Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

The best part of this trip is the chance to see two very different sides of the Red Sea in one day: coral-rich water at Ras Muhammad and the pale sand of White Island. You get long stretches at sea, guided snorkeling, lunch onboard, and time to swim without rushing from one shore attraction to another.

I like the strong mix of activities and the friendly, hands-on crew. Guides including Mido, Omar, Islam, Eslam, Mohammed, and Ali are singled out for helping people feel safe in the water, especially beginners. I also like the price: at $31 per person, it is good value if the listed inclusions match your selected option.

The main thing to watch is the add-on pricing. Snorkel gear and the mandatory marina entrance fee may cost extra, and White Island depends on the tide. Pickup is also shared and can begin about 60 to 90 minutes before the boat leaves, so this is a full-day outing rather than a quick morning activity.

Key points to know before booking

• White Island depends on the tide: You may get a memorable sandbar stop, but the visit is not guaranteed in every sea condition.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Expect guided time in Ras Muhammad’s clear water, with marine life viewing near coral reefs.
• The $31 price can change at checkout: A $5 marina entrance fee is mandatory unless you prepay it as an add-on, and equipment may also be optional.
• Introductory scuba sessions are available: You can upgrade with one or two underwater sessions, with a listed session lasting about 35 minutes.
• Lunch is served at sea: The open buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks.
• The crew is a major strength: Mido, Omar, Islam, Eslam, Mohammed, and Ali are among the staff praised for kind, careful support.

Setting out from Watanya Marina

Your boat day begins at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. If you arrange your own way there, look for the Egypt Sunmarine Fleet operation and show your ticket to a team member, usually wearing a yellow shirt.

Hotel pickup is optional. If you choose it, expect a shared bus and a pickup roughly one hour before the trip, sometimes closer to 90 minutes depending on your hotel. You receive the exact time through WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure. That system is useful, but do not plan a tight morning around the stated boat time.

The marina entrance fee deserves attention. It is listed as a mandatory $5 per person payment, or about five euros, payable on arrival unless you add it in advance. The wording around the fee and snorkeling equipment can vary by booking option, so check the final price carefully before paying. The national park entry fee is included.

The boat ride out takes about two and a half hours. That sounds long on paper, but it gives you time to settle in, enjoy the sea air, and see Sharm El Sheikh from the water. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion is gentler, keep your breakfast light, and bring water. The supplied details do not specify the boat size or group capacity, so expect a shared cruise rather than a private charter.

Ras Muhammad brings the main underwater action

Ras Muhammad National Park sits at the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula and is the reason to book this trip. The protected waters are known for clear visibility, coral formations, and abundant Red Sea marine life. Your first water stop gives you about 90 minutes for snorkeling and marine life viewing.

A professional snorkeling guide accompanies the group. This matters if you are new to the water or want help spotting life below the surface. Mido is specifically praised for guiding snorkeling, while other staff members receive credit for offering support in the sea. You are not simply dropped beside a reef and left to work things out alone.

You can rent snorkeling equipment if it is not included in your selected option. The supplied details describe the gear as high quality, but they do not specify sizes or brands. Bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well, but do not assume you must own equipment to join.

The water is the star here, but conditions can affect visibility and comfort. The trip description promises clear water, yet no Red Sea outing can guarantee identical conditions every day. Sun, wind, tide, and boat traffic can all affect the feel of a swim stop. Follow the guide closely and stay within the area set for your group.

Optional underwater sessions for first-timers

The cruise can be upgraded with one or two introductory scuba sessions. The planned session is listed at about 35 minutes, and the activity includes an instructor in several languages: English, Russian, German, and Kazakh.

This option is aimed at people who want more than surface snorkeling but do not have an advanced certification. The supplied details do not state the exact training format, depth, minimum age, or medical requirements, so ask the operator before booking if those points matter to you.

The staff support is especially useful here. Ali is praised for helping make a child’s first scuba experience memorable, while other comments describe the crew as careful and encouraging in the water. That suggests a good fit for curious beginners, though you should still be comfortable entering open water and following instructions.

Do not book the scuba add-on simply because it sounds like the premium choice. If you are uneasy in the sea, two snorkeling stops may be enough. One comment specifically suggests offering life jackets to people who are not comfortable in the water, so ask about flotation support before you board if swimming confidence is a concern.

White Island is the photogenic pause

After the first Ras Muhammad stop, the boat continues to White Island for about an hour. This is the scenic centerpiece of the cruise: shallow water, soft white sand, bright Red Sea views, and a chance to take photos away from the main boat.

The island is tide-dependent. At the right time, it can feel like a small sandbar surrounded by open water. At other times, conditions may prevent the stop or change how much sand is visible. Treat it as a welcome bonus rather than the one feature that must make the trip worthwhile.

You can snorkel around the shallow water, sit on the sand, or simply take pictures. Wear beachwear that you can move in, and keep your phone protected from spray. Sunscreen is essential because the reflection from pale sand and water is strong.

The one-hour timing is sensible. It gives you enough time to enjoy the place without turning the day into a long wait on exposed sand. There may be other boats in the area, and the supplied information does not promise a private section of beach, so expect a shared stop.

Lunch keeps the long day comfortable

Lunch is served onboard after the water activities. The open buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks. Several comments praise the food, with particular approval for the chef and the overall meal.

I would call this practical boat lunch rather than a restaurant meal. You get a proper spread, hot or prepared dishes, and the convenience of eating without leaving the cruise. That matters after a morning in the water, when a small snack would not be enough.

