Makadi Bay: Snorkelling and Diving Island Trip

The best part of this trip is the simple Red Sea formula: a boat ride, clear water, reef time, and an island stop without having to arrange transport or equipment yourself. You are collected from your Makadi Bay accommodation, taken to the jetty, and set off for a day on the water.

I like the generous two-hour stop at Giftun Island, which gives you time to swim instead of rushing in and out. I also like that the price includes snorkeling gear, a guide, lunch, a soft drink, and a bottle of water. The main thing to watch is the destination name: the route is described as Giftun Island, but some departures have used Orange Bay, so confirm the exact island before you pay.

Key points at a glance

• About seven hours on the water: Allow most of a day for pickup, the cruise, island time, reef stops, lunch, and the return transfer.
• Two kinds of water time: You get a snorkeling stop and an optional session for certified or participating divers, with time to relax aboard the yacht if you prefer.
• Giftun Island is the main named stop: The schedule gives you about two hours for swimming and snorkeling in a private lagoon setting.
• Lunch is included on board: The meal comes with one soft drink, plus one bottle of water for the day.
• Destination details need checking: Some departures have gone to Orange Bay instead of Giftun Island, so ask which island and stops are planned.
• Good value at $47: Hotel transfers, yacht transport, equipment, guide support, lunch, and drinks are bundled into the price.

A full Red Sea day from Makadi Bay

This is a straightforward boat outing rather than a small, highly tailored expedition. That is part of its appeal. You do not need to find the jetty, rent a mask, organize a boat, or negotiate separate transport. Pickup and drop-off at your Makadi Bay accommodation are included, leaving you to focus on the water.

The trip is aimed at people who want several Red Sea activities in one day. You can snorkel, swim, watch the coast from the boat, take an optional underwater session, and spend time on an island. If your ideal holiday day involves sitting under the sun with a sea view and taking occasional swims, this format works well.

Plan on roughly seven hours from start to finish, based on the stated experience length. Exact timing can depend on pickup arrangements and the boat schedule, so do not plan a tight afternoon appointment afterward.

From hotel pickup to the jetty

The day begins at your accommodation in Makadi Bay. That transfer matters more than it may sound. Boat trips often require an early taxi or a confusing trip to a marina, but here the transport is folded into the booking.

At the jetty, you board the cruise yacht and head out along the Red Sea coast. The boat ride is not just a way to reach the snorkeling sites. It gives you open views of the water and a slower start to the day, with room to settle in before the first swim.

Bring sunglasses and a sun hat. There is little point in trying to improvise shade or eye protection once you are on the water. Swimwear is essential, and a light cover-up can be useful between swims, though it is not listed as a required item.

The tour provides one bottle of water and one soft drink with lunch. I would still bring extra water if you normally drink often in the heat, provided the operator allows it. Personal expenses are not included, so carry money only for anything you may wish to buy separately.

Snorkeling in the private lagoon

The captain heads toward the nearest coast and drops anchor at a private lagoon before the island stop. The calm setting should help you get comfortable in the water, especially if you do not snorkel often.

The main island visit is Giftun Island, with about two hours set aside for swimming and snorkeling. That is a useful amount of time. A short twenty-minute stop can feel rushed once you adjust your mask and find your fins, but two hours lets you have more than one go at the water.

The snorkeling guide and equipment are included. The guide can help you use the gear and point out areas worth seeing, though the exact marine life you encounter will depend on conditions and the location used that day.

The Red Sea is known for clear water and coral reefs, and this trip is built around those sights. You may see reef fish and other marine life, but no particular species can be promised. One memorable possibility noted for this route is a moray eel, with the crew able to point out where one had been seen. Treat that as a lucky sighting, not a guaranteed part of the schedule.

You should also expect the snorkeling spots to be shared with others on the boat or in the area. This is a group cruise, not a private reef visit. If you want long, quiet time at one precise reef, a private charter may suit you better.

Giftun Island, and the destination question

Giftun Island is the clearest named destination in the information for this activity. The two-hour break gives you time to swim and enjoy the coast without spending the whole day moving between stops.

Still, the name of the trip needs a little care. The experience is marketed around Makadi Bay, while the actual route describes Giftun Island. Some departures have also used Orange Bay, with snorkeling sessions instead of the exact route a customer expected. That does not necessarily ruin the day, but it can change the character of the outing.

Before booking, ask three direct questions:

• Is the boat going to Giftun Island or Orange Bay?
• How many snorkeling stops are planned?
• Is the optional underwater session available on that departure?

This is especially important if the island itself is the main reason you are booking. If you mainly want a Red Sea boat day with snorkeling, the exact island may matter less.

