From Hurghada: Makadi Bay ATV Tour

Makadi Bay’s best feature is the sharp change of scenery: one minute you’re rattling across desert tracks, the next you’re looking down at the Red Sea from rocky ground. The two-hour ATV ride is the main event, with sandbanks, mountain views, cliffs, and a remote beach built into the route.

I like the strong value at $17, especially since the price includes the ATV, helmet, hotel transfer, Bedouin tea, and camel ride. I also like the easy mix of action and local touches: you get a fast ride, a cup of fresh tea, and a short camel outing rather than spending the whole morning on one activity.

The main catch is comfort. Dust gets everywhere, the ride can be hard on your arms and back, and the return transfer may take longer than expected if your hotel is last on the route. Bring a scarf, cover your skin on windy days, and treat the advertised two hours as the activity time, not the full door-to-door outing.

Key points to know before booking

• A real two-hour ATV route: You spend substantial time riding rather than making a brief desert loop.
• Desert, cliffs, and sea in one trip: The route includes sandbanks, rocky formations, mountain views, and a beach stop.
• Bedouin tea and a camel ride included: These are short additions, but they give the outing more variety.
• Guides are a major strength: Guides including Mustafa, Sayed, Mohamed, Abdul, Abdo, and Islam are frequently praised for safety, humor, and help with photos.
• Expect dust and physical effort: Sunglasses, a scarf, comfortable shoes, and covering for arms and legs are sensible.
• Extra costs can appear: El Gouna pickup costs €10 per person, while photos, scarves, and tips are optional extras.

The ride from Hurghada to Makadi Bay

Your day begins with pickup at your Hurghada accommodation. The drive takes you out past the resort areas and into the countryside around Makadi Bay, giving you a quick change from hotel pools and beach promenades to dry, open desert.

Pickup timing deserves a little patience. One booking for a 10 a.m. start had pickup at 8:45 a.m., and the group did not return until around 1 p.m. That is not a complaint about the ATV time, but it shows how transfers, loading, and hotel drop-offs can stretch the outing into much of a morning.

The return route can also be uneven. If your hotel is passed earlier in the drop-off order, you might still be taken elsewhere first. One person found the return drive longer than expected, while others enjoyed music and a lively ride back. I would avoid scheduling a tight lunch reservation or airport transfer afterward.

The tour runs daily at four different times. Morning departures suit you if you want cooler conditions and a free afternoon. Later departures may offer softer light and sunset photographs, though the supplied information does not guarantee sunset on every departure.

Getting ready for the ATV

At the starting point, you receive a helmet and instructions before setting off. The ATVs have generally been described as being in good condition, though one booking noted that the machines were not at their best. That is worth keeping in mind if you expect polished, high-end equipment.

The riding groups may be split according to pace and age. A large group can be divided into smaller groups, so a family with children is not necessarily placed with people who want to race ahead. This matters because a desert ride is more enjoyable when you can see the guide, keep a safe gap, and stop for photos without constant bunching.

Drivers must be at least 16. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. If you do not want to drive, one booking allowed a nervous passenger to ride behind their partner, but you should confirm this arrangement before booking rather than assume it is always available.

The route is not a gentle sightseeing drive. Riding over sandbanks requires steady handling, and the repeated bumps can tire you out. One first-time rider appreciated the breaks because the sand made the ride hard on the body. Keep your hands relaxed, follow the guide’s pace, and do not treat the group ride as a race.

Crossing the desert tracks and sandbanks

Once underway, the ATV section carries you across open desert and sandy tracks toward the coast. This is where the trip earns its price. You are not simply circling a fenced area for ten minutes. The route stretches through changing terrain and includes time to stop and look around.

Expect wind, loose sand, and a lot of dust from the ATVs ahead. A scarf is useful around your nose and mouth, and it also protects your neck from sun and blowing grit. Scarves can be bought on site for about €5, but bringing your own saves money and avoids an unnecessary purchase.

Wear shoes that stay on securely. Sandals may be uncomfortable when you need to control the ATV or walk around rocky ground. Sunglasses are almost essential, both for glare and for dust. On windy days, clothing covering your arms and legs is recommended.

Guides often help with scarves, give safety reminders, and keep an eye on the group. Names praised in recent outings include Mustafa, Sayed, Mohamed, Abdul, Abdo, Abdul Rahman, Kareem, Islam, and Mohammed. The names vary by departure, but the pattern is consistent: the guide is not just leading the route, but checking that people are comfortable and keeping the pace manageable.

Rock formations and the Red Sea views

The first photo stops bring you to higher ground around the dunes, where you can see the mountains and Red Sea together. The view is a useful reminder that Makadi Bay is not only a beach destination. The desert runs right up to the coast, with bare rock, sand, and bright water packed into one scene.

You may also stop at a distinctive rock formation. It is a quick sightseeing pause rather than a full geological tour, but it breaks up the ride and gives you a chance to stretch. Guides commonly take photos here, sometimes using unusual angles or asking you to pose with the ATVs.

The natural setting is the point, not a formal attraction with signs and exhibits. If you want detailed geology or a long guided walk, this is not that kind of outing. If you want a few striking desert and sea photographs without committing to a full-day excursion, it works well.

The photographer may accompany the group throughout the trip. You can sometimes buy a package of photos and videos afterward. Prices reported in the supplied information vary from about €15 to €35, so ask for the current cost before agreeing. You do not need to buy the package to take part in the tour.

