Makadi Bay: Snorkelling and Diving Island Trip

Red Sea color is the main event. This boat trip pairs two hours at Giftun Island with snorkeling, swimming, an optional underwater session, and lunch on board. I like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to see coral reefs without arranging separate transport. I also like that you can take part at your own pace, since you can swim, snorkel, try the underwater activity, or stay on the yacht.

The main point to check is the destination. The tour description refers to Makadi Bay and Giftun Island, while some bookings were operated as an Orange Bay trip instead. That did not ruin the day for those passengers, but you should confirm the island and exact stops before setting off if the destination matters to you.

Key points to know before booking

• Giftun Island stop: You get about two hours for swimming and snorkeling in a private lagoon area.
• Two water activities: The day includes a snorkeling stop and a separate stop for an optional underwater experience.
• Lunch afloat: A meal, one soft drink, and a bottle of water are included in the $47 price.
• Roughly seven hours: One completed trip lasted about seven hours from start to finish.
• Friendly crew: The team receives strong praise for its helpful contact, pleasant service, and knowledge of good snorkeling areas.
• Destination check matters: Giftun Island and Orange Bay both appear in the trip details, so confirm what is operating on your date.

Leaving Makadi Bay for the Red Sea

Your day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Makadi Bay. You then head to the boat jetty, where you board the cruise yacht and settle in for the run out across the Red Sea.

That hotel transfer is a useful part of the package. You do not need to find the jetty yourself or arrange a taxi before breakfast. It also makes this a practical choice if you are staying in a resort and want a full day on the water without handling several separate bookings.

The exact departure time and boat size are not provided, so you should check those details before booking. Group size can affect the mood of a boat day, particularly when everyone wants equipment, a place in the shade, or help getting into the water.

The trip heads toward the nearby coast before the captain drops anchor at a private lagoon. This first stretch gives you a broad Red Sea view, but the real value begins once the boat stops. The water and reefs, rather than the crossing itself, are the reason to choose this outing.

Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and swimwear. You will also want to keep your phone protected from spray and pack any personal items you do not want sitting in direct sun. One bottle of water is included, but the information provided lists only that single bottle, so you may prefer to bring extra water if you normally drink often in the heat.

Two hours around Giftun Island

The central stop is Giftun Island, where you have about two hours for swimming and snorkeling. The stop is long enough to make the island feel like a proper part of the day, rather than a quick photo pause between boat transfers.

You can use the time in different ways. If you enjoy the water, you can swim and look over the reefs. If you prefer a slower morning, you can remain on the boat and enjoy the view. That flexibility is valuable for mixed groups, since strong swimmers and cautious swimmers do not have to follow the same plan.

The water is described as crystal clear, with coral reefs along the Makadi Bay coast. Conditions in the Red Sea can make even a simple swim feel special, but you should keep your expectations sensible. Marine life sightings are never guaranteed, and the quality of the experience depends on visibility, sea conditions, and how busy the stop is that day.

One especially useful detail from the trip is that the crew knew where moray eels could be found, and one passenger saw a moray eel at full length. That does not promise the same sighting for you, but it shows why a guide can add value. You are not simply looking at open water. You may receive help finding reef life that is easy to miss when you are on your own.

The word private in the description refers to the lagoon stop, but no precise information is given about exclusive access or how many other boats may be nearby. Treat it as a planned lagoon anchorage, not necessarily a deserted beach.

Snorkeling with equipment and guidance

Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide are included. That helps keep the price down for anyone who does not want to pack or rent a mask and fins separately.

A guide is also useful for safety and orientation. Clear water can tempt you to swim farther than planned, and a guide can help direct you toward the reef and explain where to look. The crew’s reported knowledge of moray eel locations is a good example of the practical help you may receive.

The experience includes a snorkeling stop as well as the two-hour Giftun Island visit. The schedule may therefore give you more than one chance to get in the water, rather than making you rely on one single swim. One completed trip was described as having two snorkeling sessions.

You should still be comfortable in open-water conditions before booking. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the provided information does not describe a lift, accessible boarding system, or adapted water equipment. Anyone who needs those facilities should ask the provider before paying.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew what support is available before entering the water. The listing confirms a guide and equipment, but it does not specify flotation aids, lifeguard arrangements, or private instruction.

The optional underwater session

Along with snorkeling, the schedule includes a stop for an optional underwater activity. This gives you a chance to see the reef from below the surface, while anyone who prefers not to take part can relax on the boat.

The details are limited. The included items list snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide, but they do not spell out the price, certification requirements, or exact equipment for the optional underwater session. Do not assume every cost is covered by the $47 rate. Ask what is included before agreeing to take part.

This is one of the tour’s strengths for a mixed group. One person can try the underwater activity while another swims, snorkels, or stays aboard. You are not locked into one pace all day.

The better way to think about this portion is as an optional extra, not the sole reason to book. If your main goal is a serious scuba program with detailed instruction, you will need more information about qualifications, supervision, and equipment. If you simply want a boat day with a chance to try something beyond snorkeling, the option adds interest.

