Sahl Hasheesh & Makadi Bay Travel Guide: What to See & How to Plan

Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay are two planned resort areas on the Red Sea coast south of Hurghada, built for calm beach vacations rather than city life. Choose Sahl Hasheesh for its seafront promenade and upscale hotels, and Makadi Bay for family-friendly all-inclusive resorts and easy house-reef snorkeling. Both make good bases for boat trips and a day in Luxor.

If you picture a Red Sea vacation as clear water, a sandy beach and a hotel you barely need to leave, these two bays are designed for exactly that. Unlike Hurghada itself, which has a town center, marinas and busy streets, Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay are resort zones: hotels lined along the shore, with the desert and mountains behind. They are quiet, relatively compact, and close to Hurghada International Airport.

This guide compares the two areas, explains what there is to do, and helps you plan your days and excursions so that the stay feels restful rather than rushed.

Where they are and how to get there

Both bays lie south of Hurghada on the main coast road toward Safaga. Sahl Hasheesh is the closer of the two, and Makadi Bay lies a little farther south. Transfers from Hurghada International Airport usually take somewhere between about 20 and 45 minutes, depending on your hotel.

Most visitors arrive on direct or connecting flights into Hurghada, or combine the coast with Cairo and Luxor. Hotels generally arrange airport transfers, and many excursions include pickup from your resort. Because the resorts are spread along the coast, walking between them is not practical, so taxis or hotel shuttles are the usual way to get around.

Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay: how they compare

Who should choose which

• Choose Sahl Hasheesh if you want a smart, polished setting, the chance to walk along a promenade in the evening and a choice of restaurants beyond your hotel.
• Choose Makadi Bay if you are a family looking for an all-inclusive resort with pools, kids' facilities and snorkeling from the beach, and you are happy to spend most of your time inside the resort.
• For either, choose the specific hotel first. Beach quality, reef access, meal plans and facilities vary much more between hotels than between the two areas.

Things to do in Sahl Hasheesh

The promenade and Old Town

Sahl Hasheesh's seafront promenade is its signature. It is a pleasant place for a walk at sunset, with views across the bay. The so-called Old Town area, built in a traditional style, has cafés, restaurants, and shops, and it adds a little life beyond the hotels.

Beaches and snorkeling

The bay has long sandy beaches, and some hotels have jetties that take you over shallow water to deeper snorkeling areas. A popular snorkeling site nearby is known as the Sunken City, the submerged remains of an unfinished building project rather than an ancient ruin, now partly colonized by marine life. Snorkeling there is usually done by boat or with a guide.

Things to do in Makadi Bay

Resort life

Makadi Bay is very much a resort destination. Its hotels tend to offer multiple pools, kids' clubs, entertainment programs, and all-inclusive dining, so many guests rarely leave. Some resorts have water parks or slides on site or nearby.

House reefs

Several Makadi Bay hotels have coral reefs within reach of the beach or a jetty, which is one of the area's great advantages. You can snorkel straight from the shore and see reef fish, corals and, with luck, larger species. Check before booking whether your hotel has a house reef and how it is accessed.

Excursions from both bays

Both areas use the same range of excursions as Hurghada.

Boat trips and island days

Boat trips to Giftun Island and other reefs offer snorkeling at several sites, often with lunch on board and time on a beach. Glass-bottom boats and semi-submarines suit non-swimmers and young children who want to see the reef without getting in the water.

Diving

The Red Sea is a popular diving region, and both bays have dive centers offering introductory dives, courses and boat dives for certified divers. Choose a center with qualified instructors, well-maintained equipment, and a clear safety briefing.

Desert outings

Jeep, quad bike and camel excursions into the desert behind the coast are widely offered, often with a visit to a Bedouin-style camp. Choose licensed operators and confirm safety equipment.

A day in Luxor

Luxor is reachable by road for a long day trip, usually a drive of around four hours each way. It lets you see the Valley of the Kings and Karnak during a beach vacation, but it is a demanding day. An overnight stay in Luxor, or a short Nile cruise, gives you far more time.

How to plan your days

A good Red Sea vacation alternates active days and lazy ones. A good rhythm for a week might be:

• Two or three beach and pool days with snorkeling on the house reef.
• One boat trip for island snorkeling or diving.
• One desert or cultural outing, such as a jeep safari or a visit to Hurghada's marina in the evening.
• One long excursion to Luxor, or a two-day trip if you want to see more.

Avoid booking excursions on your first and last days, which are often affected by flight times.

What to check before booking marine activities

Before you pay for a boat trip or dive, ask:

• Who is the operator, and is it licensed?
• Which reefs or islands will you visit, and are marine park rules in place?
• What swimming or diving experience is needed?
• Are life jackets, snorkels and fins included and in good condition?
• What happens if the sea is too rough?

Protect the reef while you snorkel: do not stand on or touch coral, do not feed fish, and use reef-friendly sun protection where possible.

When to visit

The Red Sea coast is a year-round destination. Spring and fall offer warm days and comfortable sea temperatures. Summer is very hot on land, but the sea is at its warmest. In winter, days are usually mild and sunny, but evenings can be cool and the wind can make the beach feel fresh, so pack a light jacket. European school holidays and major Egyptian holidays are the busiest periods.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay better?

It depends on your style of vacation. Sahl Hasheesh suits travelers who want an upscale setting and a promenade for evening walks, while Makadi Bay suits families who want all-inclusive resorts with easy snorkeling. The specific hotel matters more than the area, so compare beaches, reefs and facilities.

How far are Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay from Hurghada?

Both are south of Hurghada, with Sahl Hasheesh closer and Makadi Bay a little farther. Transfers from Hurghada International Airport typically take around 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the hotel. Hurghada's town and marina are a short taxi ride away.

Can you snorkel from the beach?

In many Makadi Bay hotels and some Sahl Hasheesh hotels, yes, thanks to house reefs reached from the beach or a jetty. Not every hotel has one, so check before booking. Boat trips reach additional reefs for more varied snorkeling.

Are these resorts good for families?

Yes. Both areas have many family-friendly resorts with pools, kids' clubs and gently sloping beaches, especially in Makadi Bay. Ask about sheltered swimming areas and lifeguards. Glass-bottom boat trips are a good way to show young children the reef.

Can you visit Luxor from Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay?

Yes. A day trip by road is common, with a drive of around four hours each way. It is a long but rewarding day. An overnight stay or a short Nile cruise lets you see Luxor at a more comfortable pace.

When is the best time to visit the Red Sea resorts?

Spring and fall are comfortable, with warm days and pleasant sea temperatures. Summer is very hot on land but good for swimming, while winter is mild and sunny with cooler evenings and sometimes windy beaches. Book early for school holidays and major Egyptian holidays, when resorts fill quickly.

Plan it with Nourbelle

We can pair a Red Sea stay in Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay with Cairo, Luxor, or a Nile cruise. Explore our Hurghada guide and Nile cruises, or tell us about your trip.