Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

The Red Sea looks best from the water. This Ras Mohamed cruise combines two good reasons to leave Sharm El Sheikh for the day: clear-water snorkeling around a protected national park and a visit to White Island, where pale sand meets shallow blue water. I like the chance to spend real time in the sea, not just pose beside it, and I like that lunch, soft drinks, equipment options, and park admission are built into the outing.

The staff also earn strong marks for kindness and support. Guides named Mido, Omar, Islam, Ali, Mohammed, and Nada are singled out for helping with snorkeling and introductory scuba sessions. The main caution is time: hotel pickup can begin roughly 60 to 90 minutes before the boat leaves, and the separate marina entrance fee may add €5 per person if you do not prepay it.

Key details before you book

• Two substantial swim stops: You get time for guided snorkeling in Ras Mohamed National Park, plus another water stop later in the day.
• White Island depends on the tide: The stop is included when conditions allow, but it is not guaranteed on every departure.
• Lunch is a full buffet: Expect rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks served onboard.
• Optional scuba sessions: You can add one or two introductory sessions if you want more than surface snorkeling.
• The meeting point is Watanya Marina: Look for Egypt Sunmarine Fleet and an operations team member, usually wearing a yellow shirt.
• Good value at $31: The price covers the cruise, park entry, lunch, and the main sightseeing program, but gear and the marina fee may be separate depending on your booking.

Why Ras Mohamed works so well as a day trip

Ras Mohamed National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea offers some of Egypt’s best-known coral reef scenery. You do not need to be an experienced swimmer to appreciate the setting. From the boat, the water and coast provide the spectacle. Once you enter the sea, a guide helps you focus on the reef and marine life rather than simply drifting about.

I like this format because the day is built around the water. You are not rushing between several unrelated sights. The cruise gives you time to sit in the sun, watch the coast change, and enjoy the sea breeze between swim stops.

The experience has a reported rating of 4.6 from 89 bookings, and the praise is notably consistent about three things: friendly staff, pleasant boat time, and decent food. That matters on a long sea outing. A beautiful reef cannot rescue a badly run boat day, but the comments about Mido, Islam, Omar, Ali, and the wider crew suggest that personal help is one of the stronger parts of this trip.

Getting from your hotel to Watanya Marina

If you select the pickup option, a shared bus collects you at your hotel. The stated pickup window is roughly one hour before the trip, though some hotel locations may mean about 90 minutes. You should receive your exact time through WhatsApp around 24 hours before departure.

The transfer itself is listed at about 45 minutes. That is a useful warning for anyone staying outside the central Sharm El Sheikh area. Your overall day will be longer than the advertised six and a half to seven hours once hotel transfers are added.

If you make your own way to the port, go to Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. The boat operation is called Egypt Sunmarine Fleet. On arrival, find the operations team, usually identifiable by a yellow shirt, and show your ticket.

Budget for the marina entrance fee. It is listed as €5 per person and may be paid on arrival or prepaid through the available add-ons. Check this point before you leave your hotel, since the headline price of $31 does not necessarily cover that charge.

The cruise south takes about two and a half hours

Once onboard, the long sailing section begins. The outward cruise to Ras Mohamed takes about two and a half hours according to the schedule, with the full return sailing listed at about 50 minutes later in the day.

That is a fair amount of time on the boat, so your comfort depends partly on what you want from a sea trip. If you enjoy sitting outdoors, taking photographs, and watching the Red Sea open around you, the sailing is part of the attraction. If you only want to snorkel and return quickly, the journey may feel long.

I would treat this as a full boat day, not a quick transfer to a beach. Bring sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a light beach cover-up. The listing allows wheelchair access, but you should still confirm the practical arrangements with the provider if you need particular boarding or water access support.

The boat setting also creates a social part of the day. You share the deck, buffet, and swim program with other people, while guides organize the water activities. That can make the trip feel lively, though it also means the pace is set by the crew and sea conditions rather than by you alone.

First water stop: Ras Mohamed’s coral reef

The first main stop gives you about an hour and a half for snorkeling and marine life viewing. A professional snorkeling guide leads the activity, which is helpful if you are unfamiliar with the area or unsure where to look.

The appeal here is the clarity of the Red Sea water. You can see the reef and fish below you without needing a complicated plan. Renting the available snorkeling equipment is an option if you do not bring your own, but check your selected package because the gear may be an add-on rather than part of the base fare.

This is also the point where a little honesty helps. The tour description promises crystal-clear water and colorful coral reef scenery, but sea conditions and visibility can change. A sunny day does not guarantee perfect water clarity. The boat’s schedule gives you a generous first session, though the actual time in the water can depend on safety instructions and conditions.

The staff’s support is a real advantage for nervous swimmers. One guest specifically praised Mido for accompanying the group while snorkeling, and others highlighted how supportive the crew were in the sea. If you are not comfortable in open water, ask about a life jacket before entering. One booking specifically suggested that more visible life-jacket provision would help people who are uneasy in the water.

Optional introductory scuba sessions

The schedule allows about 35 minutes for scuba activity, and the booking options may include one or two introductory sessions. This is aimed at people who want to try breathing underwater rather than complete a full advanced course.

Ali is praised for helping create a memorable first scuba experience for a child, while another booking described the scuba activity as a particular highlight. Those details suggest that the instructors can be encouraging with beginners, but you should still choose this add-on only if you feel calm in the water and are ready to follow instructions carefully.

