Islands in Egypt: Stunning Beauty Of The Land

“Tropical” is not something that pops up when one thinks of Egypt, right? Desert? Maybe. Sandy? Sure. Tropical? Doubtful. The world’s northernmost tropical sea is the red sea: true statement. The soft white sand beaches, warm waters and coral and marine life describes Egypt perfectly. So, the next time you’re planning to visit Egypt, ensure the red sea Riviera should be on your bucket list of places to explore. So, you need not worry about the crowds coming in the way of your “tropical paradise moment.”

Top Islands in Egypt: Extraordinary Wonders Of The World

Egypt islands are known for their beauty, shape and style, spanning from the South to the North. The islands are surrounded by the warm lagoons, pristine beaches and coral reefs, a stunning view to admire. What are you waiting for? Go ahead and explore the beauty of Egypt.

1. Giftun Islands

On a scenic boat ride to Giftun Islands, one of the best islands in Egypt, people can enjoy the view of the clear and stunning red sea and even slip into the sea to see stunning fish and bright corals. If one gets lucky, may they can even see dolphins playing along the coast. Soaking up the sun, swimming or discovering the underwater world are some of the things the island has to offer. Some of the features people can enjoy on the island include snorkeling, snorkel equipment and guide, life jacket, diving, lunch and drinks on board and hotel pick-up and drop off.

Furthermore, a unique touristic and economic position is something the island occupies which is due to its diving locations close to the Hurghada shoreline. There are about 14 diving spots close to the island and each year, Big Giftun island attracts several tourists from around the world.

Best Time To Visit: May- October

How to reach: The main airport in Egypt is Cairo international airport. People can even travel by road without any problems, which include driving by car or hiring a cab.

Famous For: Coral Reefs

Best Places To Stay: Sunrise Holidays Resorts, Meraki Resort, Giftun Azur Beach Resort and Arabia Azur Resort

2. Mahmya Island

Mahmya island has been influenced by its natural surroundings, bordered by stunning blue waters waiting to be discovered and white sandy beach. The island is an exotic escape with fine food, great music and fun crowd for those looking to get a break from the city life.

One will be forgiven for thinking they’ve just gotten off a boat after they step foot onto the island. The white sand and crystal-clear waters are absolutely breathtaking and is nothing like what one has seen before. One can relax under the beach umbrellas and snorkeling for a couple hours before they get a bite to eat.

Best Time To Visit: April- June, September- Early November

How to reach: The best and only way to reach the island is by boat.

Famous For: Stunning blue waters and white sandy beach.

Best Places To Stay: Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort Grand select, Albatross Palace Charm Hotel, Jolie Ville Resort and SPA kings island Luxor and Nemo Dive club and hotel

3. Pharaoh’s Island

The tiny island, known to the world with another name, Coral Island, Pharaoh’s Island is nestled on a few meters off the Sinai Peninsula shoreline in Egypt, south of Taba. The tiny island is about 350 meters in length and 170 meters in width. It has an important role to play despite its size. The island is one of the many places to visit in Egypt as one can enjoy activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. The majestic citadel or fortress dominating the skyline is one of the most stunning features of Pharaoh’s Island. The fortress’ history goes back to 1116, the time when Jerusalem’s king built the fortress on the island. To control the trade route between far East and Europe, the fortress was built.

The island and fortress served 3 main purposes during the crusader’s reign, which included:

To facilitate tax collection from the Arab merchants

A platform for attacking Arab vessel

To protect crossing over from Jerusalem

Much of the original citadel was rebuilt in 1170 after Saladin and his armies conquered Pharaoh’s Island. The area become a small fishing village in the 13th century.

Best Time To Visit: October and April

How to reach: The best way to reach the island is by a ferry ride.

Famous For: Snorkeling and scuba diving

Best Places To Stay: Tolip Taba Resort and Spa, Strand Beach and Gold Resort Taba Heights, Taba Hotel and Nelson village and Movenpick Resort Taba

4. El Ikhwa Islands

El Ikhwa Islands is the place to enjoy a fancy dive in Egypt, so put it on the bucket list of places to visit. Two cones of a volcanic rock sticking out from the Red Sea gave birth to the islands. Sharp grey stones littering the beach, a lighthouse with royal blue curtains spread beneath the boat and the dizziness of the divers by looking at the spiral fish shoals are some of the things one gets to see on the island. The silver scales of the fish against the sun’s rays come across as iridescent rainbow.

People are brought closer to the gorgonian arms in the warm shades, their bulbous ends brushing against one’s hand. The reefs are given color by the shoals of the fish and the oceans are given divers as their king. The silvertips and grey reef sharks are gentle as they sweetly nudge your tools with their pectoral fins. Watching sharks is one of the many things to do in Cairo, people can enjoy at the northern top of the island.

Best Time To Visit: All year round

How to reach: One can reach the island by a ferry boat, which is the best and probably the only way to reach.

Famous For: The lighthouse and coral reefs

Best Places To Stay: Tolip Hotel Alexandria, Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria, Hotel Alexandria Corniche and Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza

5. Shadwan Island

The barren rocky island, is seen sitting southwest of Sharm- el- Sheikh, an Egyptian city and northeast of El Gouna. This is one of the biggest islands seen on the mouth of the Gulf of Seuz, north of the red sea. One of the most exciting activities people can enjoy is scuba diving. The island saw its first earthquake on 31st March 1969, which was about 6.6 on the surface wave magnitude scale. Several rock falls were damaged.

