short review link.
Mahmya Island Day Trip: questions & answers
Is Mahmya better than Orange Bay?
It is quieter and more comfortable, with loungers and a restaurant. Orange Bay is livelier, cheaper and includes more boat time and snorkeling. Our Giftun guide compares both in detail.
Can I snorkel from the beach?
Yes, there is a marked snorkel area off the beach. Stay inside the marked zone and away from boat lanes.
How are children's tickets priced?
Children aged 0–4 travel free on standard per-person trips; ages 5–10 pay 50% of the adult trip fare; ages 11 and over pay the full fare. Enter every child’s age on the trip date when booking. Pickup supplements and minimum booking prices are shown separately. Private boats, jeeps and quads are priced per vehicle. Activity age restrictions still apply.
What's included at Mahmya?
Boat transfer, entry, a sun lounger with umbrella, lunch, water and snorkel equipment.
How long do we stay on the island?
Usually around four hours, which is longer than most island stops.
Is Mahmya good for non-swimmers?
Yes. The shallow water near the shore is calm, and life jackets are available.
Can I pay on the day?
Payment options are confirmed with your booking; for most day trips you can pay on the day.
