Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

Ras Mohamed is where this trip earns its place on a Sharm El Sheikh itinerary. You spend much of the day on the Red Sea, with two snorkeling stops, a visit to the pale sands of White Island, and time to watch coral and fish below the surface. I like the mix of water time and easy boat travel, and I like that you can add introductory scuba sessions without booking a separate excursion.

The strongest points are the kind guides, especially Mido, Omar, Islam, and Ali, and the generous lunch of chicken, fish, rice, pasta, and salads. The one thing to weigh is the long day and the extra marina fee of 5 euros per person if it is not prepaid. Pickup can also begin roughly 60 to 90 minutes before departure, depending on your hotel.

Key points to know before booking

• White Island depends on the tide: The shallow water and bright sand make this a fine photo stop, but access is not guaranteed in every tide condition.
• Two water stops give you real snorkeling time: You are not simply taking a short swim beside the boat and heading home.
• The $31 starting price is strong value: It covers the cruise, national park entry, lunch, and soft drinks, though gear, marina fees, transfers, and scuba upgrades may cost extra.
• Named guides receive warm praise: Mido, Omar, Islam, and Ali are singled out for friendly help and patient support in the water.
• The trip lasts about seven hours: Add the shared hotel transfer and you will spend most of a day on this outing.
• Bring your own basics: Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and beachwear are listed as essentials.

Why Ras Mohamed makes a good boat day

Ras Mohamed National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea offers clear water, coral reef, and open coastal views. From Sharm El Sheikh, a boat is the practical way to combine several water stops in one outing.

I like this format because it avoids the stop-start feel of a land tour. Once you leave the marina, your day is built around the sea. You can sit on deck, watch the coast, eat lunch, and enter the water when the crew calls your group.

The scenery changes subtly as you go. The marina gives way to open Red Sea views, then to the protected waters around Ras Mohamed. White Island adds a second setting, with shallow water and pale sand that look quite different from the reef stops.

This is not a quiet private charter. It is a shared boat excursion, and you should expect other people around you during meals and water activities. That is part of why the price stays low. For a first look at Ras Mohamed, the tradeoff is sensible.

From your Sharm hotel to Watanya Marina

The optional shared bus pickup takes place roughly one to one and a half hours before the boat departure. Your exact time is sent by WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip, and the timing depends on your hotel location.

That early pickup matters. The advertised activity lasts 390 minutes, or about seven hours, but hotel transfers add more time to your day. Keep breakfast light if you are prone to motion sickness, and leave yourself enough time to gather swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

If you arrange your own transport, the meeting point is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. Look for the operations team, usually wearing yellow shirts, and show your ticket.

There is a mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person. You can pay it upon arrival or prepay it through the available add-ons. Check this carefully when booking, since the attractive $31 headline price may not include every optional cost.

The boat ride south to Ras Mohamed

The outward sailing is listed at about two and a half hours, although the overall schedule includes several parts of the cruise. This is a useful stretch of time to settle in, claim a comfortable place, and enjoy the sea air before getting wet.

The trip is as much about being on the Red Sea as it is about snorkeling. You get wide views of the coast and plenty of open water around the boat. If you prefer shade, find it early. If you want sun and views, the upper deck may suit you, though conditions can be bright and breezy.

The crew speaks English, Russian, German, and Kazakh. That gives the safety and activity briefings a useful range, particularly on a boat where people may be entering the water at different comfort levels.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, but the water activities themselves require you to follow the crew’s instructions and use the boat’s access arrangements. If mobility is a major concern, contact customer service before booking so you can confirm the practical details for your needs.

Snorkeling over the Ras Mohamed reef

The first main water stop gives you about an hour and a half for snorkeling and marine life viewing. A professional snorkeling guide leads the activity, helping you make better use of the time rather than simply jumping in and swimming without direction.

The appeal here is the water itself. Clear visibility lets you look beneath the surface for coral and fish, while the protected park setting gives the stop a stronger sense of place than an ordinary beach swim. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop, but you should be comfortable in open water.

Snorkeling gear is available if selected as an add-on. If you already own a mask and snorkel that fit well, bringing them may make the experience more comfortable. If not, renting equipment is a straightforward way to avoid carrying extra gear through Egypt.

A small practical point is worth noting: one person suggested that life jackets would help people who are uneasy in the water. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about flotation support before entering. The guides are described as supportive, and Mido and Islam receive particular praise for helping people during snorkeling.

Do not expect every person on the boat to see exactly the same marine life. Visibility and conditions can change, and the experience depends on where the boat stops that day. The reliable part is the chance to spend meaningful time in the water at Ras Mohamed.

Optional introductory scuba sessions

The trip can be upgraded with one or two introductory scuba sessions. The schedule allows about 35 minutes for the scuba activity, making this a first taste rather than a full certification course.

That option suits you if snorkeling leaves you wanting a closer look at the reef. It also works for families or couples where one person wants a first scuba experience while others prefer to snorkel.

You should treat the upgrade as an introduction, not as a substitute for formal training. The activity is guided, and support in the water is a central part of the experience. Ali is specifically praised for making a child’s first Red Sea scuba experience memorable.

Because scuba is an add-on, check the final price before paying. The base fare covers the cruise and core activities, while equipment and upgraded water activities can alter the total.

White Island and its shallow blue water

White Island is scheduled for about an hour. The stop is known for soft pale sand, shallow water, and bright Red Sea views. It is an easy place to take photos, dry off, or simply enjoy a change from the deeper reef water.