The interesting part is yet to come. Hurghada Seismological network started working on the island with the idea of attaining information on Seismotectonic. What more can anyone ask for when it comes to having the best time of their lives away from the hustle and bustle of the city life? It is one of the many places to visit in Cairo, for the ideal holiday.

Best Time To Visit: October

How to reach: One can travel to the island by a ferry boat.

Famous For: Scuba Diving

Best Places To Stay: Hurghada Marriott Beach resort , The Three corners ocean view hotel and Ali Pasha Hotel

6. Zabargad Island

Seen sitting in the red sea, Zabargad island is also known as St John’s Island. It is one of the most breathtaking places to explore, found a couple of miles southeast of the Ras Banas Peninsula in Egypt. Want to know something more interesting? The magic and mystery of the island is found in being one of the most majestic peridot specimens.

Several people have come to look for green gems and have found an abandon island in their pursuit. This is one of the many things people have often heard or read about in books. As a part of the Elba National Park, till today, gem peridot specimens are easy to find. The island is surrounded by reefs, which protects the national park. It is said to be the one stop tourist destination as people come to visit the island for its serene and stunning rock formations, that play host to some of the most fascinating sea creatures, which include sea birds, fish and octopi. It is one of the tallest islands, with a height of about 770 feet, with no trees but does have a few tufts of coastal groundcover that are seen growing in patches. There are no facilities offered on the island, but it is worth a visit.

Best Time To Visit: May

How to reach: One can reach the island by boat or hire a cab from the airport.

Famous For: Coral Reefs, Sea Creatures

Best Places To Stay: Jaz Marya, Three Corners Fayrouz Plaza Beach Resort

7. Orange Bay Hurghada

The breathtaking natural bay, orange bay is surrounded by coral reefs and marine life all over. One of the most stunning things about Orange Bay Hurghada is its shallow crystal- clear blue sea that stretches over 1.5 km, making it safe for families to visit. Tourists can reach the island by taking a cruise form the new marina in Hurghada.

The aim of the bay, since its birth is to protect the coral reefs and wild sea life that surrounds it. Tourists are attracted to the nature of the pure white sand beaches and stunning shallow waters. The island has over 5 restaurants that serve international and oriental food, an absolute treat to the taste buds. People spend an entire day on the island in peace and quiet, without any problems. Some of the facilities offered include:

Boat transfer and boat rentals.

5 restaurants

5 Bars

Air conditioning day-use cabins

Photographic services available

Massage services available

Free Wi-Fi

Best Time To Visit: May- October

How to reach: It is a 40-minute ride by boat to the island. People can reach the island without any problems.

Famous For: White sand beaches and stunning shallow waters

Best Places To Stay: Seagull Beach resort, Sunny Days Palma De Mirette Resort and Spa and Bella Vista Resort Hurghada

8. Banana Island

Are you looking to take a break from your work life? Well, you’re in for a treat. You should go on an Egyptian felucca boat ride and sail to Banana Island and enjoy swimming in the cool waters. Tuck into some of the fanciest cuisines along with hot and cold drinks. To enjoy a personalized experience, one can go on a private tour and party with their friends and take a cruise down the Nile River and enjoy the refreshing waters.

The island is said to be a dream destination people often look forward to visiting every year. What is can one want when it comes to sailing the waters and eating some of the fanciest foods served on the cruise? The banana island should be on everyone’s bucket list of places to explore in Egypt.

Best Time To Visit: October

How to reach: Felucca Boat ride and cruise

Famous For: Cruise and swimming in the cool waters

Best Places To Stay: Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa, Hilton Sharks Bay resort and Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor

The islands in Egypt are some of the most stunning places to visit while on vacation. Islands are not like any other place people often visit or explore. These are things that make a holiday memorable and worthwhile. What more do you want? Doesn’t it sound exciting? Go ahead and pack those bags right away.

FAQs

Q1. During the crusader's reign, what purpose did the Pharaoh’s Island serve?

The island served 3 main purposes during the crusader’s reign, which included:

To facilitate tax collection from the Arab merchants
A platform for attacking Arab vessel
To protect crossing over from Jerusalem

Q2. What makes Mahmya Island special?

Q3. What is so special about Zabargad Island?

Several people have come to look for green gems and have found an abandon island in their pursuit. It is said to be the one stop tourist destination as people come to visit the island for its serene and stunning rock formations, that play host to some of the most fascinating sea creatures, which include sea birds, fish and octopi.

Q4. How many islands does Egypt have?

They say there are at least 14 islands in its cities, from the south to the north. Each island has its own beauty, shape and style that has often left people awe struck. These islands haven’t been ranked among the best in the world for nothing.

Q5. What is the island close to Egypt?

Pharaoh's Island, also known as Coral Island, is a small island in the northern Gulf of Aqaba, a couple of miles east off the shore of Egypt's eastern Sinai Peninsula.

Q6. What are some of the facilities offered by orange bay?

Some of the facilities offered by the bay include:

Boat transfer and boat rentals.
5 restaurants
5 Bars
Air conditioning day-use cabins
Photographic services available
Massage services available
Free Wi-Fi

Q7. What is so interesting about Shadwan Island?

The island saw its first earthquake on 31st March 1969, which was about 6.6 on the surface wave magnitude scale. Several rock falls were damaged. People can enjoy scuba diving on the island.

Q8. How many restaurants does orange bay have?

The island has over 5 restaurants that serve international and oriental food, an absolute treat to the taste buds.