Makadi Bay: Snorkelling and Diving Island Trip

Giftun Island is the real draw here. You sail out from Makadi Bay, stop in a private lagoon, and spend up to two hours swimming and snorkelling before eating lunch on board. The clear Red Sea water and coral reefs give this outing more substance than a simple boat ride.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that snorkelling gear, a guide, lunch, a soft drink, and water are included. I also like the choice built into the day: you can try an optional scuba session, snorkel, or stay on deck while others enter the water.

One point needs clearing up before you book. The trip is sold as a Makadi Bay island outing, but the actual destination is Giftun Island, and some departures have included Orange Bay instead. That change did not ruin the day for previous guests, but you should confirm the exact route if the island name matters to you.

Key points to know before you book

• Giftun Island is the main stop: Plan on roughly two hours for swimming and snorkelling in a private lagoon.
• Two kinds of water time: The schedule includes a snorkelling stop and another stop for an optional scuba session.
• Lunch is served on board: Your package includes a meal, one soft drink, and one bottle of water.
• Hotel pickup is included: You are collected from your accommodation in Makadi Bay and returned there after the boat trip.
• The route can change: Some departures have gone to Orange Bay instead of the advertised Makadi Bay route.
• The trip suits active swimmers: The operator says it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Leaving Makadi Bay for the Red Sea

Your day starts with pickup from your accommodation in Makadi Bay, followed by a transfer to the boat jetty. That makes this an easy choice if you want a full day on the water without arranging a taxi or finding the harbor yourself.

Once aboard, the boat heads toward the nearby coast and the island area. The cruise gives you time to settle in, watch the shoreline recede, and prepare for the first water stop. Bring your sunglasses and sun hat for the ride, since the open deck offers little escape from the sun.

The experience is priced at $47 per person. For that amount, you get transport from your hotel, the yacht cruise, snorkelling equipment, a guide, lunch, one soft drink, and a bottle of water. I consider that fair value for a full-day Red Sea outing, especially because the transport and basic gear are already handled.

Personal expenses are not included, so you should not expect extras beyond the listed food, drink, and equipment. Pack any additional drinks, snacks, or spending money you may want, although the supplied information does not specify what extra purchases are available on board.

Two hours around Giftun Island

The main stop is Giftun Island, where the boat anchors at a private lagoon. You have up to two hours here for swimming and snorkelling, which is enough time to get comfortable in the water rather than rushing in and out for a quick look.

This is the part of the trip that gives it its strongest sense of place. The Red Sea is known for clear water and coral reefs, and the coast around Makadi Bay offers the chance to see that underwater setting at close range. Conditions can affect visibility and marine life, so you should treat wildlife sightings as a bonus rather than a promise.

Snorkelling equipment and a guide are included. That matters if you are not bringing your own mask and fins, or if you prefer having someone organize the water activity. The guide can also help direct attention toward the reef rather than leaving you to guess where to swim.

One especially appealing detail is the chance to spot moray eels. A previous outing located one in full view, which shows the benefit of having crew who know the local reef areas. No sighting is guaranteed, but it is worth keeping your eyes open around reef edges and rocky sections.

You can also swim simply for the pleasure of being in the water. If you prefer not to snorkel continuously, the lagoon gives you room to cool off and float while the rest of the group explores.

The optional scuba stop

The schedule includes a separate stop for scuba activity. This gives the day a little more range than a basic snorkelling cruise, since people with different interests can choose how much time they want below the surface.

The information provided does not state whether certification is required, how long the session lasts, or whether a separate fee applies. Ask the provider about those points before departure if the scuba part is important to you. Do not assume that the included snorkelling equipment covers scuba equipment or instruction.

If you do not want to take part, you can relax on the boat. That is useful for mixed groups, since one person can enjoy the reef while another takes a break in the shade or watches from deck level.

Previous outings have been praised for their pleasant crew, attractive reef areas, and relaxed pace. The crew has also been able to point out marine life such as moray eels. Those details suggest that the optional scuba stop is worth considering for people who want more than surface viewing, but the package description does not promise a specific site or species.

