Dive Site: Giftun Island

About Giftun Island

Giftun Island, nestled in the heart of the Red Sea just a short boat ride from Hurghada, offers an unparalleled diving and snorkeling experience. This protected marine park, established in 1986, encompasses two main islands, Big Giftun (Giftun Kebir) and Small Giftun (Giftun Sughayar), both surrounded by some of the Red Sea's most vibrant coral reefs. The crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine underwater landscapes make it a paradise for marine life enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned divers. The area is accessible year-round, thanks to Hurghada’s stable weather and calm sea conditions. The topography around Giftun Island is remarkably diverse, featuring dramatic reef slopes, vertical walls, and extensive coral gardens teeming with life. Dive sites like Small Giftun, also known as Police Station, boast sloping reefs adorned with gorgonians and schools of anthias. Other areas offer wide coral gardens and soft coral overhangs. The park also features intriguing pinnacles or "ergs" – isolated coral towers rising from the seabed, each acting as a bustling ecosystem. These varied environments support an incredible biodiversity, including colorful hard and soft corals. Marine life encounters are a highlight at Giftun Island. Divers frequently spot a variety of species such as lionfish, anthias, barracuda, and turtles. Other residents include surgeonfish, morays, napoleon wrasse, fusiliers, giant morays, snappers, groupers, and blue-spotted rays. Occasional sightings of reef sharks and even dolphins add to the excitement. While many sites are calm and ideal for beginners, some areas feature mild to moderate currents, particularly suited for exhilarating drift dives. Easy boat access from Hurghada makes these exceptional dive sites readily available.

Dive site facts: Giftun Island

Depth

5–30 m

Typical dive

12–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild to moderate

Visibility

25–42 m

Water temperature

21–30°C

Entry

Boat / tender

Level

All levels, AOWD for deeper sections

Dive type

Reef, drift, coral gardens

Night dive

Possible (Banana Reef)

Region / port

Hurghada

Coordinates

27.2333, 33.95

Conditions & Currents

Dive sites around Giftun Island offer a range of current conditions. Small Giftun, for example, typically experiences a mild current, making it ideal for gentle drift diving. Other areas may feature moderate or thrilling currents, creating exciting drift dive opportunities, particularly along the exposed outer edges of the islands.

Marine life & sighting chances

Parrotfish

common

Butterflyfish

common

Angelfish

common

Moray eel

common

Blue-spotted stingray

common

Clownfish

common

Green turtle

occasional

Reef shark

occasional

Napoleon wrasse

occasional

Giant grouper

occasional

Nudibranch

occasional

Scorpionfish

occasional

Whale shark

May–August · rare

Eagle ray

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Giftun Island often involves drift dives, especially at sites like Small Giftun (Police Station). Typically, you'll enter the water via a negative entry or a giant stride from the main boat or a Zodiac. The dive begins on a shallow reef plateau, often on the southern tip, and you drift north along a sloping reef wall. Depths range from 5 meters on the plateau down to 30 meters or more along the wall. The route usually follows the reef, allowing divers to observe vibrant soft coral overhangs, gorgonians, and numerous cleaning stations. Turning points are often dictated by the current or air consumption, with the dive concluding as you slowly ascend towards the surface. Safety stops are typically performed in the shallower sections of the reef, around 5 meters, before deploying a surface marker buoy for boat pickup.

Underwater photography

Giftun Island provides excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. The soft coral gardens and dramatic reef slopes, especially at Erg Somaya, thrive in ambient light, making them perfect for wide-angle shots to capture the expansive beauty. For vibrant colors, consider using strobes with diffusers, particularly when photographing the pulsing Dendronephthya corals. When drifting, good buoyancy control is essential to maintain position and avoid disturbing the fragile ecosystem. For macro subjects, such as nudibranchs, scorpionfish, and cleaner shrimp in crevices, a macro lens will capture intricate details. The morning light on the eastern wall of Police Station between 9 and 10 AM is particularly good for illumination.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Banana Reef

  A crescent-shaped reef with a coral garden and ergs, suitable for most levels.

• Umm Gamar

  An offshore reef known for dolphins, barracuda, and eagle rays.

• Abu Nuhas

  Famous for its four shipwrecks, offering diverse wreck diving.

• SS Thistlegorm

  A legendary WWII wreck accessible from Hurghada, known for its cargo.

• Elphinstone Reef

  A renowned offshore reef with dramatic walls and pelagic encounters, including oceanic whitetip sharks.

• Carless Reef

  Known for its coral pinnacles and potential for pelagic sightings, including hammerheads.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Giftun Island is primarily from Hurghada, which has an international airport. Daily diving trips depart from various Hurghada ports, typically lasting a full day to allow for two or three dives. A boat ride to Giftun takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the specific site and departure point. Dive trips usually include lunch and refreshments. There are no specific permits required for individual divers beyond standard dive center bookings. Liveaboards in the Red Sea often include Giftun as part of a wider itinerary, combining it with other Hurghada area sites, though some longer liveaboard itineraries focus on more distant offshore reefs.

Safety & environment

Diving in the Giftun Island area is generally safe, with multiple dive centers operating from Hurghada. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Hurghada. Divers should always ensure they have comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation. Site-specific hazards include occasional strong currents, especially at certain points or during specific tidal conditions; divers should be proficient in drift diving techniques or be accompanied by an experienced guide. Always stay close to your buddy and group, and maintain depth awareness, especially near deep walls. Deploying a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) is highly recommended for safety stops and signaling the boat for pickup, particularly during drift dives.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Giftun Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Giftun Island

These liveaboards may visit Giftun Island on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

$150/day

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

$109/day

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

$150/day

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

$154/day

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

$155/day

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

$172/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$172/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$104/day

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

$145/day

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

$159/day

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m

$115/day