Safaga/Makadi Bay: Panorama Submarine with Snorkeling Tour

Makadi Bay’s Panorama Submarine gives you two ways to see the Red Sea in one short outing: sit behind underwater windows and watch fish pass by, then put on a mask for about 30 minutes of snorkeling. It is a smart choice if you want a taste of the reef without committing to a full-day boat trip.

I like the low price of $18 and the fact that hotel transfers, equipment, water, entry fees, and a soft drink are included. I also like the relaxed family feel. Staff members such as Mahmood, Muhammed, and Mina have been singled out for making the trip friendly and reassuring, especially for children and first-time snorkelers.

The main catch is that this is not a quiet private cruise. Boats can be busy, underwater windows may need cleaning, and the reef may not be the finest you have seen in Egypt. The walk from the vehicle to the pier can also be awkward for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points to know before booking

• Two reef views in one trip: Watch fish through the submarine’s underwater windows, then snorkel above the coral.
• Five meters below the surface: You can see the reef without swimming, making this a good introduction for young children.
• About 30 minutes of snorkeling: Equipment is provided, and staff help beginners get comfortable in the water.
• Good value at $18: Transfers, entry fees, water, a soft drink, and gear are included.
• Allow extra time for transfers: The advertised activity lasts two hours, but pickup and return can add travel time.
• Not ideal for limited mobility: A walk from the drop-off point to the boat may take around 5 to 10 minutes.

What the Panorama Submarine actually is

This is a semi-submarine, not a fully enclosed underwater vessel. You cruise across sunny Makadi Bay on the upper deck, then go downstairs to a viewing area with large underwater windows. The boat drops roughly 5 meters below the surface, giving you a clear look at coral, schools of fish, and other Red Sea life.

That setup is the heart of the trip. You do not need to swim to see anything, and you do not need scuba experience. Young children can sit inside and watch fish move past the glass, while stronger swimmers can use the same outing as a short snorkeling trip.

The underwater viewing section is especially useful for families. A 3-year-old can enjoy the fish from the cabin while older children try the water. The boat also provides a change of pace: you get a scenic cruise, a reef stop, and time in the sea without spending a full day offshore.

The advertised wildlife includes sea lions and other marine life, though sightings are never guaranteed. In practice, the most dependable attractions are coral, reef fish, and the occasional surprise such as dolphins seen from the boat on the return journey.

Pickup from Safaga, Makadi Bay, and Sahl Hasheesh

Pickup is available from Safaga, Makadi Bay, and Sahl Hasheesh, with return to those same areas. Soma Bay is also listed among the pickup areas in the activity information. You are generally asked to wait near your hotel reception, although some properties require you to wait at the main gate.

The transfer is by air-conditioned bus or car, depending on the pickup arrangement. Timing has been praised, but the length of the drive depends on where you stay and how many stops are needed. The route information allows for roughly one hour by coach each way, so do not treat the two-hour activity length as the total time away from your hotel.

If you are staying in Makadi Bay, this is the easiest option logistically. The marina is close, and some people have reached the jetty only a short time after pickup. From Safaga or Sahl Hasheesh, plan for a longer door-to-door outing.

One practical detail matters here: the vehicle may not stop directly beside the boat. The walk from the drop-off point to the pier has been described as about five minutes for an adult, or closer to ten minutes with a toddler. It crosses the beach area, so wear comfortable shoes rather than delicate sandals.

Transfers are not included from Madinat Makadi, Sun Rise Makadi, or Xanadu hotels. Check your exact hotel before paying, since a separate transfer may be needed.

Boarding the boat and seeing the reef through glass

After the short walk to the dock, you board the Panorama Submarine and receive a basic introduction. The boat then moves out into Makadi Bay before stopping over a reef area.

The upper deck offers broad views of the bay and plenty of sun. Bring a hat and sunglasses, and use the free mineral water provided. One soft drink is included, while canned drinks, snacks, and other purchases cost extra.

The underwater viewing session is usually the easiest part of the outing. You go downstairs to the viewing room and sit beside the glass as the boat remains above the reef. Fish may gather close to the windows, sometimes in large schools, which makes the scene easy for children to follow.

The coral is the real draw, but you should set your expectations sensibly. Makadi Bay offers attractive reef life, yet this is a short boat excursion rather than a specialist marine trip. Some sections may look excellent, while others may seem less impressive than reefs visited around Sharm el-Sheikh or on a longer snorkeling cruise.

Visibility can also vary. A few people have found that the glass would benefit from more cleaning, both inside and out. That does not ruin the outing, but it can soften the sharpness of the view, especially when many people gather around the same windows.

The crew may bring a scuba diver near the viewing area, creating an entertaining close-up moment. Photographers can also take pictures from outside the boat, sometimes with a diver in the frame. You can buy these images later, but you are not required to do so.

The 30-minute snorkeling stop

After the underwater viewing, the boat stops for snorkeling. The included session lasts about 30 minutes, which is long enough to see a useful stretch of reef without turning the outing into an endurance test.

Masks, snorkels, and other basic equipment are provided. The crew also helps first-time snorkelers, and children may receive extra support in the water. One useful detail is that you do not need to be an experienced swimmer to take part, although you should tell the crew if you need help.

A guide can lead you around the reef and point out fish. That guidance adds value because a short stop can otherwise become a blur of water, fins, and coral. You are more likely to notice different fish when someone shows you where to look.

This is also the most active and rewarding part of the trip for adults who already snorkel. The glass-bottom viewing is convenient, but the sea gives you a better sense of the reef’s color, movement, and scale. Fish swim past rather than appearing as flat shapes beyond a window.

