Makadi Bay: Royal Seascope Submarine Cruise & Snorkel stop

The best part of the Royal Seascope cruise is the chance to watch Red Sea marine life from a glass-walled deck three meters below sea level, without needing to swim. You sit in air conditioning and look through wide windows as the boat settles beside a coral reef near Xanadu Hotel.

I like the low $19 price, which covers transport from Makadi hotels, entry fees, the cruise, and the snorkel stop. I also like the easy mix of sightseeing and water time: about 45 minutes looking through the windows, followed by 20 minutes in the sea. The main drawback is timing. One recent trip involved a one-hour wait at the pier, and the snorkeling group felt crowded and tightly supervised.

Key points to know

• The underwater deck sits 3 meters below sea level, with air conditioning and large panoramic windows.
• The cruise reaches a coral reef near Xanadu Hotel after roughly 15 minutes from the marina.
• The snorkeling stop lasts 20 minutes, so it is a short taste of the Red Sea rather than a full snorkel outing.
• The $19 fee includes the main costs, including hotel transport from Makadi hotels, park fees, entry, and equipment access for the cruise and stop.
• Pickup is shared and optional, with instructions sent by WhatsApp after booking.
• A waiting period is possible, so do not plan a tight connection afterward.

What the Royal Seascope actually offers

This is a semi-submarine trip, not a full submarine ride. The boat keeps its upper deck above the water while an enclosed observation section drops below the surface. You sit inside the lower cabin and look through large windows at the coral and fish outside.

That setup makes the trip useful for several kinds of people. You can enjoy the Red Sea without being a confident swimmer, and you can keep cool in the air-conditioned cabin. Children and adults who prefer not to spend much time in the water still get a clear look at the reef.

The underwater section lasts about 45 minutes. That is the heart of the outing, so your expectations matter. This is not a private marine-life expedition and not a long reef safari. It is a short, accessible introduction to the sea, followed by a brief snorkeling stop.

The boat cruises to one of the better-known coral areas near Xanadu Hotel in Makadi Bay. The setting is attractive, and the location at Xanadu Hotel Marina is practical for people staying in Makadi hotels. You can reach the marina from the hotel area via the beach if you are meeting the boat yourself.

From your hotel to Makadi Bay Marina

If you select pickup, a shared, air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your Makadi hotel. The pickup takes place about 45 minutes before the scheduled trip time, though your exact instructions arrive by WhatsApp after booking.

The transport section can take around 25 minutes. That is useful if you are staying farther from the marina, since you do not need to arrange a taxi or find the pier alone. It also means you should keep your phone available on the day of the tour. The WhatsApp message carries the pickup time and further instructions.

If you are already in Makadi Bay, the meeting point is Royal Seascope Submarine at Xanadu Hotel Marina. The marina is accessible by the beach from all Makadi hotels. This self-arranged option may suit you better if you want to avoid a shared bus, but the supplied details do not give a separate reduced price for meeting there.

One practical warning: allow extra time around departure. A recent booking involved a one-hour wait at the pier because the boat had not arrived when the party reached the meeting time. That may not happen every day, but it is enough reason not to schedule an airport transfer, dinner reservation, or another tour immediately afterward.

The short boat ride to the reef

Once aboard, the boat heads out toward the coral area near Xanadu Hotel. The cruise to the site takes about 15 minutes in the basic description, while the wider timing shows around 25 minutes for the boat portion. Treat the ride as a short transfer rather than a major sightseeing cruise.

The ride gives you scenic views of Makadi Bay and time to settle into the boat. There is also a chance to watch for marine life from the upper part of the vessel, although the main viewing comes later through the underwater windows. The route includes sailing time on the way out and roughly 10 minutes on the return.

Because the trip lasts only two hours, the schedule is compact. The boat does not spend a long time wandering along the coast. It gets to the reef, gives you the underwater viewing period, allows the snorkeling stop, and returns to the marina.

