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

The best part of this Ras Mohammed cruise is the combination of a polished boat day and easy access to some of the Red Sea’s finest coral reefs. You get three water stops, a visit to White Island, and a freshly prepared lunch without giving up a comfortable place to dry off.

I like the large sun deck with padded loungers, and I like the attentive water guides. Ahmed, Umar, Mohamed, and Mohammed are among the guides praised for staying close to nervous swimmers and helping families feel safe. The main drawback is that the VIP label does not cover every extra: snorkeling gear and the 5 euro marina fee may cost more, and one passenger found the return transfer cramped.

At a glance

• Three water stops in Ras Mohammed National Park: Expect guided snorkeling among coral and fish, with timing shaped by sea conditions.
• White Island visit: A shallow, bright stop that adds a change of pace between reef sessions.
• Four-level Elite VIP boat: The top deck has loungers, while shaded decks and air-conditioned salons offer relief from sun and wind.
• Seafood and Egyptian BBQ lunch: Shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, salads, sides, soup, and fruit are prepared aboard.
• Strong support for nervous swimmers: Life jackets, a low rear platform, and close guide supervision make the water more approachable.
• Seven-hour day from Sharm el-Sheikh: Pickup is usually about an hour before the 9:00 am departure, with return around 4:00 pm.

A comfortable way to reach Ras Mohammed

This is not a small fishing boat with a single bench and a cooler. The Elite VIP boat has four floors, two air-conditioned salons, shaded seating, and a broad upper deck filled with sun loungers. That matters because the boat ride to Ras Mohammed takes time, and you will want somewhere comfortable to sit between swims.

The cruise departs at about 9:00 am and returns to the marina around 4:00 pm. Hotel pickup in Sharm el-Sheikh usually comes roughly an hour before departure, and the exact time is sent by WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

The trip includes hotel transport, the boat, crew, and buffet lunch. Snorkeling equipment may be selected as an add-on, so check your booking carefully. One important cost is easy to miss: the mandatory marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person unless you prepay it through the available add-ons.

The boat itself receives some of the strongest praise. The top deck is clean and fitted with comfortable cushions, while the deck below provides shade and large wooden tables. Two air-conditioned salons give you a cool place to eat or rest, which is useful after time in the sun.

The 2.5-hour cruise to the national park

The first major part of the day is the cruise toward Ras Mohammed National Park. The listed sailing time is about 2.5 hours, although the exact rhythm can change with the day’s conditions and operating schedule.

I see this as part of the experience, not just a transfer. You can settle into a lounger, order hot or soft drinks through waiter service, and watch the Red Sea open around you. The boat has enough room to spread out, so you are not forced to sit in one place all morning.

The upper deck is best if you want sun and a clear view. The shaded deck and salons are better choices if you burn easily or want a break from the heat. On the return journey, wind can pick up, and one passenger found the ride back windy. Bring a light cover-up even if the morning is hot.

The atmosphere is another plus. This cruise is presented as a quieter, more comfortable alternative to cheaper boats with loud music. That does not mean silence, but it does make the day better suited to people who want to talk, read, eat, and enjoy the sea without a party soundtrack.

First snorkeling stop: coral close to the surface

Once the boat reaches Ras Mohammed, the focus shifts to the water. The crew provides access through a low platform at the rear of the boat, making entry simpler than climbing down a tall ladder.

The guides accompany you during the snorkeling sessions and point out areas where coral and fish are easiest to see. The Red Sea is known for clear water, colorful reef formations, and a wide range of fish. The exact animals change from day to day, so you might see small reef fish, octopus, seahorses, turtles, rays, dolphins, or other species, but no specific sighting is guaranteed.

The water is generally warm by many standards, with temperatures rarely dropping below 20 C in winter. Still, January can feel cold, especially once you are wet and exposed to wind. One January passenger found the water too cold for comfortable snorkeling, so pack a towel and use the shaded areas between swims.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part. Life jackets are available, and the guides can stay close to you in the water. Several passengers specifically appreciated guides who offered an arm, reassurance, or a life buoy when deep water felt intimidating.

That support is a real part of the value here. A nervous swimmer can see the reef without being left to manage alone. At the same time, you should still be comfortable entering the sea from the rear platform, even though the low access point makes it easier.

White Island for a change of pace

The White Island stop gives the day a break from reef viewing. You leave the boat for a short visit of about 45 minutes, with the pale island and shallow water providing a different setting from the open-water snorkeling stops.

The stop is especially useful for families or anyone who does not want to spend every minute in the sea. One family found the speedboat tender enjoyable, and children can get a change of scenery while stronger swimmers continue to enjoy the water elsewhere in the program.

Keep your expectations sensible. White Island is a short visit, not a long beach stay. Its value comes from variety: reef, open water, boat time, and a brief island stop all fit into one day.

The schedule describes three stops at top snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park, while the detailed timing also includes White Island. The exact number and order of water sessions can vary. A passenger described two main snorkeling sessions, each offering something different, so you should treat the program as a flexible sea day rather than a minute-by-minute timetable.

