Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

The best part of this trip is the chance to see Ras Mohamed National Park from the water, with clear Red Sea snorkeling stops, a sandbar visit at White Island, and lunch served aboard the boat. The day combines scenery and time in the sea without asking you to commit to a full scuba course.

I like the two separate snorkeling stops, since you get another chance if the first swim feels too short or the water conditions are not ideal. I also like the optional scuba upgrade, with guides such as Mido, Omar, Islam, and Ali praised for helping first-time participants feel secure. The main thing to consider is the long day: transport, sailing, water time, and the return journey add up to about seven hours.

Key points before you book

• Ras Mohamed is the main attraction: You spend several hours sailing toward and around the national park, with time to see its coral reefs from the water.
• White Island depends on the tide: The shallow sand area is beautiful and photogenic, but the stop is not guaranteed in every condition.
• Two swim stops give you flexibility: You can snorkel at Ras Mohamed, take an optional scuba session, and return to the water later.
• Lunch is included: The open buffet offers rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, with soft drinks served onboard.
• Hotel pickup is optional: If selected, shared transport generally starts roughly one to one and a half hours before the boat departure.
• Budget for the marina fee: A mandatory entrance charge of 5 euros per person is payable at the marina unless you prepay it as an add-on.

Setting out from Watanya Marina

Your boat day begins at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. The operator is Egypt Sun Marine Fleet, and the meeting point is easy to identify: go to the team in the yellow shirts and show your ticket.

If you choose hotel pickup, a shared bus collects you roughly 90 minutes before the trip, though the exact time depends on your hotel. The more general guidance says pickup is about one hour before departure, so wait for the WhatsApp message sent around 24 hours beforehand. That message matters more than a broad estimate.

The transfer to the marina takes about 45 minutes by bus or coach. If you arrange your own way there, allow time to find the boat team and handle the marina entrance charge. The 5 euro fee is separate unless it has been prepaid through the available add-on. This is a small but important budget detail, especially if you are booking for a family.

Once aboard, the trip settles into a relaxed rhythm. You have fresh air, open Red Sea views, and a long sailing period before the main snorkeling. The sailing portion is listed at about two and a half hours around Ras Mohamed, with another 50 minutes on the return. If you prefer constant activity, this may feel slow. If you enjoy being on a boat, it gives you time to sit in the sun and enjoy the coastline.

Why Ras Mohamed makes this trip worthwhile

Ras Mohamed National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Its appeal here is underwater rather than land-based. The boat takes you to clear water where you can swim, snorkel, watch marine life, and, if you choose the upgrade, take an introductory scuba session.

The park entry fee is included, which helps the $31 price make more sense. You are not simply paying for a transfer to a beach. The fare covers the cruise, access to the protected area, food, and guided water activities, while equipment and the marina fee may depend on the option you choose.

The snorkeling is guided, and the language options are English, Russian, German, and Kazakh. That is useful if you want help finding the best area to look at or need someone nearby while you get comfortable in the water. Guides including Mido, Omar, Islam, and Ali receive especially warm praise for their support, including help with first-time scuba experiences.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. Water visibility and marine life can change with weather, tide, and sea conditions. The supplied information promises clear water and reef viewing, but it does not promise a particular animal or fish sighting.

The first water stop: snorkeling and marine life

The first major activity at Ras Mohamed lasts about an hour and a half. This is the part of the day for getting into the water, using snorkeling equipment, and looking at the reef with a professional snorkeling guide.

Snorkeling gear is included only if you select the relevant add-on, so check your booking carefully. If you have your own mask and snorkel, bringing them may be more comfortable, but the available rental option is described as high quality.

The water is the focus, not a formal lesson in reef ecology. You can swim and look below the surface while the guide helps organize the activity. If you are less confident, tell the staff early. The crew has been praised for staying supportive in the sea, and one useful suggestion from a past participant was to make life jackets more available for people who are not comfortable in deep water.

That is worth thinking about before you book. The trip is suitable for people who want easy access to snorkeling, but you should be comfortable entering the sea or be ready to ask about flotation support. The schedule includes substantial water time, so this is not a boat sightseeing cruise with only a quick photo stop.

Optional introductory scuba sessions

The itinerary allows an optional 35-minute scuba session, with an upgrade for one or two introductory sessions. This can turn a standard snorkeling day into a first underwater experience for someone who has always wanted to try scuba.

The reviews give this option particular weight. One family described Ali as helping create a memorable first scuba experience for a son, while another participant rated the scuba activity especially highly. That points to a useful strength of this trip: you do not need to arrive as an experienced diver to take part in the introductory option.

Still, scuba is not the same as snorkeling. It involves extra equipment, instruction, and a different level of comfort in the water. Ask the crew for clear guidance before entering, and do not feel pressured to choose the upgrade if you would rather stay at the surface.

If one member of your group wants scuba and another prefers snorkeling, this arrangement can work well because both activities are offered during the same cruise. Check the exact option and price before paying, since the base price does not automatically mean that equipment or the scuba upgrade is included.

White Island and its shifting sand

White Island is the most unusual stop on the route. It is a low, pale sand area surrounded by shallow Red Sea water, where you can snorkel, take photos, or simply stand and enjoy the view.

The stop lasts about an hour. That is enough time to combine a short swim with photos and a rest on the sand, though conditions can affect how much of the island is visible. The visit is specifically subject to tide conditions, so treat it as a planned possibility rather than an absolute promise.

This is also a good break from the reef. After spending time looking underwater, you can dry off, change your pace, and enjoy the contrast between the open sea and the bright sand. The water around White Island is described as especially blue and shallow, making it attractive for photos.

