From Makadi: Nefertari Sunset or Morning Cruise With pickup

The Red Sea has a way of making time feel short. This trip turns snorkeling into a themed cruise with a seriously pretty ship and great views from below the surface.

I especially like the underwater observation deck plus the guided swim time, so you get both an easy first look and time right in the water. One thing to plan for: snorkeling gear costs extra if you rent it at the marina.

Key Things I’d Prioritize

• Underwater viewing with panoramic windows while you wait for your snorkeling turn
• 45 minutes in the water with fully qualified guides
• 3-course seafood or chicken meal with set menu options (plus vegan and gluten-free)
• Egyptian-style costume photo moments on board, including a throne pose
• Small day-trip pacing with a marina walk afterward, not just back-to-hotel and done

Nefertari-Style Cruise in Makadi Bay: What Makes It Worth Your Half Day

This is not one of those do-everything tours where you feel rushed from stop to stop. The big idea here is simple: you get to see the Red Sea under the surface, then you get into the water, then you eat well while you’re still relaxed.

The floating replica of Queen Nefertari’s tomb is the main visual hook. It’s dressed up with ancient Egyptian styling, so even before snorkeling, the day has personality. And because there’s an underwater observation platform with panoramic windows, you can enjoy the reef even if you only want a glass-bottom kind of look first.

The other reason this tour works is how the time is split. You’re not only paying for snorkeling. You’re paying for guided reef time plus a planned onboard flow that includes a photo stop and a proper set-menu lunch or dinner.

For me, the best value piece is that the day includes more than just a boat ride. You get guided snorkeling, underwater access, and a 3-course meal within a 4-hour block. At $90 per person, the real question is whether you’ll use those included moments. If yes, this is a strong deal for Makadi Bay.

Pickup, Transfer, and Getting to the Water Without Stress

The day starts with pickup from your hotel area. The tour includes hotel pick up and drop off from Makadi bay only. If you’re staying outside Makadi, you’ll need an add-on transfer when checking out.

From there, you take a shared bus for about 35 minutes, then cruise toward the sea. The schedule is designed so you’re not sitting around too long, but you should still treat the day as half-day travel time total, not a quick hop.

Why this matters: in the Hurghada and Makadi area, timing can make or break a short excursion. A shared bus transfer is normal, but it’s also why the tour lists a tight overall duration of about 4 hours. You’ll want to be ready for pickup, bring your swimsuit along, and keep your towel accessible.

Language support is also a practical plus. The guides speak English, German, Polish, Czech, and Russian. That helps if you want clear instructions for snorkeling and safety.

The Floating Tomb Replica: The Part You’ll Notice Before You Even Swim

Once you’re on board, the boat is part of the experience. Guests specifically highlight how beautifully styled and well-kept the ship feels, with an Egyptian theme that looks fun in photos and comfortable for the ride.

There’s also a glass-bottom segment during the day, which is good for two types of travelers. If you’re nervous about snorkeling, it gives you a safe visual taste of what’s down there. If you snorkel, it’s a helpful warm-up so you know what you’re looking for.

You’ll also get a dedicated photo moment later, but the ship’s theme means you’ll likely start taking pictures as soon as you step on. One guest even noted the crew and photographers were attentive, and that the whole onboard feel was relaxed, not chaotic.

Underwater Observation Deck: Panoramic Reef Time, Air-Conditioned Comfort

This is the highlight that makes the tour feel more than just a boat day. Before snorkeling, you head down to the underwater observation level, where you can look through panoramic windows.

A big practical detail: the underwater observation deck is air-conditioned. That matters in the Red Sea sun, especially if you’re waiting for your snorkeling turn. You get a comfortable viewing break, not just a sweaty platform.

From the observation deck, you can spot a lot of marine life. The tour information points out turtles, dolphins, rays, and the rare sea cow, plus many types of fish and coral. While you can’t guarantee any particular animal, this is exactly the kind of area where a trained crew can guide you toward the most likely sightings.

One guest even mentioned seeing an eagle ray. That kind of sighting is what makes the onboard viewing feel worth the time, even if you’re not the strongest swimmer.

Costume Photos on Tutankhamun’s Throne: Fun, Quick, and Optional-Feeling

At some point, you’ll do a photo stop tied to the Egyptian theme. You can dress up as an ancient Egyptian king or queen in replica costumes. You’ll also be seated on Tutankhamun’s throne for photos.

If you’re the type who hates forced photo ops, the best advice is to treat this as a short, scheduled moment, not a performance that eats your day. You can participate for a few minutes, get your pictures, and move on.

One review noted photographers tried their best, including a bit of photo selling afterward. That’s pretty common in themed tours. The silver lining is that another guest specifically said there was no heavy sales pressure, so you can enjoy the day without feeling trapped.

Bring your camera. If you want clean shots, also think about sunscreen and staying seated until the crew gets you positioned.

The Snorkeling Spot: 45 Minutes in Clear Water With Real Guidance

This is the part most people come for: the chance to snorkel in Makadi Bay’s Red Sea waters. You’ll cruise to the best snorkeling spot and then spend 45 minutes in the water, guided by fully qualified instructors.

A few things make this safer and more enjoyable than “free swim and hope” snorkeling:

• You get guidance from staff, which helps if you’re new to snorkeling
• You’ll likely be shown where to look for coral and fish
• The day is paced so you’re not rushing between stops with no briefing

You should plan for the reality that snorkeling gear is not included. The tour lists equipment rental at $5 per piece, and reviews confirm you’ll get the option to rent on site and that there’s an extra charge.

