Makadi Bay: ATV, Sea View, Camel, Stargazing, Dinner & Show

The best part of this Makadi Bay outing is the change of scene: after a hotel-heavy holiday, you are soon bouncing across open desert with mountains, dunes, and occasional Red Sea views ahead. The ride is guided and safety-focused, not a free-for-all race, though faster and normal groups may be separated.

I like the solid two-hour quad ride and the way the guides stop for photos instead of rushing you from one point to the next. I also like the choice of formats, especially the sunrise breakfast and the sunset version with dinner, a show, and astronomy. The short camel ride is the weak link, lasting about five minutes unless you pay for more time, and some routes show only a little sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours on the quad: Ride through desert, mountain, and coastal terrain with a guide and photo stops.
• Several tour styles: Pick entry-only, hotel transfer, sunrise breakfast, a quad and horse combo, or sunset dinner and stargazing.
• Five-minute camel ride: It is mainly for photographs, not a full camel trek. A 30-minute extension costs extra.
• Small groups and speed choices: Groups may be arranged for faster or more relaxed riders, but reckless riding and drifting are not allowed.
• Excellent low-price value: At about $16 per person, the package can include transport, equipment, the ride, camel photos, food, entertainment, and stargazing, depending on your chosen option.
• Bring protection from sand: Sunglasses, a scarf, water, sunscreen, and closed comfortable shoes will make the ride much easier.

Leaving the Red Sea resorts for the desert

This is an easy way to add some action to a Makadi Bay holiday. The quad base is near Sahl Hasheesh, so the transfer is short from Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh, usually around 25 to 30 minutes. From Hurghada, allow roughly 40 to 45 minutes, and from El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, or Safaga, the ride can take up to an hour.

You can book hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, arrange a private transfer for an extra fee, or make your own way to the base with the entry-only choice. If you use pickup, wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the stated time. The exact collection time is normally sent the day before, and the pickup window can fall up to an hour before the selected start time.

That timing matters. One departure may collect several people, so the total transfer can be longer than the drive from your hotel alone. Most transport reports are positive, but one badly handled hotel pickup caused a long wait before the problem was fixed through WhatsApp. Confirm your hotel name and keep your phone connected to WhatsApp.

Travel light. Large bags, luggage, jewelry, pets, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. Leave valuables at the hotel and take only what you need for the ride.

The safety briefing and first run

At the base, you fill out a disclaimer, receive a helmet, and get a safety briefing. A short driving test follows. This is useful for first-time riders, and it gives the guides a chance to place people in suitable groups.

You must be at least 16 to drive a quad and pass the test. Children can still enjoy the outing as passengers in a suitable vehicle, but the supplied rules do not promise a quad for every child. One family used a dune buggy upgrade for a younger child, while older children rode their own quads.

The tone is energetic but controlled. You are expected to follow the guide, keep a safe distance, and avoid dangerous movements. Drifting is not permitted, and this is not a racing session. If you want a hard-charging ride, the faster group may satisfy you. If you prefer a calmer pace, ask to join the normal group before setting off.

Helmets are supplied and must stay on. Sunglasses and a scarf are not included. You can buy a scarf at the base, and goggles may be available to rent, but bringing your own is simpler and usually cheaper.

Two hours across desert, mountains, and coast

Once the engines start, the main event is a guided ride through open desert around Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh. Expect broad sandy stretches, valleys, dunes, and rocky mountain scenery rather than a polished sightseeing route.

The ride includes stops for photographs and quiet breaks. A typical outing includes one stop in the desert and another near the beach or coast, but the amount of sea you see can vary. Some departures have had a clear beach stop and sunset views. Others saw little of the coast, and one route did not reach the beach at all.

That is the main point to understand before booking. The title promises sea views, but this is primarily a desert quad trip. You will get coastal scenery on many departures, yet you should not treat it as a beach visit or a Red Sea excursion. The appeal is the contrast between the dry interior and the sea and mountains at the edge of the route.

The guides have earned strong praise for staying with less confident riders. One rider with trouble handling the quad received help throughout the tour, and the group system allowed different speeds. Samir and Mohamed have been singled out for safe, friendly guiding, while Hadeer received special praise for explaining the stars later in the evening.

The desert can be very hot, especially during midday and summer departures. Bring plenty of water. Water is not included, and one rider used about a liter during the outing. Long sleeves help on windy days, since sand can sting exposed skin.

The camel ride is brief but useful for photos

Every tour includes a short camel ride of about five minutes. In practical terms, this means mounting, sitting on the camel, taking photographs, and getting down again. It is a quick taste of a familiar desert tradition, not a long ride across the sand.

I would treat this as a photo stop rather than a major part of the experience. Several people found it shorter than expected, while others liked the brief format because it avoided discomfort. If you want more time, a 30-minute camel ride can be added at checkout.

This short stop works well for families and anyone who wants a few Egyptian desert images without committing to a longer animal ride. If the camel is your main reason for booking, choose the extra time or consider a different camel-focused outing.

Sunset dinner, live entertainment, and stargazing

The evening version adds the most atmosphere. After the quad ride, you can settle in for an Oriental dinner, a live show, traditional dance, and stargazing under the desert sky.

The meal has received particularly warm praise for its quality and generous servings. You may be able to go back for more, though the exact menu can vary. Bring some patience around the performance. The show is part of the package, but its style will not suit every taste. One person loved the food and setting but found the show less appealing.