The optional underwater session

The schedule includes a stop for snorkeling and another opportunity for scuba activity. You can choose to participate or stay on the yacht and relax. That choice makes the tour more flexible than an outing built entirely around one sport.

No detailed certification rules, depth information, or equipment details are provided, so ask the operator what is required before booking the underwater portion. Do not assume it is a full scuba course or a private instructor-led session. The available description simply presents it as an option during the day.

If one person in your group wants to take part and another does not, the arrangement can work well. The nonparticipant can remain on the boat rather than being forced into the water. For a group with serious scuba goals, however, I would look for a specialist operator that publishes the exact site, guide qualifications, equipment, and time underwater.

The trip also suits nervous swimmers better than a strict all-water schedule because you can sit back on the boat. Still, you should be comfortable around a boat and able to manage the basic demands of snorkeling if you choose to enter the sea.

Lunch with a view of the Red Sea

Lunch is served on board, and one soft drink is included. That keeps the day moving and avoids the need to return to shore for a meal.

The food is described as delicious, but the exact menu is not given. If you have dietary restrictions, ask ahead of time rather than assuming the crew can make substitutions. Personal expenses are excluded, so any extra drinks or purchases would be your responsibility.

The value here is practical. A boat day can become inconvenient when you must arrange food independently, and a meal on board gives you a proper break between water activities. It also means the yacht remains your base for the day, with no need to pack and unpack each time you move.

Lunch will not turn this into a food tour. Think of it as a useful meal during a full day at sea, with the setting doing much of the work.

What the crew and guides add

The crew is described as friendly and responsive, with contact available for questions before the trip. The listed support languages are English, German, and Russian.

A snorkeling guide is included, which is valuable for first-time snorkelers and for anyone who wants help locating reef life. The crew has also been able to identify places where moray eels may be found, a small detail that can make the water time more rewarding.

No individual guide names are supplied, so you should not expect a named private guide assigned just to your group. The experience is better understood as a shared yacht trip with crew support and guided snorkeling.

The crew’s attitude matters on an outing like this. Boats run on a fixed rhythm, and clear instructions help everyone get into the water, return to the boat, and enjoy lunch without confusion. The available information points to good communication, but the size of the group is not stated.

Is $47 a fair price?

At $47 per person, the package offers solid value for a full day on the Red Sea. You get hotel pickup and return, the yacht cruise, snorkeling equipment, guide support, lunch, one soft drink, and a bottle of water.

That price also reduces the small costs that can add up on independent trips. You would otherwise need to pay for transport to the jetty, a boat seat, mask and snorkel rental, food, and possibly help in the water. Here, those basics are combined.

The price is strongest for a first-time visitor who wants convenience. You pay for a complete day rather than only a boat transfer. It is less compelling if you already have a private boat arranged, own your equipment, or want a specialist scuba experience with detailed site planning.

Keep the destination issue in mind when judging value. The package is good value for a boat and reef day, but you should not pay for it solely because you expect one particular island without confirming the route.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want a relaxed Red Sea day with several choices. It works particularly well when one person wants to snorkel, another wants to try the optional scuba activity, and someone else would rather stay on the yacht.

It also suits visitors who value hotel pickup and an all-in-one price. English, German, and Russian support makes the arrangements easier for a wider range of visitors.

You may want a different experience if you need wheelchair access, since the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not the best pick for someone who wants a quiet private charter, exact control over the reef sites, or a serious scuba program with full technical details.

Bring your sunglasses, sun hat, and swimwear. Ask about the island and snorkeling schedule before departure, and allow most of the day for the outing.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want an easy, reasonably priced Red Sea boat day with snorkeling, island time, lunch, and an optional underwater session. The strongest features are the included hotel transfers, two-hour island stop, friendly crew support, and good range of activities.

I would book only after confirming whether your departure is headed to Giftun Island or Orange Bay. If you are flexible about the exact island, $47 is a sensible price for the package. If the named destination is nonnegotiable, get that detail in writing before paying.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms give you some useful flexibility while you settle your Red Sea plans.

FAQ

What is included in the Makadi Bay island trip?

The trip includes pickup and drop-off at your Makadi Bay accommodation, the yacht cruise, snorkeling equipment, a snorkeling guide, lunch, one soft drink, and one bottle of water.

How much does the trip cost?

The price is $47 per person.

How long does the trip last?

The experience is expected to take about seven hours, including the boat trip, island time, water activities, lunch, and transfers. Exact timing may vary.

Which island does the boat visit?

Giftun Island is the named island destination, with about two hours for snorkeling and swimming. Some departures have used Orange Bay, so confirm the exact destination before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide are included.

Can I take part in scuba activity?

Yes, an optional underwater session is offered. The available information does not specify certification rules or detailed equipment arrangements, so ask the provider for those details before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear.

Is the trip suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.