If you don’t snorkel at all, you might still get a boating alternative. One guest wrote that people who didn’t snorkel were offered a small boat ride. It’s not spelled out as a guaranteed substitution in the core information, but it’s a helpful sign that the crew tries to keep non-snorkelers part of the sea experience.

My practical advice: if you’re renting equipment, do it early enough that you’re not scrambling. And if you have any comfort issues, tell the guides right away so they can help you choose gear and positioning.

What You Eat on a Sea Day: 3-Course Seafood or Chicken Meal

A half-day snorkeling trip lives or dies on food quality. Here, you get a 3-course lunch or dinner depending on whether you booked the morning or sunset cruise.

The menu is set menu style and includes:

• 3 kinds of salad
• Seafood soup, rice, and options like fish and calamari
• Or a chicken option with pasta

The tour also notes vegan and gluten-free options are available, which is a big deal for people who usually struggle on excursions.

One guest specifically said the meal was not only tasty but nicely presented, and that there were vegetarian options. Another guest mentioned soft drinks were included and that fresh orange juice and fruit cocktails were made fresh in a mixer. That level of care can make a themed boat day feel like a real meal, not just “something to hold you over.”

A good approach for you: eat what’s included first. Don’t count on finding a separate restaurant on the schedule. This cruise is built to finish with dinner or lunch and then go back to the marina.

The Marina Tour Afterward: Small Walk, Easy Wrap-Up

After returning to the marina, you’ll have a short 25-minute marina tour plus time around the shops.

This is useful because it gives you something to do besides sitting on a boat until the end. If you want souvenirs or simple drinks, this is the slot to do it. If you just want fresh air and photos, the marina stop is enough to stretch your legs before going back to your hotel.

It also helps you avoid that end-of-tour feeling where everyone is herded onto the bus immediately. Instead, you get a brief decompression window.

Morning vs Sunset: Choose Based on How You Want the Day to Feel

There are two trips available daily: morning and sunset.

Here’s how to choose:

• Go morning if you want easier light for photos and snorkeling while the day is still cooler
• Go sunset if you want scenic time on the water at the end of the day

One review called the sunset return “herrlich,” mentioning musical accompaniment while watching the shoreline and mountains from the water. Even if you’re not usually a sunset person, that’s exactly the kind of payoff that turns snorkeling into a story you remember.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For at $90

At $90 per person for a 4-hour experience, the value is strongest if you care about more than snorkeling.

You’re getting:

• Guided snorkeling (with included guidance time)
• Underwater observation deck access
• Glass-bottom viewing as part of the day
• A 3-course seafood or chicken meal
• Costume dress-up photo time
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Makadi area
• A marina walk afterward

What’s not included:

• Snorkeling equipment rental at $5 per piece
• Personal spending

So your real cost depends on whether you rent gear. If you bring your own mask and snorkel, you can keep the day closer to the advertised price. If you rent, add a small extra amount for equipment.

Also consider that you may see more than just fish. The underwater viewing and snorkeling time together can be the difference between a short “see a couple fish” swim and a reef-focused experience.

My bottom-line view: this is priced like a true activity day with food and underwater access, not a budget boat transfer. If you want a half-day plan that feels complete, it’s a fair deal.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want to Pick Something Else)

This works especially well for:

• First-time snorkelers who want guidance and a calm viewing warm-up
• People who want an activity plus a sit-down meal, not a snack-and-go trip
• Couples and small groups who like themed photos and want a relaxed pace
• Travelers who need dietary flexibility, since vegan and gluten-free options are available

It might not be ideal if:

• You hate paying add-ons. Equipment rental is extra, and photo services can lead to upsells.
• You want a long, deep snorkeling session. The total water time is 45 minutes, so it’s a taste, not a full-day reef immersion.

Practical Tips Before You Go

A few small moves make a big difference on a sea tour like this:

Bring:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Camera
• Sunscreen

And follow the rules:

• No feeding animals
• No touching plants

Also remember the underwater deck is air-conditioned, so you might feel cooler down there than on deck. If you run cold easily, bring a light layer.

If you’re doing sunset, plan your sunscreen like you’ll forget. You probably won’t, but the sun can still bite during scenic sailing.

Should You Book the Nefertari Sunset or Morning Cruise?

If you want a well-paced half day that combines a real reef look, guided snorkeling, and a proper meal, I think this is a good booking. The strongest draw is the mix: underwater observation plus time in the water, all on a themed, well-regarded ship.

Book it if you’ll use the included parts: underwater deck access, snorkeling guidance, and the 3-course meal. It’s also a smart choice if you value comfort, since the underwater viewing is air-conditioned and the itinerary avoids feeling frantic.

Skip it or look elsewhere if you’re only after a cheap snorkeling hour, since the gear rental is extra and the water time is limited by design.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The experience runs about 4 hours.

Do I get picked up from my hotel?

Yes, hotel pick up and drop off are included from Makadi bay only. Other pickup areas may require an add-on transfer ticket.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling is included with a guided snorkeling stop. Snorkeling gear rental is not included and costs extra if you rent it at the marina.

What meal is included?

You’ll have a 3-course meal, either lunch or dinner, with a set menu of seafood or chicken options.

Can I get a vegan or gluten-free meal?

Yes, vegan and gluten-free meal options are available.

Do I have access to an underwater viewing area?

Yes, you get access to the underwater observation deck with panoramic windows.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen.

What are the rules while on the water?

Feeding animals and touching plants are not allowed.

Are there morning and sunset departures?

Yes, there are two daily options: a morning cruise and a sunset cruise.