The popular seaside resort of Makadi Bay in Egypt is centrally located between Hurghada and Safaga. The quiet area has a lot to offer especially for beach vacationers, divers and snorkelers. In addition, there is excellent bathing weather all year round. I was there and took a closer look at the small seaside resort on the Red Sea. You can find experiences, recommendations and holiday tips in my Makadi Bay travel report – from the beach, snorkeling, bathing weather to excursion tips, there is definitely something for everyone.

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The Red Sea coast here in Makadi Bay creates such a wonderful contrast, especially early in the morning. I'm not an early riser, but as a long-time Egypt fan, I know what you should definitely do here in the land of the pharaohs - and watching the sunrise is definitely one of them. I'm not the only one - some holidaymakers have rolled out of bed and are watching the morning spectacle.

Anyone who gets up early and ventures barefoot to the beach shortly before six in the morning not only feels the fine sand between their toes, but above all also sees the sun climbing blood-red over the horizon almost 365 days a year. The sunrise is particularly beautiful on the beach at Makadi Bay. I am always fascinated by how quickly the sun climbs up and how quickly it burns out of the sky in full force here in Egypt.

Video – It’s so beautiful in Makadi Bay

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Ideal for beach vacationers and sun seekers

Because in Makadi Bay, beach vacationers are guaranteed sun almost every day. The desert glows in the morning orange and the sky shines in wonderful turquoise. The Red Sea, completely smooth, still without wind or waves, seems downright black in these minutes. Together they create an incredible play of colors with unique contrasts. Take a deep breath and enjoy the still quite cool and salty sea air in the morning before the day begins and the holidaymakers start their day, the entertainers are making noise and the smell of coffee rises from the dining room.

Anyone who is now on the beach can look forward to a delicious breakfast with croissants and fresh cappucino. What more does the soul need on vacation? What a wonderful start to the day! Egypt is a very good place to spend these days and go on vacation.

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Overview - What distinguishes a holiday in Makadi Bay?

• Makadi Bay offers warm temperatures and sunshine all year round.
• The resort offers a wide range of hotels and resorts ranging from upper mid-range to luxury.
• You can enjoy numerous activities - from stand up paddling, surfing, kayaking, jogging on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, free diving or scuba diving.
• There are numerous excursion destinations to discover in the region - such as a visit to the old town of Hurghada or a trip to the temples of Luxor.

Active vacationers, divers and beach fans get their money's worth

My first impression in my Makadi Bay experience report

After a few relaxing days in the tranquil holiday resort of Sharm El Sheikh, where we enjoyed the perfect wellness holiday with luxury, relaxation and exciting adventures such as diving and snorkeling, we are now on our second one after a short domestic flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada Arrived at our destination in Egypt: the Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay. It was the first time I've ever combined two holiday resorts in Egypt and I'm very impressed with this type of travel, which is rather unusual on a package holiday in the land of the pharaohs.

Makadi Bay is much livelier than Sharm El Sheikh

My impression is immediately clear: it's completely different here than over in Sharm El Sheikh. It is significantly busier and busier, louder and more restless, larger and more spacious. The Cleopatra Luxury Hotel Makadi Bay, where we will spend a few days, is completely booked and vacationers everywhere are enjoying their vacation. The dining room is well filled and many loungers are occupied. The pools are full, the beach is busy and you also have to wait in line for a long time at the buffet.

That's just how it is. As a vacationer, it is difficult to predict how crowded your hotel will actually be. Except maybe during the holidays. Makadi Bay is popular and one of the most important Destinations on the Red Sea. But that doesn't detract from the love of vacation. The hotel complex is spacious and integrated into a beautiful pool and park landscape, which looks great to eat, especially at night.

