From Sharm: Ras Muhammed & White Island By Boat & intro Dive

Ras Muhammad is the star here: clear Red Sea water, coral gardens, schools of fish, and a short boat trip to White Island, a bright sandbar reached by swimming from the yacht. The introductory scuba session gives first-timers a careful taste of underwater life without needing a diving certificate.

I like the friendly, reassuring instructors, especially guides such as Abanoub, Emad, Arabi, Bishoy, and Mohamed, and I like the amount packed into the price: transport, yacht travel, food, drinks, equipment for the scuba session, and several water stops. The catch is the long day, with some departures returning around 7 pm, plus extra charges for longer scuba time and underwater photos.

Key points to know before booking

• A full-day Red Sea outing: Hotel pickup, port arrangements, yacht travel, water stops, lunch, and the return transfer can fill most of your day.
• One introductory scuba session included: Beginners generally receive about 10 to 15 minutes underwater with an instructor.
• Ras Muhammad and White Island: Expect coral, fish, snorkeling, and a short visit to the white sandbar.
• Extra costs are optional but easy to miss: Longer scuba sessions, additional sessions, and photo packages cost more.
• Bring your own towel and snorkel gear if preferred: Snorkeling equipment may need to be rented, with one reported rental price of 200 EGP per person.
• Strong organization and personal care: Staff regularly check on nervous swimmers and first-time scuba participants.

Why Ras Muhammad makes this boat day special

Ras Muhammad National Park is one of the best places near Sharm El Sheikh to see the Red Sea below the surface. The water is clear enough for you to spot coral and fish from the boat, although visibility and stop locations depend on wind, weather, and approval from the authorities.

This is not a quiet little harbor cruise. You may spend around an hour and a half traveling to the first site, then several hours moving between water stops, eating, and sitting on deck. That travel time is part of the day, so bring sun protection and something warm for the ride back. The wind can feel surprisingly cool when the yacht is moving.

The appeal is variety. You can snorkel with a guide, try a first scuba session, swim toward White Island, eat lunch on board, and relax between activities. If you want a quick two-hour outing, this is too long. If you want one packed sea day, the format works well.

The morning pickup from Sharm El Sheikh

Pickup is arranged the day before. The representative confirms your hotel collection time and asks for your room number, which helps avoid confusion when several people have similar names.

Look for the vehicle at the main entrance outside your hotel, not at the reception gate. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, and the exact time depends on your hotel’s location. Some participants leave their hotel around 7:30 am and return close to 7 pm, though the schedule can vary.

Take a copy of your passport on your phone. You may need it to board the yacht in the morning. It is a small detail, but forgetting it can create an avoidable problem at the port.

The air-conditioned transfer takes you to the marina, where the staff direct you to the correct yacht. The boat name is provided before departure. The yacht usually leaves between 9 and 9:30 am, depending on army approval, so do not expect the departure time to be exact.

What happens at the port and on the yacht

At the port, you collect or arrange your water equipment and prepare to board. The equipment information needs careful attention: the package includes diving gear and a professional snorkeling guide, but snorkeling equipment is also listed as not included. One practical interpretation is that snorkeling gear may require a separate rental.

A reported rental price is 200 EGP per person. If you already own a comfortable mask and snorkel, bring them. That avoids uncertainty and gives you equipment you know fits.

Once everyone is aboard, the guides explain the day. The staff speak English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic. The exact guide team changes, but names frequently associated with the trip include Abanoub, Emad, Bishoy, Ahmed Araby, Ziad, and Mohamed.

The crew normally plans two or three stops. The route changes with wind direction and sea conditions, so the order and length of each stop are not fixed. Follow the snorkeling guide in the water rather than swimming off alone. This matters most when the group is spread across a reef area or when currents affect the route.

The introductory scuba session for beginners

The included scuba session is aimed at people with no previous experience. After an explanation of the equipment and basic safety rules, an instructor assists you in the water. The standard session lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.

This short time is enough to understand how it feels to breathe underwater and to look closely at coral and fish. It is not a full certification course, and it should not be treated as one. You are taking part in a guided introductory experience, with an instructor managing the session and checking that you are comfortable.

The care given to nervous beginners is one of the strongest parts of this trip. Instructors such as Arabi and Mohamed are repeatedly praised for explaining the process clearly and staying close to first-time participants. If you are uneasy in open water, tell the staff before entering. The team can slow things down and help you settle.

You can usually pay for more time underwater, or for another scuba session at a later stop. Some participants choose a 20 or 30-minute option, while others pay for a second session. The extra time is optional, but the sales pitch can come while you are already excited about the first experience. Decide your budget before boarding.

Snorkeling above coral and fish

You do not need to scuba to enjoy the trip. The snorkeling stops give you a chance to see the reef from the surface, and the guides lead the group through the water.

The Red Sea is known for clear water and a wide range of fish, and the supplied feedback describes coral, colorful fish, and strong visibility at both main stops. Conditions are never guaranteed, though. Wind, sunlight, water movement, and the exact site chosen on the day all affect what you see.

The guide’s role is important here. Stay near the group, listen to the briefing, and do not assume that calm-looking water is free of current. You can snorkel between activities, but you may want a break after the first long stop. This is a physically active day, especially if you choose both snorkeling and scuba.

Bring high-factor sunscreen and reapply it often. Shade on a yacht may be limited, and the combination of sun, salt water, and wind can catch you off guard. A towel is not included, so pack one.

