Sharm El-Sheikh: Ras Mohamed & White Island Snorkeling Trip

The best part of this day is the contrast between Ras Mohammed’s coral reefs and the bright sand of White Island. You spend hours on the Red Sea, with two snorkeling stops, a boat lunch, and time to swim or simply stretch out on deck. I like the easy hotel pickup and the patient water staff, especially for first-time snorkelers and introductory scuba participants.

I also like the price. At about $25 per person, the package includes transport, the boat, lunch, drinks, equipment if selected, and national park access in the applicable option. The catch is the long day. You may leave around 7:30 or 7:50 in the morning and return near 6:30 in the evening, with up to eight hours at sea. Wind, crowds, and motion sickness can affect the experience.

Key points at a glance

• White Island is a sandbar, not a developed island: You swim a short distance from the boat to reach its gleaming shore.
• Two reef stops give you time in the water: Snorkeling takes place at Ras Mohammed, with staff support and life jackets available.
• Introductory scuba is an optional extra: Instructors including Mustafa and Ahmed have helped nervous first-timers feel safe.
• Lunch is served on deck: Expect chicken, rice, pasta, salads, hot and cold drinks, and mineral water.
• The day is long but well-priced: Hotel transfers and a full boat program make the $25 starting price strong value.
• Bring motion-sickness medicine if needed: The boat can be comfortable, but the sea time is substantial.

From your Sharm hotel to the Red Sea marina

Your day begins outside your hotel, not in the lobby. Pickup time depends on where you are staying, and the exact time is sent by email the day before. Allow for a delay of up to 10 minutes, though the wider schedule can vary with hotel location and road conditions.

The transfer uses an air-conditioned vehicle. Some departures have been praised for being comfortable and well organized, while one experience included an older, crowded, warm minibus. That difference matters, since the road transfer is the least predictable part of the day.

Bring a copy of your passport. You will also want sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. Wear something easy to move in, since you may go from vehicle to boat, then in and out of the water several times.

At the marina, you board the yacht and receive safety instructions. Life jackets are included, and the boat has two bathrooms and shower facilities. That is useful on a full day at sea, especially if you are traveling with children or prefer not to spend every spare minute waiting for shore facilities.

Sailing toward Ras Mohammed National Park

The trip south gives you time to settle into the boat. You can sit on the sundeck, watch the Red Sea coast, or find a shaded place if the sun becomes too strong. The journey itself is not a fast transfer. One useful point from the experience is that the boat may move at a relaxed pace, so do not book this expecting a quick speedboat ride.

The slower crossing is part of the rhythm. You have room to talk, take photographs, and enjoy the water before the first swim. It also explains why the trip takes most of the day. You may spend about eight hours at sea, with the full outing lasting around 11 hours including hotel transport.

The staff are an important part of the day. Names associated with this boat operation include Bishoy, Ahmed, Mustafa, Shazly, Taimour, Abanob, Mostafa, and Emad. Your actual guide will depend on the departure, but the crew’s duties are clear: explain the activities, assist with masks and fins, guide people in the water, and keep an eye on anyone who feels unsure.

Two snorkeling stops over Ras Mohammed’s reefs

The main reason to book this trip is the time in the water. You make two snorkeling stops around coral areas in Ras Mohammed National Park. The reefs can offer clear water, colorful fish, coral formations, and occasional larger marine life. One group even saw dolphins from the boat on the return journey, though that is a lucky extra rather than part of the promised program.

The first stop may be arranged with scuba participants entering before snorkelers. That can mean a little waiting, but it also gives the crew time to organize equipment and groups. Stay with your assigned guide and follow the instructions around the coral. The staff are there to help you manage the water, not simply point toward the reef and send you off alone.

The second stop usually allows more time in the water. Conditions can change during the day. One person stayed on the boat because the wind picked up and a family member felt queasy, even though the water itself seemed calm. You should feel free to skip a swim if you are uncomfortable. The deck, drinks, and shade are better choices than forcing yourself into rough water.

The quality of the reef can also vary. Several people described the coral and fish as excellent, while one person felt the reef near their hotel was better and found the stops fairly simple. That is a fair warning. Ras Mohammed is a strong snorkeling destination, but visibility, current, weather, the exact mooring point, and the number of boats all affect what you see.

This is not a private reef outing. Other boats may use the same area, and White Island can be crowded. Still, two separate snorkeling stops give you more than a quick look from the boat. If your priority is seeing coral and fish without paying for a private charter, the setup makes sense.

White Island and its short swim ashore

White Island is the visual highlight. It is a natural sandbar at the meeting point of the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, with shallow, clear water and a bright strip of sand. It is not a large island with facilities, cafés, or quiet corners. Think of it as a short, striking stop in the sea.

You normally swim a few meters from the boat to reach the sand. Crew members assist people who need help, and the stop gives you time to walk, take photographs, and enjoy the unusual setting. Pack your phone in a waterproof case if you want pictures, and remember that the sandbar may be busy when several boats arrive together.

The timing after lunch works well. You have already spent energy snorkeling, so White Island offers a slower stop. You can wade in the shallow water, take photographs, or remain on the boat if you prefer not to swim.

What lunch and drinks are really like

Lunch is served buffet-style on board. The meal includes barbecue chicken, rice, pasta, salads, and other hot dishes. Orange salad received a special mention, and fruit and salad help make the meal feel lighter after time in the sun.

The food is a useful part of the value, not a restaurant meal. You are eating on a working boat, often with wind and sun around you. If you sit upstairs on a breezy day, plates and napkins may be less convenient, and one person found the wind made it hard to eat much.