I feel comfortable in Makadi Bay

In the meantime, I have been to Makadi Bay several times and feel very comfortable in the small holiday resort, which has no old town and only consists of hotels. It is dignified, luxurious and even has a golf course. You can do all sorts of things there: diving and snorkeling are top choices. But activities on land are also popular. You can go on a quad bike tour, ride camels or go on a safari in the desert. The central location south of Hurghada also makes excursions easier - for example to go shopping in Hurghada or to take a plane to Cairo.

And I also really like the Cleopatra Luxury Resort. Despite the size, I feel very relaxed here. I often found myself jumping into the pool when it was dark - simply because the pools looked so inviting. A little swim late in the evening is hard to beat in terms of relaxation factor. And no lifeguard came to stop me. That's how I like it.

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Cleopatra Luxury Resort Makadi Bay – Hotel for feasting and relaxing

The Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay is certainly one of the best Hotels on the western side of the Red Sea. In addition to the main building, the complex is divided into several smaller buildings and a complex intended exclusively for adult holidaymakers. The attractively designed complex is dotted with pools and palm trees and looks really appealing day and night.

Large resort with beautiful grounds

Despite the size of the resort, the footpaths are kept short. From anywhere you can quickly reach the beach and the main building, where the main restaurant is located. During our stay we of course spent a lot of time at the pool and were able to just relax and unwind.

But in Makadi Bay it's just too tempting to get active and jump into the water as soon as possible. So we rented a stand up paddling board and went out on the water. The bay's long beach is ideal for jogging. Yoga and gymnastics courses are also held regularly and guests can take part.

Excellent food

The food at the Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay is also damn good: the extensive buffet is complemented by à la carte restaurants with fantastic offerings. The cuisine is worthy of that of a five-star hotel and impresses with its international variety combined with local delicacies. The hotel's chef is an experienced gourmet and has lived in Switzerland for a long time - no wonder we immediately became such good friends.

Belonged to the Aldiana hotel chain for a long time

Until a few years ago, the resort belonged to the German Aldiana hotel chain, which operates very high-quality facilities at many holiday destinations. The Cleopatra Group took over Aldiana completely a few years ago, but ultimately only kept the current Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay and sold the rest of the company.

Video – Impressions from the Cleopatra Luxury Resort Makadi Bay

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Makadi Bay Tips - Beach and sea to fall in love with

What can you see and do in Makadi Bay?

Anyone who is on holiday at the Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay wants to combine a beach holiday, sun and swimming with many exciting activities on and in the water. In the resorts in Egypt it is sometimes not so easy to go jogging and keep fit. As an individual, you often cannot leave the facility unmolested. This wasn't a problem in Markadi Bay: the extensive beach with the various hotels simply invites you to relax Jogging in Egypt a. Here you simply meander from one section of the beach to the next and can walk barefoot from one end of the bay to the other.

Beautiful beach - with restrictions

Going for a swim on the beach at Makadi Bay is such a thing. The large, unheated pools of the Cleopatra Resort provide a great way to cool off and are always the first choice for swimming. Bathing in the sea is a little more complicated: of course you can go into the water from the beach in Makadi Bay, no question about it. From the beach you practically climb onto the roof of the fringing reef, which starts a few meters from the beach.

The beach along the bay in Makadi Bay is generally very beautiful. However, the water here is particularly shallow and at low tide only a few puddles remain. Swimming from the beach is rather difficult. If you really want to go swimming, you have to go to the long, wide jetty and walk a few meters to the deep water in order to cross the fringing reef.

Take your snorkeling equipment straight into the water

If you're going this route, you should pack your snorkeling equipment straight away. The hotel's house reef begins at the end of the jetty and invites you to snorkel and dive with colorful corals and many other sea creatures such as turtles, many colorful fish and sometimes dolphins and sharks. That's exactly what we're doing now:

After being pampered in the hotel for quite a while, we go to the diving station with the Extra Divers diving center located in the hotel. A great adventure awaits!

