Makadi Bay Excursions & Tours 2026-2027

All tours from Makadi Bay

Makadi Bay Excursions & Tours 2026‑2027: islands, dolphins & Luxor

Makadi Bay is a quiet resort bay about half an hour south of Hurghada, with calm water and coral that starts right off the hotel jetties. It is an easy base for day trips: the boats leave close by, the trips are short, and you are back at the pool by late afternoon. Spend a day on the white sand of Orange Bay or Paradise Island, look for spinner dolphins at the Dolphin House, try a first dive or a parasail ride, or go fishing with a local crew.

On land there are quad, buggy and jeep safaris into the Eastern Desert with a Bedouin dinner, horse rides on the beach and evenings in Hurghada. Luxor is about four hours away, close enough for a full day at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, and Cairo and Aswan are possible by road or by plane. Below you will find every excursion from Makadi Bay that we run ourselves, sorted by type, with prices and what is included. We have worked on the Red Sea for 20 years and sell direct, with no middlemen. Hotel pickup is included, there is no deposit, and nobody stops at shops on the way.

  • 20 yearson the Red Sea
  • €0deposit, pay on the day
  • 24 hfree cancellation
  • Englishspeaking guides on every trip

Makadi Bay at a glance

  • 30 kmsouth of Hurghada airport, about 35 minutes
  • 3.5–4 hby road to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
  • Orange Baythe classic island day on Giftun
  • House reefssnorkel straight from many hotel jetties

Makadi Bay tours and day trips by type

Pick a category to see every trip, the price per adult and exactly what is included.

01On the water

  • Islands & beach trips

    Orange Bay and Paradise Island on Giftun, Mahmya, Utopia or Hula Hula: white sand, shallow lagoons, snorkel stops and lunch on board.

    See tours →
  • Snorkeling trips

    Boat trips to the reefs off Makadi Bay, with masks, fins and a guide in the water with you.

    See tours →
  • Dolphin trips

    Out to the Dolphin House reef, where a resident pod of spinner dolphins often swims close to the boat.

    See tours →
  • Private speedboat

    Your own boat and skipper to the islands and the dolphins, leaving when you want.

    See tours →
  • Semi-submarine & glass boat

    Seascope-style semi-submarine and glass-bottom boat: corals and fish through the glass, no swimming needed.

    See tours →
  • Scuba diving

    Intro dives on the house reef with an instructor, and daily boat dives for certified divers.

    See tours →
  • Parasailing

    A few minutes in the air above the bay, alone or as a pair, take-off and landing on the boat.

    See tours →
  • Fishing trips

    Line fishing with a local crew, rods and bait on board, and your catch grilled if you like.

    See tours →

02Desert, horses & family days

  • Desert safari

    Quads, buggies, jeeps and camels into the Eastern Desert, a Bedouin village, dinner and stargazing.

    See tours →
  • Horse riding

    Ride along the beach and into the desert, with a swim with the horses on some trips.

    See tours →
  • Family-friendly tours

    Easy outings for small children, such as the Grand Aquarium in Hurghada.

    See tours →
  • Hurghada city tour

    El Mina Mosque, the old Dahar market, the Marina and a stop for shopping in Hurghada.

    See tours →

03Luxor, Cairo & Aswan

  • Luxor tours

    Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut in one long day, with an Egyptologist guide.

    See tours →
  • Cairo tours

    The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, by road or by plane.

    See tours →
  • Aswan & Abu Simbel

    Philae Temple, the High Dam and a felucca on the Nile, and Abu Simbel on the two-day trip.

    See tours →

04Plan your stay

  • Private tours

    A car, driver and guide just for you. You choose the plan and the pickup time.

    See tours →
  • Makadi Bay travel guide

    Beaches, evenings out, weather by month and tips from our team on the ground.

    See tours →

Not sure which trip to choose?