Reaching the remote beach

The route continues to a natural beach by the sea. This is one of the outing’s strongest moments because the water arrives as a surprise after the dry, dusty ride. You can swim, step into the water, or explore the shoreline on foot.

Bring swimwear if you want to enter the sea, and carry a small towel if your transfer arrangements allow it. The supplied details do not promise changing rooms, lockers, or beach facilities, so do not count on the comfort of a fully equipped resort beach.

The stop also gives you a proper rest from the ATV. Your body will appreciate the chance to get off the machine, cool down, and take photographs. The beach is described as remote and natural, not as a developed attraction, so expect scenery rather than loungers, cafés, or organized water sports.

The sea and cliffs make this section especially good for photos. Guides often help with pictures, and several outings included multiple photo stops. Keep your phone protected from sand and water, since the ride creates plenty of both.

Bedouin tea and the short camel ride

After the ATV route, you head to a Bedouin area for a cup of freshly brewed Bedouin tea. This is a small part of the outing, but it adds a human touch to what could otherwise be a standard motorized desert trip.

The tea is included, though you may be offered tea or other items for sale afterward. You can enjoy the drink and politely decline anything else. Carrying Egyptian pounds or small notes is useful for tips, while the experience itself can otherwise be paid for by card according to one recent booking.

The camel ride follows the tea. It is brief, more of a fun introduction than a long crossing of the desert. The camels are described as well trained, and the camel handler helps manage the ride. You will have time for the classic camel photographs, but do not book this tour expecting a lengthy camel safari.

This combination works well for families and first-time visitors who want several Egyptian experiences in one compact outing. It is less suitable if you dislike animal rides or want the entire activity focused on technical ATV driving.

How much value do you get for $17?

At $17 per person, the tour offers unusually good value if you want a short adventure from Hurghada. The included package covers hotel transfer, guide, ATV, helmet, Bedouin tea, and camel ride. Many low-cost excursions charge extra for transport or add several short stops around a very brief main activity. Here, the ATV section is generally substantial.

The best value comes from the variety. You get desert tracks, sandbanks, mountain and sea views, a rock formation, a beach, tea, and a camel ride. None of the individual stops is long, but together they create a fuller outing than the price suggests.

Still, budget for extras. El Gouna pickup costs an additional €10 per person. Scarves cost around €5 if you buy one on site. Photo and video packages have been priced at about €15 or €35 in different cases, so ask before accepting the photographer’s offer. Tips for the driver, guide, and camel handler are not included and are best given in cash if you choose to tip.

At this price, you should not expect a private luxury vehicle, a gourmet meal, or a polished resort-style operation. Vehicles can feel crowded, and the transport may take time. The value is in the outdoor activity, not in the transfer comfort.

Safety, comfort, and what to pack

The tour is suitable for many first-time ATV riders because guides provide helmets, organize the groups, and check on people during the ride. Several guides are praised for being careful without making the outing dull. That balance matters: you want clear instructions, but you also want room to enjoy the speed and open terrain.

The dust is the biggest comfort issue. Cover your hair, use sunglasses, and expect your clothing to need a wash afterward. A scarf also helps protect your face when following another ATV.

Pack:

• Comfortable closed shoes
• Sunglasses
• A scarf or head covering
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Swimwear if you plan to enter the sea
• Cash for tips and optional purchases

Do not choose this outing if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, have limited mobility, or are under 16 and hoping to drive. The ride can be physically demanding even if you are fit, particularly across rough sand.

Who should book this Makadi Bay ATV tour?

I would choose this for you if you want an active break from Hurghada’s resort routine and like the idea of combining several short experiences. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and first-time ATV riders who want a guide-led route rather than an independent rental.

It is also a good choice for photographers. The sea, cliffs, dunes, beach, and camels give you more varied pictures than a simple desert loop. The optional photographer is useful if you want action shots and do not want to carry your phone while riding.

I would think twice if you want a quiet nature outing. The ATVs are noisy, the ride is dusty, and the pace can feel fast. I would also avoid booking it immediately before an important evening plan because the transfer schedule can run long.

The camel ride and tea are pleasant extras, but they are short. Book this for the ATV route first, then treat the cultural stops as a bonus.

Should you book it?

Book this Makadi Bay ATV tour if you want strong value, real time on the quad bike, and a compact taste of desert and coast. The guides, especially names such as Mustafa, Sayed, Mohamed, Abdul, and Islam, receive repeated praise for friendly handling, safety, and photo help.

Bring your own scarf, expect dust, leave spare time around the transfers, and ask about optional photo costs before you agree. For $17, the mix of ATV riding, Red Sea scenery, beach time, Bedouin tea, and a camel ride is hard to beat, as long as you accept the basic transport and physically demanding conditions.

FAQ

How long does the Makadi Bay ATV tour last?

The activity lasts two hours. Hotel pickup, transport to the starting point, and the return journey take additional time, so allow several hours from pickup to drop-off.

What is included in the $17 price?

The price includes a guide, ATV, helmet, hotel transfer from Hurghada, a cup of Bedouin tea, and a camel ride. Food and other drinks are not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, transfer from and back to your Hurghada accommodation is included. Pickup and drop-off times can vary, and the full outing may take longer than the two-hour activity.

Can I book from El Gouna?

Yes, but El Gouna transfer costs an additional €10 per person.

What languages do the guides speak?

Live guides are available in English, German, and Russian.

Can I swim at the beach?

Yes. At the natural beach stop, you can take a dip in the sea or walk along the shoreline.

Who cannot drive on this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or drivers under 16.