White Island and the boat lunch

White Island is usually the most scenic stop. It is a pale sandbar surrounded by shallow Red Sea water, and you normally reach it by swimming from the yacht. The visit may be brief, with one account describing about 20 minutes on the island.

That short stay is worth understanding before you book. White Island is a photo stop and a chance to stand in the water, not a place where you spend half the afternoon. The surrounding water and the view back toward the yacht are the main attraction.

Lunch is served on the boat, often around the White Island portion of the day. The buffet includes meat, salads, pasta, potatoes, rice, and other simple sides. Several people found it filling, while one useful criticism was that the choice is limited and not quite the barbecue feast some people expect.

Soft drinks and mineral water are available on board. The supply of drinks is a practical plus, particularly in the heat. You still need sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel, since those personal items are not provided.

Photos, videos, and the real cost of the day

At $43 per person, the package offers good value if you plan to use the main inclusions. Hotel transfers, yacht travel, several water stops, a buffet meal, drinks, a guide, and an introductory scuba session would cost more if arranged separately.

The headline price does not cover everything you might want. Underwater photographs and videos cost extra, and the photo package has been described as expensive, with one quoted price of about £45 for 15 to 20 photos and two videos. Prices can change, so ask before agreeing.

Longer scuba sessions and extra sessions also cost more. The staff are described as willing to explain the options without forcing them, but you should still ask for the price before entering the water. One party spent about $100 beyond the basic cost after choosing added services.

There is an upside to paying for photos if you want a record of your first underwater experience or the White Island swim. Just remember that you are paying for a separate product, not receiving an automatic part of the $43 package.

How tiring is the itinerary?

This is a long outing. The drive to the port, boarding, the yacht trip to the first site, multiple water sessions, lunch, and the return ride can add up to 10 or 12 hours from hotel to hotel.

The first stop may last close to two hours, followed by a shorter second site and White Island. The exact timing changes with the boat’s departure, sea conditions, and the number of people on board.

You will have periods to sit and rest, but this is not a passive cruise. Swimming, climbing in and out of the water, sitting in the sun, and riding over open water all take energy. Eat breakfast before pickup, drink water throughout the morning, and bring a light layer for the return boat ride.

The trip suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable in the water. It is especially useful for people who want to try scuba without committing to a course. It is less suitable if you dislike group activities, get seasick easily, or want a short, private charter.

The guides and safety atmosphere

The staff are a major part of the experience. Abanoub is frequently singled out for checking on people and keeping the day organized. Emad is noted for answering questions and guiding the group, while Arabi and Mohamed receive strong praise for helping first-time scuba participants relax.

You should still take responsibility for your own comfort. Tell the instructor if you feel anxious, tired, or unable to manage the equipment. Listen to the safety briefing, remain with the guide, and do not feel pressured to purchase a longer session.

The multilingual setup helps, although a large yacht group can never feel as personal as a private instructor. If you want one-to-one attention, ask how the scuba groups are arranged before entering the water. Some participants describe being paired closely with an instructor, which is reassuring for beginners, but the exact arrangement may vary.

Booking details that matter

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sharm schedule is still changing. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Confirm the pickup time the day before. Give the representative your room number, wait outside the main hotel gate, and keep a passport copy on your phone.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Strong sunscreen
• A phone or camera in a waterproof case
• A light layer for the boat ride
• Your own mask and snorkel if you prefer not to rent

Do not assume that every item used in the water is included. Ask about snorkeling equipment, photo prices, and extra scuba time before the boat leaves.

Should you book this Ras Muhammad trip?

I would book it if you want a full, active Red Sea day at a modest starting price and you are happy sharing a yacht with other people. The strongest reasons are the range of activities, the helpful scuba instructors, the coral and fish around Ras Muhammad, and the unusual White Island stop.

I would skip it if you want a quiet private boat, a short outing, or a fixed schedule. The ride can be long, the island visit can be brief, and the basic price does not include photos, videos, or every possible water session.

For a first scuba experience, this is a sensible way to try it, provided you understand that the included session is short. Set a budget for optional extras, bring your own towel, confirm your pickup, and you can enjoy one of Sharm El Sheikh’s most activity-packed days on the water.

FAQ

Where does this tour take place?

The trip begins in Sharm El Sheikh and visits Ras Muhammad National Park and White Island in the Red Sea.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $43 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, using an air-conditioned vehicle.

Where should I wait for pickup?

Wait outside the main gate of your hotel, not at the reception gate. The exact time depends on your hotel location, and a delay of up to 10 minutes may occur.

What time does the yacht leave?

The yacht generally leaves between 9 and 9:30 am, depending on army approval.

How many water stops are included?

The trip includes three swim stops, with one introductory scuba session included in the program. Weather and wind direction may change the exact route.

How long is the introductory scuba session?

Beginners generally receive a 10 to 15-minute scuba session with assistance from an instructor.

Can I pay for more scuba time?

Yes. Longer sessions and additional scuba sessions may be available for an extra charge.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The information lists a professional snorkeling guide but excludes snorkeling equipment. A separate rental may be required, and one reported rental price is 200 EGP per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served on the yacht, and soft drinks and mineral water are available.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Underwater photographs and videos are available for an additional charge.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport copy on your phone. A light layer for the boat ride and your own snorkeling equipment may also be useful.