From Sharm: Luxury Diving cruise to Ras Mohammed with Lunch

The Red Sea rewards getting wet. This six-hour boat trip from Sharm El Sheikh takes you to Ras Mohammed National Park, where clear water, coral gardens, and colorful marine life provide the main attraction. You can choose one or two scuba sessions, while non-swimmers are not suitable for this trip but non-divers who can snorkel may join the surface activities.

I like the professional instructors, who are repeatedly praised for being kind, patient, and reassuring, especially with beginners. I also like the simple format: hotel pickup, boat ride, underwater time, a long surface break, lunch, and a second site if selected. The main concern is that you should confirm exactly what your booking includes, since some customers had disputes over the number of sessions and extra charges for marina entry, equipment, and photographs.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater sites are available: Select the two-session option if you want more time beneath the surface and a better chance to see different coral areas.
• Beginners receive short introduction sessions: These usually last up to 15 minutes, while experienced participants spend about 40 minutes underwater.
• The boat ride takes time: Expect about 35 minutes by shared bus, roughly 90 minutes sailing to the park, and around an hour back toward Sharm El Sheikh.
• Snorkeling fills the surface interval: After the first session, you get about 90 minutes for snacks, drinks, swimming, and snorkeling.
• The marina fee may be extra: A mandatory fee of 5 euros per person can be paid at the marina or added during booking.
• Photo sales can be aggressive: Decide in advance how much you want to spend on underwater pictures and videos.

Why Ras Mohammed makes a good day on the water

Ras Mohammed is one of the best-known marine areas around South Sinai. The appeal here is not a long list of land sights. It is the change from dry desert to open sea, followed by the sudden color and movement below the water.

The boat leaves from the marina after you are collected from your hotel. The transfer to the diving center takes about 35 minutes by shared bus. At the center, you complete paperwork, receive safety instructions, and get fitted with equipment if it is included in your chosen option or purchased as an add-on.

That early stage matters. For a first-time participant, correct equipment fitting and a calm explanation can make the difference between enjoying the water and spending the entire session trying to clear a mask. The instructor speaks English, Russian, Italian, or German, so you have a reasonable chance of receiving instructions in a language you understand.

The boat journey to Ras Mohammed takes about 90 minutes. It is a long enough ride to settle into the day, watch the coast recede, and get used to the motion of the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously. Bring water, avoid arriving hungry, and keep your snacks simple.

The first underwater session, from 15 to 40 minutes

The first stop is chosen for clear water and marine life. The exact reef is not specified, so conditions and the final site may vary. That is normal for a sea trip, since wind, current, and boat traffic can affect where the crew goes.

For beginners, an introduction session usually lasts up to 15 minutes. This is not the same as a full certified scuba outing. It is a short, supervised experience designed to let you breathe underwater and see the reef with an instructor close by.

The short duration can feel disappointing if you expected a long swim. Still, it is a sensible format for a first attempt. You get a taste of the underwater world without being committed to a lengthy session before you know how your body will react.

Experienced participants receive about 40 minutes on average. The precise time depends on air use, conditions, comfort, and the instructor’s judgment. You should not assume that the advertised average means a guaranteed 40-minute session.

The strongest part of this experience appears to be the instructor support. One customer described an instructor holding their hands and guiding them throughout the session. That level of contact can be useful for a beginner, though experienced participants may prefer more independence.

You are expected to respect the reef. Do not touch marine life, coral, or anything else on the seabed. This is both good practice and a simple way to avoid harming the place you came to see.

The 90-minute break: snacks, drinks, and snorkeling

After the first session, the boat pauses for about 90 minutes. This is more than a quick wait while equipment is changed. It is the main breathing space in the day.

Light snacks and beverages are available, and the package states that drinks are unlimited on board. You can also use this time for snorkeling if you prefer to stay near the surface. Non-divers can choose the snorkeling option, provided they are comfortable in the water and have the needed equipment.

This break is valuable because a two-session sea trip can otherwise feel rushed. You can dry off, eat, take photographs from the boat, and watch the surrounding water before deciding how much energy you have left.

Food quality appears less consistent than the staff service. One person described the lunch as delicious, while another found the food and drinks poor. I would treat the buffet as useful fuel rather than a reason to book the trip. Bring a few familiar snacks, especially if you have dietary needs.

The stop may also include White Island on some departures. One account described it as beautiful, but it is not promised in the supplied schedule. Consider it a possible extra rather than a fixed part of the experience.

The second site and the value of choosing two sessions

If you select the two-session option, the boat moves to a second location after the surface break. This gives you another chance to see coral and marine life in a different setting.

The practical benefit is variety. The first session may be affected by nerves, mask problems, or difficulty adjusting to breathing equipment. A second attempt often feels easier simply because you know what to expect.

For experienced participants, two sessions also make the $54 price more attractive. You are paying for a full half-day on the water, instructor support, boat transport, lunch, and access to two reef areas rather than one short introduction.

That said, check the booking details carefully. The number of sessions is stated in each option, and additional sessions can be added before checkout. A serious complaint described confusion over a one-session booking, followed by an argument about whether the session was included. Another account said two booked sessions were initially questioned and that time was lost while the issue was sorted out.