Tell us your hotel, your dates and who is travelling. We will suggest the best mix and reply on WhatsApp, usually within minutes.

Makadi Bay excursion prices 2026-2027

Starting prices with hotel pickup included. Children up to 4 go free, ages 5 to 10 pay half, from 11 the adult price applies. No deposit: you pay on the day, in euros or dollars.

TripAdultChild 5–10
Morning quad ride
3 hours
from €35from €17.50
Super safari: jeep, quad, camel & Bedouin dinner
afternoon to evening
from €45from €22.50
Luxor day trip by bus, with Egyptologist
full day
from €90from €45
Luxor in 2 days with hot air balloon
2 days
from €250from €125
Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel
2 days
from €450from €225

Island, dolphin, speedboat, semi-submarine and Cairo prices depend on the boat and the season. Ask us for today's price on WhatsApp.

What is included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Makadi Bay
  • English-speaking guide or crew, Egyptologist on Luxor and Cairo
  • Lunch on full-day boat trips, dinner on the super safari
  • Mask, snorkel and life jacket on boat trips
  • Entrance tickets when listed on the trip page

Not included

  • Drinks from the bar and personal spending
  • Photos and videos from the boat photographer, if you want them
  • Tips, at your discretion

Things to do in Makadi Bay beyond the excursions

Free days are part of the holiday too. These are the ones our guests ask about most.

  • 01Snorkel the house reef

    Many hotels have a jetty out to the north or south reef of the bay. Go early, when the water is calmest, and look for rays and turtles over the sand.

  • 02Spend a day at Makadi Water World

    One of the biggest aqua parks on the coast, with dozens of slides and family pools, right inside Madinat Makadi.

  • 03A Bedouin night under the stars

    Dinner at a desert camp, tea by the fire and a sky with almost no light pollution. Part of our super safari.

  • 04Ride along the beach

    Horse or camel rides along the shore and into the desert, best at sunset. See horse riding.

  • 05Golf, kitesurf or paddleboard

    Madinat Makadi has an 18-hole golf course, and the steady wind makes the bay good for kitesurfing, windsurfing and SUP.

  • 06An evening in Hurghada

    The Marina, the old Dahar market and proper Egyptian food, 35 minutes away. Join our city and shopping tour.

Island trips from Makadi Bay: which island?

The boat and the island change with the day of the week. Tell us what matters to you, sand, snorkeling or fewer people, and we will match the trip.

IslandWhat it is like
Orange Bay, GiftunThe famous beach day: white sand, turquoise shallows and a snorkel stop on the way.
Paradise Island, GiftunLong sandy beach inside the Giftun national park, good for families.
Mahmya, GiftunQuieter eco-beach with a small daily guest limit and a good reef. Costs a bit more.
Utopia & Eden islandsSmaller sandbanks with calm water and fewer people.
Hula Hula islandShallow lagoon you can walk into, easy with small children.
Magawish & the open reefsSnorkel stops in clearer water, often combined with the Dolphin House.

Makadi Bay weather and sea by month

Average daytime highs and sea temperatures, rounded. Evenings from December to February can feel cool, so bring a light jacket.

MonthDaySeaBest for
January – February22–23 °C21–22 °CLuxor, Cairo, safaris
March25 °C22 °CEverything, windy days possible
April – May29–33 °C23–25 °CIslands, snorkeling, diving
June – August35–37 °C27–29 °CBoat trips; desert at sunset
September34 °C28 °CWarmest sea, dolphins
October – November27–31 °C25–27 °CEverything, best all-round months
December23–24 °C23 °CLuxor, Cairo, safaris

Distances from Makadi Bay

Approximate distances and driving times. Your pickup time depends on where your hotel is in the bay.

