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On the blue waves of the Red Sea, just 45 minutes away from the coast of Hurghada, the Giftun Islands are scattered on the sea like a string of forgotten pearls. This is Egypt's most popular snorkeling paradise, attracting countless tourists with its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and colorful coral reefs. But surprisingly, 90% of tourists will inadvertently violate a little-known taboo when they leave - taking away a "souvenir" from the island, which may cause you to face high fines or even legal trouble.
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When you step onto the beach of the Giftun Islands, you will be immediately struck by the beauty in front of you - soft white sand, clear waters so clear that you can see schools of fish, and colorful shells and coral fragments that occasionally wash up on the shore. Many tourists will subconsciously pick up one or two beautiful corals or shells and put them in their pockets as souvenirs. However, this is exactly the rule that most people violate: it is forbidden to take away any natural items, including corals, shells, sand, and even dead wood.
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The Egyptian government has designated the Giftun Islands and the surrounding waters as a nature reserve, and any human destruction or removal of natural materials is strictly prohibited. Although there are no obvious warning signs, once you are discovered by the coast guard or environmental protection officials, you will be fined (up to thousands of Egyptian pounds) or prosecuted. Even more surprising is that airport security sometimes randomly checks tourists' luggage, and if corals or shells are found, they will also face penalties.
Since you can’t take any “souvenirs” with you, how can you enjoy the beauty of the Giftun Islands without stepping on landmines?
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1. Snorkeling and coral reef protection
The islands are surrounded by world-class coral reefs, and snorkeling is the most popular activity. But remember: never touch or step on the coral! Corals are extremely fragile, and the slightest contact can cause them to die. Many tourists stand on corals to take pictures, which is not only illegal, but also causes irreversible damage to the marine ecosystem. The correct way is to stay afloat and avoid touching the seabed.
2. "Traps" on the beach
Shells and coral fragments washed ashore by waves can often be seen on the beaches of the Giftun Islands. Although they look like "no one's property", it is still illegal to pick them up. If you really want to leave a good memory, the best way is to take pictures - the sunset, blue sea and white sand here are excellent photography materials in themselves.
3. The right way to interact with wild animals
Dolphins, turtles and even reef sharks are often seen near the islands. Some tourists will try to feed or touch them, but this is also prohibited. Marine life in the Red Sea is protected by law, and interfering with their natural behavior may result in a fine. The best way to watch is to keep your distance, observe quietly, and let them swim freely.
1. Why can't you take away sand?
The beaches of the Giftun Islands are made of unique coral sand, which is actually the skeletal fragments of corals and marine organisms. Due to the limited beach resources along the Red Sea coast, Egyptian law prohibits any form of sand collection, even a small bottle.
2. The most easily overlooked violation-feeding fish
Many snorkeling guides will secretly give tourists some bread crumbs to let them experience the feeling of "being surrounded by fish". However, this practice will change the natural foraging habits of fish and may introduce non-local microorganisms, disrupting the ecological balance.
3. There are no trash cans on the island?
Since the Giftun Islands are uninhabited, pure natural islands, tourists must take away all their garbage by themselves. If you don't want to be fined, remember to bring a garbage bag with you and take all water bottles, food packaging, etc. back to the boat.
After a perfect day in the Giftun Islands, you may feel a little regretful-you can't take away any physical souvenirs. But in fact, the most precious thing you can take away is the memory of the unspoiled natural beauty and the peace of mind that comes with abiding by the rules.
When you leave by boat, looking back at the white sandy beach and blue water that are gradually disappearing, you may understand that true travel is not about possession, but about respect. The beauty of the Giftun Islands is preserved because of the self-discipline of countless people. And those coral fragments secretly stuffed into pockets will eventually become an ignominious memory, not a souvenir worth showing off.