Sharm el-Sheikh: Ras Mohammed Elite VIP Cruise and BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Ras Mohammed VIP cruise is the combination of underwater time and comfortable boat life. You get three stops around Ras Mohammed National Park, a visit to White Island, and a generous lunch, without being packed onto a small day boat. The four-level vessel gives you room to spread out, with loungers above and air-conditioned salons below.

I like the careful snorkeling support, especially for nervous swimmers, and the food is more substantial than the usual boat-trip sandwich. Guides including Ahmed, Umar, Mohamed, and Mohammed have been praised for staying close to swimmers and helping children and less-confident adults. The main drawback is that transport can be disorganized, and some passengers have found the water cold or refreshments less generous than expected for a VIP product.

Key points to know before booking

• Three stops around Ras Mohammed: Expect guided snorkeling at excellent reef sites, plus time at White Island.
• A proper seafood and BBQ buffet: Soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and fruit are served.
• Plenty of room on board: The top deck has sun loungers, while lower decks provide shade and two air-conditioned salons.
• Strong help in the water: Life jackets are available, and guides stay with swimmers of different abilities.
• Plan for extra costs: Snorkeling equipment and the mandatory €5 marina entrance fee may be add-ons.
• A long but easy-going day: Pickup is roughly one hour before the 9:00 am departure, with return around 4:00 pm.

A spacious boat makes the seven-hour day easier

This is not a quick sail out, a rushed swim, and a ride back. The schedule gives you a full day on the Red Sea, with about two and a half hours of sailing in the morning, time in the national park, lunch, and another two hours of cruising and water activities on the return.

The boat has four floors, a large sun deck, and two air-conditioned salons. That matters in South Sinai. You can claim a cushioned lounger in the sun, find a shaded table, or retreat indoors when the heat becomes too much. One of the strongest points is that you are not forced to spend the whole day in one crowded seating area.

The upper deck is the place for sunbathing and open views, but it can become windy on the return to the marina. Lower decks offer more shelter, and the salons are useful when you want a cool place to eat or rest.

The mood is generally quieter than on cheaper party-style cruises. One passenger specifically appreciated the lack of loud music, which makes this a better match for a relaxed day than for anyone looking for a floating nightclub.

The morning transfer needs a little patience

Pickup is available from Sharm el-Sheikh hotels. The drive to the marina is listed at about 25 minutes, but your pickup itself usually takes place roughly one hour before the boat leaves at 9:00 am.

The exact time is sent through WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure. Keep your phone available and check the message carefully. Transport is one of the less polished parts of the experience. Some passengers have reported confusion at pickup, a cramped minivan on the way back, or a delay before boarding.

This is worth knowing because the boat itself receives much stronger praise than the land arrangements. If you have paid for separate transport for a small group, confirm exactly how that will work before the morning of the trip. The marina may also require a €5 entrance fee per person, paid on arrival unless you choose to prepay it as an add-on.

Once you reach the boat, the experience becomes more orderly. The crew handles the day on board, and the large vessel gives you plenty of places to sit while the guides organize the water activities.

Sailing toward Ras Mohammed National Park

The first sailing stretch is long enough to feel like part of the outing rather than simple transport. You can settle into a lounger, order a hot or soft drink, and watch the coast recede while the crew prepares the first snorkeling stop.

Waiter service is advertised throughout the day, with drinks brought to your place on the deck. The food and service are among the most praised parts of the trip, but there is one point to clarify. The package describes unlimited hot and soft drinks, while one passenger said that only small cups of generic cola and lemonade were included and other refreshments cost extra.

I would ask for a clear explanation of the drink policy before boarding. That small check avoids an unpleasant surprise and is especially sensible when the word VIP sets higher expectations.

The crew speaks English, German, and Russian. This helps on a mixed boat, particularly when the guides explain water entry, life-jacket use, and where to meet after each stop.

Snorkeling the coral sites around Ras Mohammed

Ras Mohammed National Park is the heart of the day. The area is known for coral reefs and a long list of possible marine life, including seahorses, octopus, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and many species of tropical fish. No particular sighting is guaranteed, so you should come for the reef itself rather than one promised animal.

The exact reef scene can change from stop to stop. One site may offer thick coral and clouds of small fish, while another gives you better visibility or a different shape of reef. The supplied schedule allows about 45 minutes for one park stop, with further snorkeling time later in the day.

The water is reached through a low platform at the rear of the boat. This is easier than climbing down a high ladder, and the crew provides life jackets for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. The guides are not simply pointing from the deck. They accompany swimmers in the water and help people stay calm and oriented.

That support is a real advantage. Ahmed is described as an experienced diver who stayed close to a nervous swimmer, and Umar and Mohamed were singled out for their care and professional help. Another account describes a dive master taking particular care of a child. You can still enjoy the reef if you are not a strong swimmer, although you should tell the guide how comfortable you are before entering the water.

The descriptions even note that a guide may use a life buoy to help pull a less-confident swimmer along. That sounds dramatic, but it shows the intended level of assistance. You are not expected to manage the entire stop alone.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have reliable equipment. Gear is available as an add-on, and one passenger reported paying about $5 for a mask and goggles at the port, with no flippers available. Confirm the current arrangement when booking, since the included items can depend on the option you select.

White Island gives the schedule a welcome change

White Island is listed as a 45-minute visit. It breaks up the snorkeling and lets you experience a different part of the park instead of spending the entire day in the water.

The island stop is also a good family pause. One passenger noted that children enjoyed the speedboat tender used to reach it. Since access may involve a tender, listen carefully to the crew and follow their instructions when moving between the main boat and shore.

