From Hurghada: Makadi Bay ATV Tour

Makadi Bay is at its best when you leave the resort behind. This two-hour ATV ride takes you across desert tracks and sandbanks, past cliffs and mountain views, then out to the Red Sea. You also stop at a remote beach, drink Bedouin tea, and take a short camel ride.

I like the amount of actual riding included, and I like that the route is more than a loop around a fenced desert lot. Guides such as Mustafa, Sayed, Mohamed, Abdul, and Islam are repeatedly praised for keeping the pace fun while checking that everyone is safe. The main drawback is that dust, wind, heat, and rough ground can make the ride tiring, especially for first-time drivers.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours on the ATV: This is a proper desert ride, not just a brief test lap.
• Desert to Red Sea route: Expect sandbanks, mountain views, cliffs, a natural rock formation, and a beach stop.
• A good $17 value: The price includes the ATV, helmet, guide, hotel transfer, tea, and camel ride.
• Short camel ride included: It is a fun extra, but do not expect a long camel trek.
• Bring your own scarf: Dust gets everywhere, and a scarf sold locally costs about €5 according to one detailed account.
• Best for active visitors: Drivers must be at least 16, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments.

Leaving Hurghada for the Makadi Bay desert

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada. The transfer gives you a look at the countryside before you reach the ATV base, though return drop-offs can take time if several hotels are on the route. One passenger described being dropped off last even though the vehicle had already passed the hotel earlier, so allow extra time after the scheduled finish.

The activity runs daily at four different times. That gives you useful flexibility, especially if you want to fit it around a beach morning or an evening meal. The exact start time depends on availability, and the advertised two hours refers to the tour itself, not always the full period from hotel pickup to hotel return.

At the base, you receive a helmet and safety instructions before choosing your ATV. The machines were described as being in good condition by several people, although one visitor felt the vehicles were not quite as well maintained as expected. That is worth keeping in mind. This is a budget adventure, not a polished motorsports facility.

The guides organize riders into groups, and larger parties may be split according to age and riding style. That can work well for families and mixed groups. Children and cautious drivers are less likely to be placed with a fast-moving group, while confident riders can enjoy a livelier pace.

If you have never driven an ATV, tell the guide. The tour is accessible to first-timers, but the ride requires steady steering and attention on sand. One first-time rider found the dunes great fun but also appreciated the rest stops because the rough ground can be hard on your body.

Sandbanks, cliffs, and open desert tracks

Once you leave the base, the ride moves over desert tracks and sandbanks. This is the part that supplies the real rush. You feel the ATV working through loose sand, and the wide-open setting is a welcome change from Hurghada’s resort strip.

The pace appears to vary with the group. Some outings move quickly, while others include more pauses for photos and rest. Guides including Abdul Rahman, Sayed, Abdelrahaman, and Mohamed are praised for being friendly, attentive, and willing to explain what is around you.

You will stop at scenic points with views toward the mountains and sea. The desert here is not just a flat stretch of sand. The route includes rough ground, rocky areas, natural cliffs, and unusual stone formations. That variety makes the ride more interesting and gives you several chances to get off the ATV and look around.

A photographer often accompanies the group. Photos are taken during the ride and at the stops, including pictures of you on the ATV, beside the cliffs, and near the water. A photo and video package is optional, not part of the $17 price. The accounts provided different prices, including about €15 and €35, so confirm the current cost before agreeing.

If you prefer not to buy pictures, bring your own phone only if you can protect it from dust. You should also expect the photographer to be part of the group’s rhythm, stopping riders and arranging poses at scenic points. That adds value for some people, but it can make the outing feel less spontaneous.

Reaching the Red Sea at the remote beach

The most appealing part of the route is the move from desert to coast. You leave the ATV behind briefly and follow your guide to see a distinctive rock formation before continuing toward a natural beach.

At the beach, you can take a refreshing swim or walk along the shoreline. The water is described as clear and blue, and the contrast between bare desert, rock, and sea makes this a strong photo stop. It also breaks up the ride at exactly the right time.

Do not treat the beach stop as a full beach day. The schedule is built around ATV riding, so swimming and walking time is limited. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if you want to enter the water, and carry only items you can keep secure. The tour information does not specify changing facilities or storage, so it is best to keep your packing simple.

The coast stop also gives nervous riders a chance to rest. Two hours on an ATV sounds easy until you spend that time absorbing bumps through your arms, back, and legs. The pauses are not wasted time. They make the ride more manageable and let you enjoy the setting rather than simply racing from one point to the next.

Bedouin tea and a short camel ride

After the coast, you head to a Bedouin area for a cup of fresh-brewed tea. This is a small but worthwhile part of the outing. It gives you a chance to sit down, cool off, and experience a traditional drink rather than spending the entire tour behind handlebars.

The tea is included, but some visitors were offered tea for sale afterward. You can enjoy the included cup without feeling obliged to buy anything extra. A little cash is useful for tips, though one account notes that other payments could be made by card.

The camel ride follows the tea. It is short, but it adds a distinctly Egyptian touch and gives you a funny change of pace after the ATV. The camels are described as well trained and friendly, though you should think of this as a brief photo opportunity and introduction, not a serious desert journey.