Diving in Makadi Bay

A bold leap into the underwater world of the Red Sea

Egypt and diving simply belong together. That's why we naturally want to jump into the water in Makadi Bay. From the Cleopatra Luxury Resort we set off on a day trip with the Extra Divers to see beautiful nearby diving sites. The boat is large and spacious. The Extra Divers once again provide top service and even have 15 liter diving bottles with Nitrox for me.

I have already dived at several Extra Divers bases

I have already visited several diving centers from this provider. I have already been to the Extra Divers Equinox, the Extra Divers El Quseir and the Extra Divers diving center in Sharm El Naga. I was also on the Gili Islands with the Extra Divers. Accordingly, I was aware of the high quality of diving with this provider.

Beautiful underwater world around Makadi Bay

After a short journey and putting on the equipment on the diving boat, we head into the water. What I immediately notice: Here too, a wonderful underwater world awaits us that is second to none! The reefs are healthy and full of life. This is no longer a given these days! We note that there appears to be little to no coral bleaching in the Red Sea.

Beautiful, intact coral reefs

On our diving tours we discover wonderful, almost untouched coral reefs where lots of fish can be found. Larger animals such as turtles, moray eels and many rays such as blue spotted rays and stingrays can also be found everywhere. The day tour with the Extra divers is highly recommended and one of the highlights of our trip.

We are underwater three times for almost 60 minutes because we are so fascinated by the intact and diverse underwater world! After a long day full of exciting experiences underwater, we return to the Cleopatra Luxury Resort happy and satisfied. What a wonderful day of diving that we will not forget for a long time!

Leisure activities for Makadi Bay

Discover sights on the western Red Sea

When you come to Egypt, you can either have a great beach holiday and bathing holiday, or you can really experience a lot. We have put together the best travel facts and information for you so that your vacation in Makadi Bay and Egypt is really varied and adventurous!

There is also a lot to discover in the western part of the Red Sea. The area around the Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay is particularly well developed for tourism and the whole place is completely designed for holiday guests. The offer is correspondingly large for everyone who wants to experience something.

1. Boat tour for diving and snorkeling

Of course you can't just go diving. Snorkeling and swimming trips are also possible, which then lead, for example, to deserted islands from which you can swim in lagoons or snorkel with dolphins. A more than worthwhile experience that you should definitely take part in!

2. Quad tour in the desert

Also not to be sneezed at is a tour with a quad, a four-wheeled motorcycle, into the desert. You can actually book this in any hotel along the coast. With a local provider of quad tours you then go more or less far into the desert and mountains. On our tour we were closer to the beach and were able to enjoy the view of the sea from the cliffs while the sun rose over the Red Sea.

3. Excursions to the old town of Hurghada and El Quseir

Most of the cities along the Red Sea coast are very touristy and full of hotels and tourist amenities. However, it is still worth exploring the corners where the locals live and hang out. We were in the old town of Hurghada. A truly charming and worthwhile excursion. The old towns of El Quseir and Marsa Alam are also said to be very attractive and always worth a trip!

4. Experience culture in Egypt - day tours to Cairo, Luxor and Aswan

Of course you can also take a longer tour. Cairo is always worth a trip. The monster city with its over 20 million inhabitants is a juggernaut with a lot to discover. A visit to the Egyptian Museum is a must because it contains some of the most important relics in human history. The Pyramids of Giza are located on the edge of Cairo's beach.

Standing in front of the Cheops Pyramid once in your life and looking at more than 2000 years of human history is a unique experience. In addition to Cairo, the towns of Luxor on the Nile and Aussuan are also of historical importance. In the former you can visit the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak Temple. For some, the cultural program in Egypt may be much more appealing than all the beach holiday activities.

My Makadi Bay Hotel

Five Star Resort Cleopatra Luxury Resort

The Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay is located around 30 kilometers south of the port city of Hurghada and is one of the more luxurious resorts on the Red Sea. The hotel has 527 large and luxurious rooms located in smaller two to three story buildings.

