Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

Ras Mohamed National Park is the star here: clear Red Sea water, coral reefs, white sand, and a full day on a boat for about $31. You can snorkel with a guide, add equipment, or choose one or two introductory scuba sessions. White Island adds a bright, shallow-water stop that is easy to enjoy even if you are not a strong swimmer.

I like the friendly, hands-on crew, with Mido, Omar, Islam, Ali, Mohammed, Nada, and Eslam singled out for patient help and good service. I also like the practical mix of reef time, a sandbar visit, and a hot buffet lunch. The main consideration is the extra marina fee of €5 per person, plus possible costs for equipment and hotel transfers.

Key points to know before booking

• Two reef swims in Ras Mohamed: You get separate chances to see coral and marine life rather than one rushed water stop.
• White Island depends on the tide: The visit is planned, but nature gets the final word.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks.
• Introductory scuba sessions are optional: You can add one or two sessions if you want more time below the surface.
• Pickup is not always included: Hotel transfers depend on the option you select, and pickup can be about 60 to 90 minutes before departure.
• Bring your own basics: Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and beachwear are listed as essentials.

Why Ras Mohamed makes a strong boat day

Ras Mohamed sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea offers some of Sharm El Sheikh’s best-known reef scenery. The attraction is simple: warm-looking, clear water, coral, fish, and a day spent away from hotel pools and resort streets.

You are not just sailing to one photo stop. The day includes reef viewing, two swim opportunities, White Island, lunch, and time on the boat itself. That variety matters because you can enjoy the trip even if you want only a little time in the water.

The cruise lasts about 390 minutes, or roughly seven hours. That is long enough to make the ride to the national park worthwhile, but it is not an overnight commitment or an exhausting multi-day outing. The listed schedule includes about two and a half hours of sailing, one and a half hours for marine life viewing and snorkeling, a 35-minute introductory scuba session for the applicable option, one hour at White Island, another hour of snorkeling, and about 50 minutes of return sailing.

The exact timing can shift. Tide conditions affect White Island, and the water program may differ depending on the option you book.

From your hotel to Watanya Marina

If you select hotel pickup, a shared bus collects you roughly one to one and a half hours before the cruise. The exact time depends on your hotel location, and you should receive the final pickup details through WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure.

That early pickup window is worth noting when planning your morning. The marina is called Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh, and the operating center is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet. If you arrange your own way there, go to the center and look for an operations team member, usually wearing a yellow T-shirt.

You will need to show your ticket when you arrive. The marina entrance fee is mandatory and costs €5 per person unless you prepay it through the available add-on. This is the sort of small cost that can catch you off guard, so include it when comparing the headline $31 price with other boat trips.

Hotel transfer is also an option rather than a universal inclusion. Check your chosen package carefully. If you need a transfer but did not select one, the operator asks you to contact customer service.

The ride south to Ras Mohamed

Once aboard, the journey itself becomes part of the day. You can sit outside, feel the sea breeze, and watch Sharm El Sheikh recede as the boat heads toward the national park. The schedule allows substantial sailing time, so I would treat this as a cruise with swimming rather than a quick transfer to a beach.

The boat appears to be one of the stronger parts of the experience. Specific feedback describes the boat as lovely or amazing, including a vessel called Christina and another referred to as Liberty. The exact boat may vary, so do not book expecting one named vessel every time.

Bring something light to cover your shoulders if you are sensitive to sun. Sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and beachwear are specifically recommended. The Red Sea can look calm from the deck while still feeling tiring after repeated swims, so use the onboard breaks sensibly.

Your first reef session in the national park

The first main water stop takes place in Ras Mohamed National Park, with a professional snorkeling guide helping you explore the reef. This is where the day earns its keep. The water is described as crystal clear, and the appeal comes from seeing coral and marine life rather than simply floating in open sea.

A guide is useful here for two reasons. First, you can spend less time wondering where to look. Second, support in the water matters if you are nervous, tired, or unfamiliar with snorkeling. Mido and Islam received especially strong praise for accompanying people in the water, while the crew in general was repeatedly described as friendly and supportive.

Snorkeling gear is available if you select it as an add-on. If you already own comfortable equipment, you may prefer to bring it, but the activity specifically offers rental gear for people who need it. Check the package before you arrive so you know if equipment is included in your price.

One practical point deserves attention: a life jacket suggestion came up in the feedback. If you are not comfortable in the water, ask the crew about flotation support before entering. Do not assume that confidence in the water is required, but do be honest about your swimming ability.

White Island and the tide question

White Island is the prettiest pause in the schedule. It offers shallow water, soft white sand, and a chance to take photographs with the bright Red Sea around you. You can snorkel nearby or simply relax for a while, which gives non-swimmers and tired swimmers a welcome change of pace.

The visit is subject to tide conditions. That means it is not an absolute guarantee, even though it is a central part of the advertised route. If the tide prevents the stop, the experience will naturally lose one of its most distinctive features, so keep that possibility in mind when booking.

White Island also adds visual variety. The reef stops are about looking below the surface, while this stop gives you sand, open water, and time to enjoy the setting from above. I would bring a phone or camera in a waterproof case if you want pictures, but that item is not listed as provided.

The schedule allows about an hour at White Island. That is enough time for a swim, a few photographs, and a rest without turning the stop into a long beach stay. Expect a temporary sandbar-style visit, not a full-service beach with shops or facilities.