The meal also gives you a chance to dry off and enjoy the views from deck. Bring a towel and a light cover-up, since the wind can feel cool after swimming even in warm weather. The activity prohibits alcohol and drugs, so plan on a soft-drink day.

Food requirements are not specified. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, contact the operator before departure rather than assuming the buffet can be changed. The listed menu includes fish and chicken, but it does not identify vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-safe dishes.

The second swim stop adds value

The schedule includes another hour of snorkeling in Ras Muhammad after White Island. This second stop is important because it gives you another chance if the first swim was affected by nerves, crowded water, or poor visibility.

You can use the time to practice with the mask, follow the guide, or simply float and look down. If you choose the introductory scuba option, the underwater session is placed within the Ras Muhammad portion of the day, with snorkeling still forming a central part of the program.

Two water stops also make the $31 fare easier to justify. You are not paying for a boat ride with one short photo stop. You receive access to the national park, a guided marine activity, lunch, and a full day on the sea. Just remember that gear and the marina fee may add to the headline price.

The schedule lists about 50 minutes for the return sailing. Once back at Watanya Marina, drop-off is listed there, while hotel drop-off applies if you selected the transfer option. The total duration is around 390 minutes, or seven hours, before accounting for the separate hotel pickup and return drive.

How the staff shape the day

The people running the trip are one of its strongest points. The activity provides instruction in English, Russian, German, and Kazakh, and names repeatedly associated with good service include Mido, Omar, Islam, Eslam, Mohammed, Nada, and Ali.

Mido is highlighted for snorkeling support, while Islam is praised as a strong snorkeling guide. Mohammed is noted for helping with the boat and transfers, and Ali receives special credit for assisting with a child’s first underwater session. These details suggest that the crew is visible and involved, not just handling the boat from a distance.

Safety is another positive theme. The crew is described as professional, warm, and supportive in the sea. Still, you should ask directly about life jackets or flotation aids if you are not a confident swimmer, since one comment raises that practical concern.

The boat names mentioned in feedback include Liberty and Christina, but the exact vessel may vary. Do not book expecting one specific yacht unless the operator confirms it. The quality of the day depends more on the water conditions, crew, and selected option than on the boat name.

Who will get the most from this cruise

This outing suits you if you want a full Red Sea day without arranging separate transport, park entry, lunch, and water activities. It works well for couples, families with older children, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants the option of a beginner underwater session.

Families should note the long duration and shared transport. A child who enjoys swimming and boat rides may have a terrific day, while a child who tires quickly could find the seven-hour schedule demanding. Ask about flotation equipment and the requirements for the scuba add-on before booking for children.

It also suits photographers who want White Island’s pale sand and open-water views. Bring a waterproof phone pouch, but do not let the photo stop replace the water time. Ras Muhammad is the main reason to go.

You might skip it if you dislike boats, need a private guide, or want a quiet beach day with no fixed schedule. The two-and-a-half-hour outward sailing is part of the experience, not dead time that can be removed. You should also think twice if your holiday plans leave no room for weather or tide changes.

Is $31 good value?

At $31 per person, the base price is appealing for a seven-hour cruise with park entry, two snorkeling periods, White Island when conditions allow, and an open-buffet lunch. A comparable day arranged piece by piece could require separate transport, a boat booking, equipment, food, and entry fees.

The value depends on the extras. Add the $5 marina fee, then check if snorkeling gear and hotel transfers are included in your chosen option. If you want one or two introductory scuba sessions, add that cost as well before comparing this trip with another boat day.

The strongest value comes if you plan to use the whole program. Someone who only wants a short swim may find a local beach activity cheaper and easier. Someone who wants Ras Muhammad, a sandbar stop, lunch, and guided support gets a fuller package.

The current score is 4.6 out of 5 from 89 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew, snorkeling, lunch, and overall organization. The few practical cautions are not deal-breakers, but they make it important to read your selected option carefully.

What to pack for the boat

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A light cover-up is useful between swims, and a waterproof pouch protects your phone during the White Island stop.

Pack any personal medication you need and consider motion-sickness precautions if boat travel bothers you. The supplied information does not state that medication is available onboard, so do not rely on the crew for it.

Bring cash or a payment method for the marina fee if you have not prepaid it. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and the day includes soft drinks with lunch.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a well-filled day on the Red Sea, especially if you are keen to snorkel at Ras Muhammad and like having lunch and transport handled together. The friendly crew, two water stops, and optional first-time scuba sessions make it useful for both beginners and more active swimmers.

Before paying, confirm four things: the marina fee, snorkeling equipment, hotel transfer, and the cost of any underwater session. Also accept that White Island depends on the tide and that the outward sailing takes about two and a half hours.

If those conditions suit you, this is a strong-value Sharm El Sheikh day trip. Choose it for the sea time, not just the sandbar, and you will get the most from the boat, the park, and the people guiding you through the water.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Muhammad cruise last?

The activity lasts about 390 minutes, or seven hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are separate from the cruise schedule and can add travel time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the transfer option. Pickup is by shared bus and usually takes place about 60 to 90 minutes before the trip, depending on your hotel.

Where do I meet the boat?

The meeting point is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. Look for an operations team member, usually wearing a yellow shirt, and show your ticket.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of $5 per person, or about five euros, applies. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the add-ons, depending on your booking option.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if you select the relevant option or add-on. You can also rent equipment for the snorkeling stops.

Can I add scuba sessions to the cruise?

Yes. You can upgrade the trip with one or two introductory scuba sessions. The listed session lasts about 35 minutes, and instruction is available in English, Russian, German, and Kazakh.