From Sharm: Luxury Diving cruise to Ras Mohammed with Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the reason to book this six-hour outing: the boat carries you from Sharm El Sheikh to one of South Sinai’s best-known marine areas, where clear water, coral formations, and reef life fill the hours. I like the choice between one or two scuba sessions, and I like that non-divers can snorkel instead. The main caution is to confirm exactly what your chosen package includes, especially equipment, marina fees, and the number of sessions.

I also like the 90-minute break on board, with drinks, light snacks, and time to rest before the second stop. The staff and instructors have earned strong marks for being friendly and reassuring, but a few serious complaints involve disputed inclusions, short underwater sessions, photo sales, and weak group checks in the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Ras Mohammed by yacht: Expect about 1.5 hours of sailing on the way out, with open-water views before the marine stops.
• One or two underwater sessions: Beginners get an introduction of up to 15 minutes, while experienced divers usually spend about 40 minutes below the surface.
• A useful non-diver option: Snorkeling and snorkeling equipment are available when selected, so you do not need to scuba to join the boat.
• Lunch and drinks included: The boat serves a buffet-style meal, light snacks, and unlimited drinks, though food quality can vary.
• Shared hotel pickup: Pickup is by shared bus, usually about one hour before the trip, with the exact time sent by WhatsApp 24 hours ahead.
• Check the fine print: The marina entrance fee is €5 per person unless prepaid, and equipment may be an add-on rather than part of every fare.

What makes Ras Mohammed worth the boat ride

Ras Mohammed National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba. This trip is built around seeing that underwater world rather than spending the day at a beach resort.

The water is described as clear, and the main appeal is the chance to see coral reefs and marine life at close range. The boat ride itself takes about 1.5 hours on the way out, so this is not a quick transfer to a nearby swim stop. You get time on deck, sea views, and a full day at sea in a compact format.

I would book this for the contrast between the open water and the reef stops. The sailing gives you a break from Sharm El Sheikh, while the underwater sessions give the day a clear purpose. The park can become crowded with other boats, especially at popular stops, so do not expect a private reef experience.

From hotel pickup to the marina

Your day begins with pickup from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel reception in a shared bus. The road transfer is listed at about 35 minutes, though the pickup process can take longer because several hotels may be involved.

The exact pickup time is sent by WhatsApp 24 hours before departure. The rough expectation is about one hour before the boat trip, not necessarily the exact departure time shown when you book. Keep your phone available and check the message before bed.

At the diving center, you complete paperwork and receive your equipment if it is included in your selected package. This is the point where I would check the details carefully. The number of underwater sessions, equipment, and marina entry can vary by option or add-on.

The marina fee is €5 per person. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the booking options. That is a small charge, but it is better to know about it before you reach the port.

The 1.5-hour cruise to the national park

Once the boat leaves the marina, the outward journey takes around 1.5 hours. This is a proper boat cruise, not just a short hop, so bring sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a camera if you want photos from the deck.

The sailing time matters when you compare this with shorter snorkeling trips. You spend a good portion of the day moving between Sharm El Sheikh and Ras Mohammed, but that travel also creates space to relax, talk, and enjoy the coast from the water.

The boat provides drinks throughout the day. Light snacks are available during the break between underwater sessions, and lunch is served later on board. Do not expect a restaurant meal or a luxury yacht in the private-charter sense. The experience is best understood as a comfortable shared boat trip with a premium-sounding title, not a private cruise.

Your first underwater session

At the first marine stop, the instructor helps you enter the water and explore the reef. Beginners receive an introduction lasting up to 15 minutes. That shorter format is sensible for someone trying scuba for the first time, since it gives you a taste of the equipment and underwater breathing without committing to a long session.

The instructor’s role is important here. Strong feedback focuses on staff who were kind, calm, and attentive, including an instructor who stayed close and guided a beginner by hand. That sort of support can make a major difference if you feel nervous during your first attempt.

Certified or experienced divers can expect around 40 minutes on average, subject to the chosen package and the usual conditions. The description does not identify the instructors by name, but support is offered in English, Russian, Italian, and German.

Do not assume that the session will last exactly as long as the headline says. Some complaints describe sessions shorter than the stated time, while others describe a smooth and safe experience. I would confirm the duration at the diving center and keep your booking confirmation available.

The 90-minute break on board

After the first session, the boat pauses for about 90 minutes. This is the quiet middle of the day, and I consider it one of the better features of the schedule.

You can sit on deck, have light snacks and drinks, and recover before the next water activity. Snorkeling is also available during this period, making it useful for non-divers and for anyone who wants to stay in the water without using scuba equipment.

That break also prevents the day from becoming one long rush between briefing, equipment changes, and meals. If you are prone to seasickness, however, a long period on a boat can be tiring. Bring any personal medication you normally use, as personal expenses and personal supplies are not included.

The second stop and second session

If you choose the two-session option, the boat continues to another location in Ras Mohammed. Having two separate stops is the main reason to pay more than the basic package. You get another chance to see reef life and another setting below the surface, rather than repeating the same short introduction.

One particularly appealing version of the outing may include White Island, which one booking account described as beautiful. The supplied trip details do not promise White Island in every option, so treat it as a possible stop only if it appears clearly in your selected package.

