Orange Bay, Mahmya or Paradise Island? An Honest Comparison
Three island trips that look identical in photos but are completely different in practice. Here is how to pick the right one.
The question we get on WhatsApp more than any other: "which island is best?" The photos online are no help, because they all show white sand and turquoise water. The real differences are somewhere else entirely.
Orange Bay (Giftun Island) — the famous one
The Orange Bay trip is the most booked excursion in Hurghada, for an obvious reason: the water there is shallow and clear to a degree that looks edited, and the beach is fully set up with parasols, restaurants and a bar.
- Right for you if: you want the picture you saw before you travelled and do not mind other visitors.
- Wrong for you if: you are after quiet. In peak season — July, August, Christmas and New Year — the beach genuinely gets busy.
- Snorkelling: two stops on living reef before mooring. Very good.
Mahmya — the best equipped
Mahmya is on the same Giftun Island but on a different side, and it is run as a nature reserve with strict rules. The result is cleaner water and reef in visibly better condition, plus a properly organised beach — palm parasols, sun loungers, toilets and showers, and an open buffet restaurant.
- Right for you if: you want a comfortable day on a fully equipped beach and would rather settle than move between stops.
- Wrong for you if: you want the maximum number of snorkelling stops in a day.
- Snorkelling: one reef stop, but the reef itself is in better shape because of the protection.
Paradise Island — the quiet one
Paradise Island is smaller and less famous, which is exactly its advantage. The water around it is very shallow and clear, which makes it the first choice for families with small children and for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.
- Right for you if: you have children, or you want a calm beach without crowds.
- Wrong for you if: you want full facilities and a choice of restaurants.
And Dolphin House?
Dolphin House is not an island at all — it is a horseshoe-shaped reef with a resident pod of wild dolphins living around it. There is no beach to land on; the whole day is spent on the boat and in the water. Choose it if your goal is seeing dolphins, not lying on sand.
One-line summary
- Want the best photos? Orange Bay.
- Want comfort, facilities and protected reef? Mahmya.
- Travelling with children, or want quiet? Paradise Island.
- Want wild dolphins? Dolphin House.
If your itinerary has more than one sea day, our favourite combination is a day at Mahmya and a day at Dolphin House. And if you want full control of the programme, there is a private boat tour with the boat reserved for your group alone.
