One trip, two ways to see the Red Sea. From a glass-walled observation deck to a quick 20-minute snorkel, this Royal Seascope outing is built for maximum underwater views in a short window. I especially like the convenience of starting from the Xanadu hotel marina and the fact that you don’t need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the best scenery. The main thing to consider is the time: the snorkel window is brief, and you might spend more waiting around at the pier than you expect.

If you’re after coral-and-fish time without the hassle of a full-day boat trip, this is a practical option. It’s also a good fit if you want a low-stress way to “preview” the reef before you get in the water.

One possible drawback is that claustrophobia can be an issue, since you’re seated in an observation area 3 meters below sea level.

Key things to know before you go

• 3-meter-deep underwater deck: You’re not standing on a boat edge; you’re seated underwater for panoramic views
• Snorkel time is 20 minutes: Great for a taste, not enough for a long swim session
• Cruise to a nearby reef near Xanadu Hotel: The ride is short, so more of your time is underwater
• It’s a group experience: Expect a group snorkeling stop, which can feel crowded
• No touching marine life: You’ll be watching up close, not interacting
• English/German/Polish/Russian support: The crew can guide in multiple languages

Getting Oriented: Xanadu Marina, Then Straight Underwater

What makes this outing easy is where it starts. The Royal Seascope submarine is at the Xanadu Hotel Marina area in Makadi Bay, and it’s accessible via the beach from Makadi hotels. If you’re staying in Makadi Bay, that removes a lot of logistics stress.

From there, your day usually follows a simple rhythm: a shared bus transfer (about 25 minutes) for pickup options, then you’re at the water, ready to go. The boat portion itself is designed to be efficient—there’s a short cruise out to the reef area, and then the underwater experience takes over.

I’d also plan mentally for an uneven departure timeline at the pier. At least one booking experience noted a long wait before the ship left, so if you like tight schedules, build in buffer time.

The Semi-Submarine Experience: Seated Glass Views in 3 Meters of Water

The headline here is the underwater observation deck—an air-conditioned, glass-walled setup around 3 meters below sea level. You step into the most comfortable “seat in the house” for seeing what’s happening below you.

What you get is a large-window view of reef life: colorful corals and the fish that hover and flash around them. Because the windows are panoramic, you can scan around without doing anything athletic. That’s the value for lots of people—especially kids, older travelers, or anyone who wants the Red Sea experience without the effort of swimming first.

It also helps that the observation time is long enough to actually settle in. You’re down for about 45 minutes, and that’s where the “wow” moment usually lands: you get to watch fish move in and out of coral shadows and bright patches.

Quick realism check: even with glass views, you’re still at a reef, so visibility can vary with water conditions. But in general, the setup is made for clear viewing and easy watching from your seat.

The Reef Ride: A Short Cruise to One of the Best Nearby Corals

Before the observation time, you head out to the reef area. The cruise to the coral site is about 15 minutes. Later, there’s also a short sailing segment as you return to the marina.

Why that matters: a short transfer keeps the day compact. You’re not burning half your time on open water. Instead, the schedule is built around time in the underwater deck and then a short snorkeling stop.

The reef you visit is described as one of the best near the Xanadu Hotel area in Makadi Bay. In practice, that’s a huge advantage if you want to maximize sightseeing during a 2-hour activity.

Also, you’ll want to keep your expectations realistic about dolphin watching. The activity info includes dolphin viewing as part of what you might see during the outing, but it’s not something you should plan your day around.

The Snorkeling Stop: 20 Minutes of Real Reef Time

After your underwater deck session, you hop into the water for snorkeling. The snorkeling stop is 20 minutes—long enough to get your first good look at fish close-up, but short enough that you’ll likely want to make the most of it quickly.

This is where your body matters. You’ll be in a group and likely following a guide’s rhythm. The water time can feel rushed if you linger or keep stopping to adjust gear.

A good mindset: treat it like a controlled “reef sampler.” Focus on moving calmly, looking at fish and coral as they come into view, and then enjoy the final minute before you head back.

One important rule: touching marine life is not allowed. I’m glad it’s stated clearly, because it keeps the reef safer and also keeps your attention where it belongs—on watching.

Group Dynamics: How to Make the Swim Smoother

This tour is fun, but it’s also group-paced. Some experiences described snorkeling in a large group, and that can change the vibe fast—especially if you’re hoping for a slow, wide-ranging swim.

A practical way to improve your odds of a good time:

• Arrive with your gear ready and don’t count on time to troubleshoot anything on the spot.
• Once in the water, keep your eyes scanning, not focusing on one spot for too long.
• Swim calmly and keep your breathing steady. In a group setting, slow and steady tends to work better than frantic repositioning.

