Sharm El Sheikh: White Island and Ras Mohamed Cruise Adventure

The Red Sea does its best work underwater. This seven-hour cruise combines two scenic stops, a barbecue lunch, hotel transfers, and guided snorkeling for $26 per person. I especially like the clear water around Ras Mohammed National Park and the calm support from the snorkeling team. The main catch is that park fees, equipment, and some optional extras may cost more than expected.

The trip is a good fit if you want an easy day on the water without arranging taxis or boat tickets yourself. You can snorkel with a guide, try scuba for an additional charge, or simply enjoy the boat and lunch. Still, you should prepare for busy stop points, possible delays at the marina, and changing conditions at White Island.

What makes this Red Sea cruise worth considering

• Two famous sea stops in one day: Visit Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island during a roughly seven-hour outing.
• Support for nervous swimmers: Guides have helped non-swimmers and first-time snorkelers stay close to flotation rings and feel safer in the water.
• A comfortable three-level boat may be used: The Miss Sherry has been praised for its condition, open decks, bathrooms, showers, and generous space.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect rice, pasta, salad, bread, chicken, fish, tea, coffee, water, and soft drinks, though food quality can vary.
• Hotel pickup reduces hassle: Air-conditioned transfers connect your Sharm el Sheikh accommodation with the marina.
• Check the extras before paying: Park admission is excluded, and snorkeling equipment may only be included with a selected package.

Leaving Sharm el Sheikh for the Red Sea

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters once you have been out in the sun, though pickup times can shift. One passenger reported a slightly late collection but found the operator reachable by message, while another waited a long time at the port before departure.

At the marina, you board the assigned boat. The vessel can vary, but the Miss Sherry appears frequently in the available details. It has three levels, onboard bathrooms, showers, and room to sit in the sun or find shade. The crew gives a safety briefing, and at least one trip used several languages, including English and Italian.

The advertised group limit is 25 people. That is a useful number for a boat day because a smaller group makes it easier to get help in the water. However, some passengers reported 35 or even more people onboard. I would treat 25 as the stated target, not an absolute guarantee, and ask the operator to confirm the expected boat size before you book.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You get wide sea views, fresh air, and a slower look at the coast than you would from a hotel beach. The downside is that the vessel may take time to reach the first stop, and one account described more than two hours waiting at the port. If you dislike uncertain schedules, this is worth keeping in mind.

White Island depends on the tide

White Island is usually presented as the photographic highlight. It is a pale sandbar surrounded by clear water, with open views and a feeling of being far from the resort. The catch is that it is not a permanent island in the usual sense. Tide and sea conditions can cover much of it or leave only a small patch of sand.

You may need to swim from the boat to the sandbar rather than walk straight ashore. One passenger described a distance of roughly 30 or 40 meters that felt much longer in choppy water. The crew provided support, and flotation equipment helped people who were not confident swimmers.

That detail changes how you should picture the stop. White Island is not necessarily a long beach break. The time there may be brief, sometimes around 20 minutes, and the sandbar may be partly underwater. It is best viewed as a short scenic stop with a swim, not a full afternoon on a deserted beach.

If you have a water phobia or cannot swim, tell the crew before entering the sea. Several accounts describe staff guiding nervous people with rings or close assistance. This help is a real strength of the trip, but you still need to be comfortable getting into open water.

Snorkeling at Ras Mohammed National Park

Ras Mohammed is the main reason to choose this cruise. The national park protects some of the Red Sea’s finest coral areas, and the water can be remarkably clear. Once you enter the sea, a snorkeling guide can lead you toward coral formations and point out fish and other marine life.

The guide-led format is useful for beginners. You do not have to guess where to look, and staff can help with masks, fins, life jackets, and basic water confidence. One guide named Saeed received particular praise for keeping the mood friendly and helping a group of non-swimmers stay together.

The quality of the water time can vary. One account described guided snorkeling around beautiful coral and many fish, while another said the actual snorkeling lasted only about half an hour. Delays, weather, boat traffic, and the day’s operating schedule may all affect how long you spend in the water.

Crowding is another concern. Ras Mohammed is popular, and some sites can have dozens of boats nearby. You may find ropes, swimmers, and other groups close together, especially during busy periods. That makes it harder to move freely and can reduce the peaceful feeling promised by the setting.

Follow the guide’s instructions carefully. Keep your mask clear, stay with your group, and avoid grabbing coral. If you need to surface to adjust your mask, make that clear to the guide rather than drifting into another group. The water may look calm from the boat, but currents and boat traffic still require care.

Snorkeling equipment and extra charges

The package information allows for snorkeling masks, fins, and life jackets if you select the appropriate option. It also mentions a lower rate for people who bring their own gear. This means you should not assume that every $26 booking includes a complete equipment set.

Ask these questions before paying:

• Is a mask included in my selected package?
• Are fins and a life jacket included too?
• Is the park admission fee separate?
• What is the price of an optional scuba session?
• Are photographs or wetsuits sold onboard?

Some people reported separate charges for individual pieces of equipment, while others used gear without describing extra costs. The safest approach is to read the exact package wording and confirm the final price in writing.

If you already own a mask and snorkel, bring them. Familiar equipment can fit better and saves you from spending part of the morning sorting out rentals. A life jacket may still be sensible if you are not a strong swimmer.

Lunch, drinks, and life onboard

Lunch is served on the boat and usually includes rice, pasta, salads, bread, grilled chicken, and fish. It is a practical buffet rather than a special restaurant meal. Some passengers found it fresh and satisfying, while others called it average or said the portions of meat were limited.