Bring a towel and beachwear, not just swimwear. Sunscreen is essential, since the sand offers little shade and the boat deck is also exposed. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, so plan on a straightforward family-style day at sea.

A second swim at Ras Mohamed

After White Island, the boat returns to another Ras Mohamed snorkeling stop for about an hour. This second session is one of the strongest features of the schedule.

I like the way this breaks up the day. You are not relying on one single entry into the water, and you can use the first stop to work out your mask, fins, and comfort level. If you choose the scuba option earlier, the second swim gives you another chance to snorkel at the surface.

The exact reef view can vary, but the purpose is clear: more time in the water and less time rushing from one attraction to the next. A past participant specifically liked that the day felt neither rushed nor stretched out. That is a useful sign for anyone who worries about spending all day on a boat for only a few minutes of activity.

The schedule is full, though. You will have a 1.5-hour marine-life stop, a 35-minute scuba session if selected, an hour at White Island, and another hour of snorkeling. That makes the trip better suited to active swimmers than to people who want a mostly dry sightseeing day.

Lunch aboard the boat

Lunch is served as an open buffet while you enjoy the views and take a break from the water. The spread includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, with soft drinks available.

The food has been one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience. Several people singled out the meal as tasty or good, and one participant who works as a chef gave the food particular approval. You should think of it as practical boat catering rather than a restaurant meal, but the range gives you several choices after a morning of swimming.

The timing also makes sense. Eating onboard means you do not lose time returning to shore, and you can keep the day focused on the sea. Sit where you can enjoy the view if that matters to you, but remember that the deck may be sunny and windy.

If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify special menus. Ask the operator before departure rather than assuming the buffet will meet a particular requirement.

Crew support and the feel of the day

The staff are a major reason this cruise receives strong marks. Mido is praised for guiding snorkeling, Omar for support, Islam for snorkeling instruction, and Ali for helping with a first scuba experience. Other comments also praise Mohamed and Nada, showing that the positive service is not limited to one person.

You can expect a friendly, organized boat day rather than an independent rental. Guides give direction around the water activities, and the crew helps people board and return from the sea. That support matters most if you are nervous, traveling with children, or trying scuba for the first time.

The instructors speak English, Russian, German, and Kazakh. If you need help in one of those languages, select the right option or confirm availability when booking.

The boat name may vary by departure, with one participant referring to the Christina and another to the Liberty boat. Do not book this expecting a specific vessel unless the operator confirms it. The important point is the cruise program, not a guaranteed boat model.

Is $31 good value?

At $31 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want several activities in one package. You get the boat cruise, national park entry, buffet lunch, soft drinks, two snorkeling periods, and the White Island visit when the tide allows. Hotel transfers can be added, and snorkeling equipment may also be an add-on.

The price needs a little care. The mandatory 5 euro marina charge may be paid separately, and equipment is not necessarily part of the basic fare. If you need pickup, gear rental, or scuba, the total will rise.

Even with those extras, the package compares well with arranging transport, a boat, food, park access, and water supervision separately. The value is strongest for people who will actually use the snorkeling time. If you only want to sit on a boat and take photos, you may find the schedule too activity-focused.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility while you confirm your holiday plans.

What to bring and who should book

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Bring a waterproof way to protect your phone if you plan to take photos at White Island, although no special photo equipment is listed as included.

I would recommend this cruise to:

• First-time snorkelers who want a guide nearby
• Families with a confident swimmer or someone interested in an introductory scuba session
• Couples looking for a full day on the Red Sea
• Visitors who want Ras Mohamed, White Island, lunch, and transport in one booking
• Budget-conscious visitors who want more than a short boat ride

I would be more cautious if you dislike long sailing periods, struggle with boat travel, or want a quiet beach day. The trip lasts about 390 minutes to seven hours, and much of that time is spent moving between the marina, Ras Mohamed, and the return point.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied details do not explain how boarding and water access work. If you use a wheelchair, contact customer service before booking so the marina and boat arrangements are clear.

Should you book the Ras Mohamed cruise?

I would book this if your priority is water time and good value. The strongest combination is the two snorkel stops, the White Island visit, a substantial lunch, and a crew that appears particularly attentive to nervous swimmers and first-time scuba participants.

Before paying, confirm four things: your hotel pickup time, the 5 euro marina fee, whether snorkeling gear is included in your chosen option, and whether you want one or two introductory scuba sessions. If White Island is the main reason you are going, remember that tide conditions can prevent the stop.

For a full Red Sea day at a modest starting price, this is an appealing choice. It is active, social, and dependent on sea conditions, but the schedule gives you plenty of chances to enjoy the water rather than gambling the whole day on one short stop.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohamed cruise last?

The activity lasts about 390 minutes, or seven hours. This includes transport if hotel pickup is selected, sailing, snorkeling, the optional scuba session, the White Island visit, lunch, and the return journey.

What is included in the tour?

The cruise, national park entry fee, open buffet lunch, and visit to White Island are included, although the White Island stop depends on tide conditions. Hotel pickup and drop-off, snorkeling equipment, and the marina entrance fee depend on the selected option or add-on.

Is hotel pickup available from Sharm El Sheikh hotels?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option. Pickup is generally about one to one and a half hours before the trip, and the exact time depends on your hotel. You should receive the final time through WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure.

Where do I meet the boat?

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

Is the White Island stop guaranteed?

No. The White Island visit is subject to tide conditions. If conditions allow, you can visit the sand area, take photos, relax, and snorkel in the shallow surrounding water.

Can I try scuba for the first time?

Yes. You can upgrade the trip to include one or two introductory scuba sessions. The itinerary lists a scuba session of about 35 minutes, and instructors provide support during the activity.

What should I bring?

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