From Sharm: Luxury Diving cruise to Ras Mohammed with Lunch

Ras Mohammed’s clear Red Sea water is the star here. From Sharm El Sheikh, you sail to the national park for underwater time among coral reefs and marine life, then eat lunch on the boat before heading back. I like the choice between one and two sessions, and I like that non-swimmers who can manage the water can choose snorkeling instead. The main catch is that equipment and the mandatory marina fee may cost extra, so the headline price is not always the final price.

I also like the professional instructor support, especially for first-timers who need calm, close guidance. The 90-minute surface break gives you time for snacks, drinks, and snorkeling rather than rushing from one activity to the next. Still, the operation needs careful checking at checkout: two recent customers had disputes about what their chosen package included, and one reported shorter-than-advertised underwater sessions.

Key points to know before booking

• Ras Mohammed by yacht: Expect about 1.5 hours of sailing out, scenic views, and around one hour back.
• One or two underwater sessions: Beginners receive up to 15 minutes, while experienced participants usually get about 40 minutes.
• Snorkeling during the break: Non-divers can use the surface interval to snorkel, provided the relevant equipment is arranged.
• Lunch and drinks included: A buffet meal and unlimited drinks are served aboard, though food quality has not been consistent for everyone.
• Pickup details matter: Shared hotel transport usually comes about one hour before departure, with the exact time sent by WhatsApp 24 hours ahead.
• Extra charges are possible: The marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person, and equipment may be an add-on.

Why Ras Mohammed is worth the boat ride

Ras Mohammed National Park sits at the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea offers some of Egypt’s best-known underwater scenery. The point of this trip is not simply to get on a boat. It is to reach clearer water and reef sites away from the hotel beaches around Sharm El Sheikh.

The attraction is the change in setting. You leave the resort area, pass open water, and spend much of the day surrounded by sea rather than roads, shops, and hotel walls. Once in the water, you can look for coral formations and marine life with an instructor nearby.

This is a good choice if you want a first taste of scuba without signing up for a full certification course. It also works for experienced participants who prefer an easy day on a boat instead of arranging a private charter. The trip is short enough to fit into a holiday schedule, but long enough to include two water stops, lunch, and a proper rest period.

Do not expect a private expedition. Boats visiting Ras Mohammed can become busy, especially at popular sites. The experience is shared, and the exact pace depends on the crew, the number of people aboard, and the package you select.

From hotel pickup to the marina

The day begins with pickup at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel. Transport is by shared bus from reception, and the trip to the diving center takes roughly 35 minutes. The pickup itself is usually about one hour before the boat leaves, but you receive the exact time on WhatsApp 24 hours before the activity.

That message matters. Sharm hotel zones are spread out, and the stated start time is not the same as your collection time. Keep your phone active and check the message the day before. If you are staying at a large resort, wait at reception rather than assuming the driver will find you elsewhere.

At the center, you complete paperwork and get fitted for equipment if it is included in your chosen package or purchased as an add-on. Check this carefully before paying. The basic advertised cost is $54 per person, but equipment and the 5 euro marina entrance fee may not be part of every option.

The marina fee can be prepaid through the add-ons or paid on arrival. I would settle this before the morning if possible. It avoids a small but irritating surprise when the group is trying to board.

Sailing south toward the national park

The outward boat ride takes about 1.5 hours. That is a significant part of a six-hour tour, but it is also when you settle into the day. You can sit back, watch the coast recede, and get ready for the first water stop.

Bring sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. A camera is useful, though protect it properly around the boat and water. Snacks are also listed as something to bring, even though light snacks and drinks are available aboard during the surface break.

The boat is the base for the whole outing. You return to it after the first underwater session, eat lunch there, and use it again between water activities. This makes the day simpler than a shore-based trip involving repeated transfers.

The trade-off is that boat comfort and service affect the experience as much as the national park itself. Expect a shared cruise atmosphere, not a quiet private yacht. One recent account praised the organization and staff, while another found the meal and drinks poor. That contrast is worth keeping in mind.

The first underwater session: what beginners should expect

At the first site, the instructor helps you enter the water and explore the reef. An introductory session for a beginner lasts up to 15 minutes. That is enough to experience breathing underwater, move slowly over the reef, and see marine life at close range, but it is not a long technical session.

If you are nervous, tell the instructor before entering the water. The strongest praise for this trip has focused on the instructors being friendly, patient, and attentive. One participant described being guided and held by the instructor throughout the session, which gives you a clear idea of the support available for newcomers.

You should still be realistic about the limits. An introduction is not a qualification, and the instructor controls the pace and route. You may spend time getting comfortable, equalizing, and following instructions rather than covering a large area.

Experienced participants usually receive about 40 minutes underwater. The difference between the beginner and experienced options is substantial, so select the correct package. The number of sessions is stated in each option, and extra sessions may be available as add-ons.

A serious point deserves attention here. Two recent accounts reported confusion about whether one or two introductory sessions were included. In both cases, the dispute took time away from the water. Save your booking confirmation on your phone and check the exact wording before leaving the hotel. If the package says one or two sessions, make sure the boat crew understands that at the start of the day.

The 90-minute surface break

After the first session, the boat pauses for about 90 minutes. This is more than a short wait. You have time to dry off, eat light snacks, drink something, and use the water for snorkeling.