Conditions at the snorkeling site can change. The spot has been described as enjoyable, but not always the finest reef in the region. If your main goal is serious snorkeling, you may prefer a longer boat excursion with more than one reef stop. If you want a short, affordable introduction, 30 minutes is a sensible amount of time.

After snorkeling, you return to the boat, dry off, and cruise back toward the marina. Towels are not listed as included, so bring your own.

How the $18 price works in your favor

At $18 per person, this is one of the better-value ways to add a Red Sea reef outing to a hotel stay. The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and return
• The semi-submarine cruise
• All entry fees
• Snorkeling equipment
• A 30-minute snorkeling stop
• One soft drink
• Unlimited mineral water

That list matters because short excursions often become more expensive through small add-ons. Here, the main parts are covered from the start.

Food is not included. Snacks and additional drinks can be bought on board, so carry some extra cash if you want them. Photos and videos are also sold separately. The price of the photo package can approach the cost of the trip itself, and picture quality has received mixed reactions.

The sales approach appears to be fairly light overall, but it may vary by crew and departure. You can simply decline photos, snacks, or drinks. A tip jar may also be circulated at the end, but tipping is not described as compulsory.

For a family, the arithmetic is especially appealing. Children can enjoy the submarine windows even if they do not snorkel, and the outing does not demand the cost or stamina of a full-day cruise. For a solo visitor or couple, it is a low-risk way to test whether you enjoy Red Sea snorkeling before booking something longer.

Families, first-timers, and less mobile visitors

I would recommend this most strongly to families with children, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants reef scenery without spending all day at sea. The underwater cabin gives non-swimmers something worthwhile to do, and the staff generally provide plenty of hands-on help.

Children may enjoy the trip even if they never enter the water. The fish can come close to the windows, and the submarine section gives them a clear activity before the snorkeling begins. Parents should still expect a busy boat and should not assume every family will have a private seat together.

The experience is less suitable for people with mobility impairments. It is officially listed as wheelchair accessible, but the activity is also listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, and the walk to the pier can be difficult. There may also be stairs or movement between the upper deck and underwater viewing area.

If you dislike crowds, ask about the morning and afternoon departure options and choose the time that fits your plans. Exact crowd levels are not provided, so I would not promise a quiet boat. Morning trips can be convenient for fitting the outing around a hotel day, while afternoon departures may suit you if you prefer a slower start.

What to bring and what to skip

Pack swimwear, a towel, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and a sun hat. The boat provides equipment, water, and a soft drink, but you should not rely on the included drink to replace your own sun protection routine.

Food and drinks from outside are not allowed. You can buy snacks and canned drinks on board, but those are not part of the $18 price.

Keep your belongings simple. The boat combines a sunny open deck with a wet snorkeling stop, so a small bag is easier to manage than a large beach load. You may also want a waterproof pouch for valuables, although this is a general precaution rather than a stated boat facility.

The crew speaks English, Russian, German, and Arabic. That range is useful during safety instructions and makes the trip easier for mixed-language families.

Photos, staff, and the tone on board

Photography is part of the experience, but it is also the most variable extra. A photographer may take pictures while you snorkel, and a scuba diver may pose near the boat. Some pictures and videos have been considered good enough to buy, while other purchases have disappointed because expected images were missing or quality was uneven.

I would wait until you see the finished package before deciding. Do not feel that you need to buy pictures to enjoy the trip. The outing itself includes the submarine viewing and snorkeling, and those are the parts that deliver the real value.

Staff friendliness is one of the strongest points. The crew is generally described as helpful with children, patient with beginners, and willing to assist in the water. Named crew members including Mahmood, Muhammed, and Mina have drawn particular praise for their personal attention.

Information may not always be perfectly clear, especially with a busy boat and several languages in use. Listen carefully to the meeting points, snorkeling instructions, and return time. If you are unsure, ask a crew member before leaving the deck.

Should you book the Panorama Submarine?

Book it if you want an affordable family outing that combines underwater viewing with a real snorkeling stop. The $18 price covers the essentials, the 30-minute water session is worthwhile, and children can enjoy the reef without needing to swim.

Book it if you are staying in Makadi Bay and want something easy to fit into a holiday morning or afternoon. It is also a good first step before paying for a longer Red Sea cruise.

Skip it if you want untouched reef, a quiet boat, or several snorkeling locations. The glass may not always be perfectly clean, the boat can feel crowded, and the reef is pleasant rather than guaranteed to be Egypt’s best.

For most families and first-time snorkelers, I would call this a sensible buy. Just allow extra time for pickup and the walk to the pier, bring a towel and sun protection, and treat the photographs as optional rather than part of the deal.

FAQ

How long does the Panorama Submarine tour last?

The activity duration is listed as two hours. Pickup and return transfers add extra time, and the route information allows for coach travel of about one hour each way.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Safaga, Makadi Bay, and Sahl Hasheesh. Soma Bay is also listed among the pickup areas. Return is provided to the listed pickup areas.

What is included in the $18 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the semi-submarine cruise, snorkeling equipment, a 30-minute snorkeling stop, one soft drink, unlimited mineral water, and entry tickets.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling equipment is included. You should bring swimwear and a towel.

Can children take part if they do not snorkel?

Yes. The underwater viewing area lets children watch fish through the glass without entering the water. Staff can also help beginners and children during the snorkeling stop.

Are food and extra drinks included?

No. Food and additional drinks are not included. Snacks and canned drinks are available to buy on board, while mineral water and one soft drink are included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility difficulties?

The activity information lists wheelchair accessibility but also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The walk from the vehicle drop-off point to the boat may take about 5 to 10 minutes, so check the access arrangements before booking.