Sharm El-Sheikh: Ras Mohammed & White Island Cruise

Ras Mohammed is the star here: a protected Red Sea park where clear water, coral reefs, and easy boat access make snorkeling the main event. You get two water stops, plus time at White Island for shallow swimming, sand, and photos.

I like the sensible $35 price, which covers hotel transfers, the boat, lunch, drinks, safety gear, and park entry. I also like the crew’s personal approach. Guides such as Bishoy and Emad are repeatedly praised for staying close to swimmers and helping nervous participants. The main drawback is simple: this is a full boat day built around snorkeling, so anyone who dislikes open water, shared excursions, or a fixed schedule may find it less appealing.

Key points to know before booking

• Ras Mohammed is the main attraction: Expect coral reefs and clear Red Sea water, with a guide in the water during the snorkeling stop.
• White Island adds a change of pace: You can leave the boat, walk on soft sand, swim in shallow water, and take photographs.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Masks, fins, and snorkeling equipment are available if you select that option when booking.
• The $35 fare covers a lot: Transfers, yacht transport, lunch, soft drinks, mineral water, life jackets, and the €5 park entry fee are included.
• The crew gets close to the action: Bishoy and Emad are named for their friendly, attentive help, especially with snorkeling and scuba activities.
• Bring passport documentation: A copy of your passport is required for the trip.

Setting out from Sharm El Sheikh Marina

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. You ride to the marina in an air-conditioned vehicle, then board a comfortable yacht for the trip south toward Ras Mohammed National Park.

That transfer matters. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the port or worry about finding the correct boat on your own. The fare also includes the return transfer to your hotel, which is useful after a day in the sun and salt water.

Once the yacht leaves the marina, the outing becomes less about sightseeing from shore and more about the Red Sea itself. You will have fresh air, open water, and views across the coast of South Sinai. The boat has two bathrooms and shower facilities, as well as hot and cold drinks, unlimited soft drinks, and mineral water.

The exact departure time, boat capacity, and length of the trip are not specified, so you should confirm those details before booking. Still, the structure is clear: marina departure, Ras Mohammed, two snorkeling stops, White Island, lunch, and a return to Sharm El Sheikh.

Why Ras Mohammed makes the trip worthwhile

Ras Mohammed National Park sits at the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula. It is the reason to choose this cruise over a simple local beach outing. The park is known for its coral reefs and clear water, and the tour takes you directly to reef areas by boat.

You stop here to snorkel with a guide. That is more useful than it may sound. A guide can point out the best area to look, help you keep your bearings in the water, and stay nearby if you are not confident in open sea conditions.

Several people specifically praise the attentiveness of guides during the water activities. Bishoy is noted for being friendly, careful, and responsive to different needs. Emad is also singled out for making the day feel well organized and enjoyable. Those details suggest a crew that does more than hand you equipment and point over the side of the boat.

You should still judge your own comfort honestly. Snorkeling takes place in the sea, not a controlled swimming pool. Life jackets are included, and a snorkeling instructor is provided, but you need to be comfortable entering the water and following basic safety directions.

The park entry fee is included in the listed price. The inclusions specify €5 for Ras Mohammed National Park, which saves you from handling that extra payment during the outing.

Two snorkeling stops, not just a quick photo stop

The itinerary includes two snorkeling stops around Sharm El Sheikh, with Ras Mohammed forming the central reef visit. This is important because a single water stop can feel rushed if you need time to adjust your mask, fins, and breathing.

At the first stop, take a moment to get comfortable before trying to cover a large area. Put on the life jacket if you need extra support, listen to the instructor, and stay near the guide. The crew’s reported habit of guiding swimmers closely should help, but you should not treat that support as a substitute for your own caution.

The second stop gives you another chance to see the underwater scenery. Conditions in the sea can vary, and your view may depend on water clarity, light, and how comfortable you feel in the water that day. The tour promises clear Red Sea water, but no sea excursion can guarantee perfect visibility at every moment.

Snorkeling equipment is available as an add-on. The listed equipment includes a mask and fins. If you already own gear that fits well, you may prefer to bring it, but the supplied option keeps you from packing bulky equipment for a single outing.

Scuba equipment is also available as an add-on, including weights, belts, and 12-liter tanks. The information does not set out certification rules, prices, or the exact scuba schedule, so ask for those details before selecting that option. If you only want to snorkel, you can simply stay with the surface activity.

White Island gives the day a dry-land break

After the reef time, the yacht continues to White Island. This is the outing’s most relaxed stop. You can walk on soft sand, swim in shallow water, and take photographs with the Red Sea around you.

White Island is a useful change of rhythm. Snorkeling asks for attention, mask adjustments, and time in the water. At the island, you can dry off, stretch your legs, and enjoy the scenery without having to keep your face in the sea.

The island is also a good spot for photos, though you should protect your phone and camera from water and sand. The information does not specify how long the stop lasts, and the time may depend on sea conditions and the day’s schedule. Keep your belongings together and pay attention to the crew’s instructions about returning to the yacht.

Do not expect a large beach resort or a long independent beach visit. White Island is one stop within a boat itinerary. Its appeal comes from the contrast between reef swimming and a short visit to a sandy, shallow-water setting.

