Sharm: Elite VIP Cruise Ras Mohammed & White Island with Lunch

Ras Mohammed and White Island give you two very different Red Sea experiences in one half-day: colorful coral reefs below the water and a bright sandbar above it. The Elite VIP Cruise keeps the day simple with hotel pickup, three snorkeling stops, a guide, and a substantial lunch.

I like the low rear platform, which makes getting into the sea easier, and the helpful guides who can assist less-confident swimmers with life jackets or a buoy. I also like the small-group limit of 35 people, though snorkeling equipment is not included, so check the rental arrangement before you leave your hotel.

Key points to know before you book

• Three snorkeling stops: You get several chances to see coral and Red Sea marine life, rather than relying on one site.
• White Island visit: The sandbar is the day’s scenic highlight, with a short-lived, tide-dependent feel.
• Hotel pickup included: Door-to-door transport removes the need to arrange your own marina transfer.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Equipment is specifically excluded, so bring your own or budget for rental.
• Lunch is more than a light snack: Expect soup, salad, grilled meat and seafood, side dishes, and fruit.
• Maximum group size of 35: This is not a private charter, but it is more manageable than a large boat packed with people.

Leaving Sharm el Sheikh for Ras Mohammed

The day begins with pickup from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., but one recorded pickup took place at 7:30 a.m., so you should be ready early and confirm the exact collection time after booking.

That early start matters. You need road time to reach the marina, boarding time, and a full schedule at sea. The included air-conditioned vehicle is useful in Sharm’s heat, especially if you are carrying towels, swimwear, and snorkeling equipment.

At the marina, you board the brand new Elite VIP Cruise boat. The boat is described as large, clean, comfortable, and secure, which makes a difference during a six-hour outing. You are not signing up for a tiny, cramped speedboat experience. At the same time, a maximum of 35 people means the boat will still feel like a shared excursion rather than a private day at sea.

The guide explains the plan before the boat heads out. Omar has been praised for speaking clear English and giving a straightforward explanation of the day, so he is a useful name to look out for if he is assigned to your departure. Guide quality matters here because three snorkeling stops can become confusing if nobody explains where to go, when to return, or how to use the safety equipment.

Three Red Sea snorkeling stops

The main reason to book this cruise is the chance to visit three snorkeling sites around Ras Mohammed National Park. You do not spend the whole day at one reef hoping conditions are perfect. Instead, the schedule gives you several opportunities to see coral and marine life in different places.

The exact names of the three sites are not provided, so you should not expect a detailed site-by-site route in advance. What you can expect is time in the water at some of the Red Sea’s best-known reef areas, with guides nearby to help you find the most interesting sections.

The guides accompany the group during the snorkeling stops. That is valuable for first-timers and anyone who is not comfortable judging currents or finding the boat again. Life jackets are available, and the rear platform provides a low entry point into the sea.

The setup is especially helpful if you can swim but do not feel confident in open water. The crew can assist with a life buoy and, according to the stated arrangements, may even pull a less-confident swimmer along. That does not turn the trip into a swimming lesson, but it does make the water time less intimidating.

You should still be realistic about the experience. This is a group boat trip, not a private guide assigned only to you. You will need to follow instructions, return to the boat on time, and share the best viewing areas with other people.

Also, snorkeling gear is not included. This is the most important extra cost to plan for. The package includes lunch, transport, and fees, but not masks, snorkels, or other snorkeling equipment. Bring your own if you have it, or ask in advance how rental works. Arriving without a mask and expecting it to be included could spoil an otherwise good-value day.

What makes Ras Mohammed special

Ras Mohammed National Park is the setting that gives this cruise its strongest natural appeal. Its coral reefs and marine life are the reason people make the trip from Sharm, and the schedule gives you repeated time to see them from the water.

Snorkeling is a good way to experience the park without needing scuba certification. You can stay close to the surface, use a life jacket if needed, and let the guide point out the most worthwhile areas. The water access is designed to be straightforward, with the platform at the back of the boat rather than a difficult climb over the side.

For confident swimmers, the three stops provide variety and more total water time. For beginners, they offer second and third chances. If you feel nervous at the first site, you can watch how the group enters and try again at the next stop.

The practical weakness is that weather and sea conditions can affect the day. The experience requires good weather, and a poor forecast can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a boat trip, but it means you should avoid building your entire holiday around one fixed cruise date if your schedule is tight.

White Island, the bright sandbar stop

White Island provides the most photogenic part of the itinerary. It is a pristine sandbar surrounded by Red Sea water, and the contrast between pale sand and open sea gives the stop a very different feel from the reef visits.

This is not a full beach day. White Island is a sandbar, not a large resort beach with shade, shops, or facilities. Its appeal is the scenery and the unusual setting. You can expect a stop for photographs, a little walking or wading, and a change of pace after the snorkeling.

The sandbar may also be sensitive to tide and sea conditions. The information supplied does not state how long you stay there or precisely how much of the island is exposed, so keep your expectations flexible. If you want a calm scenic break rather than another long swim, White Island should be a welcome part of the route.

