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

White Island is the star of this Red Sea boat trip, a bright sandbar where the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba meet. You swim a short distance from the boat, walk the gleaming shore, and then return aboard for lunch and two reef stops around Ras Mohammed.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the crew’s careful help in the water. Guides such as Bishoy, Ahmed, Mustafa, and Shazly are repeatedly praised for calm instruction, especially when first-time swimmers or scuba beginners feel nervous. The barbecue lunch, drinks, showers, and hotel return also make the $25 price unusually good value.

The catch is the length of the day. You may spend about eight hours at sea and roughly eleven hours away from your hotel. The boat can be slow, White Island may be crowded, and anyone prone to motion sickness should take precautions before leaving.

Key points at a glance

• White Island is reached by a short swim: The sandbar is small, bright, and striking, but you should be comfortable entering the water from the boat.
• Two reef stops are included: You follow a snorkeling instructor and use life jackets, with colorful fish and coral the main attraction.
• The crew is a real strength: Bishoy, Ahmed, Mustafa, Shazly, and other guides are noted for patient help and careful support.
• Lunch is served on deck: Expect chicken, rice, pasta, salads, fruit, hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water.
• The day is long but well supplied: Hotel transfers, bathrooms, showers, and onboard drinks reduce the usual hassle of a full day at sea.
• Scuba and equipment may cost extra: Snorkeling gear and introductory scuba sessions depend on the option you choose at booking.

White Island gives the day its memorable shape

Ras Mohammed is the main destination, but White Island is the stop that gives this outing its character. The boat crosses the Red Sea to a natural sandbar at the meeting point of two gulfs. Its pale shore and clear water make a fine contrast with the open sea around it.

You do not simply pull up beside the beach. The boat stops offshore, and you swim a few meters to reach the island. Crew members are available to help, which is useful if you are not a strong swimmer or if the sea is choppy.

The island itself is small. Do not expect a long walk or hours of independent exploration. Its appeal is the setting: shallow, clear water, white sand, and wide views back across the sea. It can also be busy, since several boats use the same popular stop.

I would bring your sunglasses and keep your phone or camera protected until you reach the sand. The water may look calm from the deck, but getting in and out of the boat requires care.

Two snorkeling stops at Ras Mohammed

The snorkeling takes place at reef areas within or around Ras Mohammed National Park. Two stops are included, giving you more than one chance to see the underwater scenery. At each stop, you receive help from a snorkeling instructor and wear a life jacket if needed.

The best part is the clarity of the water. The supplied accounts describe coral, schools of colorful fish, and, at times, rays and other sea life. One guest also reported seeing dolphins from the boat on the return journey, though that is luck rather than a promised part of the trip.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Some reef areas can feel less impressive than the coral directly outside a good Sharm El-Sheikh hotel. One account found the reefs simple, with fewer fish than expected, while many others found the coral and fish excellent. Sea conditions, visibility, crowding, and the exact anchorage all affect what you see.

The crew normally manages the water time in an orderly way. First-time snorkelers can stay close to the group, and staff are available to guide you around the reef. This matters more than fancy equipment. A calm instructor can make the difference between a relaxed swim and a stressful one.

If you are unsure about snorkeling, start slowly. Use the life jacket, listen to the briefing, and stay near the guide. The coral is there to look at, not touch, and staying with the group protects both you and the reef.

A useful option for first-time scuba participants

The standard outing focuses on snorkeling, but paid scuba options may be added. Equipment packages can include weights, belts, and 12-liter tanks, while instructors provide close support for introductory sessions.

This option has received especially strong praise from people trying scuba for the first time. One beginner became anxious in the water, but the instructor reacted quickly and helped restore confidence. Another participant’s partner tried scuba for the first time with Mustafa, who provided reassuring one-to-one help.

That does not mean the activity is right for everyone. You need to be comfortable following instructions and entering the water from the boat. If you have a medical concern, ask the operator before booking rather than deciding at the marina.

The extra cost varies by choice. One guest reported paying about £90 for roughly an hour of scuba across two sites, with equipment and a private guide included. Treat that figure as a useful example, not a fixed rate. Confirm the current price and exactly what is included before you commit.

You may also find an onboard photographer offering pictures for an additional charge. The photos can be a pleasant souvenir, but one account considered the price high. Decide in advance how much you want to spend on extras.

The boat, transfers, and the long day

Your morning begins with pickup outside your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The exact time depends on where you are staying, and the supplier sends the final pickup time by email the day before. Allow for a delay of up to ten minutes.

The transfer is part of the value. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina, and the driver takes you back to your hotel afterward. Vehicle quality can vary, though. One account described an old, hot, crowded bus, while others had a comfortable air-conditioned ride.

At the marina, you board the yacht and spend much of the day at sea. The boat has a sundeck, two bathrooms, and shower facilities. You can sit up top for the breeze and views, or find a less exposed spot when the sun and wind become tiring.

The boat is described as clean and spacious, but it is not a speedboat. The journey can feel slow, particularly if you are mainly interested in getting to the snorkeling sites. That slower pace is part of the day, so do not book this trip if you want a quick outing with only a short time on the water.

A realistic plan is to leave your hotel around 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning and return near 6:30 in the evening. The exact schedule varies, but you should keep the whole day free. The long return can be tiring after swimming, sun, and wind.

