Makadi Bay: Royal Seascope Submarine Cruise & Snorkel stop

The best part of this Makadi Bay outing happens without getting wet at first: you sit in an air-conditioned glass-walled deck 3 meters below sea level, looking straight into the Red Sea. I like the easy mix of comfort and adventure, and I like that the boat trip includes a real snorkeling stop rather than only a view through windows. The $19 price is also hard to ignore.

The tradeoff is time. The snorkeling lasts only 20 minutes, and the boat departure can be less tidy than the advertised schedule. One booking arrived at the pier and waited an hour before sailing, so build some patience into your morning.

Key points at a glance

• Three meters below sea level: Watch fish and coral through large panoramic windows from an air-conditioned seat.
• A 20-minute snorkeling stop: You get a short chance to see the reef from the water, though the group may feel large.
• Reef near Xanadu Hotel: The Royal Seascope departs from the Xanadu Hotel Marina, reached by beach from Makadi hotels.
• Good value at $19: The fare includes transport options, entry and park fees, the cruise, and snorkeling.
• Shared pickup needs planning: Optional hotel pickup uses a shared air-conditioned bus, with details sent by WhatsApp.
• Best for short stays: This suits you if you want a compact Red Sea introduction instead of a full-day boat trip.

The glass-walled view beneath Makadi Bay

The Royal Seascope is a semi-submarine, not a vessel that travels far beneath the sea. The boat cruises out from Makadi Bay, then takes you down to an enclosed observation deck below the waterline. From your seat, large windows give you a fish-eye view of the reef.

That setup makes the trip easy for people who want to see Red Sea marine life but do not feel ready for a full snorkeling or scuba outing. You can watch the water from a dry, cool cabin, with no mask to adjust and no waves in your face. It is also a useful option for families or mixed groups in which some people swim confidently and others prefer to stay aboard.

The underwater section lasts about 45 minutes. That is the heart of the experience, so expect to spend much of the trip seated and looking outward rather than moving from one viewing point to another. Fish, coral, and other sea animals appear through the windows, but the view depends on water clarity, the reef location, and where your seat falls in the cabin.

The fish-eye effect gives the scene a broad, slightly curved look. It is not the same as swimming over coral with a mask, but it lets you see the reef without the physical demands of snorkeling. Keep your expectations sensible: this is a compact sightseeing cruise, not a serious marine expedition.

Reaching the Royal Seascope Marina

The meeting point is the Royal Seascope submarine at the Xanadu Hotel Marina. If you are staying at a Makadi hotel, the marina can be reached along the beach, which may be simpler than arranging a separate transfer. The exact starting point depends on the option you choose when booking.

Hotel pickup is available from Makadi hotels only. The shared bus is air-conditioned, and pickup takes place about 45 minutes before the trip time. After booking, you receive the pickup time and further instructions by WhatsApp. I would keep your phone available and check the message before setting out, since the pickup details are not simply the same for every hotel.

The stated road transfer is about 25 minutes, while the pickup window is longer because the bus is shared. That difference matters. Do not plan a tight connection immediately after the cruise, and do not assume a shared transfer will collect you at precisely the same minute as a private car.

You can also make your own way to the marina if that suits your hotel location. The return arrangements list Royal Seascope Makadi and Hurghada 2 as drop-off locations, so check that your chosen option matches where you need to go.

A short cruise to the reef near Xanadu Hotel

Once aboard, the boat heads toward one of the better-known reef areas near the Xanadu Hotel. The cruise to the site is described as roughly 15 to 25 minutes, depending on how the schedule is counted. Along the way, you get open-water views and the simple pleasure of being on the Red Sea.

The boat ride is not the main attraction, but it creates a pleasant break between the marina and the reef. Bring sunscreen and swimwear even if you expect to spend most of your time inside. The sun can be strong while the boat is moving, and the snorkeling stop comes later.

Timing is the weak point to watch. One person arrived at the pier at the arranged time and waited about an hour before the boat left. The boat was not yet at the pier when they arrived. That appears to be an operational issue rather than part of the planned program, but it is useful information when deciding how much flexibility to leave in your day.

I would avoid booking this on a day when you must catch a flight, meet a private guide, or return for a fixed dinner reservation. The activity is listed as two hours, but shared transport and possible departure delays can stretch the outing.

Forty-five minutes below the surface

The observation cabin is air-conditioned, which is a real comfort in the Egyptian sun. You descend about 3 meters below sea level and sit beside large glass panels. The windows are designed to give you a wide view of the reef and the fish moving around it.

This part works best when you treat it as a calm viewing session. Look for movement around the coral rather than expecting one continuous spectacle. Marine life changes from minute to minute, and the boat may pause in a position that gives one side a better view than the other.

The cabin is a strong choice for you if you prefer not to swim, have limited snorkeling experience, or want a first look at the Red Sea before entering it. It also gives children and non-swimmers a way to share the outing with people who plan to snorkel.

The enclosed space has a clear limitation. People with claustrophobia may find the underwater deck uncomfortable, even though it is air-conditioned and has windows. If you dislike enclosed cabins, you may enjoy the open-air parts of the trip more than the main viewing session.

