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

Red Sea color comes with a comfortable boat. This seven-hour Ras Mohammed cruise combines three snorkeling stops, White Island, and a freshly cooked BBQ buffet aboard a spacious four-floor vessel. I especially like the large top-deck loungers and the attentive in-water support from guides such as Ahmed, Umar, and Mohamed. The main drawback is that transfer arrangements and marina fees can add some friction to an otherwise polished day.

The food receives unusually strong praise, and the boat feels calmer than many cheaper day cruises because it is not built around loud music. You should still check exactly what drinks and snorkeling gear are included, since one recent booking reported extra charges for refreshments and equipment.

Quick facts before you book

• Three Red Sea stops: The day includes snorkeling in Ras Mohammed National Park and a visit to White Island.
• Four-floor boat: You get a spacious sun deck, shaded areas, and two air-conditioned salons.
• Freshly cooked lunch: Expect seafood soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.
• Strong water support: Guides stay with swimmers and can provide life jackets or help with a life buoy.
• Seven-hour schedule: Pickup usually begins about an hour before the 9:00 a.m. departure, with return around 4:00 p.m.
• Extra costs to check: The mandatory marina entrance fee is €5 per person, and snorkeling equipment may be an add-on.

Why this cruise earns its VIP label

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ras Mohammed. You are paying for space, lunch, crew service, and a more comfortable boat rather than simply paying for a ride to the water.

The vessel has four floors, two air-conditioned salons, a shaded middle deck, and a top deck lined with cushioned loungers. That matters on a full day at sea. You can sit in the sun, retreat from it, or cool off indoors without fighting for a seat.

One booking described the boat as pristine, with clean loungers and comfortable cushions. That is the sort of practical detail that makes the difference after several hours on the water. You are not confined to one crowded deck while the crew prepares lunch.

The trip also appears to avoid the party-boat mood found on some lower-priced cruises. There is no promise of loud music or onboard entertainment, and the calmer setup suits you if your main goals are snorkeling, sun, food, and scenery.

The word VIP does not mean private. You are still joining a shared excursion, and the marina can be confusing before boarding. But once aboard, the extra room and service give the day a more relaxed rhythm.

The morning pickup and 2.5-hour cruise

Hotel pickup is included in Sharm El Sheikh, with the vehicle generally arriving roughly one hour before the boat leaves at 9:00 a.m. Your exact pickup time is sent through WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure, so keep an eye on your phone.

The road transfer to the marina takes about 25 minutes. One practical warning: afternoon and morning transport have not always felt equally smooth. A few passengers found the return transfer cramped or poorly organized, including one case where people expected separate transport but shared a minivan.

The marina entrance fee is mandatory and costs €5 per person unless you prepay it as an add-on. Treat this as part of the real tour price, not as a surprise expense.

Once the boat leaves, the cruise toward Ras Mohammed takes about two and a half hours according to the planned schedule. That is a long ride, but the boat’s layout helps. You can stretch out on the top deck, sit in shade, order hot or soft drinks through waiter service, or use one of the air-conditioned salons.

The boat ride is part of the day, not dead time. You get open Red Sea views and a chance to settle into the slower pace of a full-day marine excursion. If you dislike extended sailing, though, note the timing carefully. The published program includes several hours of cruising, so this is not a quick transfer followed by nonstop snorkeling.

Ras Mohammed snorkeling: support for all abilities

Ras Mohammed National Park is the heart of the outing. The area is known for coral reefs and a large range of fish, with the possibility of seeing creatures such as turtles, octopus, seahorses, manta rays, dolphins, and many smaller reef species.

No wildlife sighting is guaranteed. Conditions, visibility, and animal movements change from day to day. What you can count on is clear Red Sea water and coral viewing in a protected marine setting, provided the weather and sea conditions cooperate.

The planned first snorkeling session lasts about 45 minutes. The crew uses a low platform at the back of the boat for sea access, which is easier than climbing down a high ladder. Life jackets are available, and the guides remain involved in the water rather than simply pointing toward the reef from the deck.

That personal support is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. Ahmed, described as an experienced diver, helped a nervous swimmer feel safe by staying close and checking in often. Umar and Mohamed also received praise for guiding people through the water and showing them the underwater sights.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part, but you should be honest about your comfort level. Guides can assist with a life buoy and, when needed, pull a swimmer along. That is reassuring for beginners, children, and anyone who becomes uneasy in deeper water.

Sea conditions can still be rough. One passenger noted choppy water and said many people chose life jackets. If you are prone to seasickness or nervous in open water, bring any personal medication you normally use and take the crew’s safety guidance seriously. The supplied information does not specify seasickness treatment, so do not assume it is available onboard.

White Island and the second water stop

White Island is scheduled as a 45-minute visit. It gives the day a change of pace after the first snorkeling stop and offers a chance to stand on a bright sandbar surrounded by sea.

The stop is especially useful for families and anyone who does not want to spend the whole day in the water. One family found the speedboat tender entertaining for children, adding a little excitement to the transfer onto the island.

You should not treat White Island as a long beach outing. Forty-five minutes passes quickly, and the appeal is mainly the unusual setting and the short break from the boat. Bring sunscreen, and keep your towel and swimwear handy because this is still a water-focused day.

The schedule describes three snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park. The timing shown in the program lists one 45-minute snorkeling session, White Island, lunch, and then a longer final boat period that includes swimming and snorkeling. In practice, the exact order and number of water sessions can vary with conditions and the day’s operation. One passenger specifically described two snorkeling sessions, both with different qualities.