Motion sickness deserves attention. Even people who do not usually feel ill may find a full day at sea demanding. If you know you are sensitive, bring suitable medication and ask a pharmacist or doctor about it before the trip. Sit where the boat moves least, look toward the horizon, and drink water regularly.

Lunch and drinks on the upper deck

Lunch is a buffet barbecue served on the boat. The meal includes chicken, rice, pasta, salads, and hot dishes, with fruit also appearing in the spread. Orange salad received a particular mention, which sounds simple but is welcome after a morning in salt water and sun.

The food is one of the better inclusions at this price. You are not left to buy lunch at an expensive marina, and the meal is timed between the water activities and the White Island stop.

Hot and cold drinks are included, along with soft drinks and mineral water. The stated package includes unlimited soft drinks and water, but one account found the supply limited once the larger bottles ran out. That may depend on the boat and the day, so bring a reusable bottle if you have one and do not rely on the wording alone.

There are not always snacks available between meals. Pack something small if you need frequent food, provided it follows the operator’s rules. Lunch may be served upstairs, where the breeze is pleasant but strong enough to make eating awkward. A sheltered seat can be more practical than the best view.

Alcohol is not included. This is a family-friendly day built around swimming, snorkeling, and simple onboard service rather than a party cruise.

The crew makes the water activities easier

The strongest feature here is the staff. Several guides are singled out by name, including Bishoy, Ahmed, Mustafa, Shazly, Mohammed, Abdallah, and Abanob. Names and assignments may change, but the pattern is clear: the crew is expected to explain the activities, help with equipment, and watch people in the water.

That support is valuable for families. Children and nervous adults can receive extra help before entering the sea. One family described a first scuba session for a ten-year-old, with the instructors placing safety first and explaining each step.

The crew also appears attentive beyond the scheduled activities. A guide returned forgotten sunglasses to a hotel later that day. That is not part of the advertised service, but it suggests why personal names come up so often in the feedback.

Still, this is a shared boat excursion. You may not receive private attention at every moment, especially when several people are snorkeling or adding scuba sessions. Stay close to your assigned group and ask questions before leaving the boat.

English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic are available. Tell the operator your preferred language when booking so you can understand the safety instructions clearly.

What the $25 price really buys you

At $25 per person, this is a strong package for a full day. The base price includes hotel pickup and return, air-conditioned transport, the yacht, life jackets, two snorkeling stops, the White Island stop, a snorkeling instructor, lunch, drinks, and use of the boat’s bathrooms and showers.

You also get access to Ras Mohammed National Park, but check the booking option carefully. The supplied details list a €5 park entry fee if option 2 is selected. The price shown at checkout should make clear whether that fee is already covered or added separately.

Snorkeling masks and fins may be an add-on rather than part of every fare. Scuba equipment and instruction are also optional extras. This is the one area where the headline price can be misleading if you want more than the basic snorkeling day.

Compare the total rather than the starting number. If you already have reliable snorkeling gear, the base outing remains a particularly good deal. If you add private scuba instruction, photos, equipment, and park fees, your final cost will be higher.

The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your schedule is still moving. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, according to the supplied terms.

Who should book this Ras Mohammed trip

I would choose this trip if you want a full day on the Red Sea without arranging transport, food, park entry, and water support separately. It suits couples, families, first-time snorkelers, and people who want the option of trying scuba without signing up for a full certification course.

It is also a good fit if White Island is high on your list. The island is small and can be crowded, but its location and clear shallows make it a worthwhile stop.

I would hesitate if you dislike long boat rides, get seasick easily, or want quiet, uncrowded reefs. Several boats use the same areas, and the boat’s steady pace means the journey is part of the experience, not just a transfer.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and a copy of your passport. Confirm the pickup time the day before, wait outside the hotel, and leave room in your schedule for the full return journey.

Should you book it?

For $25, I think this is a sensible way to see Ras Mohammed and White Island from Sharm El-Sheikh. The combination of hotel transfers, lunch, drinks, two reef stops, and a helpful crew gives you a lot for the money.

Book it if you want practical organization and a friendly introduction to Red Sea snorkeling. Skip it if you need a small, private boat, guaranteed solitude, or a short day. Most important, budget for possible extras and prepare for motion sickness. Do that, and this outing offers a memorable slice of South Sinai’s sea life without a high price.

FAQ

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

The listed price is $25 per person. Park entry, snorkeling gear, scuba equipment, and scuba instruction may depend on the option or add-ons selected.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, a yacht trip, life jackets, two snorkeling stops, one White Island stop, a snorkeling instructor, onboard lunch, hot and cold drinks, soft drinks, mineral water, bathrooms, and showers.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Can I add scuba to the trip?

Yes. Scuba equipment and introductory sessions may be available as paid extras. The equipment package can include weights, belts, and 12-liter tanks.

How long is the tour?

The trip is an all-day outing. One reported schedule ran from about 7:30 in the morning until 6:30 in the evening, with approximately eight hours spent at sea.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is outside your hotel. The exact time depends on your hotel location, and the supplier sends the confirmed time by email one day before the trip. A delay of up to ten minutes may occur.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. You also need to provide a copy of your passport.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic.