Makadi Bay

What is Makadi Bay like?

Makadi Bay is a quiet, resort-only bay: around a dozen large hotels, mostly all-inclusive, line a few kilometres of beach with the Red Sea Mountains behind and no town between you and the sea. It was developed from the late 1990s on an empty stretch of coast, and it still has no high street, souq or nightlife beyond what the hotels provide.

That is the appeal and the limit. Families like it because children can move between the pool, the kids' club and a shallow sandy beach without crossing a road. Couples who want restaurants and evening strolls usually prefer Sahl Hasheesh, 15 minutes north, or El Gouna. Resorts are large, often with water slides and several pools, and are mostly mid-range to upper mid-range rather than luxury.

House reefs: snorkelling straight from the beach

The main reason to choose Makadi over central Hurghada is the house reefs: most hotels have a jetty or pontoon that crosses the shallow reef flat to a drop-off where the coral begins. You walk to the end, climb down a ladder and you are snorkelling over coral heads within a minute.

The reef along the bay is a fringing reef, with a shallow lagoon close to shore that is fine for paddling but too shallow and silty for good coral, then a reef edge in about 2–3 metres of water that slopes away to 10 metres and more. Along it you can expect parrotfish, Picasso triggerfish, blue-spotted stingrays on the sand, lionfish and moray eels in the crevices. Quality varies from hotel to hotel, so ask about the house reef specifically, not just the beach.

• Use the jetty, not the reef flat: walking across the reef damages coral and hurts feet.
• Snorkel along the edge with the current, not into it, and respect any marked swimming zones.
• Late morning gives the best light underwater; afternoons are often windier and choppier.

Why families choose Makadi Bay

Families pick Makadi for its sheltered water, short airport transfer, kids' clubs and the fact that children can see real coral from a jetty without a boat trip. Many resorts have splash parks and family rooms, and dive centres on site run bubblemaker or discover-scuba sessions for children from about eight to ten years old, depending on the agency and the centre.

The flipside is that days can feel samey after a week. Break them up with a glass-bottom boat trip, a half-day snorkel boat, a sunset camel or jeep ride into the desert, or a day trip to the Giftun Islands. Parents also find Makadi a calm finish after the temples of Luxor: it is about four hours by road. Our guide to Egypt with kids covers pacing, food and health.

Getting there and getting around

Fly into Hurghada International Airport (HRG) and transfer 25–35 minutes south, or drive about four hours from Luxor across the Eastern Desert. The coast road turns off to the bay through a gated entrance, and the hotels sit along a single access road.

There is little to walk to beyond your own resort, so for outings you will need a taxi or a booked car. Hurghada's marina and restaurants are about 40 minutes away, Sahl Hasheesh's promenade about 15–20 minutes and Soma Bay about 25 minutes south. Agree taxi fares before you set off, or ask your hotel's concierge to book a driver for the round trip.

When to go and what to pack

Makadi is sunny all year, with the best balance from March to May and September to November, when the air is about 26–32°C and the water about 24–28°C. July and August are hot, often 35°C or more, and coincide with European and Egyptian school holidays, so the big resorts fill up.

For Australians, the December–January school holidays fall in the Red Sea's cooler season: sunny days of about 21–24°C and water around 22°C. It is pleasant on land but a little cool for long snorkels, so pack thin wetsuits or rash vests for children. The wind is strongest in the afternoons, so plan reef time for the morning.

Tips for choosing a Makadi Bay resort

Choose by house reef, beach and the walk from your room to the sea, not just by star rating. Some of the largest resorts are spread over several hundred metres, with golf-buggy shuttles between buildings.

• Ask whether the jetty is open all day and whether a lifeguard watches the reef entry.
• Check what the all-inclusive covers: imported drinks, à la carte restaurants and snorkel gear are often extra.
• If you want to dive seriously, look for a resort with its own dive centre and daily boat trips to the offshore reefs.
• Bring reef shoes for the beach and your own well-fitting mask for children.

Our where to stay in Hurghada guide compares Makadi with the town and the other bays.