Guidance is offered in English, German, Polish, and Russian. No individual guide names are provided, so do not book this expecting a named marine specialist or a private naturalist talk. The language support is useful for basic instructions and coordination, especially before the snorkeling stop.

The 20-minute snorkeling stop

After the underwater viewing, the boat stops for approximately 20 minutes of snorkeling. You enter the clear Red Sea water and get a more direct look at the reef than the glass cabin allows.

Twenty minutes is enough for a taste, not a full reef session. You can swim, look down at the coral, and see fish from the surface, but there is little room for a slow, relaxed exploration. If snorkeling is your main reason for visiting the Red Sea, you will probably want a longer dedicated boat trip another day.

The stop may feel crowded because it is done as a group. Keep close to the designated area and follow the guide’s instructions. One person found the repeated calls of hello hello frustrating when swimmers moved farther away, but that sort of close supervision also helps keep the group together and makes the short stop easier to manage.

You must not touch marine life. That rule protects the coral and the animals, and it also prevents accidental damage from hands, fins, or jewelry. Apply sunscreen before boarding, bring swimwear, and be ready to enter the water soon after the boat stops.

The snorkeling stop gives the tour useful balance. Without it, the excursion would be a purely seated sightseeing ride. With it, you get a brief chance to compare the underwater view through glass with the real sensation of floating above the reef.

What the $19 price really covers

At $19 per person, this is one of the easier Red Sea activities to add to a Makadi Bay holiday. The price includes the cruise, entry fees, national park fees, the snorkeling stop, and transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle when the pickup option is selected. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Makadi hotels only.

That package is good value if you want both a boat trip and a short water activity without committing to a full day. The underwater deck gives non-swimmers something substantial to do, while the snorkeling stop adds a little action for people who want it.

Food and drinks are not included. The outing is only two hours, so this is not a serious problem, but bring water if you need it. The supplied information does not list onboard meals or refreshments, so do not count on lunch or a snack being part of the fare.

The lower price also reflects the compact nature of the trip. You are not paying for a long cruise, extensive snorkeling time, or a private boat. You are paying for a straightforward introduction to the Red Sea, with a comfortable viewing cabin and a short swim stop.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend the Royal Seascope to you if you want a simple, affordable marine-life experience close to your hotel. It suits first-time visitors, families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants to see coral without spending hours in the water.

It is also a practical choice if one person in your group does not swim. That person can remain in the observation deck while others take the snorkeling stop. The air-conditioned cabin makes the trip less tiring than an all-day boat excursion.

You may want something else if snorkeling is your top priority. Twenty minutes passes quickly, and the group format may limit how far you can swim. A dedicated snorkeling cruise would give you more water time, though it would also cost more and take longer.

I would also think twice if you dislike enclosed spaces or need strict control over your schedule. The underwater cabin may feel tight for someone with claustrophobia, and shared pickup plus possible waiting at the pier can make the timing less predictable.

Practical preparation before you go

Bring swimwear and sunscreen. Even if you spend most of the cruise indoors, you will need both for the snorkeling stop and time on the boat.

Arrive with a little patience. The normal plan includes pickup, a short transfer, a boat ride, around 45 minutes at the underwater windows, 20 minutes of snorkeling, and the return sail. Yet the actual departure can run late, so leave extra space in your day.

If you are using hotel pickup, watch for the WhatsApp message with your pickup time and instructions. Since the bus is shared, your collection may be earlier than the boat departure by roughly 45 minutes.

Do not touch the coral or marine animals. Keep your swimming to the area directed by the guide, especially during the short group stop. If you are prone to motion sickness, the supplied details do not specify medication or onboard facilities, so plan according to your own needs.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, which is useful to know when comparing options. For questions during the trip, instruction is available in English, German, Polish, and Russian.

Should you book the Royal Seascope?

Book it if you want a low-cost two-hour introduction to Red Sea life with a comfortable underwater viewing cabin and a short snorkeling stop. The reef near Xanadu Hotel, the air-conditioned deck, and the $19 price make it an appealing choice for a relaxed holiday schedule.

Skip it if you want a long snorkeling session, a private boat, or a tightly timed excursion. The 20-minute swim is brief, and the possible wait at the pier means you should not treat the two-hour duration as a guarantee for every part of your day.

My call: this is a good-value outing when you see it as a compact sampler. Go for the combination of glass-bottom viewing and a quick swim, not for an extensive reef day. The overall rating of 4.4 from 184 ratings fits that position: a well-priced, enjoyable trip with some real timing and group-management limits.

FAQ

How long does the Royal Seascope experience last?

The activity duration is 2 hours. The underwater observation lasts about 45 minutes, and the snorkeling stop lasts about 20 minutes.

Where does the Royal Seascope depart from?

It departs from the Royal Seascope submarine at Xanadu Hotel Marina in Makadi Bay. The marina is accessible by the beach from Makadi hotels.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is optional and is available from Makadi hotels only. It uses a shared air-conditioned bus, with pickup taking place about 45 minutes before the trip time.

How deep is the observation deck?

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

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling stop lasts 20 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The provided information confirms that a snorkeling stop is included, but it does not specify which equipment is supplied. Bring swimwear and sunscreen.

Are food and drinks included?

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

What languages are available during the activity?

Instruction is available in English, German, Polish, and Russian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now-and-pay-later booking is also available.