The larger of the two Giftun islands has the postcard beach — a curve of brilliant white coral sand on its sheltered western side, with the reef beginning a few metres offshore. Most day boats from Hurghada drop visitors here for a few hours of swimming, snorkelling and a cooked lunch served on board or under the beach umbrellas. The island itself is a protected reserve so there is no permanent infrastructure beyond a few beach huts and a small dock. Crowds peak between 11am and 2pm; if you can arrange an earlier boat you will more or less have the beach to yourself.