All rooms in the hotel have a sea view or at least a view of the pools and garden. The room size ranges from 35 m² to 95 m² in the suites. The rooms are equipped with a balcony or terrace, band and toilet, minibar and safe. The highlight of the resort is that there is a separate building for adults only. So that even people without children can go on vacation undisturbed.

The hotel is particularly impressive when it comes to food: In addition to the main restaurant, there are four other restaurants where guests can indulge in delicious delicacies. My personal highlight in this hotel was the spa and wellness area. There you will receive really good wellness massages that will increase the relaxation factor of your entire vacation many times over. My massage lasted 80 minutes and was truly the pinnacle of relaxation!

The fitness center is right next door: the gym is a thing in many holiday hotels. At Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay, the studio is excellently equipped with precore equipment and truly modern standards. A big plus point for anyone who appreciates a bit of training on holiday. Overall, a really successful five-star hotel!

Further information about the hotel: Review on TripAdivsor - cheap book with HolidayCheck*

Extra Divers Makadi Bay

My Makadi Bay dive center

The quality of Extra Divers Makadi Bay can be summed up in one sentence: The diving center is simply excellent in all aspects from safety to service. The dive center is not only one of the largest on the Red Sea, but certainly one of the best. The base is under the German-Egyptian management of Ramadan and Marie, who offer diving guests wonderful diving experiences with their stuff.

Many courses and excursions on offer

The diving center offers trial diving, courses for beginners and children as well as many further training courses. Certified divers can then visit the beautiful house reef or go on short trips, half-day tours or day tours with the Extra Divers. From Makadi Bay, the Extra Divers head to the most beautiful and well-known diving spots in the Red Sea, such as Abu Kafan, the Salem Express, Panorama Reef and many destinations popular and well-known among divers. In addition to diving, there are also snorkeling trips and trips to uninhabited islands. Here you will get to know beautiful sandy beaches and enjoy a delicious lunch.

Dolphin tours are a highlight

There are also dolphin tours with two or three snorkeling sessions. You can go into the water with dolphins. This is an unforgettable experience. At Extra Divers you can enjoy the quality and well-known service of the largest diving center chain in the world.

More information directly from them Extra Misc – Reviews at TripAdvisor

Makadi Bay - all information about the resort

Location and hotels

The small resort of Makadi Bay is located south of Hurghada and has become a popular holiday resort in recent years. Thanks to year-round sunshine and warm temperatures, great beach and water conditions, adventurous offers for diving, snorkeling and quad biking and excellent hotels, the place is more than an excellent alternative to the overcrowded, nearby holiday center Hurghada.

Because overall Makadi Bay is much more remote and therefore much quieter in comparison. So if you want to spend a relaxing holiday on the Red Sea, enjoy water sports activities and make one or the other excursion in the area, Makadi Bay is the right place for you.

Beautiful holiday resort south of Hurghada

Makadi Bay is a beautiful resort area on the southern coast of Egypt near Hurghada. The bay's clear blue waters and sandy beach make it a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. The area is also famous for its coral reefs, ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Makadi Bay is well equipped with facilities and services that will make your vacation pleasant and comfortable. There are several hotels in the area, ranging from budget options to luxurious 5-star resorts. You will also find numerous restaurants, cafés, bars and shops in Makadi Bay. Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an action-packed vacation, Makadi Bay has something for everyone.

Location of Makadi Bay

Makadi Bay is about 30 kilometers south of Hurghada and just as far north of Safaga. The tourist settlement is located on an approximately 4-kilometer-long coastline on a bay with its southern foothills. Sahl Hashish is to the north while Sharm el Naga is to the south. The bay is the mouth of a wadi and offshore are coral reefs and Giftun Island. In the middle of the bay is a shallow sandy beach. The Arabian Desert begins directly behind the hotel complex.