Do not treat White Island as a guaranteed sandy-island postcard in every condition. Wind, tides, sea conditions, and access arrangements affect how the stop feels. Its value is the change of scene and the chance to stretch your legs between water sessions.

Lunch is a serious part of the value

Lunch is served as a buffet in the cool salon, with a menu that covers both seafood and familiar land-based choices:

• Seafood soup
• Three types of fresh salad
• Rice, pasta, and potatoes
• Shrimp, calamari, and fish
• BBQ chicken and Egyptian kofta
• Seasonal fresh fruit

This is a far better setup than eating a packed meal on a beach or settling for snacks between swims. Food is cooked on board, and the crew serves it while the day continues. Several passengers considered the meal excellent, with one saying it was better than the food at their hotel. Another called it first class, while a more reserved assessment found it good but not quite VIP quality.

That range is fair. You are getting a plentiful boat buffet with freshly cooked seafood, not a luxury restaurant meal. The quality will also depend on your own taste and on what is being served that day. If you enjoy shrimp, fish, calamari, chicken, and Egyptian kofta, the menu gives you plenty of choice.

The lunch hour is also when the air-conditioned salon proves useful. After sun and salt water, a cool seat and a proper plate of food can make the second half of the day much more pleasant.

The return cruise can be windy

After lunch, the schedule allows another two hours for cruising, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing before returning to Sharm el-Sheikh around 4:00 pm. This is not a rushed final stop. You get more time on deck and another chance to enter the water.

Expect different sea conditions on the way home. The water can become choppy, and the upper deck may feel windy as the boat heads back to the marina. A light cover-up is useful even on a hot day, especially if you plan to sit outside after swimming.

January visitors should take the water temperature seriously. The sea is described as remaining above 20C even in winter, but that can still feel cold when you are wet and exposed to wind. One January passenger found the water too cold for snorkeling. If you feel the same, you can still enjoy the boat, food, views, and White Island, but the trip offers the best value to people who expect to spend time in the sea.

Is $80 good value for this cruise?

At $80 per person, the price is reasonable if you want more than a basic transfer to a reef. The cost covers hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat, crew, buffet lunch, and the full seven-hour program. The boat’s size, seating options, air-conditioned salons, waiter service, and guided water support add practical value.

You should budget for the €5 marina entrance fee unless it is prepaid, and check if snorkeling gear is included in your chosen option. Drinks also deserve clarification because the advertised arrangement and one passenger’s experience do not match perfectly.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a comfortable full-day outing with food and help in the water. It is weaker if you only want a short snorkeling session, already have transport and equipment, or dislike spending hours on a boat.

The large vessel is a useful middle ground. You get more space than on a small boat, but the trip is still designed around shared stops and group timing. It is not a private yacht charter.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, mixed-ability groups, and anyone who wants reef time without having to organize every detail alone. Children can receive close attention from the water team, and nervous swimmers are given life jackets and direct support.

It also suits you if comfort matters. The sun loungers are clean and cushioned, the salons are air-conditioned, and the shaded lower decks give you an escape from the strongest sun. The relatively peaceful atmosphere is another reason to choose it over a cheaper, louder cruise.

Strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers will enjoy the three stops, but they should remember that the guides control the group’s timing and safety. If your main goal is long, independent exploration, a smaller specialist snorkeling trip may suit you better.

Non-swimmers can still come for the boat ride, lunch, White Island, and scenery. Just understand that the main reason for the high fare is the Red Sea experience, so you will get less value if you do not plan to enter the water.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. I would also bring a light layer for the windy ride home, though this is not listed as a formal requirement.

If you own a mask and snorkel that fit well, bring them. Otherwise, make sure your booking includes equipment or confirm the rental cost before leaving the marina. Flippers may not be available, according to one account.

Keep your phone charged for the WhatsApp pickup message. Arrive ready for a long day, and do not assume the return transfer will be as roomy or tidy as the boat. These small preparations help you focus on the good part once you are on board.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity is wheelchair accessible, although you should confirm how that applies to the boat, tender, and water-entry arrangements if mobility access is important to you.

Should you book the Elite VIP cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, food-inclusive day on the Red Sea with three park stops, strong guide support, and enough room to escape the sun. The coral, fish, White Island visit, and attentive crew give the day plenty of substance, while the boat’s design keeps it from feeling like a bare-bones snorkeling run.

I would hesitate only if you need flawless transport, want guaranteed warm water, or expect every drink to be included without question. Confirm the marina fee, equipment, and refreshments first.

For most people staying in Sharm el-Sheikh, this is a good-value choice at $80, particularly for families and less-confident swimmers. The boat and water team are the main reasons to book. The land transfer is the part that needs the most patience.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed VIP cruise last?

The activity lasts seven hours. It departs from the marina at about 9:00 am and returns around 4:00 pm, with hotel pickup usually taking place roughly one hour before departure.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes three stops at sites around Ras Mohammed National Park. The schedule also includes a visit to White Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if selected as an add-on. One passenger reported renting a mask and goggles for about $5 at the port and said flippers were not available.

What food is served for lunch?

The buffet includes seafood soup, three fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, Egyptian kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

Are drinks included?

Waiter service for hot and soft drinks is advertised throughout the day. One passenger reported that only small cups of generic cola and lemonade were included, with other refreshments costing extra, so confirm the current drink policy before departure.

Is the boat suitable for people who are not confident swimmers?

Yes. Life jackets are available, the boat has a low rear platform for entering the water, and snorkeling guides accompany swimmers. Guides can also assist people with a life buoy if needed.