Bring sun protection, a hat, and a secure way to carry your phone. The bright surroundings can make glare strong, and wet conditions are always possible around a boat and sandbar. These are simple precautions, but they help you enjoy the stop instead of worrying about your belongings.

Lunch with grilled meat, seafood, and fruit

Lunch is one of the better inclusions for a half-day cruise. The meal includes soup, salad, grilled meat and seafood, side dishes, and fruit. That is a proper meal after several periods in the water, not just a sandwich and a drink.

I like this kind of lunch on a boat because you do not need to leave the excursion to find food. You can stay with the group, eat aboard, and make use of the time between activities. The substantial menu also helps justify the price for anyone comparing this cruise with a cheaper boat trip that includes only transport and a basic snack.

The supplied information does not specify vegetarian choices, drinks, or a menu for special diets. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the grill or side dishes will suit you. The same applies to food allergies.

Lunch will probably feel most useful after the snorkeling stops, when you are ready for something filling. You should still bring water and personal sun protection unless the operator confirms those items are supplied. They are not listed among the inclusions.

What the $77.99 price really covers

At $77.99 per person, this cruise sits in the mid-range for a shared Sharm el Sheikh boat excursion. The value comes from combining several costs in one booking: hotel transfers, lunch, national park fees, a guide, and three snorkeling stops.

The boat itself is another part of the value. A clean, comfortable vessel with a secure feel can make six hours at sea much easier than a basic boat with little room to sit. You are paying for the full day structure, not only the ride to Ras Mohammed.

The main price warning is snorkeling equipment. Because gear rental is not included, your final cost will be higher if you need a mask, snorkel, fins, or related equipment. Confirm that extra before you compare this tour with another package.

For a person who wants an organized outing, the price is reasonable. You do not have to arrange a taxi to the marina, find a boat operator, pay park fees separately, or search for lunch. If you already own snorkeling gear and value convenience, the package makes more sense.

It is less attractive if you want a private boat, a quiet day with no fixed schedule, or a long stay at one reef. The 35-person maximum keeps the group from becoming enormous, but it does not remove the shared-tour format.

Timing, group size, and comfort

The advertised duration is about six hours. That is enough time for transport, three water stops, White Island, lunch, and the return journey, but it is not an all-day expedition.

You should expect a structured timetable. Boats need to leave each site on schedule, and the group must return together. If you prefer to linger underwater for as long as you like, this format may feel controlled. If you prefer knowing what happens next, it is a strength.

A maximum of 35 people is a useful middle ground. You get the social feel and lower cost of a shared boat without the size of a major party vessel. Still, the best place on the boat may not always be available, and water entry can involve several people getting ready at once.

The air-conditioned transfer is included, and the boat has been described as comfortable and secure. Those details matter in Sharm, where a hot transfer or poorly maintained boat can quickly drain the pleasure from a sea excursion.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors to Sharm who want to see Ras Mohammed without arranging separate transport. It also suits couples, families, and groups who want a clear plan, a guide in the water, and lunch already arranged.

It is a good choice for mixed-ability groups. Confident swimmers can enjoy the reefs, while less-confident swimmers have access to life jackets, a low platform, and guide assistance. Everyone should still be comfortable taking part in a boat-based activity and following safety directions.

The cruise is less suited to anyone seeking a private or highly flexible experience. It also may not suit a person who dislikes shared meals, fixed departure times, or getting into open water from a boat.

The 91 percent recommendation rate and 4.7 rating from 34 ratings point to a strong overall experience, though the sample is not large. The most consistently praised details are the snorkeling, the lunch, White Island, helpful staff, boat comfort, and hotel pickup. Those are also the parts I would weigh most heavily when deciding.

Booking advice and cancellation flexibility

You receive confirmation at booking, and hotel pickup is offered in Sharm el Sheikh. Confirm the pickup time because the listed 9:00 a.m. start may require an earlier collection, with 7:30 a.m. already used for at least one hotel transfer.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable. If bad weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. These details do not change the character of the tour, but they can help you decide if it fits your group.

Should you book the Elite VIP Cruise?

Book it if you want a practical Red Sea day with three snorkeling stops, White Island, lunch, and hotel pickup in one package. The boat comfort, guide support, and low platform make it more approachable than a bare-bones reef transfer.

Before paying, settle two points: the exact pickup time and the cost of snorkeling equipment. If you are happy with a shared boat and a fixed schedule, $77.99 offers a fair mix of scenery, water time, food, and convenience.

Skip it if you want a private charter, total freedom at each reef, or a guaranteed long stay on White Island. For most people looking for an easy first taste of Ras Mohammed from Sharm el Sheikh, this is a sensible and well-rounded choice.

FAQ

Where does the Elite VIP Cruise excursion take place?

The experience departs from Sharm el Sheikh and visits Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island in the Red Sea.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup may take place earlier. One stated pickup time was 7:30 a.m., so confirm your exact collection time after booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Two-way transfers from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel are included, using an air-conditioned vehicle.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The cruise includes three snorkeling stops at Red Sea reef sites.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. The use of snorkeling equipment is not included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes soup, salad, grilled meat and seafood, side dishes, and fruit.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 35 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.