Makadi Bay: Snorkelling and Diving Island Trip

Giftun Island is the main attraction here: a two-hour stop for snorkeling, swimming, and island time, followed by another reef stop and an optional scuba session. The water around Makadi Bay is clear enough to make the boat ride worthwhile even before you reach the first anchor point.

I like the easy package: hotel pickup, boat transport, equipment, lunch, and a drink are included for $47. I also like the relaxed pace, with time to sit on deck instead of filling every minute with activities. The main catch is the route description. Some departures have visited Giftun Island, while others went to Orange Bay, so confirm the exact plan before you pay.

Key points to know before booking

• Giftun Island stop: Plan on roughly two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and time ashore or near the island.
• Two water stops: The day includes one snorkeling stop and another stop for snorkeling or an optional scuba session.
• Lunch at sea: A meal, one soft drink, and one bottle of water are included.
• Route can vary: The trip has operated as a Giftun Island excursion and, on at least one departure, as an Orange Bay trip.
• Good value at $47: Hotel transfers, a yacht cruise, equipment, a guide, food, and a drink are bundled together.
• Bring sun protection: Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear. Wheelchair users should choose another outing.

What the $47 Makadi Bay boat trip really offers

At $47 per person, this is a full-day Red Sea outing rather than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for collection at your Makadi Bay accommodation, transport to the jetty, a yacht cruise, guided snorkeling, equipment, lunch, a soft drink, bottled water, and the ride back to your hotel.

That bundle matters in Makadi Bay, where arranging each part separately could be a nuisance. You do not need to find a taxi to the harbor, rent a mask and fins, or search for lunch after several hours in the sun. I see the price as fair for an easy, organized day, especially if you want both reef time and a boat ride.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want a straightforward introduction to the Red Sea. If you already have your own gear, prefer a very small private boat, or want a specialist marine trip, you may find the standard group format less appealing. The available information does not give a group size, so you should ask how many people will be aboard before booking if personal space matters to you.

Hotel pickup and the morning ride to the jetty

The day starts with pickup from your accommodation in Makadi Bay. From there, you go to the boat jetty, board the yacht, and set out along the Red Sea coast.

This transfer is one of the practical strengths of the package. You can leave the transport details to the operator rather than trying to coordinate a hotel, harbor, and boat departure yourself. Keep your swimwear on beneath light clothing, since the first water stop may come after the boat reaches its anchorage.

The description refers to the captain dropping anchor at a private lagoon near the coast. That gives you a calmer setting for getting into the water, although the exact stop can depend on the day’s route and sea conditions. I would bring a small dry bag for a phone, room key, and cash for personal expenses.

The listed languages are English, German, and Russian. No individual guide names are provided, but a snorkeling guide is part of the service. A short message before departure is worthwhile, particularly if you need clear instructions in one of those languages.

The Red Sea cruise and the first lagoon stop

The boat ride is part of the experience, not just a way to reach the snorkeling sites. From the deck, you get open views of the Red Sea and the coast near Makadi Bay. The cruise also gives you a break between water activities, which is useful on a hot day.

At the first anchorage, the captain drops anchor in a private lagoon. The sheltered setting should make it easier to prepare your mask, listen to the guide, and enter the water without the confusion of a busy beach.

You will be shown where to snorkel and supplied with the necessary equipment. Since the description does not list the exact equipment, ask in advance if you need a particular size or prescription mask. A good fit makes a bigger difference than most people expect, especially when you are trying to keep water out of your eyes and maintain a clear view of the coral.

The reef scenery is the reason to bring your own interest and patience. Stay near the guide at the start, then take your time looking rather than racing from one spot to another. One of the useful details from the day’s feedback is that the crew knew where moray eels could be found, and one passenger saw a moray eel at full length. Sightings are never guaranteed, but this suggests the crew pays attention to the local reef.

Two hours at Giftun Island

The planned Giftun Island stop lasts about two hours. That is a generous block of time for a boat outing, since you can combine a swim, a slow look at the reef, and a little rest without feeling rushed from one activity to the next.

Giftun is presented as one of the prettiest island stops in the Red Sea. The appeal here is simple: clear water, coral, and a change of scene from the hotel shoreline. You can spend the time in the water or sit back on the boat if you prefer not to snorkel continuously.

I like this flexibility. People in the same group can choose different levels of activity without turning the day into a race. Strong swimmers can spend longer in the water, while anyone who needs a rest can enjoy the boat and the island views.

The wording around the island stop is not perfectly consistent, so set your expectations carefully. The excursion has been described as a Giftun Island trip, but one departure went to Orange Bay instead. Another account described two snorkeling sessions at Giftun rather than a separate island visit followed by a reef stop. This does not mean the day will be poor, but it does mean you should ask the operator to confirm the exact route, number of water stops, and time at the island.

The second reef stop and optional scuba session

After the island portion, the trip includes another stop for snorkeling and an optional scuba session. This gives the day a useful rhythm: cruise, swim, rest, eat, then return to the water or spend time on deck.