For non-divers, this is an important part of the trip. You do not have to sit on deck while other people use scuba equipment. Snorkeling is offered as an alternative, though snorkeling equipment may need to be selected as an add-on.

The break also gives you a chance to decide how much more activity you want. The Red Sea sun can be strong, and a slow meal or quiet time on deck may be more enjoyable than staying in the water the whole day.

Stay close to the group and follow the crew’s instructions. One troubling account described a swimmer being carried away from the group by the current and needing help from another boat. The report also said there was no proper headcount at that moment. I cannot treat that as the normal outcome, but it is sensible advice: do not swim away from the marked group, and tell the crew immediately if the current moves you.

A second reef stop and lunch aboard

If you choose the two-session option, the boat continues to a second site. This gives you a different underwater setting and another chance to see coral and marine life. The value of the second session is not simply extra minutes. You are more comfortable after the first attempt, so you may spend less time adjusting and more time looking around.

Several people particularly enjoyed visiting White Island as part of the wider day. The supplied details do not promise White Island on every departure, so treat it as a possible stop rather than a guaranteed feature. Ask at the start of the trip if it is included in your route.

Lunch is served aboard during the later part of the cruise. It is a practical arrangement: you do not lose time returning to shore, and you can eat with the sea around you. The meal is included, as are drinks, but expectations should stay moderate. One account called the food delicious, while another found the food and drinks poor. Food quality can vary by departure, so do not book this trip mainly for the buffet.

After lunch, you return toward the marina. The ride back takes about one hour, followed by the transfer back to your Sharm hotel. The complete activity lasts about six hours, although hotel pickup and drop-off make the total day longer.

The $54 price and the extras

At $54 per person, this is potentially good value for a boat trip to Ras Mohammed. You receive hotel pickup, a professional instructor, lunch, drinks, and access to snorkeling or underwater activities depending on the selected option.

The value depends on what your package includes. Check these points before you pay:

• The number of underwater sessions
• Equipment rental
• Snorkeling equipment
• The 5 euro marina entrance fee
• Any optional photo or video package

The last item deserves caution. Underwater photos and videos are sold separately, and one customer reported being asked for £120 for material they did not consider worthwhile. You are not required to buy it. If you want photos, ask the price before anyone begins filming, and do not assume a promotional offer includes the full set.

The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your schedule is still moving. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms make it easier to wait for a suitable weather forecast within the stated cancellation window, though the supplied information does not promise a particular sea condition or departure change policy.

Who should choose this trip

I would consider this excursion if you want a guided first underwater experience, a relaxed boat day, or a simple way to combine scuba and snorkeling. The multilingual instruction in English, Russian, Italian, and German is helpful when technical instructions need to be clear.

It suits confident swimmers and people who are medically fit for underwater activity. It is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with back or heart problems, or anyone with respiratory issues. If you have a medical concern, get professional advice before booking rather than relying on a general tour description.

Wheelchair access is listed, but the activity still involves a boat and water equipment. Ask the provider about the exact transfer and boarding arrangements for your needs before committing.

Families and mixed groups may find the format useful because one person can snorkel while another takes the underwater option. The day is less suitable for anyone who dislikes shared boats, set schedules, or commercial add-on sales.

Small details that improve the day

Keep your confirmation available on your phone. It is especially useful if there is any confusion about one or two sessions.

Arrive at the hotel reception early, bring a towel and swimwear, and use sunscreen before pickup. You may also want a light cover-up for the boat ride.

Do not touch coral or marine life. Apart from protecting the reef, this keeps you from making a poor choice in a crowded water area.

Use the surface interval to rest. Two underwater sessions, a boat ride, heat, and snorkeling can add up quickly.

If you plan to use a camera, ask where it can be stored and when it is safe to use. Stay with the group in the water, especially around currents and boat traffic.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed cruise?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, guided Red Sea outing with hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, and a choice of one or two underwater sessions. The best part is the access to Ras Mohammed without arranging separate transport, along with instructors who have generally provided reassuring support for beginners.

Proceed carefully if you need strict control over timing, expect a high-end yacht service, or dislike surprise costs. Confirm every add-on and the number of sessions before departure. I would also skip the optional photo package unless you hear the complete price first.

At $54, this is a fair option when the inclusions are clear. It is not a flawless luxury cruise, but it can deliver a memorable day in Ras Mohammed if you arrive prepared and keep your expectations focused on the sea, not the buffet or sales pitch.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The activity lasts about six hours. This includes hotel pickup, the boat ride, water activities, lunch, and the return to Sharm El Sheikh.

How many underwater sessions can I choose?

You can select a one-session or two-session option. The number of sessions is stated in each package, and additional sessions may be available as add-ons.

How long is an introductory session for a beginner?

An introductory session for a beginner lasts up to 15 minutes. Experienced participants usually stay underwater for about 40 minutes.

Is snorkeling available for people who do not choose scuba?

Yes. Snorkeling is available for non-divers and during the surface interval. Snorkeling equipment may need to be selected as an add-on.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served aboard the boat, and drinks are included. Light snacks and beverages are also available during the surface interval.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, and snacks. Do not touch marine life, and follow the instructor’s directions in the water.