The added session changes the day slightly. You will have an organized underwater activity instead of simply swimming at the surface, and you may spend less time relaxing during that part of the schedule. For a first taste of scuba, though, the boat setting and protected park waters make this a practical add-on.

Check exactly what your selected price includes. The base cost is $31 per person, but scuba equipment and sessions are presented as upgrades or add-ons. The same applies to snorkeling gear.

White Island brings the day’s best photographs

The boat then continues to White Island for about an hour. This is the visual centerpiece of the trip: soft white sand, very shallow water, and bright Red Sea views that look made for photographs.

White Island is not a guaranteed stop in every condition. Its visit depends on the tide, so you should see it as a welcome bonus rather than the one reason to book. When the tide allows access, you can walk or relax on the sand, snorkel around the shallow water, and photograph the contrast between pale beach and blue sea.

I like the change of pace here. The reef stops ask you to look below the surface. White Island lets you get out, stretch your legs, and enjoy a simple beach setting. It also breaks up the long hours onboard.

The drawback is that tidal conditions can affect both the timing and the nature of the stop. You may have less beach space than expected, or the visit may not happen. If White Island is your top priority, ask about conditions close to your travel date rather than assuming it will be available.

A second swim stop keeps the afternoon active

After White Island, the program returns to Ras Mohamed for another snorkeling stop of about one hour. This second session is useful because you have another chance to enter the water after the first stop and lunch.

I see this as one of the better features of the schedule. A single short swim can feel frustrating if you need time to get used to your mask or the open sea. Two proper water stops give you a chance to settle in. You can also choose to stay onboard if you have had enough sun and swimming.

The second stop is not described as a completely different reef site, so do not book expecting two radically separate underwater worlds. Its value is the extra water time and the more relaxed rhythm. For anyone who enjoys snorkeling, that is worth more than another hurried photo stop on land.

Lunch onboard is simple, filling, and useful

Lunch is served on the boat as an open buffet. The menu includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks. Several highly positive bookings specifically praise the food, with one self-described chef calling the meal and cook good, while others describe lunch as tasty or decent.

I would set your expectations correctly. This is a practical buffet at sea, not a restaurant meal. Still, rice, pasta, salad, chicken, and fish give you enough choice after a morning in the water. The meal also saves you from having to buy lunch at a separate stop.

You eat while taking in the Red Sea views and resting between activities. That matters because the day combines an early pickup, a long outward cruise, several hours of water time, and a return sail. Eat enough, drink regularly, and use the calmer lunch period to reapply sunscreen.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Bring your own water needs in mind, although soft drinks are listed with the meal.

Is $31 good value for this boat day?

At $31 per person, the trip offers strong value if you want a complete Red Sea outing rather than a private charter. The cruise, national park entry, White Island visit when tides allow, buffet lunch, and guided snorkeling program make up a substantial package.

The price needs a closer look, though. Hotel transfers are optional. Snorkeling equipment may be an add-on. The marina entrance fee is €5 per person unless prepaid. Introductory scuba sessions also cost extra. Before paying, check the exact option and add-ons so the attractive starting price does not surprise you later.

For a family or couple who already owns masks and can reach Watanya Marina, the total may remain close to the advertised fare. For someone needing transfers, equipment, and scuba, the final cost will be higher. Even then, the package can make sense because lunch and park entry are included.

The 390-minute to seven-hour duration is enough to make the trip feel worthwhile without becoming an overnight commitment. The shared bus and boat format keep the price down, but you give up the privacy and flexible schedule of a private excursion.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want:

• A reasonably priced full-day sea trip from Sharm El Sheikh
• Guided snorkeling rather than finding reef areas on your own
• A chance to try an introductory scuba session
• A buffet lunch and soft drinks included onboard
• A mix of reef time, sailing, and a possible beach stop
• Friendly staff who can offer help in the water

It suits families, couples, and first-time snorkelers, provided everyone is comfortable with a long boat day. The staff speak English, Russian, German, and Kazakh, which may make instructions easier for many people.

I would think twice if you dislike shared excursions, long periods at sea, or fixed schedules. You should also be cautious about booking solely for White Island, since tides can prevent that stop. Strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers may want to bring their own equipment and focus on the water time, while nervous swimmers should ask about flotation support before departure.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but water entry from a boat can involve practical limits. If accessibility is important for you, contact Egypt Sunmarine Fleet in advance and discuss the exact boat and boarding arrangements.

Final call: book it for value and water time

You should book the Ras Mohamed cruise if you want a well-priced introduction to Sharm El Sheikh’s Red Sea scenery, with plenty of time for swimming, guided snorkeling, lunch, and an optional first scuba session. The strongest reasons are the two water stops, the friendly crew, and the chance to reach White Island without arranging several separate activities.

I would not book it if you need a private, quiet boat or if White Island must happen at all costs. Read the add-ons carefully, set aside the €5 marina charge, and confirm your pickup time through WhatsApp. With those details handled, this is a practical and enjoyable day at sea, and $31 is a fair starting price for what is included.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohamed cruise last?

The activity lasts about 390 minutes to seven hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off can add extra time, especially if you use the shared bus service.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the relevant pickup option. Pickup usually takes place about one hour before the trip, and some locations may be closer to 90 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included on the boat?

Yes. The open buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The White Island visit is subject to tide conditions. You can snorkel in shallow water, relax on the sand, and take photographs when the stop is possible.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if you select the relevant add-on. You can also bring your own equipment.

How much is the marina entrance fee?

The mandatory marina entrance fee is €5 per person. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the available add-ons.