Lunch on the yacht, with practical comforts

Lunch is served on board as a buffet. The food includes rice, pasta, salads, and barbecue chicken. After swimming, that is a welcome meal, and eating on the yacht means you do not lose time returning to shore.

The meal is practical rather than fancy. You are choosing a boat day for the sea, not for a restaurant. The buffet format also gives you a chance to choose among the available dishes, though the information does not list vegetarian, vegan, halal, allergy-friendly, or gluten-free arrangements.

If you have a dietary restriction, ask before booking. Do not assume that a buffet automatically covers every need.

Drinks are included throughout the trip. You get hot and cold drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water. That is a real value at sea, where buying drinks separately can quickly add to the cost. You should still bring sun protection and any personal items you need, since the supplied information does not list sunscreen, towels, or personal snacks among the inclusions.

The two bathrooms and shower facilities are another practical advantage. You can rinse off salt water and use the facilities without waiting until the yacht returns to the marina.

What the $35 price really buys you

At $35 per person, this is a low-cost way to reach two of the area’s best-known sea stops. The price includes much more than the boat ride:

• Hotel pickup and return
• Air-conditioned ground transport
• Yacht cruise
• Two snorkeling stops
• White Island stop
• Snorkeling instructor
• Life jackets
• Buffet lunch
• Hot and cold drinks
• Unlimited soft drinks and mineral water
• Bathrooms and showers
• Ras Mohammed entry fee of €5

That package makes the price particularly strong for visitors who would otherwise need to arrange a taxi, boat ticket, park entry, lunch, and equipment separately.

The optional equipment changes the final cost. Snorkeling masks and fins are included only if you select the add-on, according to the supplied details. Scuba gear is also an add-on. Check the final booking total carefully so the low headline price does not surprise you at checkout.

A cheap boat trip can sometimes mean cutting corners on staff support or food. Here, the strongest positive pattern is the crew’s attention during water activities. That matters more than decorative details on a yacht. If the guides stay close, explain the activity clearly, and help you manage the equipment, you get better value from your time in the water.

Who will enjoy this Red Sea cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if snorkeling is one of your main reasons for visiting Sharm El Sheikh. You get two chances to enter the water, a guide, and access to Ras Mohammed without planning a separate national park visit.

It also suits first-time snorkelers who want some support. The crew is described as friendly and attentive, and the presence of an instructor can make the first few minutes less stressful. Life jackets are included, so you can use extra flotation if needed.

Families and mixed groups may also find the format useful. One person can snorkel, another can take photographs or relax on the yacht, and everyone can enjoy White Island and lunch together. The supplied information does not give age limits or child policies, so check those points directly if you are booking for children.

Scuba participants can select the equipment add-on, while non-scuba participants are still included in the main cruise. This makes the day suitable for groups with different interests, but you should confirm how the scuba portion fits into the schedule before paying for it.

I would be more cautious about booking if you want a quiet private charter, a highly flexible timetable, or a long beach stay. This is a shared yacht excursion with planned stops. You should also think twice if you strongly dislike boats or are uncomfortable in open water.

Languages, booking rules, and small details

Support is available in English, Italian, Russian, German, and Arabic. That is helpful for a mixed international group, though you should select or confirm your preferred language when booking.

A copy of your passport is required. Arrange that before pickup so the morning does not begin with a scramble through hotel bags or phone files.

The booking terms allow you to reserve and pay later, which is useful if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still shifting. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms make the trip easier to fit into a changing holiday schedule, but check the booking confirmation for the exact cutoff time.

The tour’s rating is 4.6 from 30 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on organization, friendly staff, and help in the water. That does not guarantee perfect sea conditions or a personal guide for every swimmer, but it gives you a reasonable picture of the service style to expect.

Is the Ras Mohammed and White Island cruise worth booking?

Yes, I would book it if you want a reasonably priced, organized day on the Red Sea with strong snorkeling access. The combination of hotel transfers, two water stops, Ras Mohammed entry, lunch, drinks, safety equipment, and White Island makes $35 a convincing deal.

Book it especially if you value crew support. Guides such as Bishoy and Emad are praised for being warm, attentive, and willing to help swimmers and scuba participants. That personal help can turn a basic boat trip into a much more comfortable first snorkeling experience.

Before booking, confirm the total price with any equipment add-on, the pickup time, and the scuba requirements if you plan to use tanks. If those details work for you, this cruise offers a lot of Red Sea time for the money, with just enough beach time to keep the day from becoming one long swim.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The yacht departs from Sharm El Sheikh Marina after hotel pickup.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes pickup from your hotel and return transportation after the yacht reaches the marina.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The cruise includes two snorkeling stops.

Is White Island included?

Yes. The itinerary includes one stop at White Island, where you can relax on the sand, swim in shallow water, and take photographs.

Is lunch included on the boat?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served on board, with rice, pasta, salads, and barbecue chicken.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Hot and cold drinks, unlimited soft drinks, and mineral water are included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling masks and fins are available if you select the snorkeling gear add-on when booking. Life jackets and a snorkeling instructor are included.

Is scuba equipment available?

Yes. A scuba equipment add-on includes weights, belts, and 12-liter tanks. Ask for the applicable requirements and price before booking.

What documents do I need?

You need to provide a copy of your passport.