A second chance to snorkel

After lunch and the White Island visit, the trip returns to another snorkeling stop in Ras Mohamed National Park. This second session is valuable because your first swim may have been cut short by nerves, equipment adjustments, or the simple need to get used to the water.

You may also see the reef differently at the second location. The supplied schedule gives about an hour for this stop, so you are not limited to a quick dip before everyone is called back aboard. As always, water conditions and the day’s running order can affect the precise timing.

The crew’s role is important during both stops. You are not left to work out the water program on your own. Guides speak English, Russian, German, and Kazakh, which may make instructions easier for many passengers.

Optional introductory scuba sessions

You can upgrade the trip with one or two introductory scuba sessions. The listed program gives about 35 minutes for the scuba activity, so this is an introduction rather than a full certification course or a long technical session.

This option suits you if snorkeling has always felt like a first step and you want to spend more time below the surface. Ali was specifically praised for helping create a memorable first scuba experience for a child, and another booking described scuba as a particularly strong part of the day.

You should choose this add-on only if you are comfortable with the extra instruction and equipment process. If you prefer a relaxed day with simple swimming, regular snorkeling is enough. The base trip already gives you two water stops, and you do not need the scuba upgrade to enjoy Ras Mohamed.

Lunch on the boat

Lunch is served onboard, which keeps the day moving and means you do not lose another hour looking for food at the coast. The open buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks.

That is a useful spread for a mixed group. You can choose something familiar after swimming, and the combination of rice, pasta, meat, fish, and salad gives you more choice than a single boxed meal. Several specific comments praised the food, with the chef also receiving a warm mention.

Do not expect a restaurant meal with endless choices. It is a boat buffet designed to feed people during an active day. Still, the meal adds real value to a $31 excursion, especially when national park entry and the cruise are included.

What the $31 price really gives you

At about $31 per person, the base price is strong for a seven-hour boat outing. You receive the cruise, national park entry, White Island when tides permit, two snorkeling opportunities, and an open buffet lunch with soft drinks.

The final price can rise. Hotel pickup and drop-off depend on the selected option. Snorkeling equipment may be an add-on, and the €5 marina entrance fee is mandatory unless prepaid. Introductory scuba sessions also require an upgrade.

I would compare tours using the complete cost, not just the advertised starting figure. A slightly higher package might be better value if it includes transfers, marina fees, and equipment. On the other hand, if you are already near Watanya Marina and have your own gear, the $31 base rate is particularly attractive.

The activity has a 4.6 rating from 89 bookings, with praise concentrated around the crew, food, boat, organization, and water stops. The strongest pattern is personal assistance. Names such as Mido, Omar, Islam, Ali, Mohammed, Nada, and Eslam appear in positive feedback, which suggests that the human side of the day is a major part of its appeal.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh and want one full day focused on the Red Sea. Families, couples, first-time snorkelers, and people who want a gentle introduction to scuba can all find a suitable version of the trip.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can try scuba, and someone else can spend more time on deck or at White Island. The lunch and sailing sections give you breaks between water activities.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, struggle with long shared excursions, or want guaranteed time on White Island. The route includes several hours of sailing, and the sandbar stop depends on the tide. You should also think twice if you want a private boat or a small, quiet outing, because the available pickup is described as a shared bus and the cruise is designed as a group activity.

The trip is wheelchair accessible, but water access can still feel different from access on land. Ask the operator for practical details about boarding and getting into the water if you need specific assistance.

Simple ways to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. I would also bring a waterproof phone pouch, a hat, and a spare layer for the ride back, although only the first four items are specifically required.

Avoid alcohol and drugs, which are not allowed. Keep your ticket ready at the marina and watch for the yellow-shirted operations staff.

If you are prone to seasickness, eat lightly before sailing and stay where you feel most comfortable on the boat. This advice is practical rather than a promise about conditions, since the supplied information does not specify the sea state or boat size for every departure.

If you are a weak swimmer, tell the crew before the first water stop. Ask about life jackets or other flotation support, and do not feel pressured to stay in the water longer than you like.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a good-value day combining reef snorkeling, White Island, lunch, and an optional first scuba session. The crew support, clear water, two swim stops, and generous mix of food and sailing make the package easy to recommend at its base price.

Before paying, confirm four things: hotel transfer, equipment, the €5 marina fee, and the scuba upgrade if wanted. If you accept the shared format and the possibility that tides may cancel White Island, this is a practical way to experience Ras Mohamed without spending heavily.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohamed cruise last?

The activity lasts about 390 minutes, or seven hours. Pickup time is separate and may begin roughly 60 to 90 minutes before the cruise, depending on your hotel location.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. The operating center is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the applicable option. Pickup takes place roughly one to one and a half hours before the trip, and the exact time is sent through WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure.

Is there a marina fee?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if you select it through the equipment add-on. The trip offers rental gear for guests who need it.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The schedule includes two snorkeling stops in Ras Mohamed National Park. The first includes marine life viewing with a snorkeling guide, and the later stop allows another hour of snorkeling.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The White Island visit depends on tide conditions. When possible, the stop includes shallow water, white sand, swimming, snorkeling, and time for photographs.

What food is served onboard?

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

Can I add scuba to the trip?

Yes. You can upgrade to one or two introductory scuba sessions. The listed schedule gives about 35 minutes for the scuba activity.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak English, Russian, German, and Kazakh.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available for eligible bookings.