Safaga/Makadi Bay: Panorama Submarine with Snorkeling Tour

The best part of this Makadi Bay outing is the two-part view of the Red Sea. You first sit below the surface in a semi-submarine, watching fish and coral through underwater windows without getting wet. Then you can put on the supplied mask and fins for about 30 minutes of snorkeling.

I like the sensible price, $18 per person, and the fact that the boat provides unlimited water, a soft drink, equipment, and hotel transfers. I also like the gentle family appeal: a three-year-old can watch fish from the windows, while stronger swimmers can follow a guide above the reef. The main consideration is that the reef may not be the finest you see in Egypt, and the boat can feel busy.

Key points at a glance

• Five meters below the Red Sea: Watch fish and coral through the boat’s underwater viewing area without scuba experience.
• A real snorkeling stop: You get about 30 minutes in the water, with equipment and staff support included.
• Useful pickup range: Transfers serve Safaga, Makadi Bay, and Sahl Hasheesh, with some hotel exceptions.
• Good for mixed-age families: Children can stay dry below deck while confident swimmers snorkel nearby.
• Low-pressure extras: Photos, canned drinks, snacks, and other purchases are available, but the experience is not built around buying them.
• Allow time for transfers: The activity itself is listed as two hours, but the full outing can take longer once hotel pickup and return are added.

What the Makadi Bay boat trip is really like

This is not a full submarine with a long underwater route. It is a surface boat with a lower viewing deck, sometimes described as a glass-bottom or semi-submarine boat. That distinction matters, especially if you are picturing a silent vessel cruising far below the sea.

The boat travels across sunny Makadi Bay before stopping over a reef. You then go downstairs to the underwater windows, where a scuba diver may appear outside and draw attention to fish or coral. Schools of fish can come close to the glass, which makes this part especially useful for children and anyone who does not want to snorkel.

The boat generally feels comfortable, though one account describes it as busy enough for family members to sit apart. If staying together is important, arrive promptly and follow the crew’s seating directions. The viewing area is the focus, so expect people to move around when the underwater section begins.

From hotel reception to the Makadi Bay marina

Pickup is offered from Safaga, Makadi Bay, and Sahl Hasheesh. You should wait at the reception entrance unless your hotel instructions specify the main gate outside. Transfers from Madinat Makadi, Sun Rise Makadi, and Xanadu hotels are not included, so check this carefully before paying.

The route information allows up to an hour by coach each way. In practice, the ride can be shorter for hotels near Makadi Bay. One morning outing collected a party around 8:40 and reached the jetty at about 8:55, while the full return to the hotel was shortly after 11:00.

That variation is normal for a shared transfer. Pickup order, hotel access, and the distance from Safaga or Sahl Hasheesh all affect the clock. I would keep the rest of your morning free rather than scheduling a tight lunch reservation or another excursion.

At the marina, you may have a walk from the vehicle to the pier. One family took around 10 minutes with a toddler, and the walk can feel hot in the middle of the day. Wear comfortable shoes, not slippery sandals, and carry your hat and sunglasses.

The surface ride across quiet Makadi Bay

Once aboard, the crew gives an introduction, with support available in English, Russian, German, and Arabic. The boat then heads toward a reef site. The ride itself offers broad views over Makadi Bay, with the appeal coming from the calm water and open horizon rather than from a long commentary program.

The boat can be booked in the morning or afternoon. Morning trips may be more comfortable in Egypt’s heat, while an afternoon departure suits anyone who prefers a slower start. The supplied information does not promise a particular wildlife sighting, so treat sea lions, dolphins, and other animals as possible bonuses rather than fixed parts of the trip.

Some outings have encountered dolphins on the ride back. Fish are the more reliable attraction, especially around the reef. Keep your expectations sensible: this is a short coastal boat trip at a budget price, not a dedicated wildlife cruise.

Five meters below the surface: the strongest feature

The lower viewing area is where the outing earns its name. The boat descends about five meters below the surface, allowing you to look through underwater windows at coral and fish. You remain seated and dry, which makes this a fine introduction for young children, nervous swimmers, and anyone who cannot or does not want to snorkel.

The view depends on water conditions and clean glass. One child-focused account praised the windows, while another noted that the glass could have been cleaner inside and out. That is a fair warning. You may see plenty of fish, but the picture will not always be perfectly sharp.

A diver outside the boat often adds interest. The diver may point toward fish, coral, or other sea life, and the crew can take photos from outside the vessel. The underwater section may last roughly 20 to 30 minutes, though some descriptions suggest a longer period at the reef. The exact timing can vary with the boat and conditions.

I would place this section near the front of your expectations: it is entertaining and easy, but not a substitute for snorkeling or scuba. You are looking through glass, with other people sharing the same viewing space. If you want quiet observation, this may feel crowded. If you want a simple look at Red Sea life with children, it works well.

The 30-minute snorkeling stop

After the underwater viewing, the crew offers a snorkeling stop of about 30 minutes. Equipment is included, and guides help people enter the water and find their way around the reef. Staff have also supported first-time snorkelers, including children who needed extra reassurance.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part, but the details provided do not promise flotation devices or private instruction for every person. Ask the crew for help before entering if you are unsure. Stay with the guide and follow the boat’s safety instructions.