Stargazing is the most distinctive extra. Away from hotel lighting, the desert gives you a darker sky, and the astronomy talk adds more than simply pointing at a few bright stars. Hadeer has been praised for explaining the Moon and solar system clearly in English. If you enjoy looking upward and learning a little, this part can become the evening highlight.

Cold drinks are not included. A can of soft drink has been sold at a noticeably high price, so take water with you and check drink prices before ordering.

The evening package is a good match for couples because the sunset and stars give the outing a more relaxed, romantic finish. It also suits families who want a full evening rather than only engine noise and sand.

Sunrise breakfast and the horse-riding option

The 5:00 AM sunrise departure is the quietest choice. You ride as the desert changes from darkness to early light, then have a traditional Oriental breakfast. Breakfast is included only with this sunrise program, so you need to select the correct departure when booking.

Early morning also brings cooler conditions, which can make the quad ride easier, especially in warmer months. The tradeoff is obvious: you need to wake very early, and the transfer time may add to an already early start.

Another morning option combines one hour on a quad with one hour on horseback. It is available early across the listed pickup areas. This suits you if two full hours on a motorbike feels repetitive, or if you want a closer link to traditional desert riding.

Do not confuse this with an add-on during the standard ride. It is a separate format, so check that you select the quad and horse combination rather than the regular two-hour quad trip.

What the $16 price really buys you

At around $16 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for two hours of guided quad biking. The value is strongest when you use the shared transfer and select the basic ride. You receive a guide, desert escort, helmet, safety test, two hours of riding, photo stops, and the short camel ride.

The evening version can be an even better deal if dinner, a show, and stargazing are included at the advertised rate. Sunrise breakfast also adds value, though the early start is part of the bargain. Private transfers, a private guide, a longer camel ride, and a buggy session cost extra.

There may be costs at the base. Scarves or goggles are not included, drinks are extra, and photographs or videos may be offered for purchase. The photographer is often praised for creating good shots and helping with family pictures, but you are not required to buy them. Some people found the images worth the extra money, while others simply used their own phones during the stops.

The low price does not mean you should expect a private desert expedition. Group size can change, and transport may involve collecting other people. Still, two hours of riding plus the included extras makes this a strong budget choice compared with hotel-sold excursions that can cost roughly twice as much.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to first-time quad riders, families with older children, couples wanting an active evening, and anyone who has spent too many days beside the hotel pool. The safety test and split pace groups make it less intimidating for beginners, while the open desert provides enough speed and bumps for confident riders.

It also suits budget-conscious visitors. You get several activities in one outing without paying for a luxury setup. The English and German guide options help, and the staff have been praised for assisting nervous riders and keeping the group together.

This is not suitable if you are pregnant, have serious back problems, have mobility impairments, or use a wheelchair. Drivers under 16 cannot ride the quad. You also need to accept that sand, heat, dust, and a firm seat are part of the deal.

Practical packing advice for a smoother ride

Wear sportswear or other comfortable clothing that can take dust. Closed, comfortable shoes are best, and long clothing helps when the wind carries sand.

Pack:

• Sunglasses and a scarf
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• At least a good supply of drinking water
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Goggles if you already own a pair
• A phone with enough battery for photographs

Avoid jewelry and loose valuables. Sand gets into everything, so do not bring a large camera bag or anything you would hate to clean.

If you want photographs, ask the photographer to take a few on your own phone during the stops. You can also decide later if the official photo package is worth buying. Tips are not described as mandatory, but the guides and photographer may appreciate one for extra help.

Should you book the Makadi Bay quad tour?

Book it if you want a high-value desert activity with two hours of riding, flexible departure styles, and optional dinner or breakfast. The strongest parts are the helpful guides, well-liked photo stops, speed grouping, and the evening stargazing.

Do not book it mainly for a long camel ride or guaranteed beach time. The camel segment is very short, and the coastal part can vary by route. Also confirm your pickup carefully, carry water, and select the correct version if you want breakfast, horse riding, dinner, or the show.

For about $16, this is a practical choice for adding some motion and desert scenery to a Red Sea stay. I would choose the sunset package for couples and the sunrise option for cooler temperatures and a quieter start. Families and beginners should ask for the normal pace group, while experienced riders can request the faster group without expecting unsafe racing.

FAQ

Where does the quad biking take place?

The activity operates in the Red Sea Governorate, around Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh, with routes through desert, mountain, and coastal terrain.

How long is the quad ride?

The standard ride lasts two hours. A separate option combines one hour of quad biking with one hour of horseback riding.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you choose an option with transfer. Entry-only booking is also available, and private transfers cost extra.

How long is the transfer from Makadi Bay?

The transfer from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh usually takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Travel times from other resorts can be longer.

What age must you be to drive a quad?

Drivers must be at least 16 years old and must pass the safety briefing and short driving test.

Is a camel ride included?

Yes. Every tour includes a five-minute camel ride, mainly for photographs. A 30-minute camel ride is available as an extra.

Does the tour include dinner and a show?

Dinner, live entertainment, traditional dancing, and stargazing are included only with the sunset evening option.

Is breakfast included?

Breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise tour.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat, comfortable seasonal clothing, a scarf, goggles if you have them, and plenty of water. Large bags and jewelry are not allowed.