Lunch on board between water stops

Lunch is served on the boat, with one soft drink included. You also receive one bottle of water, but I would still bring extra water if you tend to drink heavily in hot weather. Time in the sun, salt water, and an active schedule can leave you thirstier than expected.

Eating on board keeps the day moving. You do not need to leave the water area to find a restaurant, and the meal gives you a natural pause between swimming, snorkelling, and the return cruise.

The exact menu is not supplied, so anyone with dietary restrictions should ask the provider in advance. Personal expenses are not included, and the package specifies only one soft drink and one bottle of water.

The boat meal is part of the value of the $47 price. You are paying not just for access to the island, but for transport, a guided water activity, food, and return service to your accommodation. That makes the trip more practical than booking each part separately, provided the route and stop locations match what you want.

A day that may last about seven hours

The full outing includes hotel pickup, the ride to the jetty, the cruise, the island stop, the snorkelling and scuba periods, lunch, the return boat ride, and the transfer back to your accommodation. One completed trip lasted about seven hours.

That is a substantial part of your day, so do not schedule another major activity too tightly afterward. Boat departures can be shaped by the time needed for loading, water stops, and the return transfer.

The pace should suit you if you want a proper day on the Red Sea rather than a short swim. It may feel long if you are only mildly interested in snorkelling or dislike spending hours under the sun.

You should also expect the itinerary to have some flexibility. The advertised route has not always matched the actual stop. Some outings went to Orange Bay with snorkelling instead of the stated Makadi Bay plan, while another was described as a Giftun Island trip with two snorkelling sessions. The overall day still worked well, but the difference matters if you have chosen this excursion for a specific island.

What to pack for comfort

The required packing list is short: sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear. I would also wear or carry something light over your swimsuit for the boat ride, though that is a practical suggestion rather than part of the official list.

Keep your sunglasses secure while the boat is moving. A hat is useful during the cruise and while waiting between water activities. Swimwear is essential, since the itinerary centers on swimming and snorkelling.

Bring a towel only if your accommodation or provider does not supply one, because towel provision is not stated. The same applies to sunscreen and extra drinks. They are sensible for a Red Sea day, but they are not listed as included items.

The tour is offered in English, German, and Russian. That can make instructions easier to follow if you speak one of those languages. No guide names are provided, so you cannot request a particular guide from the available information.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several water activities in one day and prefer a package with transport and lunch already arranged. It works especially well for couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who want the option of snorkelling, scuba activity, or simply relaxing on deck.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Makadi Bay and do not want to spend time organizing a separate transfer to the jetty. The included guide and equipment remove much of the usual planning.

You should think twice if you need wheelchair access, since the operator says the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also be a poor match if you require a fixed itinerary and a guaranteed visit to one named island.

The trip has a 4.5 rating from 20 reviews, with the strongest praise focused on the friendly crew, good communication, pleasant snorkelling, attractive scuba sites, lunch, and the relaxed feel of the day. The repeated route confusion is the main caution, not the quality of the boat day itself.

Should you book the Makadi Bay island trip?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced Red Sea day with hotel pickup, reef time, lunch, and a choice of water activities. At $47, the package offers solid value for a roughly seven-hour outing, especially for first-time visitors who do not have their own snorkelling gear.

Before paying, confirm that the planned destination is Giftun Island and ask whether the optional scuba session has extra requirements or charges. If you are happy with a possible change to Orange Bay or another nearby island, the route issue is less serious.

I would skip it only if exact destination control, wheelchair access, or a tightly fixed schedule is essential. For most able-bodied swimmers who want a straightforward day on the Red Sea, this is a practical and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

Where does this boat trip depart from?

You are picked up from your accommodation in Makadi Bay and taken to the boat jetty before boarding.

Which island does the tour visit?

The planned destination is Giftun Island, where you spend up to two hours in a private lagoon. Some departures have instead visited Orange Bay, so confirm the route before departure.

How long does the experience last?

One completed outing lasted about seven hours, including pickup, the cruise, water stops, lunch, and the return transfer.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. The package includes snorkelling equipment and a snorkelling guide.

Is scuba activity included?

The schedule offers an optional scuba session, but the provided information does not state whether extra charges, certification, or separate equipment requirements apply.

Is lunch included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear. Personal expenses are not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The operator states that the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.