Makadi Bay consists of hotels

The place consists almost entirely of about 20 large hotels, resorts and clubs. About three kilometers west of the coast, Highway 24 runs along the Red Sea. There you will find, among other things, the Makadi Bay Waterworld adventure pool and the Dolphin World dolphinarium.

FAQs travel report Makadi Bay - the most important questions and answers

In my travel report Makadi Bay - tips and experiences - I have put together the most important questions and answers about your holiday in Makadi Bay and Hurghada. Especially if you are traveling to Egypt for the first time, these FAQs can be very helpful and make your vacation a whole lot more relaxed.

Best travel time for Makadi Bay

Makadi Bay is an ideal travel destination for those who want to escape the winter in Germany and enjoy warm temperatures all year round. The best travel time is from September to December and from March to May. During these months, the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the humidity is relatively low. In winter, especially in January and February and in the first half of March, it can occasionally get a little cooler.

In summer, between June and August, temperatures rise to over 40 degrees Celsius, which can be too hot for some travellers. However, even in these months the humidity is low, which makes the heat more bearable. Still, it's wise to pack plenty of sunscreen and water to protect against strong sun exposure and dehydration. The sun shines all year round in Egypt.

Climate table Makadi Bay – best time to travel all year round

Month	high (in degrees Celsius)	Rainydays	Hours of sunshine	water temperature
January	24	1	8	22
February	24	1	9	21
March	25	0	9	22
April	28	0	10	23
May	32	0	11	26
June	34	0	12	29
July	38	0	13	30
August	37	0	12	30
September	36	0	11	29
October	33	0	10	26
November	28	0	9	25
December	26	1	8	24

Holidays in Makadi Bay - dangerous or not a problem?

Basically, I can only say what I always say on this topic: You should definitely follow the information and recommendations of the Foreign Office hold. It describes exactly what dangers can await you in your holiday destination and how you can deal with them. Everything is currently safe for the holiday regions.

When it comes to perceived safety, I can only say that we felt extremely safe in Egypt, both in Sharm El Sheikh and on the western side of the Red Sea between Hurghada and Makadi Bay. The authorities take good care of holidaymakers and leave nothing to chance. Egypt has invested in security and takes strict care to ensure that nothing happens to holidaymakers. Even at the airport in Sharm El Sheikh, the security precautions are as high as they are in a German airport.

Overall, the risk of terrorist attacks and attacks is very high worldwide. At the moment it doesn't really matter whether you're in Paris, Cairo, Berlin or Hamburg. Anything can happen anywhere. However, the likelihood of being injured in such an act is extremely small. I would therefore say that you can currently go on vacation in Egypt without reservations and feel completely safe. However, you should monitor the current news situation and always pay attention to the information from the Foreign Office.

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Travel report Makadi Bay – Tips for an unforgettable holiday in Egypt

My conclusion

If my enthusiasm for Makadi Bay and Egypt infected you and you were motivated by my blog post to include the land of the pharaohs in your holiday planning, then this article has served its purpose. In my Makadi Bay travel report I have summarized all my experiences and recommendations so that you can enjoy your vacation in Egypt to the fullest.

The best conditions for a successful holiday

Makadi Bay simply offers the best conditions for an unforgettable holiday. The small resort is clean, well-kept and luxurious. It's far enough from Hurghada to avoid the mass tourism but isn't in the middle of nowhere, being close to great places like Soma Bay, Safaga and Sharm El Naga.

Sun guarantee on the Red Sea

Thanks to the sun guarantee, you can lie on the beach all day long in Makadi Bay and let yourself be pampered. Or you become active. From my own experience I know that the Red Sea is currently one of the best places in the world for snorkeling and diving. The sea has recovered well, the reefs and dive sites are intact. Optimal conditions to go on a journey of discovery.

Are you planning a trip to Makadi Bay or Egypt or have you already been there? Where do you find the most beautiful place in Egypt? Share your experiences in the comments.