That brisk format is part of the value. At $19, you are paying for a simple, focused outing rather than a full-day boat trip. It is easy to fit into a holiday schedule, but the short duration limits how much time you get in the water.

Forty-five minutes behind the underwater windows

The Royal Seascope’s main feature is its air-conditioned observation deck, positioned three meters below sea level. You take a seat inside and watch the Red Sea through large glass windows.

The fish-eye view changes the experience from ordinary boat sightseeing. Instead of looking down at the water from above, you see fish and coral at eye level through the submerged cabin. The windows are designed for broad views, giving you a better chance to follow movement across the reef rather than only catching quick glimpses over a railing.

The reef area is described as home to multi-colored coral and marine animals of different shapes and sizes. Exact sightings are not guaranteed, so you should think of this as an opportunity to observe the sea rather than a promise of particular fish or dolphins. Dolphin watching is listed as part of the possible activity, but the information does not promise a dolphin encounter.

The cabin also changes who can enjoy the Red Sea. If you dislike swimming, do not want to get your face wet, or are traveling with someone who prefers to stay dry, you can still see below the surface. The air conditioning is another practical touch in Egypt’s heat.

There is one clear limit. People with claustrophobia may not find the enclosed deck comfortable. The room is below the surface, surrounded by glass, and designed for seated viewing. If enclosed spaces make you anxious, the upper deck and the snorkel stop may not make up for the time spent inside.

The 20-minute snorkeling stop

After the underwater viewing, the boat stops for about 20 minutes of snorkeling in clear Red Sea water. This is enough time to cool off, see the reef from the surface, and compare the underwater cabin view with the real thing.

The stop is short, so you should arrive ready. Bring swimwear and sunscreen, and keep your expectations sensible. You will not have the time of a dedicated snorkeling excursion, where a boat spends hours at several sites. Here, snorkeling is a compact second act after the longer observation session.

The water is described as crystal clear, which helps even a brief stop feel worthwhile. You may see coral and fish from above, but marine conditions and animal sightings can change. Do not touch the coral or marine life. That protects the reef and keeps the activity within the stated rules.

The group size and supervision can affect this part of the trip. One recent experience involved a large snorkeling group and a guide who repeatedly called swimmers back when they moved farther away. That kind of close control may feel annoying if you are a confident swimmer, but it also shows that the stop is managed rather than open-ended.

If you want a quiet, independent swim, this may not be your ideal boat trip. If you prefer clear boundaries and a short, supervised introduction to snorkeling, the arrangement may feel more comfortable. Either way, stay aware of the guide’s instructions and do not swim farther than the group allows.

The return to the marina

After the snorkeling stop, the boat sails back toward Royal Seascope Makadi at Xanadu Hotel Marina. The return takes roughly 10 minutes in the stated timing, making the trip easy to finish without a long ride back.

The full experience is listed at two hours, though pickup and transport extend the time away from your hotel. The actual boat schedule can shift, as the report of a long pier wait makes clear. I would regard two hours as the planned activity length, not a guarantee that you will be back at your hotel two hours after pickup.

Drop-off options include Royal Seascope Makadi and Hurghada 2. If you use hotel pickup, confirm the return arrangement in the WhatsApp instructions. The supplied information confirms hotel drop-off from Makadi hotels, but it does not spell out a detailed timetable for every return location.

What the $19 price really gets you

At $19 per person, this is an inexpensive way to add a Red Sea experience to a Makadi Bay stay. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Makadi hotels, air-conditioned transport, entry fees, national park fees, the cruise, and the snorkeling stop. Food and drinks are not included.

That package makes the outing particularly useful if you want several basic costs handled in one booking. You do not pay separately for the boat entry or park charges, and you can choose pickup instead of arranging transport yourself.

The value depends on what you want from the sea. For an introduction to coral reefs and marine life, the price is strong. The 45-minute underwater viewing period is longer than the snorkeling portion, and the trip does not ask you to commit to a full day on a boat.