The lesson is simple: keep a screenshot of the exact option you paid for. Check whether it says one or two introduction sessions, and ask at the diving center before leaving the marina if anything is unclear.

Lunch on board and the return to Sharm

Lunch is served on the boat after the second water stop. The schedule allows about three and a half hours in the park for the water activities, lunch, the cruise, and marine-life viewing. That is the core of the trip.

A buffet is convenient because you can eat when you are ready instead of waiting for a restaurant service. After time in the water, a warm meal and drinks are welcome. The quality is not guaranteed to please every palate, so use the meal as part of the package, not as a gourmet event.

The return sailing takes roughly an hour before you reach Sharm El Sheikh. The shared bus then returns you to your hotel or the stated pickup area. The full duration is listed as six hours, although your exact hotel pickup time will depend on the day’s schedule.

Pickup normally takes place around one hour before the trip. You should receive the precise time by WhatsApp 24 hours before departure. Check your phone, keep the message available, and be ready at the hotel reception since the transport is shared.

What the $54 price really gets you

At $54 per person, this is a fair price if your package includes the water session or sessions, boat trip, lunch, drinks, and hotel pickup. The value improves if you choose two sessions and make full use of the snorkeling time.

The advertised price needs a careful reading. Diving equipment may be an add-on, snorkeling equipment may be an add-on, and the mandatory marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person unless prepaid. Personal expenses are not included.

This is where the word luxury needs a little caution. You are getting a yacht-style boat trip with lunch and drinks, but the shared bus, add-on structure, and mixed food feedback make this more of a comfortable organized excursion than a private high-end charter.

The biggest extra-cost warning concerns underwater photographs and videos. One customer reported being asked for £120 for media that they felt was poor quality. You are not required to buy it, so decide your limit before the sales pitch starts.

A calm answer works well: you can say that you are not interested in photographs, or ask for the full price before agreeing to anything. Do not assume the media package is part of the $54 rate.

Safety, comfort, and who should skip it

The trip is not suitable for people with back problems, heart problems, respiratory issues, or those who cannot swim. The activity also requires enough confidence in the water to follow instructions and remain with the group.

The instructor support is a major advantage for beginners. Still, the sea is not a swimming pool. You should be honest about your health and experience when completing the paperwork, and you should tell the instructor if you feel anxious, uncomfortable, or unable to equalize your ears.

One troubling account described a person being separated from the group while swimming back from White Island. Another boat helped, and the account raised concerns about headcounts and communication. This is a serious warning, even though it does not appear to reflect every departure.

Stay close to the group, follow the guide’s route, and do not swim off alone to film. If the current is moving you away from the boat, signal immediately rather than trying to fight it. Bring your own camera only if you can use it without losing sight of the instructor or group.

The trip is described as wheelchair accessible, but the water activities themselves may still be difficult for some people with limited mobility. Ask the provider for practical details about boarding, the boat, and equipment handling before booking.

What to pack for a better day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera if you want your own pictures. Snacks are also sensible, particularly if you have food allergies or dislike buffet meals.

Use sunscreen before boarding and reapply during the surface interval. The boat offers drinks, but you should still avoid becoming dehydrated. A dry bag can help protect phones and money, though one is not listed as included.

Wear something easy to change out of. You will move between the shared bus, marina, boat, and water, so simple clothing is more practical than anything elaborate.

Keep your booking confirmation on your phone. A screenshot showing the number of sessions, equipment, and marina fee can prevent a frustrating discussion at the dock.

Should you book this Ras Mohammed trip?

I would book this trip if you want an affordable, organized introduction to the Red Sea and you value friendly instructor support more than a polished luxury service. The best reasons to go are the clear water, colorful coral, two possible reef stops, snorkeling during the long break, and the convenience of hotel pickup.

Choose the two-session option if the extra cost fits your budget. It gives you more time in the water and makes the six-hour schedule feel worthwhile.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group excursions, expect premium food, or want every inclusion to be crystal clear without checking the fine print. Confirm the session count, equipment, marina fee, and photo policy before departure.

With a rating of 4.3 from 31 bookings, the overall picture is positive, especially for the instructors and general organization. The complaints are not minor, though. Bring your confirmation, stay with the group, and treat the photo sales as optional. If you do that, this is a good-value way to see Ras Mohammed from the water.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The activity lasts about six hours, including hotel pickup, the bus transfer, sailing, water activities, lunch, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from hotels in Sharm El Sheikh is included, using a shared bus from the hotel reception.

When will I receive my pickup time?

You should receive your exact pickup time by WhatsApp 24 hours before the trip. Pickup roughly takes place one hour before the activity begins.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. Beginners can usually take an introduction session lasting up to 15 minutes, with a professional instructor.

How long is an experienced participant’s underwater session?

Professional sessions last around 40 minutes on average. The actual time can depend on conditions, air use, and the instructor’s judgment.

Can I choose one or two sessions?

Yes. The number of sessions is shown in each booking option. You may also be able to add more sessions through the available add-ons before checkout.

Is snorkeling available?

Yes. Snorkeling is available during the surface interval, and non-divers can select the snorkeling option. Snorkeling equipment may need to be selected as an add-on.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person applies. It can be paid upon arrival or prepaid through the available add-ons.