ToDistance
Hurghada airport≈ 30 km · 35 min
Hurghada Marina & old town≈ 30 km · 35 min
Sahl Hasheesh≈ 15 km · 20 min
El Gouna≈ 55 km · 1 h
Safaga & Soma Bay≈ 30–45 km · 40 min
Luxor≈ 280 km · 3.5–4 h
Aswan≈ 6 h by road
Cairo & the pyramids≈ 6 h by road · 1 h flight

Which Makadi Bay excursion suits you?

Our pick for each kind of day. First time here? One island day, one dolphin trip and one evening in the desert show you the best of it.

You wantOur pick
White sand & shallow waterOrange Bay or Hula Hula
Swim near dolphinsDolphin House trip
No crowds on the boatPrivate speedboat
Small childrenSemi-submarine
First time underwaterIntro dive with an instructor
AdrenalineQuad or buggy at sunset
Something calmHorse ride on the beach
Ancient EgyptLuxor in one day
The pyramidsCairo by plane
Shopping & an evening outHurghada city tour

Transfers to and from Makadi Bay

Private cars between Hurghada airport, your hotel in Makadi Bay, Hurghada and El Gouna, at a fixed price per car.

Book a transfer

Makadi Bay excursions: questions travellers ask us

What excursions can I take from Makadi Bay?

Almost everything the Red Sea coast offers. On the water: island days to Orange Bay, Paradise Island or Mahmya on Giftun, snorkeling trips, the Dolphin House, a private speedboat, the semi-submarine, intro dives, parasailing and fishing. On land: quad, buggy and jeep safaris with a Bedouin dinner and stargazing, horse rides on the beach, and a city and shopping tour of Hurghada. Further away: Luxor in one day, Cairo and the pyramids by road or by plane, and Aswan with Abu Simbel over two days. Hotel pickup in Makadi Bay is included on every trip.

Browse island trips, dolphin trips, desert safaris and Luxor tours.

How much do Makadi Bay excursions cost?

A morning quad ride starts from €35 per adult and the super safari with jeep, quad, camel and Bedouin dinner from €45. A Luxor day trip by bus starts from €90, two days in Luxor with a hot air balloon from €250, and Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel in two days from €450. Boat trips depend on the boat and the island, so ask us for the price on your dates. Hotel pickup is always included and nobody asks you for extra fees on the day. Children up to 4 go free, ages 5 to 10 pay half, and from 11 the adult price applies. You pay on the day, in cash, in euros or dollars.

Do the guides speak English?

Yes. Every trip has an English-speaking guide or crew, and on Luxor, Cairo and Aswan you travel with a licensed Egyptologist who explains the temples and tombs as you walk through them. We also have guides who speak German, French, Polish, Russian and other languages if someone in your group prefers. Bookings and questions are handled on WhatsApp in English.

How far is Luxor from Makadi Bay, and is a day trip worth it?

Luxor is about 270 to 290 km from Makadi Bay, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours each way through Safaga and Qena, with a short stop on the way and a couple of routine police checkpoints. Pickup is early, usually between 4:30 and 5:30, and you are back in the evening. In one day you see Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Ask your hotel for a breakfast box the night before, bring your passport or a copy, and wear light clothes that cover shoulders and knees. If one day feels too rushed, the two-day trip adds a night in Luxor and a sunrise balloon flight.

See all Luxor tours from Makadi Bay.

How far is Makadi Bay from the pyramids?

The Pyramids of Giza are about 450 to 500 km from Makadi Bay, around six hours each way by road. That makes the bus trip a very long day, so many guests fly instead: the flight from Hurghada airport to Cairo takes about an hour, and you are back at your hotel the same night. On both trips you see the pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum with a guide. If you want more time, take the two-day trip with a night in Cairo.

See all Cairo tours from Makadi Bay.

Where can I see dolphins near Makadi Bay?

Most dolphin trips go to the Dolphin House, a horseshoe-shaped reef north of Makadi where a resident pod of spinner dolphins often rests in the morning. A group boat includes snorkel stops and lunch. A private speedboat is faster and leaves when you want. Sightings are likely but never guaranteed, and the crew keeps a respectful distance so the dolphins can come closer on their own.