Lunch with shrimp, fish, chicken, and kofta

Lunch is served aboard the boat after the water activities. The menu includes seafood soup, three types of fresh salad, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

I like the balance of Egyptian and seafood dishes. You can choose familiar grilled chicken or kofta, then add shrimp, calamari, and fish if you want a proper taste of the Red Sea setting. The food is prepared on board, so the meal feels more substantial than a packed sandwich or basic snack.

Portions are described as plentiful, and the food received some of the warmest praise. Several people rated it as better than their hotel meals, while another found it tasty but not quite at a true VIP level. That is a fair way to view it: expect a generous buffet with fresh-cooked items, not fine dining.

Waiter service continues through the day for hot and soft drinks. This is convenient when you are on a lounger and do not want to keep walking to a service area. But check what is included in your booking. One passenger said that drinks beyond small cups of generic cola and lemonade required payment, despite the VIP branding. The description promises unlimited hot and soft drinks, so ask the crew what falls within that arrangement before ordering anything extra.

What the VIP setup really means

At $80 per person, this is priced above a basic Sharm el-Sheikh snorkeling boat. You are paying for more space, better seating, air-conditioned salons, onboard cooking, waiter attention, and a less crowded feel.

The value is strongest if you plan to spend most of the day on the boat. The padded loungers make the long sailing sections more pleasant, and the salons matter when the sun becomes too strong. A large vessel also gives families and mixed groups room to spread out, even if not every part of the day feels equally exclusive.

The term VIP should not make you expect a private charter. You share the boat with other passengers, and the marina can be confusing during boarding. One passenger described the initial boarding process as disorganized, even though the boat itself was clean and impressive once aboard.

Transport is another area to watch. Morning pickup was fine for one passenger, but another found the afternoon return cramped in a single minivan, despite paying for separate transport for up to four people. If comfortable door-to-door transport is central to your plans, confirm the vehicle arrangement before departure.

Snorkeling help for beginners and families

The crew’s support in the water is one of the strongest reasons to choose this boat. Guides such as Ahmed, Umar, Mohamed, Mohammed, and Islam have been associated with attentive service on different departures, but guide assignments can change.

A good guide can make the difference between standing at the platform and actually seeing the reef. The crew checks on swimmers, points out marine life, and stays nearby when someone is unsure in deep water. Children also receive close attention, according to the experience of one family.

Life jackets are available for less-confident swimmers. The guide may use a life buoy to help you stay comfortable while being pulled along, which lets you see the coral without needing strong swimming skills.

Still, the water sessions are not a substitute for full swimming instruction. You should tell the guide if you are nervous, tired, or uncomfortable. Sea conditions can be choppy, and many swimmers chose life jackets on one trip. Fins are not included with the basic arrangement mentioned by one passenger, so confirm exactly what equipment you receive before leaving the marina.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but sea access is through the low rear platform. If you need specific transfer assistance, contact the operator before booking so you can confirm how boarding and water access will work for your needs.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this cruise if you want reef time but also care about comfort. It suits couples who want a quiet day on the water, families who need space and attentive guides, and mixed groups where some people snorkel while others prefer loungers and shade.

It is also a good fit for nervous swimmers. The combination of guides, life jackets, and easy rear access removes some of the stress that can come with open-water snorkeling.

You may want a cheaper boat if your only goal is a short swim over coral. You may also prefer a smaller craft if you want a more intimate trip or a faster ride to the first stop. This boat takes several hours to reach and leave Ras Mohammed, so the comfort of the vessel is part of what you are buying.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a light layer for the windy return. If you want to snorkel, confirm whether your mask, snorkel, and other equipment are included or need to be rented or added. Also allow for the 5 euro marina fee unless it has already been prepaid.

Should you book the Elite VIP cruise?

I would book it if the boat matters almost as much as the reef. The spacious decks, shaded seating, air-conditioned salons, onboard buffet, and close water supervision make this a well-rounded seven-hour outing rather than a basic transfer to a snorkeling site.

The strongest reasons to go are the comfortable sun loungers, attentive guides, generous lunch, and variety of stops. The main cautions are the extra equipment and marina costs, possible transfer problems, occasional wind, and cool winter water.

For $80, the trip offers good value when you use the boat’s facilities and want support in the water. Confirm the drink policy, transport setup, and snorkeling gear before you pay. If those details are clear, this is a solid choice for a relaxed Ras Mohammed day with plenty of reef time.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed Elite VIP cruise last?

The experience lasts seven hours, with departure from the marina at about 9:00 am and arrival back around 4:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm el-Sheikh are included, and pickup usually takes place about one hour before the cruise. The exact time is sent by WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program advertises three stops at snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park. The detailed schedule also includes a White Island visit, and the exact order or number of water sessions can vary.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is available if selected as an add-on. Check your booking carefully, since it is not automatically included in every option.

Is there an extra marina fee?

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

What food is served for lunch?

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

Are drinks included?

Waiter service for hot and soft drinks is provided during the day. Check with the crew about the limits of the included drinks, since one departure required payment for refreshments beyond small servings of generic cola and lemonade.

Can non-confident swimmers join?

Yes. Life jackets are available, guides accompany swimmers, and the boat has a low rear platform for entering the water. You should tell the guide if you are nervous or need extra support.