The second session is also where clear communication matters most. Some customers have had to argue that their paid second session was included. To avoid wasting time, take a screenshot of the exact option showing one or two sessions, and check it with the center before leaving the marina.

Never touch marine life. Coral and sea creatures are easily harmed, and keeping your hands off the reef also protects you from accidental injury.

Lunch, drinks, and life on the boat

Lunch is served on board before the return to Sharm El Sheikh. It is described as a buffet meal, with unlimited drinks available during the trip.

Food is one area where expectations should stay modest. Some people found the meal delicious, while another account described the food and drinks as poor. I would treat lunch as a convenient included meal after a morning in the water, not as a reason to choose this cruise over another.

Bring a few snacks if you have dietary needs or simply prefer familiar food. Snacks are specifically suggested in the preparation advice, and they can be useful during the long boat ride and the 90-minute rest period.

The boat gives you a place to dry off, eat, and watch the coast pass by. You should pack sunscreen and reapply it often, since a full day at sea means strong sun even when the air feels pleasant.

How good is the value at $54?

At $54 per person, this is appealing if the price covers the parts you actually want: hotel pickup, instructor support, lunch, drinks, and one or two water sessions. The cost becomes less attractive if you need to add equipment, snorkeling gear, extra sessions, or the marina fee.

For a first-time scuba experience, the value comes from having transport, instruction, equipment options, and a marine park visit arranged in one booking. You avoid organizing a separate transfer, boat, instructor, and meal.

For an experienced diver, compare the actual underwater time rather than the six-hour headline. A one-session option may leave you with a long day for a relatively short period below the surface. The two-session choice makes more sense if you want the full outing and the additional reef stop.

The biggest value problem is uncertainty about inclusions. The package wording allows some items to be selected as add-ons, and disputes have occurred over whether an introduction session was included. Read the exact option before paying, and save the confirmation on your phone.

The photo and video sales pitch

Underwater photos and videos are a common extra on boat excursions, and this trip may offer them for purchase. The serious concern here is not that photos are offered, but that the price can feel high and the finished images may not suit everyone.

One complaint described a demand of £120 for photos and video, along with staged poses that did not look natural. You are not required to buy these extras. Decide before you go how much you are willing to spend, and ask for the full price before agreeing to anything.

If you bring your own camera, the preparation advice includes bringing a camera, but you must still follow the instructor’s directions. Do not let taking pictures pull you away from the group.

Safety and who should skip this trip

This excursion is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with back problems, heart problems, or respiratory issues. Those warnings matter because you will be boarding a boat, entering open water, and spending much of the day away from shore.

Beginners can take an introduction lasting up to 15 minutes, but that does not make the activity suitable for every swimmer. You should be comfortable in the water and willing to follow the instructor closely.

There was also a troubling account of a swimmer becoming separated from the group near the boat and needing help from another vessel. The operator later attributed the problem to filming rather than staying with the group. I would treat this as a firm safety lesson: stay with your group, do not swim off to film, and make sure staff know where you are before entering the water.

The trip is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the data does not explain how boarding, deck movement, or water entry are handled. If you use a wheelchair, ask the provider for practical boarding details before booking.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I think this works best for three types of people:

• First-time scuba participants who want a short introduction with an instructor close by.
• Certified divers who want one or two sessions at Ras Mohammed without arranging a private boat.
• Non-divers who are happy to snorkel, eat lunch, and enjoy the boat day from the surface.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, private yacht, precise control over your schedule, or guaranteed long underwater sessions. It is also not the right choice if you dislike shared transport, busy marine sites, or sales pitches for photos.

The multilingual instruction is useful for mixed groups. English, Russian, Italian, and German are listed, which may help you feel more at ease during equipment checks and underwater briefings.

Should you book it?

I would book this at $54 if I wanted an affordable full-day-style sea outing with hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and the choice of one or two scuba sessions. The friendly instructors and calm support for beginners are real strengths.

I would book only after checking the exact package in writing. Confirm the number and length of sessions, equipment, snorkeling gear, and the €5 marina fee. Save the confirmation, avoid paying for photos unless you genuinely want them, and stay close to the group in the water.

Choose the two-session option if the extra cost is reasonable and you want the best use of the boat ride. Choose another operator if consistent underwater timing, private service, or strict safety supervision matters more to you than the low price.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed boat trip last?

The activity lasts about six hours. The outward boat journey takes around 1.5 hours, the main Ras Mohammed portion takes about 3.5 hours, and the return boat ride takes about one hour.

Does hotel pickup from Sharm El Sheikh come with the trip?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel is included and is done by shared bus from reception. The rough pickup time is about one hour before the trip, with the exact time sent by WhatsApp 24 hours beforehand.

How many scuba sessions can I choose?

You can select one or two sessions, depending on the option you book. Additional sessions may be available as add-ons before checkout.

How long is the beginner session?

An introduction for beginners can last up to 15 minutes. The stated average for professional sessions is about 40 minutes.

Can non-divers join the boat?

Yes. Non-divers can choose snorkeling instead. Snorkeling equipment is included only if selected in the relevant option or add-on.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board, and drinks are available without limit during the trip. Light snacks and beverages are also provided during the surface interval.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, and snacks. Do not touch marine life during the water activities.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.