The value is weaker if your main aim is extended snorkeling. Twenty minutes in the water may feel too brief, especially if you spend part of that time getting organized or staying with a large group. A dedicated snorkeling cruise would likely make more sense for someone who wants long swims, several reef sites, or more freedom in the water, but those features are not part of this experience.

Food and drinks are extra, so bring your own only if the operator permits it. The supplied information simply says they are not included. At minimum, have sunscreen and swimwear ready.

Staff, language, and the feel of the outing

Instruction is available in English, German, Polish, and Russian. That is helpful for a mixed international group, especially during the safety briefing and snorkeling stop.

The information does not provide individual guide names, so I would not book this expecting a named naturalist or specialist marine guide. The emphasis is on transport, viewing, and a managed swim rather than a detailed educational talk.

The staff approach may feel different in the two main parts of the trip. Inside the observation deck, you can focus on the windows and reef. At the snorkel stop, supervision is more direct, and the guide may call swimmers back if they move too far from the group.

The operator is Egypt Sun Marine Fleet. The boat itself has received positive impressions for its appearance, and the Makadi Bay setting is one of the experience’s more appealing features. Still, the departure delay reported on one trip means service can depend on the day’s operation. Keep a relaxed schedule.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend the Royal Seascope to you if you want a short, low-cost look at the Red Sea and do not want a demanding water excursion. It suits first-time snorkelers, families who want an easy activity, and anyone who prefers viewing marine life from a protected cabin.

It also works well for a mixed group. One person can enjoy the submerged observation deck while another looks forward to the 20-minute swim. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part in the main portion, though the snorkeling stop naturally requires comfort in the water.

You may want to skip it if you have claustrophobia, need a precise departure time, or want a long, quiet snorkel. The underwater cabin is enclosed, the schedule may run late, and the snorkeling period is short and supervised.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, which broadens its usefulness. The supplied details do not explain every transfer arrangement, so if you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical boarding details before booking.

Booking tips for a smoother trip

Keep your phone on after booking because pickup information arrives through WhatsApp. If you are staying at a Makadi hotel, check if the shared pickup is more convenient than walking or making your own way to Xanadu Hotel Marina.

Arrive prepared in swimwear with sunscreen already packed. Since the snorkeling stop lasts only 20 minutes, changing after arrival could cut into your water time.

Leave space in your schedule after the tour. The planned duration is two hours, but a delay at the pier is possible. A flexible afternoon will make the experience much easier to enjoy.

Finally, decide what you value most. If you want the novelty of seeing a reef from below the waterline, this trip gives you a good amount of viewing time. If you mainly want to swim, the underwater cabin may feel like too much of the schedule.

Should you book the Royal Seascope?

Book it if you want an affordable, compact Red Sea outing with 45 minutes of underwater viewing and a short chance to snorkel. The $19 price covers the key fees and transport from Makadi hotels, and the Xanadu Hotel Marina location keeps the logistics simple.

Skip it if you need a reliable minute-by-minute schedule or a serious snorkeling session. The potential pier wait and large supervised group are real considerations.

For most people staying in Makadi Bay, I see this as a good-value introduction rather than a complete reef adventure. Go for the glass observation deck, the easy access, and the price. Keep the afternoon flexible, and treat the 20-minute swim as a bonus rather than the main event.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Seascope cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Royal Seascope Submarine at Xanadu Hotel Marina in Makadi Bay.

Can I reach the marina from a Makadi hotel?

Yes. The marina is accessible via the beach from all Makadi hotels.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional shared pickup and drop-off are available from Makadi hotels.

How early does pickup take place?

Pickup takes place about 45 minutes before the trip time. You receive the exact time and further instructions through WhatsApp after booking.

How long is the activity?

The listed activity duration is two hours.

How far below sea level is the observation deck?

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

How long do I spend in the underwater observation deck?

The underwater viewing portion lasts approximately 45 minutes.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling stop lasts 20 minutes.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the cruise suitable for people with claustrophobia?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people with claustrophobia because the main viewing area is an enclosed underwater deck.