Hot and cold drinks, mineral water, and soft drinks are included. The package describes soft drinks and water as unlimited, but supplies can feel limited if the boat’s stock is not replenished quickly or if many people are drinking at once. I would still bring a reusable bottle if you have one, even though water is provided.

There are no promised snacks for the gaps between lunch and the water stops. If you need regular food, bring something simple that will travel well. Alcohol is not included.

Optional introductory scuba for first-timers

You can add scuba equipment and instruction if you want more than snorkeling. The package can include weights, belts, and 12-liter tanks, but scuba costs extra. One participant paid about £90 for roughly an hour across two locations with equipment and one-to-one guidance, though prices and arrangements can change.

The instructors are a major strength of this option. Mustafa helped a nervous first-timer, while Ahmed assisted a person who panicked after taking on water. Other first-time participants, including children, were carefully supported. The practical detail is reassuring: equipment may be put on in the water, which can be easier than walking around in heavy gear.

You still need to be honest about your comfort and ability. Scuba is not simply snorkeling with a tank. Listen closely to the instructor, stay with your group, and signal immediately if you feel anxious. The staff are trained to respond, but good communication remains your responsibility.

Families should confirm age rules and exact arrangements before booking, since the supplied details describe a 10-year-old trying a first dive but do not state a universal minimum age. The trip can suit beginners, but the operator should confirm the current requirements.

The crew, safety, and group atmosphere

The most consistent strength of this experience is the crew’s attitude. Staff members help with masks, fins, water entry, children, and nervous swimmers. Guides such as Bishoy, Shazly, Ahmed, and Taimour are singled out for clear explanations and personal attention, while Mostafa is remembered for caring for someone who became seasick.

That does not mean the day is private or quiet. You share the yacht, the reef stops, the lunch area, and White Island with other people. The crew may also offer photography, with photos available for an additional charge. The service can be warm and attentive, but you should not expect a small, exclusive charter.

The boat is generally described as clean and spacious, though speed and transfer quality can vary. The two bathrooms and onboard showers are a practical plus. If you dislike sitting on a boat for long periods, bring sunglasses, water-resistant clothing, and something light to read between stops.

Is $25 good value?

At $25, this is a strong budget package. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a yacht trip, two snorkeling stops, White Island, lunch, drinks, life jackets, and a snorkeling instructor. The national park entry fee of €5 is included if you select the option that specifies it, so check the exact booking choice rather than assuming every price has the same inclusions.

The price does not cover every possible extra. Snorkeling masks and fins are included only if the equipment add-on is selected, and scuba equipment and tanks are also optional. Photography costs extra. These additions can change the final bill, so decide before departure what you actually need.

The value is best for a full day on the water rather than a luxury boat experience. You are paying little for a large block of activities, but you trade privacy and speed for that low price. If you want coral reefs, a sandbar, lunch, and transport without arranging each part yourself, the deal is hard to dismiss.

Who should book this Ras Mohammed trip?

I would choose this outing if you are staying in Sharm El-Sheikh and want one packed Red Sea day at a modest cost. It suits couples, families, first-time snorkelers, and people curious about trying scuba with an instructor nearby.

It is also a good choice if you prefer a planned day. Pickup, boat transport, food, drinks, equipment options, and return transfer are handled for you. You do not need to arrange separate transport to the marina or find your own guide at the reef.

I would think twice if you get seasick, dislike crowds, or want a private reef session. Take motion-sickness tablets before leaving if you know you need them, since the boat portion is long. You can also enjoy the day from the deck without snorkeling, but the price makes the most sense when you use at least some of the water activities.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want good-value access to Ras Mohammed and White Island, with patient staff and plenty of time at sea. The strongest reasons are the two reef stops, the memorable sandbar, onboard lunch, and helpful instructors for nervous beginners.

Skip it if your ideal day means a fast private boat, uncrowded reefs, or a short outing. For everyone else, FTS Travels offers a practical way to see Sharm El-Sheikh’s famous marine sites without spending heavily. Confirm the pickup time, check which equipment option you selected, bring a passport copy, and prepare for a long day in the sun.

FAQ

How much does the Ras Mohammed and White Island trip cost?

The listed price is $25 per person. Optional snorkeling equipment, scuba equipment, and photography may cost extra. A €5 national park entry fee is included when option 2 is selected.

How long does the full excursion last?

The outing can take about 11 hours including hotel transport. Some departures leave around 7:30 or 7:50 in the morning and return near 6:30 in the evening. You may spend about eight hours at sea.

What is included in the trip?

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, the yacht tour, life jackets, two snorkeling stops, one White Island stop, a snorkeling instructor, buffet lunch, hot and cold drinks, soft drinks, mineral water, and two bathroom and shower facilities on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Masks and fins are included if the snorkeling gear add-on is selected. Check your chosen option before departure if you need equipment.

Can I add scuba to the trip?

Yes. Scuba is available as an extra. The stated equipment includes weights, belts, and 12-liter tanks. Introductory participants are accompanied by instructors, and the exact cost should be confirmed when booking.

What food is served on board?

The buffet includes barbecue chicken, rice, pasta, salads, and other hot dishes. Drinks include hot and cold beverages, soft drinks, and mineral water. Alcohol is not included, and snacks are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and a copy of your passport. If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual medicine before the boat trip.

What happens if my hotel pickup is late?

Pickup time depends on your hotel location, and a delay of up to 10 minutes may occur. The exact pickup time is sent by email one day before the excursion. Pickup takes place outside the hotel.