Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

Ras Mohamed is the reason to book this trip. The sea around Egypt’s southern Sinai coast is wonderfully clear, and the boat gives you access to coral reefs and shallow water that are difficult to reach from shore. The guided snorkeling and the stop at White Island are the strongest parts. I also like the generous onboard lunch, which makes the $31 starting price feel unusually fair. The main catch is that the marina entrance fee may cost an extra $5, and pickup can begin well before departure.

You get two water stops, time to swim, and the option to add one or two introductory scuba sessions. Guides such as Mido, Omar, Ali, and Islam have been singled out for patient support, especially with first-time swimmers and divers. Still, this is a full boat day, not a quiet private outing, and White Island depends on tide conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• White Island depends on the tide: The sandbar visit is beautiful, but it is not guaranteed in every condition.
• Two snorkeling stops: You get separate chances to explore the reefs rather than one quick jump in the water.
• Introductory scuba is optional: Add one or two sessions if you want more time below the surface.
• Lunch is a real meal: Expect rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, soft drinks, and onboard seating.
• Pickup takes time: Shared hotel transport usually begins roughly one hour before the trip, and sometimes about 90 minutes before it.
• The marina fee may be extra: Budget $5 per person unless you prepay it as an add-on.

Why Ras Mohamed makes this boat trip worthwhile

Ras Mohamed National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea opens into a protected marine area. The attraction is not a monument or a market. It is the water itself: coral, fish, white sand, and wide views from the deck.

I like this trip because it gives you several ways to enjoy the park. You can stay on the boat and enjoy the sea air, swim in shallow water, snorkel with a guide, or add an introductory scuba session. That flexibility matters when a group has mixed comfort levels.

The water stops are the heart of the day. A professional snorkeling guide helps you get into the water and points out marine life, which is useful if you are new to snorkeling or want more than a quick look at the reef. The guides speak English, Russian, German, and Kazakh.

You should also keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular boat excursion with a shared transfer and a set route. You are buying access to a protected marine area, meals, equipment options, and staff support at a low price. You are not buying a private yacht charter.

From your hotel to Watanya Marina

If you choose the pickup option, a shared bus collects you from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. The stated pickup time is roughly one hour before departure, though some hotel locations may mean about 90 minutes. You should watch WhatsApp for the exact time, which is sent about 24 hours before the trip.

The transfer to the marina takes around 45 minutes. That sounds simple, but pickup routes can add waiting time, so do not plan a tight appointment immediately after the cruise. Bring your swimwear under your clothes if that makes changing easier, and keep sunscreen, a towel, and beachwear handy.

The meeting point is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina. On arrival, look for an operations team member, usually wearing a yellow shirt, and show your ticket. If you book without transport, you need to arrange your own way to the marina or contact customer service about a transfer.

The marina entrance fee is a detail worth catching early. It is $5 per person and may be paid on arrival or prepaid with an add-on. The national park entry fee is included, but the marina charge is separate unless selected in advance.

The cruise south toward the national park

Once aboard, the trip opens with a long cruise toward Ras Mohamed. The sailing portion is listed at about two and a half hours, followed by the water activities and the return trip. The full experience lasts about 390 minutes, or seven hours, not counting every possible hotel transfer delay.

This first stretch is useful time to settle in. You can take in views of Sharm El Sheikh from the water, feel the sea breeze, and find a comfortable place on deck before the swimming begins. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the boat moves less and avoid arriving on an empty stomach.

The boat itself is part of the experience. You will spend much of the day aboard, so the quality of the staff matters. The crew has been praised for being friendly, professional, and supportive in the water. Specific team members named by visitors include Mido, Omar, Ali, Islam, Mohammed, and Nada, though the exact crew can change.

Do not expect every moment to be action-packed. A boat day includes stretches of sitting, sailing, eating, and waiting for the group to gather. I consider that a fair trade for reaching the park by sea, but anyone seeking nonstop activity may find the pace relaxed.

First snorkeling stop in Ras Mohamed

The first main stop gives you about an hour and a half for snorkeling and marine-life viewing. This is where the trip earns its price. Instead of looking at the Red Sea from a hotel beach, you get into the protected waters of Ras Mohamed with a guide.

Your guide can help you with equipment, show you where to look, and offer reassurance if you are not a confident swimmer. Staff support has been especially useful for people trying snorkeling or scuba for the first time. One practical improvement would be to confirm life-jacket availability before entering the water if you are uncomfortable swimming.

Snorkeling gear is available as an add-on rather than automatically included in every option. Check your selected package carefully. You will need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear, but the equipment arrangement depends on what you book.

Conditions can change the quality of this stop. Clear water is one of the main reasons to visit, but visibility and sea movement are natural factors. The guide can make the most of the conditions, but no boat operator can promise that every fish or coral feature will look exactly the same on every day.

Optional introductory scuba sessions

The schedule allows around 35 minutes for scuba, if you choose that option. You can add one or two introductory sessions, making this a useful choice for someone who wants to try scuba without committing to a full certification course.

This is not a substitute for a proper scuba qualification. It is an introductory experience under professional supervision. The short session works well for a first taste, especially if you want to see more of the reef than you can from the surface.

I would choose this add-on if your main goal is trying scuba for the first time. If you already scuba regularly, the limited duration may feel brief. Snorkeling is likely the better value for a family or group that wants a simple, low-pressure water activity.

