Makadi Bay: Royal Seascope Submarine Cruise & Snorkel stop

Makadi Bay’s Royal Seascope lets you watch Red Sea fish and coral through huge glass windows without needing to swim. The boat’s air-conditioned deck sits 3 meters below sea level, giving you a fish-eye view from a proper seat.

I like the easy mix of sightseeing and water time. The cruise is also good value at $19, especially if you want a short outing rather than a full-day boat trip. The main drawback is timing: one recent departure involved a one-hour wait at the pier, and the 20-minute snorkeling stop can feel brief.

Key points at a glance

• The underwater deck lasts about 45 minutes: You sit below the surface behind panoramic glass while the boat remains above.
• The reef stop is near Xanadu Hotel: The boat cruises about 15 minutes from the marina to a well-known reef area in Makadi Bay.
• Snorkeling lasts only 20 minutes: It is enough for a quick look, but not a long swim.
• The price is modest: At $19 per person, you get transport options, entry fees, the cruise, and the snorkeling stop.
• Pickup is limited to Makadi hotels: The shared bus leaves roughly 45 minutes before the trip and details arrive by WhatsApp.
• The boat is wheelchair accessible, but the outing is not ideal for claustrophobia: The underwater viewing room is enclosed.

What the Royal Seascope actually offers

This is a semi-submarine trip, not a full submarine voyage. You remain on a boat, then walk down to an enclosed observation room below the waterline. The room is air-conditioned, with large glass panels that let you see the reef and fish while staying dry.

That setup is the main reason to book. You do not need strong swimming skills to see the Red Sea below the surface, and you can watch alongside family members who prefer not to enter the water. The fish-eye view gives you a different angle from ordinary snorkeling, especially when fish pass close to the windows.

The cruise takes about two hours from start to finish. Around 45 minutes are spent in the underwater room, followed by a 20-minute snorkeling stop. The remaining time is used for transport, sailing between the marina and reef, and returning to shore.

The current rating is 4.4 from 184 reviews, which fits the nature of the trip. The boat, location, and price receive the strongest praise, while the short snorkeling session and possible delays are the points to watch.

Getting to Xanadu Hotel Marina

The Royal Seascope is based at Xanadu Hotel Marina, which you can reach by the beach from Makadi hotels. If you choose hotel pickup, a shared, air-conditioned bus collects you around 45 minutes before the scheduled departure. The exact pickup time and further instructions are sent by WhatsApp after booking.

That WhatsApp message matters. Makadi Bay has several hotels, and the pickup time can vary. I would keep your phone available on the morning of the trip and check that your hotel is within the pickup area. Pickup is offered from Makadi hotels only, so you should confirm the meeting arrangement if you are staying elsewhere.

You can also make your own way to the marina. The stated meeting point is the Royal Seascope submarine at Xanadu Hotel Marina, accessible along the beach from Makadi hotels. Allow extra time to find the marina entrance rather than arriving at the exact departure minute.

Transport is included when you select the pickup option. The vehicle is air-conditioned, a welcome detail in Egypt’s heat, although the shared ride adds some waiting and transfer time to a trip advertised as two hours.

The 15-minute cruise out to the reef

Once aboard, the boat leaves the marina and cruises toward a reef near Xanadu Hotel. The outward sailing takes roughly 15 minutes in the main description, while the wider schedule allows about 25 minutes for the boat portion. Either way, this is a short ride, not a long day at sea.

Use this stretch to get settled, take in the Makadi Bay coastline, and prepare for the underwater viewing room. Scenic views are part of the outing, but the reef is the real target. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water if you need it, though the supplied details do not state that onboard refreshments are available.

The vessel has been described as nice and offers a comfortable way to reach the viewing site. Still, keep your expectations in proportion. At this price and duration, you are getting a compact boat trip centered on one reef stop, not a private yacht cruise or a full-day marine safari.

Forty-five minutes behind the glass

The best part of the outing is the underwater observation room. You descend 3 meters below sea level into an air-conditioned space and take a seat beside large panoramic windows. From there, you can watch fish, coral, and other sea life without worrying about waves, sun, or breathing technique.

This is especially useful for families with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can look forward to the later snorkeling stop, while children, older family members, and anyone who would rather stay dry can still see what lies below. The room also gives you time to study the reef at a calmer pace than you usually get while floating on the surface.

The phrase fish-eye view is a fair description of the setting. The windows place you close to the reef, with water on the other side of the glass and marine animals moving through the scene. The exact fish and coral you see will depend on the conditions and the boat’s position that day, so no fixed list of species is promised.

The air conditioning is another practical plus. Red Sea boat trips can be hot, and the cool interior gives you a break from the sun. Bring sunscreen for the outdoor parts, but you will not spend the whole trip exposed on deck.

There is one clear warning: the observation room is enclosed. If you have claustrophobia, this may not be comfortable. The room is not a good place to discover that enclosed spaces bother you. You can still enjoy the boat and perhaps the snorkeling, but the main feature is the part below the surface.

A 20-minute snorkeling stop

After the viewing session, you stop for about 20 minutes of snorkeling. The water is described as crystal-clear, and the stop gives you a closer look at the reef and marine life you have just watched through the glass.

