Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed, White Island, Snorkel and Diving

The main draw here is simple: you get a full day on the Red Sea, with coral reefs at Ras Mohamed National Park and a stop on the pale sands of White Island. You can snorkel, choose one or two scuba sessions, or simply enjoy the boat and scenery.

I like the small maximum group of 25 and the hotel pickup, which removes much of the usual Sharm el Sheikh transport fuss. The buffet, drinks, equipment, and instructor are also included, making the $37.05 price unusually strong for a seven-hour boat trip.

The main caution is that the national park entrance fee costs extra, and the day depends on good organization between snorkelers and scuba participants. One negative account described a rude pickup driver and confusion over water time, so confirm exactly what your selected option includes before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Red Sea sites in one day: Visit Ras Mohamed National Park and sail onward to White Island.
• Choose your water activity: The package includes one or two scuba sessions, depending on the option you book, plus two swim and snorkeling stops.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, with tea, coffee, milk, soft drinks, and mineral water.
• Small-group format: The boat accepts no more than 25 people, a useful limit for instruction and deck space.
• Hotel-to-hotel service: Air-conditioned pickup and return transportation are included from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel.
• One extra charge: Ras Mohamed National Park admission is not included in the advertised price.

Why Ras Mohamed makes this boat trip worthwhile

Ras Mohamed National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea offers some of Egypt’s best-known coral reef scenery. You reach it by boat from Sharm el Sheikh’s marina, so the journey itself becomes part of the day rather than a short transfer to a crowded beach.

The appeal is below the surface. At the park, you can see coral formations and fish in clear water, with the option of joining a qualified instructor for one or two scuba sessions. If you are new to scuba, the instructor matters. Several people praised the calm, clear approach of the teaching team, especially for first-time participants.

I would treat the scuba option as a genuine introduction, not a private course. You are sharing the boat and the schedule with snorkelers and other people taking the same package. That keeps the cost low, but it also means you should listen closely to the briefing and stay aware of the meeting times.

The park stop may be the strongest part of the day for anyone who cares most about marine life. The trip details describe famous local spots, coral reefs, fish, and even sightings of caretta caretta turtles. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the combination of warm, clear water and protected reef habitat gives this stop real appeal.

If you would rather not use an air tank, you are not left out. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the itinerary includes two swim and snorkeling stops. You can also remain on the yacht and enjoy the view, which makes this more flexible than a scuba-only excursion.

Sailing from Sharm el Sheikh marina

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The transfer takes you to the marina, where you board the yacht for the trip south toward Ras Mohamed.

The total experience lasts about seven hours, although the supplied details do not give exact pickup or return times. That is worth checking before booking, especially if you have an evening flight, another tour, or a fixed dinner reservation.

Once underway, the Red Sea provides a pleasant change from Sharm el Sheikh’s dry inland setting. You have open water, a fresh breeze, and broad views from the deck. The boat has been described as clean and comfortable, with two toilets, which is a useful detail on a day spent away from shore.

The maximum of 25 people gives this outing a more manageable feel than a large party boat. It does not mean the yacht will feel empty, but it should make it easier to hear instructions, find a place on deck, and get help from the crew.

The atmosphere can be lively. Crew members named in the trip feedback include Saeed, Ali, and Alex, and the Miss Sherry crew is also mentioned. Their style appears friendly and energetic, which suits a day built around swimming and music-free outdoor fun, though anyone seeking a quiet sailing cruise should keep expectations modest.

Scuba sessions and snorkeling stops

The package includes one or two scuba sessions, depending on the option selected at booking. It also includes two swim and snorkeling stops, along with the required equipment and a professional instructor.

This arrangement works well for mixed groups. One person can try scuba while another snorkels, swims, or stays aboard. Children under 10 cannot take part in scuba and may only snorkel, so families should plan around that rule.

For a first scuba experience, the staff support is one of the stronger reasons to consider this trip. The feedback repeatedly highlights instructors who helped beginners feel calm and safe. That is especially useful if you are nervous about breathing underwater, clearing your mask, or getting used to the equipment.

Still, ask a clear question before departure: how much time is allocated to each activity, and can snorkelers enter the water during the scuba session? One unhappy account described a booking for two scuba sessions and snorkeling, followed by waiting at the first site and confusion about who could enter the water. That may have been a one-off problem, but it is a sensible point to clarify.

Snorkeling can be the better choice if you want freedom. You can look down into the clear water without the extra equipment and return to the boat when you are ready. The day also allows you to skip the water entirely at a stop and enjoy the views, though the main value of the trip lies in getting into the sea.

Take the safety instructions seriously. Stay with the group, follow the instructor, and do not assume that calm water near the boat means conditions are identical farther out. The crew’s friendly attitude is helpful, but good personal judgment still matters.

White Island, sand, shallow water, and photographs

After the Ras Mohamed stop, the yacht continues to White Island. The attraction is the contrast: soft pale sand, shallow surrounding water, and glowing Red Sea views that look especially good in photographs.

White Island is best treated as a scenic pause rather than a long beach day. You can walk on the sand, swim in the shallows, take pictures, and enjoy a break from equipment and instruction. The stop gives non-swimmers something to look forward to and lets active participants slow down.

The island has been described as unreal and particularly photogenic, but conditions can affect how much sand is visible. The details supplied for this tour do not specify tides, so do not assume that White Island will look exactly the same at every departure.