The description does not state that scuba is included in the $47 price. Treat it as an optional extra unless the operator confirms otherwise. Ask about the cost, equipment, instruction, and length of the session before you board. The same applies if you have never tried scuba before and need an introductory lesson.

For snorkelers, the second stop adds value because reef visibility can change from one location to another. Even if the first place is calm and clear, the next site may offer a different view of the coral and fish. The crew’s local knowledge can help you make better use of the time, so listen carefully to the briefing and stay within the area they identify.

The boat also gives you a non-water option. If you are tired, sunburned, or simply prefer watching the sea from the deck, you can sit back and relax. That makes the outing more manageable for mixed groups, though the activity is still built around swimming and snorkeling.

Lunch on board and the practical comforts

Lunch is served on board, with one soft drink and one bottle of water included. The meal keeps you from needing to return to shore during the excursion and gives you a proper pause after time in the water.

The food has been described positively, but the supplied details do not specify the menu. I would not book this as a food-focused outing. Think of lunch as a welcome practical part of a day at sea, not a restaurant meal.

Bring extra water if you tend to drink a lot in the sun. One bottle is included, but a full day on the Red Sea can leave you thirsty, especially after swimming. Personal expenses are not included, so keep some money available for anything outside the package.

Sun protection matters just as much as food. Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear, and consider a cover-up for the boat ride. The bright water can make the deck feel pleasant while still exposing you to strong sun.

Timing, pace, and what the day feels like

One account puts the total trip at about seven hours. That is long enough to feel like a real day out, but not so long that the boat ride becomes the whole experience.

The pace sounds pleasantly unhurried. You get time for the island, two water opportunities, lunch, and breaks on the boat. The trade-off is that a full-day boat trip requires some tolerance for shared schedules. You cannot leave after one swim or change the route to suit yourself.

The crew has been described as friendly and available for questions. That is useful on a water outing, where clear directions matter. Still, the exact schedule and stop order can change, so do not plan a tightly timed activity immediately after your return.

The trip is offered in English, German, and Russian. If you need help in another language, confirm before booking. The operator also allows you to reserve now and pay later, which can help if your plans are still shifting. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, giving you some protection if the weather or your schedule changes.

The route issue: Giftun Island or Orange Bay?

This is the one point I would not ignore. The name suggests a Makadi Bay snorkeling and scuba trip, but the actual route has included Giftun Island and, on one occasion, Orange Bay. These are not interchangeable descriptions if you have a particular island in mind.

Orange Bay can still make a very enjoyable boat day, but a change of destination should be clear before departure. Ask three direct questions:

• Is the planned destination Giftun Island or Orange Bay?
• How many snorkeling stops are scheduled?
• Is the island time included, and how long will it last?

The answer may depend on weather, boat operations, or the day’s schedule. That is normal for a sea excursion, but you should know what is planned rather than assume the title tells the whole story.

The route confusion does not erase the value of the trip. The reported Orange Bay outing was still considered enjoyable, and the Giftun trip included friendly service, lunch, good snorkeling, and an unusual moray eel sighting. I would simply treat the destination as something to confirm, not something to take for granted.

Who will get the most from this outing?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy Red Sea day with several activities bundled together. It fits couples, families with swimmers, and small groups with mixed interests because you can snorkel, try the optional scuba session, swim, or relax on deck.

It is also a sensible choice for someone staying in Makadi Bay who does not want to arrange a separate taxi, boat, guide, equipment rental, and meal. The included transfer and gear remove much of the planning work.

You may want a different outing if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also be a poor fit if you want a private boat, a guaranteed destination, a fixed menu, or a highly specialized scuba program.

If you are not comfortable in open water, ask about the exact safety arrangements and how closely the guide supervises the snorkeling area. The supplied details confirm a snorkeling guide and equipment, but they do not provide further information about flotation aids, group size, or scuba instruction.

My booking verdict for the Makadi Bay trip

I would book this for the right price and with one message sent first: confirm the destination. At $47, the combination of pickup, yacht cruise, guided snorkeling, equipment, lunch, a soft drink, and water makes practical sense.

The strongest parts are the relaxed seven-hour format, the two chances to get into the water, and the crew’s apparent knowledge of the reef. The main weakness is not the sea experience itself. It is the possibility that the route may be Orange Bay rather than Giftun Island.

Book it if your priority is a simple, sociable Red Sea day with clear water, coral, lunch, and little planning. Skip it if the exact island is the main reason you are going and the operator cannot confirm it in advance.

FAQ

Where does this snorkeling trip depart from?

You are collected from your accommodation in Makadi Bay and taken to the boat jetty.

How long does the excursion last?

The available information describes the trip as lasting about seven hours, though the exact schedule may vary.

Is Giftun Island definitely included?

Giftun Island is part of the stated plan, with about two hours for swimming and snorkeling. However, one departure operated as an Orange Bay trip, so confirm the destination before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling guide and snorkeling equipment are included.

Is scuba included in the price?

The trip offers an optional scuba session, but the supplied information does not confirm that it is included in the $47 price. Ask the operator about any extra cost and arrangements.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear. One bottle of water, lunch, and one soft drink are included, while personal expenses are not.