Makadi Bay: Royal Seascope Submarine Cruise & Snorkel stop

The best part of this Makadi Bay trip happens below the boat: you sit in an air-conditioned observation deck 3 meters under the Red Sea, looking through broad glass windows at coral and fish without needing to swim. I like that the cruise gives you a clear look at marine life before asking you to get wet.

I also like the low $19 price and the short, simple format. You get transport from Makadi hotels, a boat ride, about 45 minutes below the surface, and a 20-minute snorkeling stop. The main drawback is limited time in the water, plus the possibility of waiting at the pier before departure.

• Three meters below sea level: Watch the reef from a seated, glass-walled cabin.
• About 45 minutes underwater: The main viewing session is air-conditioned and comfortable.
• Twenty-minute snorkeling stop: You get a brief chance to see the reef from the water.
• Xanadu Hotel Marina departure: The marina can be reached by the beach from Makadi hotels.
• $19 per person: A practical price for a short Red Sea introduction.
• Pickup and language options: Shared hotel transport is available, with instruction in English, German, Polish, or Russian.

A Simple Way to See the Red Sea Reef

The Royal Seascope is a semi-submarine, not a full submarine. The boat stays on the surface, while the passenger viewing section sits below the waterline. That distinction matters because you get the feeling of going underwater without committing to scuba gear or a long boat trip.

You leave from the Royal Seascope marina at Xanadu Hotel in Makadi Bay. If you are staying at one of the Makadi hotels, the meeting point is accessible along the beach. Pickup can also be arranged in a shared, air-conditioned bus. The pickup usually takes place about 45 minutes before the scheduled departure, and the exact time is sent by WhatsApp after booking.

I would save the WhatsApp message and check it carefully. The pickup details are not simply something to assume from the advertised start time. The shared bus ride is listed at about 25 minutes, but the full pickup process can take longer depending on where your hotel sits in Makadi Bay.

The cruise itself lasts about two hours. The schedule includes transport, a boat ride, the underwater viewing period, snorkeling, and the return sail. It is a compact outing rather than an all-day sea trip, which makes it easy to fit around a relaxed beach holiday.

The 3-Meter-Deep Viewing Cabin

Once the boat reaches the reef area near Xanadu Hotel, you go down to the observation deck. This cabin is approximately 3 meters below sea level and has large panoramic windows. The seats let you remain dry and still while the reef passes outside the glass.

The cabin is air-conditioned, a useful detail in the Egyptian sun. You can sit comfortably for roughly 45 minutes, looking at the Red Sea through the windows rather than crouching in a mask and snorkel. For many people, this is the most valuable part of the trip.

The view is especially useful if you are not a confident swimmer, if you want to keep your camera dry, or if you simply prefer a calm introduction to the sea. Children and older family members may also find the viewing cabin easier than spending a long period in open water, though anyone with claustrophobia should think twice before booking.

The windows give you a fish-eye view of coral formations and marine life. The exact animals you see will depend on the reef conditions and the day, so you should not book this as a guaranteed dolphin or rare-animal encounter. Dolphin watching appears in the planned activity description, but the core promise is marine-life viewing from the boat and reef area.

One practical point: the cabin is below the surface, but it is not an open-air setting. You are enclosed behind glass. If you dislike confined spaces, the snorkeling segment will not remove that concern because the main viewing period still takes place inside the underwater deck.

Coral Near Xanadu Hotel

The boat cruises toward one of the better-known reef areas near Xanadu Hotel. The stated route includes a short outward boat ride, scenic views along the way, the underwater viewing session, and a return sail.

The short route keeps the outing manageable. You are not spending most of your day getting to a distant reef. At the same time, the short format means you should keep your expectations in check. This is an introduction to the Red Sea, not a full reef safari with several separate sites.

From the underwater windows, you can look for fish moving around the coral and compare what you see from the cabin with what you later see while snorkeling. That two-part design gives the trip more value than a simple glass-bottom ride. First you watch from a dry seat, then you have a short chance to enter the sea yourself.

The reef setting is the reason to bring sunscreen and swimwear even if you mainly want the submarine view. You may begin the day thinking of this as a sightseeing cruise, but the snorkeling stop is part of the central schedule.

The 20-Minute Snorkeling Stop

The snorkeling session lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough time to get a taste of the water, look over the reef, and compare the open-water view with the glass-window view. It is not enough time for a slow, extended session.

You should expect to snorkel as part of a group. One important practical issue is staying within the area set by the guide. A recent score of three out of five described the group as large and found the guide’s repeated calls for people to return frustrating when they swam farther away. The safest approach is to stay close to the designated area and treat this as a controlled sample of the reef, not a private swim.

The rule about not touching marine life is worth taking seriously. Coral can be damaged easily, and contact with animals is not appropriate. Keep your hands to yourself, control your fins, and look rather than handle anything.

The short water stop can work well for first-time snorkelers. You have already seen the reef from inside the boat, so you know what to look for when you enter the water. Strong swimmers who want a long period at sea may find 20 minutes too brief.

How the Timing Really Works

The advertised duration is two hours, but the day has several moving parts. A typical outline is:

• Shared bus transport from a selected Makadi hotel, if pickup is chosen
• Boat travel from the marina toward the reef area
• About 45 minutes in the underwater observation deck
• A 20-minute snorkeling stop
• The return sail to the marina

The listed transport and sailing segments include roughly 25 minutes by bus, 25 minutes by boat, about an hour for marine viewing and snorkeling, and 10 minutes sailing back. Other timing details describe a 15-minute cruise to the reef, followed by 45 minutes in the observation deck and 20 minutes snorkeling. In plain terms, allow about two hours for the activity itself, and more time if you include hotel pickup and return.