You may also find the stop busy if other boats arrive at the same time. The attraction is open water and a small sandy setting, not a private beach. Even so, it adds welcome variety to a day that could otherwise become a sequence of reef stops.

For photographs, bring a phone in a waterproof case or a small waterproof camera. That is practical advice rather than a promise of specific photo facilities, since none are listed. Keep your belongings secure on the boat and follow the crew’s directions when going ashore.

Lunch on the upper deck

The onboard buffet is a useful part of the value. The stated menu includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish. Tea, coffee, milk, soft drinks, and mineral water are available, with hot drinks described as unlimited.

This is filling boat food rather than a carefully designed culinary event. Several accounts praise the taste and generous portions, while one notes that the choices can feel limited. If you have strict dietary needs, ask in advance, since the available information does not promise vegetarian, vegan, halal, allergy-free, or gluten-free alternatives.

Lunch is served after time in the water, when most people are ready to eat. You can sit on deck, recover from swimming, and watch the sea while the crew handles the meal. That saves you from paying for food at a marina or carrying a packed lunch.

The inclusion of drinks is another quiet advantage. Seven hours in the sun can make hydration easy to overlook, and having water available onboard is important. You should still bring sun protection, since the itinerary is built around open water and outdoor stops.

Is $37.05 good value?

At $37.05 per person, this is a strong-value excursion if you want transport, a boat ride, reef stops, equipment, instruction, lunch, and drinks in one package. Many separate Red Sea activities charge individually for transfers, food, equipment, and park admission.

The comparison is not quite as simple as the headline price suggests. Ras Mohamed National Park entrance fees are extra, and the price covers one or two scuba sessions according to the option you select. Check the final total and the exact package before paying.

For a non-diving companion, the value still looks good because the trip includes the cruise, White Island, snorkeling, swimming, lunch, and transport. For someone focused only on scuba, compare the number of underwater sessions and the time at each site with more specialized operators.

The small group is important here. A low price with 25 people is different from a low price with 60 or 80 people. You are paying for a shared day, but the group limit should help the crew manage equipment and instructions.

The main risk is not the price itself. It is the possibility of uneven organization between pickup, boarding, water activities, and return. Most of the available feedback is strongly positive about staff, food, cleanliness, and the itinerary, but the complaint about a rude driver and unclear snorkeling access should not be ignored.

Who should book this Red Sea day?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a practical introduction to Sharm el Sheikh’s reef waters without paying for a luxury private charter. It suits couples, families with children over 10 who want to try scuba, and mixed groups where some people prefer snorkeling.

It is also a good fit if you value convenience. Hotel pickup and drop-off mean you do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina, and the air-conditioned vehicle is welcome in the Sinai heat.

Families should note the age restriction carefully. Children under 10 may snorkel but cannot take part in scuba. The feedback also describes crew members staying close to children in the water, which is encouraging, but parents remain responsible for choosing activities suited to their children.

I would be more cautious if you need a highly personalized scuba schedule, guaranteed wildlife sightings, special dietary catering, or a quiet, low-key boat. The trip is designed as a shared excursion with several activity types, not as a private underwater lesson.

Before booking, confirm four things: the park admission cost, whether you selected one or two scuba sessions, the expected pickup time, and how snorkeling is handled while scuba groups are in the water. These questions take little effort and can prevent the main disappointment described in the supplied feedback.

What to pack for the seven-hour outing

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A waterproof phone case is useful for White Island and the boat views, though no photography equipment is included.

Wear something comfortable for the transfer and boat ride. You should also carry any personal medication you need, since the day takes you away from the hotel for several hours.

The operator supplies snorkeling and scuba equipment, so you do not need to bring your own gear. If you prefer a personal mask or snorkel, you can ask whether bringing it is acceptable, but that detail is not specified.

Keep your booking confirmation on your phone because the tour provides a mobile ticket. The supplier offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohamed and White Island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours, including hotel pickup and return transportation.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Air-conditioned hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Are scuba sessions included in the price?

Yes. The selected option includes one or two scuba sessions. Check which option you are booking because the number of sessions varies.

Can I join if I only want to snorkel?

Yes. The experience includes two swim and snorkeling stops, and snorkeling equipment is provided. You can also relax on the boat and enjoy the views.

Can children take part in scuba?

Children under 10 years old are not allowed to take part in scuba. They may snorkel instead.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An onboard buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Tea, coffee, milk, soft drinks, and mineral water are included onboard. Hot drinks are described as unlimited.

Is the Ras Mohamed entrance fee included?

No. The Ras Mohamed National Park entrance fee is not included in the tour price.

Should you book this trip?

I would book it if you want a well-priced, all-day Red Sea outing with a good mix of reef time, snorkeling, White Island, lunch, and hotel transport. The strongest points are the friendly activity team, beginner-friendly instruction, clean boat, two toilets, generous meal, and small-group limit.

I would not book without confirming the exact water schedule if snorkeling is important to you, or without budgeting for the park entrance fee. Those are small checks, but they separate a smooth day from a frustrating one.

For most visitors staying in Sharm el Sheikh, this offers a lot for $37.05. It is not a private yacht or a specialist scuba expedition. It is a lively, affordable day on the Red Sea, and that is precisely where its value lies.