The stop is short, but 30 minutes is enough to see fish and coral without turning the morning into an exhausting water session. The snorkeling may be the highlight for adults and older children. Several accounts describe fish swimming close by and a pleasant range of coral and sea life.

The reef quality is not guaranteed to match the best sites around Sharm el-Sheikh, and one comparison found it less impressive than another submarine outing there. That does not make it poor. It simply means you should book this for an accessible combination of viewing and snorkeling, not because it promises Egypt’s finest reef.

People who remain on the boat can continue enjoying the views. This is an important point for families with mixed interests. A non-swimmer or tired child is not left with nothing to do, though one account found the trip less interesting for someone who skipped snorkeling altogether.

The crew, photos, drinks, and onboard extras

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive to safety. Mahmood receives a special mention for making one family’s underwater experience memorable, while Muhammed was praised for helping on deck. Staff have also helped children in the water, guided people around the reef, and pointed out fish.

Photos are available for purchase, usually taken by a photographer or diver from outside the boat. Some families bought them and liked the result. Others found the photo package expensive compared with the tour, and one purchase was missing snorkeling pictures. Ask what is included, how much it costs, and when you will receive the images before agreeing.

The sales approach appears generally restrained, but it is not absent. You may be offered photographs, snacks, or drinks during the trip. Some outings include a tip jar at the end. You can enjoy the tour without buying these extras, so bring a little extra cash only if you want photos or canned drinks.

One soft drink and unlimited mineral water are included. Snacks, food, coffee, and additional drinks cost extra. The rules say not to bring food and drinks, so rely on the supplied water or buy items onboard if available.

Is $18 good value?

At $18, this is a strong-value half-day-style outing if you want several elements in one package. You get hotel pickup and return, the semi-submarine ride, entry tickets, snorkeling equipment, a 30-minute water stop, a soft drink, and unlimited water.

A separate boat trip and snorkeling session could cost more, especially once transport and equipment rental are added. Here, the underwater viewing makes the tour useful for a group in which not everyone wants to get wet. You are paying for convenience as much as for the reef.

The value drops slightly if you are an experienced snorkeler seeking a large, untouched reef or a long time in the water. The snorkeling stop is limited, and the reef may be less impressive than top sites elsewhere in Egypt. Still, for a first look at Red Sea sea life, the combination is hard to fault at this price.

I would also count the lack of pressure as part of the value. You do not have to tip, purchase photos, or buy drinks to make the outing worthwhile. That lets you keep the cost close to the advertised price.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most to families with young children, first-time snorkelers, couples wanting a short water outing, and anyone staying in Makadi Bay who wants an easy introduction to the Red Sea.

It also suits non-swimmers because the underwater windows provide the main viewing experience. Children can see fish without entering the water, while adults take turns snorkeling if needed.

Strong swimmers who want an extended reef session may find the 30-minute stop too brief. People who dislike shared boats may also find the group atmosphere tiring, especially when the lower viewing room fills up.

Mobility requires special attention. The activity information describes it as wheelchair accessible but also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The walk from the drop-off point to the boat, movement between levels, and boarding process may be difficult. Contact the provider before booking if you need assistance.

What to bring and how to make it easier

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, and comfortable shoes. I would wear the swimwear under your clothes, since the change between the underwater viewing section and snorkeling can be quick.

Keep your belongings simple. The supplied rules prohibit pets and outside food and drinks. Water is provided, and paid snacks or drinks may be sold onboard.

Choose a morning departure if you want to reduce time in the strongest heat. At the marina, stay close to your group during the walk and listen for instructions in your preferred language. If you have children, explain that the lower viewing room may be busy and that they may need to share a window.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful if your holiday plans are still moving around, but check the exact start time and pickup details when you book.

My verdict: a small-price, two-part Red Sea introduction

You should book this Makadi Bay semi-submarine tour if you want a short, affordable outing that lets you see reef life both through glass and from the water. The underwater windows, helpful crew, family-friendly setup, and included equipment give it real practical value.

I would skip it only if your main goal is a long, quiet snorkeling session at Egypt’s finest reef. For everyone else, especially families staying near Makadi Bay, $18 buys a well-rounded morning or afternoon with little financial risk. Keep your expectations focused on easy access and good fun, not a major ocean expedition.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The activity is listed as two hours. Pickup and return transfers add travel time, with the route information allowing up to an hour by coach each way.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from Safaga, Makadi Bay, and Sahl Hasheesh. You should wait at the reception entrance unless your hotel instructions say to wait at the main gate.

Are transfers from every Makadi Bay hotel included?

No. Transfers from Madinat Makadi, Sun Rise Makadi, and Xanadu hotels are not included.

How far below the surface does the boat go?

The semi-submarine viewing area descends about five meters below the surface.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a 30-minute snorkeling stop are included in the price.

Do I need to know how to swim?

The supplied information does not require swimming experience, and staff have supported people snorkeling for the first time. Ask the crew for assistance and follow their safety instructions.

Are food and drinks included?

One soft drink and unlimited mineral water are included. Food, snacks, canned drinks, coffee, and additional beverages cost extra when available onboard.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.