Do not build a tight connection or meal reservation around the exact departure time. One person arrived at the pier at the appointed time and waited about an hour before the boat left because the vessel had not yet arrived. That may not happen on every departure, but it is a useful warning. The sea schedule can be less exact than a city sightseeing bus.

If the boat is late, ask staff for a clear update at the marina rather than relying only on the original pickup time. Keep your phone available for WhatsApp messages, especially if you select hotel pickup.

What the $19 Price Includes

At $19 per person, this is a strong-value outing for anyone who wants both a marine-life viewing session and a short snorkeling stop. The price includes the cruise, entry fees, national park fees, air-conditioned transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Makadi hotels when that option is selected.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water and any snack you may need, since the provided details do not promise refreshments onboard. Sunscreen and swimwear are the two stated items to bring, but a towel and a secure place for small personal items would also be sensible if you plan to snorkel.

The value comes from the range of activities packed into a short trip. A boat ride alone could feel thin, and a 20-minute snorkel alone would be quite brief. The underwater cabin adds the main sightseeing portion, while the water stop gives you a more direct look at the reef.

The price is less attractive if you dislike enclosed spaces or have no interest in snorkeling. In that case, you are paying for a cabin you may not enjoy and a water stop you may skip. For families or mixed groups with different swimming abilities, however, the split between seated viewing and swimming is useful.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 184 ratings, which points to a generally positive experience but not a flawless one. The most consistent positives are the setting, the attractive boat, and the value for money. The main cautions are timing at the pier and occasional confusion about payment.

Pickup From Makadi Hotels

Pickup is available from Makadi hotels only. The shared bus is air-conditioned, and the exact instructions arrive through WhatsApp after booking. You may also make your own way to the Royal Seascope marina at Xanadu Hotel, which is accessible via the beach from Makadi hotels.

If you are already staying in Makadi Bay, the beach route may be simpler than arranging a vehicle, depending on your hotel location. Check the route with your hotel before setting out, since the information provided does not give walking times for each property.

The return information lists two possible drop-off points, Royal Seascope Makadi and Hurghada 2. Confirm your selected return arrangement when booking. This matters if you are staying outside the immediate Makadi area or have onward plans.

There was also one reported payment mix-up in which a customer had paid through the booking app but was asked to pay again at the site. The issue was eventually sorted out, but I would keep your digital payment confirmation ready on your phone. It is a small precaution that can save time at the marina.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most

I would recommend the Royal Seascope to you if you want a short, affordable look at the Red Sea without booking a full-day boat outing. It is particularly suitable for:

• First-time visitors who want an easy introduction to coral reefs
• Families or groups with mixed swimming abilities
• People who prefer viewing marine life from a seated cabin
• Snorkelers happy with a brief 20-minute session
• Visitors staying at Makadi hotels
• Anyone looking for a low-cost activity between beach days

I would be more cautious if you want a long snorkeling session, a quiet private boat, or a tightly timed departure. The snorkeling is short and group-based, and the boat may not leave exactly when you expect.

People with claustrophobia should not book this trip. The main viewing experience takes place in an enclosed cabin below the surface, and the air-conditioning does not change that basic fact.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible according to the activity information, though the exact arrangements for moving between the boat, cabin, and water area are not explained. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the boarding details before paying.

Languages, Cancellation, and Small Practical Details

Instruction is available in English, German, Polish, and Russian. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Bring swimwear and sunscreen. Since food and drinks are excluded, carry water if you need it. Protect your phone and other valuables from spray and water during the snorkeling stop.

Most important, do not touch the coral or marine animals. The rule protects the reef and keeps the activity respectful. Stay within the area set for snorkeling, especially if the guide asks you to return closer to the group.

Should You Book the Royal Seascope?

Book it if you want a short, inexpensive Red Sea outing with more variety than a basic boat ride. The 45-minute underwater viewing cabin is the main reason to go, and the 20-minute snorkel adds a useful second view of the same reef.

Skip it if you need a perfectly punctual schedule, dislike enclosed spaces, or want a full morning in the water. The occasional pier delay and group snorkeling can take some shine off the day.

For most people staying in Makadi Bay, the $19 price makes this an easy activity to add between resort time and longer excursions. Just keep your expectations realistic: you are getting a compact reef introduction, not a private marine expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Royal Seascope trip last?

The activity lasts about two hours, not including the additional time needed for hotel pickup and drop-off.

Where does the Royal Seascope depart from?

It departs from the Royal Seascope marina at Xanadu Hotel in Makadi Bay.

Can I reach the meeting point from a Makadi hotel?

Yes. The marina is accessible via the beach from all Makadi hotels.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Makadi hotels when the pickup option is selected. Pickup takes place in a shared air-conditioned bus.

When will I receive my pickup time?

Pickup details and further instructions are sent by WhatsApp after booking. Pickup takes place approximately 45 minutes before the trip time.

How far below the water is the observation deck?

The air-conditioned observation deck is approximately 3 meters below sea level.

How long do I spend in the underwater cabin?

You spend approximately 45 minutes in the glass-walled observation deck.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling stop lasts 20 minutes.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and sunscreen. Also keep your payment confirmation available if you paid in advance, in case payment needs to be checked at the marina.