The staff’s supportive approach is important here. Ali received special thanks for helping create a memorable first scuba experience for a child, and Mido and Omar were also praised for their assistance. Those names give you useful points of contact, but remember that staff assignments vary.

White Island and its shallow water

White Island is the most distinctive stop on the route. It is a white sand area surrounded by shallow Red Sea water, making it a natural place for photos, a swim, or a break from the boat. The trip allows about an hour here.

The color contrast is the appeal: pale sand, clear water, and open sea around you. You can snorkel in the surrounding shallows or simply relax and take pictures. It is also a good stop for people who prefer not to spend every minute looking below the surface.

There is one important condition. White Island is subject to tide levels, so the stop may change or be skipped if conditions do not allow it. Do not treat it as a guaranteed beach landing. If it is available, bring a waterproof phone case or use a secure dry bag, since the prettiest views are often right at the water’s edge.

White Island can also be busy when several boats arrive. That is part of the trade-off for visiting a well-known stop. The park’s water remains the main event, while the island is a scenic pause and photo opportunity.

The second swim stop

After White Island, you get another snorkeling period of about an hour. This second stop is valuable because your first attempt may involve adjusting your mask, getting comfortable with fins, or learning how to breathe calmly through a snorkel.

I like having the second chance. If the first water stop feels rushed or you spend time helping a child, you are not finished for the day. You can try again with a better fit, follow the guide more confidently, or stay near the boat and swim at your own pace.

Families and mixed groups benefit most from this arrangement. One person can snorkel while another stays aboard, then everyone can regroup for the later stop. Keep in mind that the activity remains tied to the group schedule, so you cannot extend a stop simply because you have found an interesting patch of reef.

Lunch with a Red Sea view

Lunch is served onboard after the water activities, with rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks. This is a practical spread rather than a luxury meal, but it covers the basics well after a morning in the sea.

The food has been one of the strongest parts of the experience. Several people specifically praised the chef, the taste, and the overall meal. Lotti, who identified as a chef, gave the food particular approval, which is a useful sign for anyone who cares about more than simple buffet fare.

You can eat while taking in the Red Sea views and drying off on deck. The meal also gives you a proper pause between activities. Bring any special dietary needs to the operator’s attention before departure, since the supplied information does not promise a separate menu.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is worth knowing before you pack, especially on a long boat outing where the rules are enforced throughout the day.

What the $31 price really covers

At $31 per person, this is strong value if your hotel is in Sharm El Sheikh and you want a full day on the water. The price includes the boat cruise, national park entry, lunch, soft drinks, the White Island visit when tides permit, and the guided activity structure.

The cost becomes less simple once you add extras. Snorkeling gear may require an add-on, introductory scuba costs more, and the mandatory marina fee is $5 per person unless prepaid. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the relevant option, so check the package before paying.

Even with those additions, the package can compare well with separate transport, a boat trip, park entry, and lunch arranged independently. The best value comes for first-time visitors who want to combine sightseeing, swimming, and food in one day.

It is less attractive if you already have easy access to a good hotel reef and do not care about White Island or a boat ride. In that case, the long transfer and sailing time may not justify the cost.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this outing to first-time visitors to Sharm El Sheikh, families with older children, couples wanting a full day at sea, and anyone curious about snorkeling or introductory scuba. The flexible water activities make it easier for a mixed group to enjoy the same trip.

It also suits people who want staff support. Guides such as Mido, Islam, Omar, and Ali have been praised for helping people in the water and keeping the mood friendly. That can make a real difference if you feel unsure about equipment or swimming offshore.

You may want another option if you dislike shared transport, get seasick easily, or want a quiet private day. The pickup can be early, the sailing is long, and the schedule depends on the group and sea conditions.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied details do not explain how transfers into the water are handled. If you use a wheelchair and plan to snorkel, contact the operator before booking to confirm the practical arrangements.

Practical packing advice

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible for White Island, though it is not listed as required equipment.

Use strong sun protection and reapply it after swimming. The boat offers plenty of open-air time, and the Red Sea sun can feel mild when the breeze is moving across the deck.

Keep your ticket and booking details easy to reach at the marina. If you arrange your own transport, go to Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina and find the operations team, usually identifiable by a yellow shirt.

Should you book this Ras Mohamed cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced introduction to Ras Mohamed with two water stops, a scenic White Island visit when tides allow, and a solid lunch included. The strongest reasons are the access to protected reef areas, the helpful water guides, and the chance to add introductory scuba without booking a separate experience.

Read the package details carefully before you pay. Confirm hotel pickup, equipment, scuba supplements, and the $5 marina fee. I would also keep the day flexible after the cruise because the shared transfer may take longer than the advertised travel time.

For $31 before selected extras, this is a very good Sharm El Sheikh day trip for people who want a broad taste of the Red Sea. It delivers the most when you treat White Island as a welcome bonus and the snorkeling as the real purpose of the day.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohamed cruise last?

The activity lasts about 390 minutes, or seven hours. Hotel pickup and the journey to and from the marina can add extra time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select the appropriate transfer option. Pickup usually takes place roughly one hour before the trip, though some locations may be about 90 minutes early.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only when selected as an add-on. Check the option you book before departure.

Is the White Island visit guaranteed?

No. The White Island stop depends on tide conditions. When conditions allow, you can visit the sand area, swim in the shallow water, and take photos.

What food is served onboard?

Lunch includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks.

Is introductory scuba available?

Yes. You can upgrade the trip with one or two introductory scuba sessions. The scuba portion is scheduled for about 35 minutes.