The visit depends on tide conditions. This is the main caveat. Do not book the trip solely for the promise of standing on White Island, since the stop may be adjusted when the tide does not allow access.

When conditions cooperate, this is likely to be the most visually distinctive part of the day. The shallow water makes it less demanding than the reef stop, and the bright sand gives your photographs a clean, tropical look without needing much effort.

Keep expectations sensible. White Island is a short natural stop, not a developed beach destination. The appeal is the setting and the contrast with the boat, not shops, facilities, or a long independent beach visit.

A second snorkeling stop in the national park

After White Island, the boat returns to Ras Mohamed for another snorkeling period of about an hour. I like this second stop because it gives you another chance to get comfortable in the water.

The first swim can feel busy or slightly awkward as you adjust to the equipment and boat routine. By the second stop, you know how the gear fits, how the guide organizes the group, and how much time you want to spend swimming versus floating.

You can also use the second stop to take a different approach. Look more closely at the reef rather than trying to cover a large area. Stay near the guide, follow instructions, and keep your attention on the water instead of trying to race around the group.

The schedule gives this trip a good balance. You get a substantial first snorkeling period, an island visit, and another swim before heading back. That is why the excursion feels fuller than a basic boat ride with one quick stop.

Lunch with a Red Sea view

Lunch is served onboard as an open buffet. The meal includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, with soft drinks available.

This is practical food for a day on the water. You have familiar choices, something filling after swimming, and enough variety for people with different tastes. Several comments single out the food as tasty or good, and the chef receives particular praise.

Do not expect a fine-dining meal. This is a boat buffet served to a group, and the value comes from convenience and quantity rather than elaborate presentation. You avoid losing time looking for food ashore, and you can eat while taking in the views.

If you are sensitive to motion, eat when the boat is steady and take smaller portions first. The sea breeze and sun can make you feel hungrier than usual, but they can also make a large meal uncomfortable if the water is moving.

Staff support and the feel of the day

The human side of this trip is one of its strongest features. Mido, Omar, Islam, and Ali are named for friendly service or support, and the crew is repeatedly described as professional, kind, and attentive.

That matters most when you are getting into the water. A good guide can make the difference between a nervous first snorkel and a relaxed one. The guidance also helps keep the group organized, which is important when several people are sharing a boat and water stops.

The experience is not completely free of variables. Boat names and staff assignments can differ, and the day depends on weather, tide, and sea conditions. The itinerary gives a clear plan, but the exact order or length of stops may shift for safety and practical reasons.

The crew speaks several languages, but you should still ask questions if you are unsure about equipment, flotation, or where to swim. Clear communication is more valuable than trying to keep up with the group.

Is $31 good value?

At $31 per person, this is a strong value for a seven-hour marine excursion. The base package includes the boat cruise, national park entry, White Island when tide conditions permit, buffet lunch, and soft drinks.

The price becomes less simple once you add costs. The 5 euro marina fee is mandatory unless prepaid, while hotel transfers, snorkeling equipment, and introductory scuba sessions depend on the option or add-on you choose.

Even with that warning, the core offering covers a lot: transport by boat, several water stops, food, and access to one of the best-known marine areas near Sharm El Sheikh. A private boat would cost far more, while a cheaper short trip would give you less time at sea and fewer stops.

The best value comes when you plan to use the whole day. If you only want a quick swim, this excursion may feel too long. If you want snorkeling, photos, lunch, and open-water scenery in one booking, the price is hard to argue with.

Who should book this Ras Mohamed cruise?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to Sharm El Sheikh who want a straightforward introduction to the Red Sea. It also suits families, couples, and mixed groups where some people want snorkeling and others prefer sitting on the boat.

It is especially useful for you if you want the option of trying scuba without committing to a full course. The guided format gives beginners structure, while experienced snorkelers can spend more time exploring the reef.

You may want a different plan if you dislike shared excursions, need a private schedule, or want guaranteed access to White Island. You should also think twice if a seven-hour boat day, plus hotel pickup, sounds tiring.

Pack lightly and bring the basics listed for the trip. Sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and beachwear will make the day easier. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full Red Sea day at a low starting price, with two snorkeling stops, lunch, and the option of introductory scuba. The guides and water support add real value, especially for first-time snorkelers.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a guaranteed White Island visit, or a short outing. For most people staying in Sharm El Sheikh, though, the combination of Ras Mohamed, clear water, a sandy island stop, and a filling lunch makes this one of the more practical ways to see the coast.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohamed cruise last?

The activity lasts about 390 minutes, or seven hours. Optional hotel pickup and drop-off add extra time, with pickup generally taking place roughly 60 to 90 minutes before departure.

What is included in the tour price?

The package includes the boat cruise, national park entry, a visit to White Island when tide conditions allow, an open buffet lunch, and soft drinks. Other items may depend on the selected option or add-ons.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select the relevant option. Shared pickup times depend on your hotel and are confirmed through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. On arrival, go to the operations team, usually wearing yellow shirts, and show your ticket.

Is there an extra marina fee?

Yes. A mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person applies. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the available add-ons.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if selected through the available add-ons. You can also choose to rent equipment for the water activities.

Can I add scuba to the cruise?

Yes. You can upgrade the trip with one or two introductory scuba sessions. The planned scuba activity lasts about 35 minutes.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The White Island visit depends on tide conditions. When access is possible, you have about an hour to visit, swim in the shallow water, relax on the sand, and take photos.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the activity.