Same island, reserved sunbeds, an open buffet and a catamaran instead of a wooden boat.
Mahmya is an eco beach club on the far side of Giftun Island, and the trip costs two to three times a standard island day. What you are paying for is comfort and space rather than a different island.
The transfer is a fast catamaran rather than a wooden day boat, which halves the crossing. On arrival you have a reserved sunbed and parasol rather than finding a spot, an open buffet at the beach restaurant rather than a plated lunch on deck, and considerably more beach per person.
The snorkelling is directly off the shore, which is genuinely useful — you can get in and out as often as you like without a boat ladder or a schedule. The reef is good rather than exceptional.
It is the right choice if what you want is a comfortable beach day with someone else handling everything, or if a previous boat trip left you feeling herded.
It is the right choice if what you want is a comfortable beach day with someone else handling everything, or if a previous boat trip left you feeling herded. It is the wrong choice if the reef is the point, in which case Paradise Island costs a third as much and has better coral.
