From Hurghada: Makadi Bay ATV Tour

The best part of this Makadi Bay outing is the change of scenery. You leave Hurghada’s hotel strip behind and spend real time on an ATV, crossing desert tracks, sandbanks, and rocky ground before reaching the Red Sea. The route includes a remote beach, a striking rock formation, Bedouin tea, and a short camel ride.

I like the full two-hour ride and the friendly guides, who keep an eye on safety without draining the fun. Guides such as Mustafa, Sayed, Mohamed, Abdul, and Islam have earned warm praise for their good humor, photo help, and care with first-time riders. The main drawback is dust, heat, and a bumpy ride that can wear you out, while hotel pickup and drop-off may take longer than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• A proper ATV ride: You can expect roughly two hours of driving, with desert tracks, sandbanks, mountain views, cliffs, and sea scenery.
• A beach stop: Leave your ATV for a while at a natural beach, where you can swim, paddle, or walk the shore.
• A short camel ride: The camel portion is a fun extra, but it is not a long desert trek.
• Bedouin tea included: You receive a fresh cup of tea at a Bedouin area, though extra sales can take place afterward.
• Dust is part of the deal: Bring a scarf, sunglasses, closed comfortable shoes, and clothing that covers your arms and legs on windy days.
• Good value at $17: The price includes the ATV, helmet, guide, tea, camel ride, and hotel transfers from Hurghada.

Leaving Hurghada for the open desert

Pickup from your Hurghada accommodation is included, and the drive gives you a look at the countryside before the engines start. The exact pickup time depends on your chosen departure, but allow extra time around the advertised two-hour activity. One booking at 10 a.m. involved pickup at 8:45 a.m. and a return close to 1 p.m., so this is not a quick in-and-out excursion.

The transfer itself can be part of the mood. Some drivers play music and create a lively atmosphere, while the ride back may involve several hotel stops. One person reported being dropped off last despite passing the hotel earlier, so do not schedule a tight appointment immediately afterward.

At the activity base, you receive a helmet and instructions before setting off. The ATVs are described as generally well maintained, although one rider found the vehicle condition less than ideal. I would take a quick look at the tires, controls, and seat before leaving, then mention any concern at once.

Drivers must be at least 16. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. If you are nervous about driving, ask whether you can ride behind another person. That arrangement was possible for one hesitant participant, though you should confirm it with the guide on the day.

Riding the ATV across sandbanks and tracks

This is not a slow photo stop with five minutes of driving. The main appeal is the time spent moving across the desert. You follow a guide over sand tracks and sandbanks, with the route shaped by the group, weather, and riding conditions.

The guides often split larger bookings into smaller groups, sometimes grouping people by age or riding style. That matters. Families with children are less likely to be placed with a group intent on racing, while confident riders can still enjoy a brisk pace. The guide remains at the front or nearby, and regular stops help everyone regroup.

The first part of the route brings broad desert views and mountain scenery. You may see the Red Sea from higher ground, with dry ridges and open sand contrasting with the blue water. This is where the ATV feels most useful: you cover much more ground than you would on foot, but you still stop often enough for photographs.

The ride is exciting, but it is physical. Sand makes the ATV bounce and requires constant steering and balance. After two hours, your shoulders, arms, and back may feel the work. One first-time rider appreciated the breaks, while another found the riding time slightly too long. If you want only a gentle sightseeing trip, this may be more exertion than you expect.

Keep your hands firmly on the controls and follow the guide’s pace. Do not treat the ATV as a free-for-all. The fastest experience is not automatically the best one, especially when the route includes loose sand and uneven ground.

The rock formation and sea views

A stop near a natural rock formation breaks up the ride and gives you a chance to look at the desert rather than simply cross it. The exact formation is not described in detail, so do not expect a major archaeological site or a formal geological attraction. Its value is the setting: rock, mountains, desert, and sea in one view.

This is also one of the better places for photographs. A photographer may accompany the group, taking pictures and short videos as you ride and pose at the stops. You are not required to buy them, but the photo package is an extra cost. Reported prices vary, from around €15 for a digital link to about €35 for a larger package, so ask for the current price before agreeing.

Bring your own phone if you want to keep costs down. The guides are often happy to help with pictures, and several riders specifically praised the way guides such as Sayed, Abdul, and Mohamed handled photos. Still, a phone can quickly fill with dust, so use a case or keep it tucked away between stops.

A natural beach at Makadi Bay

The route continues toward the coast and a natural beach. This is the outing’s most welcome change from the dry desert. You leave the ATV behind and can take a refreshing swim, walk along the shore, or simply enjoy the view.

The beach is described as remote, not as a developed resort beach with facilities. Plan accordingly. Food and drinks are not included, and no meal stop is listed. Bring water and any snack you need, provided the operator allows it during the transfer and activity.

Swimming is optional. If you prefer to stay dry, the shoreline and sea views still make the stop worthwhile. I would bring a small towel, though it is not listed among the required items, and wear something that can handle sand and saltwater. The activity does not promise a long beach stay, so think of this as a scenic break rather than a full beach afternoon.

The contrast between the Red Sea and the desert is what makes the stop memorable. You get cliffs and dry rock inland, clear-looking water beside you, and an ATV route connecting the two. That combination gives this tour more variety than a basic quad-bike circuit near town.