Twenty minutes is enough for a first taste. It can work well if you want a short swim without committing to a long water excursion. It is not enough for a relaxed, unhurried snorkeling session, especially if you need time to enter the water, adjust your equipment, and get comfortable.

The group may be large in the water. One recent account described the snorkeling as crowded and found the guide’s repeated calls of hello hello irritating when swimmers moved farther away. Take that as a useful safety signal: stay within the guide’s permitted area and listen for instructions, even if the supervision feels a little overbearing.

Do not touch the marine life. That rule protects the coral and animals, and it also prevents accidental damage from fins, hands, or equipment. Bring swimwear and sunscreen. The supplied details do not promise snorkeling equipment, so check the booking information or ask the operator what is provided before you go.

The snorkeling stop includes marine-life viewing and scenic time on the water. Dolphin watching is also listed in the schedule, but you should treat that as a possible sighting rather than a guaranteed part of the trip. No promise is given that dolphins will appear.

The return to Makadi Bay

After the snorkeling stop, the boat sails back toward the marina. The schedule allows about 10 minutes for the return sailing, though exact timing can shift with loading, swimming, and boat operations.

The short return keeps the whole outing manageable. You are not committing your entire day to the sea, which makes this a practical choice before dinner, another hotel activity, or an evening in Hurghada. On the other hand, the compact schedule leaves little room for delays.

That matters because departure timing may not always be exact. One account describes arriving at the pier at the stated time and waiting about an hour before the boat left because it had not yet arrived. If your day includes another booking, leave a generous gap after this tour. Do not schedule an airport transfer or fixed dinner immediately afterward.

The listed drop-off points are Royal Seascope Makadi and Hurghada 2. Hotel drop-off is included for Makadi hotels when you choose the pickup option, but the exact return arrangement should be confirmed in the WhatsApp instructions.

Is $19 a fair price?

At $19 per person, this is one of the easier Red Sea outings to justify if you want several elements in one short trip. The fee includes entry charges, national park fees, the cruise, and the snorkeling stop. Optional hotel pickup also includes an air-conditioned vehicle when selected.

The value comes from the combination. A glass-bottom viewing room alone would give you a dry way to see the reef, while the snorkeling stop adds a chance to enter the water. You also avoid paying separately for a reef cruise and a marine park entrance.

The limitations are just as clear. The underwater viewing session is the centerpiece, but the snorkeling lasts only 20 minutes. The trip may also involve shared transport and waiting at the marina. If you want hours in the water, a larger sailing area, or a private guide, this is not the right product.

For a family, a first Red Sea outing, or a visitor with only two free hours, the price is strong. The pleasant boat, attractive marina setting, and low cost are the most persuasive reasons to book.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the Royal Seascope to you if you want:

• A short introduction to Red Sea marine life
• An air-conditioned alternative to spending the whole trip in the water
• A family activity that works for swimmers and non-swimmers
• A low-cost reef cruise from a Makadi hotel
• A quick snorkeling stop rather than a full-day excursion
• A wheelchair-accessible boat activity

It is less suitable if you have claustrophobia, dislike group activities, or want a long and quiet snorkeling session. The enclosed deck is the key attraction, so discomfort in tight spaces can take away much of the value.

You should also be patient with the schedule. The published duration is two hours, but a late boat or shared pickup can stretch your day. I would avoid booking this immediately before an important appointment.

The activity is offered with English, German, Polish, and Russian instruction. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to choose a particular guide. Communication is handled through the operator, Egypt Sun Marine Fleet, and pickup details arrive through WhatsApp.

Practical preparation for the boat

Bring swimwear and sunscreen. A towel is not listed among the required items, so check before leaving your hotel if you plan to enter the water.

Keep your phone charged for the WhatsApp pickup message. If you are using hotel pickup, be ready about 45 minutes before the stated trip time and watch for the shared bus. If you are meeting at Xanadu Hotel Marina, use the beach route from the Makadi hotels and give yourself time to find the pier.

Because food and drinks are not included, plan accordingly. The information does not confirm onboard catering, so do not rely on a meal during this short trip.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Makadi plans may change, but it does not remove the need to confirm pickup details once the booking is made.

Should you book the Royal Seascope?

Book it if you want an affordable, short look at the Red Sea with both dry viewing and a quick swim. The 45-minute underwater room, pleasant boat, and $19 price make it a practical choice for families and first-time visitors.

Skip it if you want a long snorkeling session, a private boat, or a tightly timed outing. The possible wait at the pier and crowded 20-minute water stop are real drawbacks. For most people staying in Makadi Bay, though, it offers a fair amount of sea life and reef time for a modest price, as long as you treat it as a compact introduction rather than a full marine adventure.

FAQ

How long does the Royal Seascope trip take?

The activity lasts about two hours. This includes the cruise, around 45 minutes in the underwater observation room, a 20-minute snorkeling stop, and the sailing back to the marina.

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 available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from Makadi hotels when you select that option. Pickup takes place in a shared bus about 45 minutes before the trip, with exact instructions sent by WhatsApp.

How far below the water is the observation room?

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

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling session lasts 20 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The supplied tour details include the snorkeling stop but do not state that equipment is included. Check the booking information or contact the operator before departure.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is the Royal Seascope suitable for people with claustrophobia?

No. The underwater observation room is enclosed, and the activity is specifically not recommended for people with claustrophobia.

What languages are available?

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