Lunch on board during the return journey

Lunch is served on board, along with one soft drink and one bottle of water. Including food is important on a day that may last roughly seven hours. You avoid losing time looking for a restaurant, and you can eat with the sea around you instead of returning to shore between activities.

The meal is described as delicious in the tour information, while the exact menu is not provided. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences, ask the provider in advance. Personal expenses are not included, so any additional drinks, purchases, or extras should be treated as your responsibility.

The boat lunch also keeps the outing simple. After snorkeling and swimming, you can dry off, eat, and relax while the yacht sails back toward the jetty. That pause matters because a full day in sun and salt water can be tiring, even when the schedule feels easy.

Do not expect a luxury restaurant meal based on the information available. The value comes from having lunch included in a boat-based day, not from a special dining experience. Bring your appetite, take the offered water, and use the meal as a chance to rest.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, the package offers a fair amount for a Red Sea day. Pickup and return transport in Makadi Bay, the yacht cruise, snorkeling equipment, a guide, lunch, one soft drink, and one bottle of water are included.

The strongest value comes from combining several costs in one booking. A separate taxi to the jetty, boat ticket, equipment rental, lunch, and return transport could become more expensive and less convenient. Here, you get a clear full-day structure without having to coordinate each part yourself.

The price is less compelling if you want a private boat, a quiet luxury setting, or a highly specialized underwater course. No private group arrangement is promised, and the group size is not stated. You are paying for a shared excursion with a set route and included basics.

The destination confusion is also part of the value question. If the trip on your date operates to Orange Bay rather than Giftun Island, you should decide if that change works for you before departure. Some passengers found the substitute trip excellent, but that does not remove the need for accurate expectations.

The rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 20 ratings, which fits the overall picture: strong service and a pleasant day, with some uncertainty around the advertised destination.

The crew and the feel of the day

The strongest praise goes to the crew. Communication with the provider was described as very good, and the team was said to be available for questions. On the boat, the guides were friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed.

That kind of service matters more on a sea trip than it might on a simple city transfer. You need clear directions when equipment is handed out, reassurance before entering the water, and someone who can point out reef life. A friendly crew can make a shared boat feel far less hectic.

The trip also appears suitable for people who want both activity and rest. You can spend time in the water, eat lunch, and sit back on the yacht. It is not an all-action schedule from start to finish.

Still, the information does not provide crew names, boat details, exact departure times, or group numbers. If those details affect your choice, ask before booking rather than assuming a small boat or a particular guide.

Who should choose this trip?

I would consider this outing if you are staying in Makadi Bay and want a simple Red Sea day with transport included. It suits first-time snorkelers, couples, families with older children who are comfortable in the water, and groups with different ideas about how active the day should be.

It is also a good fit if you want a little more than a beach afternoon. The island stop, reef viewing, optional underwater activity, and boat lunch create a fuller day without requiring you to plan each part yourself.

I would be more cautious if you use a wheelchair, need guaranteed accessibility, or require a highly specific dive program. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the optional underwater activity is not explained in enough detail for a specialist booking.

I would also ask for written confirmation if you care strongly about Giftun Island. The supplied information uses both Giftun Island and Orange Bay, and that is the one practical issue most likely to affect your satisfaction.

What to bring and what to confirm

Pack swimwear, sunglasses, and a sun hat. You should also consider a towel and extra drinking water, although the formal inclusions list does not mention a towel and provides one bottle of water.

Before the day, confirm:

• The exact island or beach stop
• The pickup time and jetty location
• Whether the optional underwater activity costs extra
• What food is served if you have dietary needs
• Whether extra drinks are available for purchase
• What support is offered to less confident swimmers

The booking allows you to reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if your schedule may change. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The available languages are English, German, and Russian.

Should you book the Makadi Bay island trip?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, organized day on the Red Sea, with snorkeling, an island stop, lunch, and hotel transfers in one package. The crew’s helpful service and reef knowledge add real value, especially for anyone new to snorkeling.

Do not book without checking the destination if Giftun Island is essential to you. The Orange Bay substitution has been a pleasant experience for some people, but the name on your booking should match the trip you expect.

At $47, this is a solid choice for a relaxed shared boat excursion. Just confirm the island, ask about the optional underwater activity, and bring protection from the sun. Do that, and you get a practical day with plenty of water time and little transport fuss.

FAQ

Where does the trip start?

Pickup is provided from your accommodation in Makadi Bay. You are then taken to the boat jetty to board the yacht.

Which island will the tour visit?

The trip information names Giftun Island, but some completed trips operated to Orange Bay instead. Confirm the exact destination before departure.

How long is the Giftun Island stop?

The planned stop at Giftun Island lasts about two hours for snorkeling and swimming.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, one soft drink, and one bottle of water are included.

Is the underwater activity included in the price?

The tour includes an option to take part in an underwater activity, but the provided information does not explain its separate cost or requirements. Ask the provider before participating.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later.