Bedouin tea and a short camel ride

After the ATV route, you visit a Bedouin area for a cup of fresh-brewed Bedouin tea. It is a small part of the program, but it gives the outing a social pause after the noise and vibration of the quad bikes.

The tea is included. Be aware that additional tea or related products may be offered for sale afterward. You can enjoy the included cup without feeling obliged to buy anything else. Cash is useful for tips and optional purchases, while one recent booking noted that other payments could be made by card.

The camel ride follows the tea. It is short, more of a taste of desert travel than a serious camel excursion. The camels are described as well trained, and the guides help keep the moment relaxed. If you have never ridden a camel, this is enough time to try it and take photographs without committing to a long, uncomfortable journey.

Do not book this experience expecting a quiet cultural visit. The camel and tea stops are simple additions to an ATV adventure. Their value is in the variety: motorized desert travel, a sea stop, a hot drink, and a traditional animal ride all fit into one compact outing.

Guides, safety, and the feel of the ride

The strongest part of the experience is the staff. Names that appear often in the feedback include Mustafa, Sayed, Mohamed, Abdul, Abdul Rahman, Abdo, Islam, Kareem, and Mohammed. Individual guides change, but the pattern is clear: the better guides explain the route, check that riders are comfortable, and keep the group together without turning the outing into a lecture.

Sayed and his colleague were praised for being funny and attentive. Mohamed was noted for giving clear guidance while still allowing riders to enjoy the speed. Abdul Rahman was singled out for his cheerful attitude, and Islam received praise for both the tour and returning forgotten clothing to a hotel.

That personal attention matters if this is your first ATV ride. You get enough freedom to feel the thrill, but there is a guide nearby if you need help. I would still take the safety briefing seriously and avoid pushing beyond your comfort level.

The desert creates its own practical issues. Wind can blow dust into your face, hair, and clothing. A scarf is one of the most useful things you can bring. A scarf may also be available for about €5, but carrying your own saves money and gives you a better fit. Tuck long hair away, cover your arms and legs on windy days, and wear sunglasses rather than ordinary glasses if possible.

Timing, groups, and what the $17 covers

At $17 per person, this is unusually good value if you want an active excursion rather than a polished resort attraction. The price includes hotel transfers from Hurghada, the ATV and helmet, a guide, Bedouin tea, and the camel ride. You also get several different settings for one fee.

The value comes from the amount of riding. Some short quad-bike trips spend more time gathering people, posing for pictures, or waiting for the next activity. Here, the main ride can last close to the advertised two hours, though the full door-to-door outing is longer once transfers are included.

The activity runs daily at four different times. Check the available departure slots when booking. An afternoon trip may offer softer light and sunset pictures, while a morning departure can help you avoid the strongest heat. The supplied information does not guarantee sunset at every departure, so treat sunset photographs as a possibility, not a promise.

El Gouna pickup costs an additional €10 per person and must be booked separately. That is the only listed transfer surcharge. Food and drinks are not included, so budget for your own water and any optional purchases.

Tips are not included. Cash is useful if you want to tip the driver, ATV guide, photographer, or camel handler. Tipping is optional, but several people wished they had brought more small cash.

Who will enjoy this Makadi Bay ATV tour

I would recommend this to you if you want a lively half-day away from Hurghada’s hotels and like combining several activities in one outing. It works especially well for couples, groups of friends, families with older children, and first-time ATV riders who want guidance rather than a solo rental.

Teenagers often enjoy the speed and open desert. Adults who dislike noisy engines, dust, or bumpy tracks may not. The tour is also a poor fit if you want a long swim, a quiet cultural visit, or a carefully paced photography trip.

The two-hour ride is the key decision. Some people will call it generous, while others will find it tiring. If you have back, shoulder, or mobility problems, think carefully before booking. The activity excludes people with mobility impairments, but even able-bodied riders should expect a physical outing.

I also would not book this if you need a guaranteed private tour. Groups may be divided into smaller units, and some departures become very small, including one reported private ride for two people. That can happen, but it is not promised.

Should you book it?

Book this Makadi Bay ATV tour if you want strong value, plenty of riding, and a mix of desert and sea scenery. For $17, the included helmet, transfer, tea, and camel ride make the package hard to beat, especially when the ride really does use most of the two-hour activity period.

Go prepared for dust, heat, noise, and an occasionally long return transfer. Bring water, sunglasses, a scarf, comfortable shoes, sun protection, and cash for tips. Skip it if you want a gentle sightseeing trip or have difficulty handling uneven ground.

For an active Hurghada break, I would book it. The ATV ride is the main event, while the beach, tea, camel, and photo stops give the day enough variety to feel like more than a simple quad-bike loop.

FAQ

How long does the Makadi Bay ATV tour last?

The activity lasts two hours. Allow additional time for hotel pickup, the transfer to the starting point, and the return journey to your accommodation.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a guide, ATV, helmet, Bedouin tea, camel ride, and transfer to and from your Hurghada hotel.

Is hotel pickup included from El Gouna?

No. El Gouna transfer is not included in the standard price and must be booked for an additional €10 per person.

Can I swim at the beach?

Yes. At the natural beach, you have the chance to swim in the sea or walk along the shoreline. Food and drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a scarf, and weather-appropriate clothing. On windy days, clothing that covers your arms and legs is recommended.

Who cannot drive the ATV?

Pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people with mobility impairments should not take this activity. Drivers must be at least 16 years old.