Drinks include mineral water and soft drinks such as Pepsi and Sprite. Tea, coffee, milk, and sugar have also been available on some departures. Unlimited water is especially useful after snorkeling, when the sun and salt water can leave you thirsty.

The boat has two bathrooms and shower facilities. That is a small but valuable feature on a full-day sea outing. You can rinse off salt water and change your comfort level without waiting until you return to your hotel.

The atmosphere can change during the day. Some departures feel relaxed, with a friendly crew and quiet time on deck. Others have loud music on the return journey and a party-boat mood. If you want a calm nature outing, ask about the planned atmosphere before booking.

The crew can make or break the day

The strongest part of this trip is often the staff in the water. Several people felt reassured by the snorkeling and scuba instructors, especially when trying the sea for the first time. Ali, Saeed, Mohammed, and Mousad are among the names associated with friendly, patient assistance.

That support matters more than polished sales language. A good guide notices who is nervous, explains the equipment, and keeps the group together. This can turn a frightening first attempt into a manageable one.

Service is not perfectly consistent. Some people felt the staff were warm and helpful from pickup to return. Others complained about repeated offers for photographs, wetsuits, equipment, tips, or extra activities. A tip box may be placed onboard, and tipping is optional, but you should never feel forced to pay.

Photography can also become part of the sales routine. If you do not want pictures, say so early and clearly. One passenger specifically appreciated that the photographer stopped asking after receiving a firm no, while another found the requests irritating throughout the day.

Optional scuba sessions for beginners

The itinerary includes opportunities for scuba, but this is not necessarily part of the basic $26 price. An additional session has been reported at about £25, though prices can change. Ask for the current cost before boarding.

The instructors have helped first-timers and even people who do not swim well. That does not mean you should ignore your own limits. Tell the instructor about your experience, water confidence, and any concerns before agreeing.

If you only want to snorkel, you should be able to do that without taking the optional session. Several people enjoyed the day without scuba, while others felt the extra selling became tiring. Decide in advance what you want to buy, and keep your answer simple.

Understanding the $26 price

At $26 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach Ras Mohammed from Sharm el Sheikh. Hotel transfers, the cruise, lunch, water, soft drinks, and access to snorkeling guides provide solid value if you already own equipment or choose a package that includes it.

The headline price is not the complete cost. Ras Mohammed National Park admission is excluded. The exact fee is not stated in the booking details, and one passenger reported paying $5, or 250 Egyptian pounds, at the park. Confirm the current amount before departure and carry a card or local currency for extras.

You may also pay for snorkeling equipment, scuba, photographs, or wetsuit rental. A cheap boat trip can become less attractive if you add several of these items. I would compare the total price with other Sharm cruises, not just the advertised starting figure.

The trip offers better value for people who want transport and a simple boat day. It offers weaker value for anyone expecting a private cruise, long quiet time at White Island, or extensive snorkeling in uncrowded water.

Who should book this cruise?

I would consider it for first-time visitors to Sharm el Sheikh who want a straightforward Red Sea outing. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat day and open-water swimming.

It is especially helpful for nervous beginners because guides may provide flotation rings and direct assistance. You should still be realistic about the physical side of the day. Getting into the sea, swimming to a sandbar, climbing boat steps, and staying in the water require some effort.

I would not choose it for babies or children under four. There may be little for very young children to do during a long boat trip, and the key activities center on swimming and snorkeling.

It may also disappoint you if you have already taken several Red Sea cruises and want something quiet or exclusive. Popular sites can be crowded, White Island can be partly submerged, and the boat may carry more people than expected.

Practical ways to enjoy the day

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a waterproof bag for valuables. You should also carry some money for the park fee and optional purchases.

If you own snorkeling gear, pack it. It avoids uncertainty over rental charges and gives you equipment you already know fits.

Tell the operator if your pickup is late. The available contact service has helped some people confirm arrangements, and sending a message is better than silently waiting at the hotel.

At the marina, listen closely to the briefing and ask where your group will meet after each stop. Busy boats and several swimming groups can make it easy to lose sight of the right guide.

Do not expect a private beach picnic at White Island. Treat it as a tide-dependent sandbar visit, and you will be less likely to feel short-changed if the stop is brief.

Finally, decide your spending limit before boarding. You can enjoy the coral, lunch, and boat ride without buying photographs, wetsuits, or an extra scuba session.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed and White Island cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, guided Red Sea day with hotel pickup, lunch, and support in the water. The coral, clear sea, and helpful instructors can make this a memorable outing, especially for a first snorkeling trip.

Book with caution if you dislike crowds, sales pressure, uncertain departure times, or add-on charges. Confirm the equipment package, park fee, expected group size, and optional activity prices before you pay.

The cancellation terms are simple: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided from accommodations in Sharm el Sheikh.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard and may include rice, pasta, salads, bread, barbecue chicken, and fish.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Mineral water and soft drinks are included, and tea and coffee have also been available on the boat.

Is the Ras Mohammed entrance fee included?

No. The national park entrance fee is not included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Masks, fins, and life jackets are included if you select the equipment option. Travelers with their own gear may receive a lower rate.

Can beginners join the snorkeling?

Yes. Most people can participate, and certified snorkeling instructors are provided. Guides can assist nervous swimmers and beginners.

Is scuba included in the $26 price?

The basic price does not clearly include an optional scuba session. Ask the operator for the current extra charge before boarding.

How many people can join the cruise?

The stated maximum is 25 people, although some departures have reportedly carried more.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.