Tips are not included. Several people specifically wished they had brought more cash for the guide, driver, and camel handler. Tipping is optional, of course, but small Egyptian pounds or another convenient currency will make things easier if you want to thank the crew.

What the $17 price really covers

At $17 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for an outing that includes transport, equipment, a guide, tea, a camel ride, and a full two-hour route. The value is strongest if you want active sightseeing rather than a quiet beach excursion.

You are not paying for luxury. The transfer may use a small vehicle, and pickup and return can take longer than expected. The ATV base may feel practical rather than fancy. Optional photos, scarves, tips, and any food or extra drinks cost more.

A scarf is a smart purchase only if you did not bring one. One detailed account put the price at about €5. It protects your face and hair from dust, especially on windy days. Sunglasses help as well, and you should wear closed, comfortable shoes.

El Gouna is treated differently from Hurghada. Hotel transfer from El Gouna costs an additional €10 per person, so calculate that before comparing the tour with other activities. Food and drinks beyond the included tea are not covered.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule depends on weather or other excursions.

Guides, group pace, and safety

The guides are the strongest part of the operation. Names that come up repeatedly include Mustafa, Sayed, Mohamed, Abdul, Abdul Rahman, Islam, Kareem, and Abdo. Their roles vary, but the pattern is clear: the better guides check that riders are comfortable, stop for photos, answer questions about Egypt, and keep the group together.

The tour can be lively without feeling reckless. Several accounts describe guides who allowed a good pace while still paying attention to safety. That balance matters on loose sand, where a small steering error can quickly become a fall.

Women traveling together described feeling safe, and one guide arranged a separate ride after a forgotten sweater was left behind. Another driver turned the transfer home into a music-filled party ride. These are pleasant extras, but service can vary by day, driver, and group.

If someone in your party is afraid to drive, ask whether they can ride behind another person. One couple was allowed to do this when one partner did not want to operate an ATV. Do not assume every arrangement is guaranteed, but it is sensible to ask at the base.

Drivers must be at least 16. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. The riding is physically active, and the uneven ground can be demanding even if you are generally fit.

Clothes, dust, wind, and timing

Wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and weather-appropriate clothing. Long sleeves and long trousers are especially useful on windy days, when dust hits exposed skin. A scarf is worth bringing from your hotel, and tucking hair under it will save you from a gritty wash later.

You should expect your clothes to get dusty. Avoid white or delicate clothing, and do not bring anything valuable that you cannot protect. A phone in a sealed pocket or small pouch is more practical than carrying a loose camera.

Morning and afternoon departures offer different moods, although the exact conditions depend on the season. Afternoon outings can include attractive sunset light, and one late-day group made a point of the views at sunset. Wind can also pick up later, so cover your arms and legs if the forecast looks unsettled.

The activity is listed as two hours, and several people found that the riding time felt generous. Some outings lasted longer once transfers and extra stops were counted. For planning, leave a wider block of time than two hours, particularly if you have a dinner reservation or another paid activity afterward.

Who will enjoy this Makadi Bay trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a low-cost burst of speed, desert scenery, and a taste of several Egyptian activities in one booking. Families with older children can enjoy it, provided the children meet the age requirements and are comfortable with rough riding.

It also works well for couples and friends who want photos. The photographer can capture images that are difficult to take while driving, and the route supplies more variety than a simple ATV circuit.

First-time riders are welcome, but you should not book this expecting a gentle sightseeing drive. The ATVs move over sandbanks and uneven tracks, and the riding can be tiring. If you want a calm, shaded, culture-focused outing, choose something else.

You should also be clear about what the camel ride and tea mean. They are enjoyable additions, not the central event. The ATV route is the reason to book, while the beach, tea, and camel provide welcome changes between stretches of riding.

Should you book the Makadi Bay ATV Tour?

I would book it if you want a high-value desert adventure from Hurghada and like the idea of combining ATV riding with a beach stop, Bedouin tea, and a camel ride. At $17, the package offers a lot, especially when the route includes roughly two hours of riding rather than a short introduction.

Bring a scarf, sunglasses, sturdy shoes, swimwear, and some cash for tips. Confirm the photo price before accepting the package, and allow extra time for transfers. If dust, heat, rough ground, or fast riding sounds unpleasant, skip it. For everyone else, this is one of the more entertaining ways to trade a few hours of resort routine for desert and sea.

FAQ

How long is the Makadi Bay ATV tour?

The activity lasts two hours. Hotel pickup and return can make the total time away from your accommodation longer.

What is included in the $17 price?

The price includes a guide, ATV, helmet, one cup of Bedouin tea, a camel ride, and transfers to and from hotels in Hurghada.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer to and from your hotel in Hurghada is included. Pickup from El Gouna costs an additional €10 per person.

Can I swim at the beach?

Yes. At the natural beach, you can swim in the sea or walk along the shoreline. Swimming time is part of the tour, so it is not a full beach-day stop.

Is the camel ride long?

The camel ride is a short included activity after the Bedouin tea. It is not described as a long camel trek.

What languages do the guides speak?

Live guides are available in English, German, and Russian.

Who cannot take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. ATV drivers must be at least 16 years old.