That variation is normal for a marine trip. The crew may adjust the order or length of stops to suit sea conditions, boat traffic, and safety. You should focus on the overall water time rather than expecting every minute to unfold exactly as printed.

The seafood BBQ lunch

Lunch is served in an air-conditioned salon, a welcome break from the sun and wind. The menu is far more substantial than a basic boxed meal:

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

The strongest food praise is unusually consistent. One passenger said the meal was better than the food at the hotel, while others called it first class, plentiful, and tasty. That makes lunch one of the better reasons to pay more than the basic cruise rate.

You can expect a buffet rather than a formal restaurant meal. The value comes from variety and volume, especially after swimming. Seafood is central to the menu, but chicken and kofta give you dependable alternatives if you are not keen on fish or calamari.

The crew prepares the food onboard using market-fresh ingredients and stated hygiene standards. You should still remember that this is a boat kitchen, not a luxury hotel dining room. The meal appears to be a genuine strength, but the VIP label should not make you expect fine dining.

Drinks are worth clarifying before departure. The experience description promises unlimited hot and soft drinks with waiter service, delivered to your lounger. Yet one passenger said only small cups of generic cola and lemonade were included, with other refreshments costing extra. That is a meaningful difference. Ask what is covered by your booking, particularly if you expect bottled drinks, juices, or premium options.

Sun loungers, salons, and the return cruise

The top deck is the boat’s most popular space. It is lined with sun loungers, and one passenger chose this cruise specifically for them. The loungers offer a comfortable place to dry off, read, or watch the sea between stops.

The third and top decks can be windy, particularly on the ride back to Sharm El Sheikh. That is pleasant in strong heat but less comfortable if you are wet or the air turns cool. A light cover-up will help, even on warm days.

Deck 2 provides shade with large wooden tables. This is likely the best place for you if you want fresh air without full sun, or if you prefer sitting upright with a drink rather than lying down.

The two air-conditioned salons provide a cool indoor option and host the lunch service. They are also helpful during the hottest part of the day, when a shaded deck may not feel cool enough.

The final two-hour period includes more sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing before the boat heads back. As with the outward trip, the journey home may be windy and transport after disembarkation may be less polished than the onboard service.

The crew’s hospitality is a major part of the experience. Staff regularly check on passengers, offer drinks, and assist in the water. One especially telling service detail involved a lost item that was returned to a hotel the next day. That suggests care beyond the basic job, though individual guide performance can vary. One passenger found the boat crew excellent but felt the assigned guide did not interact enough.

What the $80 price really buys

At $80, the cruise is a good value if you plan to use the boat’s facilities and eat the included lunch. You receive hotel pickup and return, the cruise, crew service, buffet food, access to the main snorkeling stops, and the comfort of a large vessel.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short swim and do not care about the sun deck, air-conditioned salons, or onboard meal. A cheaper boat may cover the same general waters, though you may give up space and a quieter atmosphere.

Remember to add the €5 marina fee. Snorkeling gear may also cost extra. Equipment is listed as included only if selected as an add-on, and one booking reported paying $5 for a mask and goggles, with no flippers available. Confirm this before the morning of your trip.

The service and food help justify the cost. The guides’ hands-on care also matters if you are traveling with children or a weak swimmer. For confident swimmers who already own gear, the value improves because you can use more of what you have paid for.

Who should book this day at sea?

I would choose this cruise if you want a full Red Sea day without giving up comfort. It suits couples, families, first-time snorkelers, and people who prefer a polished boat to a noisy party vessel.

It is especially helpful for you if deep water makes you nervous. The guides can stay close, life jackets are available, and the low rear platform makes entry easier. Children should still be supervised, and the available information does not give a minimum age, so ask before booking for very young children.

You should think twice if you want a private charter, a guaranteed calm sea, or a tightly controlled timetable. This is a shared boat, the ride is long, and weather can affect snorkeling and transfers.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a cover-up for the windy return. If you own a mask, bring it unless you have confirmed rental details. The tour is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm how boarding and water access will work for your specific needs.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed Elite VIP Cruise?

Yes, if you value space, attentive water guides, and a proper meal as much as the snorkeling itself. The coral sites and marine life are the main attraction, but the clean boat, cushioned loungers, quiet atmosphere, and strong crew service make the long day easier to enjoy.

I would book it with two checks first: confirm the drink policy and decide whether to prepay the €5 marina fee and snorkeling equipment. If the transfer arrangements are clearly explained, the $80 price offers solid value for a comfortable shared cruise to Ras Mohammed.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts seven hours, with departure from the marina at 9:00 a.m. and arrival back around 4:00 p.m. Hotel pickup usually takes place roughly one hour before departure.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes three stops at snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park. The exact order and timing can change, and the listed schedule includes a 45-minute snorkeling session plus later swimming and snorkeling time.

Is White Island included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a 45-minute visit to White Island, reached as part of the boat excursion.

What food is served for lunch?

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

Are drinks included?

The experience description says unlimited hot and soft drinks are served throughout the day. Confirm the exact drink selection before departure, since additional refreshments may not be included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if selected as an add-on. The stated options do not automatically guarantee fins, so confirm the equipment provided before booking.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 per person applies. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the available add-on.

What languages are available?

The instructor languages are English, German, and Russian. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.