There’s also the human element. At least one booking experience mentioned a guide who used a repetitive call while people were snorkeling farther away. You can’t control personalities, but you can control your response: tune it out and focus on your own swim line. If you’re sensitive to loud instruction, keep that in mind.

The Full 2-Hour Timeline, Without the Fluff

Here’s how the timing typically feels from start to finish:

1) Pickup and transfer: depending on your option, there’s shared bus transportation (about 25 minutes).

2) Boat cruise: you head out for around 25 minutes of cruise time overall in the activity flow. (That includes movement and setup rather than constant “underwater watching.”)

3) Main underwater window: you spend about 45 minutes seated in the air-conditioned glass observation deck.

4) Snorkeling session: a 20-minute stop in the water.

5) Return: the sailing back to the marina is short (about 10 minutes).

In other words: you’re not getting a long snorkel adventure, but you are getting a solid “two-format” experience—watching reef life from the deck and then getting a brief taste while you’re in the water.

What’s Included (and What You’ll Need to Budget For)

Let’s talk value in plain terms. The ticket price is listed as $19 per person, and it typically includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Makadi hotels only
• Air-conditioned vehicle transport
• Entry fees and national park fees
• Cruise
• Snorkeling stop

Not included is food and drinks. That’s important because many people underestimate how quickly you’ll want water, especially if the sun is strong after you’ve been in and out of shade.

Also, you’ll want to bring:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen

No-touch rules apply for marine life. If you know you’re sensitive to sun, consider sunscreen that won’t irritate when it washes into the water.

Price and Value: Is $19 a Smart Deal?

For $19, what you’re really paying for is convenience plus structure. This is not just “a boat ticket.” You’re buying:

• a round-trip experience (pickup where available, cruise, observation time)
• admission and park fees
• a guaranteed snorkeling slot (even though it’s short)

If your goal is to see coral without committing to a longer full-day excursion, the value is strong. The cost makes sense if you treat snorkeling as a quick experience and lean on the underwater deck for the majority of your viewing.

Where the value is weaker is if you’re hoping for extended time in the water, private guide attention, or a slow guided tour focused on depth and identification. That’s not what this format is built for.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great choice if you want:

• an easy intro to the Red Sea reef experience
• lots of viewing from an underwater deck
• a simple 2-hour activity while you’re in Makadi Bay

It can also work well if swimming isn’t your favorite, because you still get a long underwater window. And the observation deck is air-conditioned, which helps if you’re traveling during warmer months.

Who should reconsider:

• If you have claustrophobia, this is not suitable. Being 3 meters below sea level in a glass-walled observation area can feel tight even if it’s comfortable.
• If you want a long snorkel session or lots of personal instruction, the 20-minute water stop may feel too short.

Language, Crew, and Comfort Details That Actually Matter

The experience lists instruction available in English, German, Polish, and Russian. That’s more than a nice-to-have if you want clear directions during the snorkeling portion.

The observation deck is described as air-conditioned, which matters for comfort and focus—when you’re cooler, you look longer. There’s also wheelchair accessibility mentioned for the activity.

One small but useful operational detail: tickets can be used to skip the ticket line, which helps if lines form at the marina.

If you choose pickup, you’ll get details by WhatsApp after booking. That’s worth planning around because it affects when you’ll actually be ready to leave from your hotel.

Should You Book the Royal Seascope Submarine Cruise?

I’d book it if you want a quick, organized Red Sea experience from Makadi Bay and you like the idea of spending most of your time watching from the underwater deck. For the price, it’s hard to beat the combo of glass-walled views plus a real snorkeling stop in a short timeframe.

I’d think twice if you need a long snorkeling session, hate group pacing, or are sensitive to being in an enclosed underwater-feeling space. Also, mentally prepare for the possibility of pier waiting time before departure.

If your travel style is practical and you want coral-and-fish time without turning it into a whole day, this fits the bill.

FAQ

How long is the Royal Seascope submarine cruise and snorkeling stop?

The total experience duration is listed as 2 hours.

Where does the tour start in Makadi Bay?

The submarine is located at the Xanadu Hotel Marina, accessible via the beach from Makadi hotels.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Makadi hotels only. Pickup is optional, and you’ll receive pickup timing details by WhatsApp after booking.

How long do I go snorkeling?

The snorkeling stop is 20 minutes.

How deep is the underwater observation deck?

The observation deck is 3 meters below sea level.

Is touching marine life allowed?

No. Touching marine life is not allowed.

What should I bring for the snorkeling part?

Bring swimwear and sunscreen.

What languages are available for instruction?

Instruction is available in English, German, Polish, and Russian.