See our dolphin trips and speedboat trips.

Is Makadi Bay good for snorkeling and diving?

Very good, and you often do not even need a boat. Many hotels have a jetty out to the house reef, with the north and south reefs of the bay full of coral, reef fish, rays and the odd turtle. For clearer water and more variety, the boat trips stop at reefs around Giftun and the islands. Beginners can try an intro dive with an instructor, no licence needed, and certified divers can join daily boat dives.

See our snorkeling trips and diving tours.

Are there shops in Makadi Bay?

Yes, but on a small scale. Most hotels have a few shops, and Madinat Makadi has a souk-style shopping street, cafés and the marina for an evening walk. For real shopping, spices, cotton and souvenirs at local prices, go to Hurghada: the old Dahar market, the Marina and the malls along the main road. Our city and shopping tour picks you up in Makadi and brings you back, with no forced stops at commission shops.

See the Hurghada city and shopping tour.

Which Makadi Bay activities are good for children?

Small children usually love the semi-submarine and the glass-bottom boat, because they see the fish without getting wet. An island day works well too, with calm, shallow water by the beach, and Makadi Water World is right in the bay. A short camel ride or a visit to the Grand Aquarium in Hurghada are easy wins. Luxor and Cairo mean long hours on the road, so they suit older children better. Children up to 4 are free and ages 5 to 10 pay half.

See our family-friendly tours and semi-submarine trips.

Makadi Bay or Hurghada: what is the difference?

Makadi Bay is a quiet resort bay about 30 km south of Hurghada, built around all-inclusive hotels, calm water and house reefs right off the beaches. Hurghada is a real town, with restaurants, markets, malls and nightlife. For excursions it makes little difference: the same boats, safaris and Nile Valley trips are open to you, and we pick you up at your hotel either way. Many guests stay in Makadi for the beach and spend one evening in Hurghada.

See the Hurghada city tour from Makadi Bay.

When is the best time for excursions in Makadi Bay?

Trips run all year. From October to April the days are warm but not hot, which is ideal for safaris and the long drive to Luxor. The sea is warmest from July to October, the best time for boat trips and snorkeling. In June, July and August afternoons pass 35 °C, so desert trips go in the morning or at sunset. In January and February the water is around 21 to 22 °C, and many guests snorkel in a short wetsuit. See the month-by-month table above.

Do I need a visa or a passport for excursions?

To stay in Makadi Bay you need an Egyptian tourist visa, bought on arrival at Hurghada airport or online in advance as an e-Visa. The free Sinai stamp used in Sharm El Sheikh does not cover the Red Sea coast. On boat trips and on the drive to Luxor or Cairo, carry your passport or a clear copy, because names are checked by the coast guard and at police checkpoints. Rules change from time to time, so check before you travel.

What should I bring on a Makadi Bay excursion?

For boat trips: swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and some cash for drinks and photos. For the desert: closed shoes, long trousers if you ride a quad, sunglasses and a scarf to keep the sand off your face. For Luxor and Cairo: comfortable walking shoes, light clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a light jacket for the early start, and your passport or a copy.

How far is Makadi Bay from Hurghada airport?

Makadi Bay is about 30 km south of Hurghada airport, around 30 to 40 minutes by car. We run private transfers from the airport to your hotel and back, and between Makadi Bay, Hurghada and El Gouna, at a fixed price per car agreed before you travel.

Book a private transfer.

Is hotel pickup included, and how do I book?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from every hotel in Makadi Bay are included. Your pickup time depends on where your hotel is in the bay.

To book, send us your hotel name, the date and the number of adults and children on WhatsApp at +20 120 290 5255. We confirm the place and pickup time, and you pay on the day in cash, in euros or dollars. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Plan your Makadi Bay excursions

Send us your hotel and dates. A real person from our team in Egypt replies, not a bot.