From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving

Ras Mohammed’s clear Red Sea water is the main event here. From Sharm El Sheikh, you sail to one of South Sinai’s best-known marine areas, stop twice for snorkeling, eat lunch on the boat, and return to the marina by about 4:30 PM. The day gives you a good look at the coast without requiring a resort-based excursion.

I like the two separate reef stops, since they give you more than one chance to see fish and coral. I also like the practical setup: a comfortable yacht, an open buffet, drinks served during the day, and optional hotel pickup. The trade-off is time. A full day at sea can feel long, especially if rough water, heat, or a slow return bothers you. One recent booking also found the sea conditions poor and the introductory scuba session more recreational than serious training.

Key points to know before booking

• Two snorkeling stops may include Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef, South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani, or Old Quay, depending on the day’s route.
• White Island is tide-dependent, so it is an intended stop rather than a firm promise.
• The buffet lunch includes salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta.
• Hotel pickup is optional, with shared transfers usually beginning about 60 to 90 minutes before departure.
• An introductory scuba session is available, and one booking praised the instructor’s patient explanations.
• A €5 marina entrance fee is mandatory, unless you prepay it as an add-on.

Sailing from Watanya Marina to Ras Mohammed

Your morning begins at Egypt Sunmarine Fleet in Watanya Marina, Sharm El Sheikh. If you arrange pickup, you travel by shared bus from your hotel. The exact pickup time depends on your hotel location, and the operator contacts you through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

At the marina, look for the operations staff, usually wearing yellow shirts, and show your ticket. The transfer from the pickup area to the marina is listed at roughly 25 minutes, but the complete hotel pickup window can begin around an hour to 90 minutes before the boat leaves.

The yacht is described as modern and spacious, with an open sun deck above and an air-conditioned salon below. That matters in South Sinai. You can sit in the sun between stops, then move indoors when the heat becomes too much. Bring a cover-up, sunglasses, and a hat, but keep them secure on the upper deck while the boat is moving.

The outward sail takes about two and a half hours. This is not a quick shuttle to a nearby reef. You get a proper boat day, with open sea views and time to settle into the pace. If you enjoy being on the water, the long crossing is part of the pleasure. If you mainly want to snorkel, it is the part that requires patience.

The first reef stop in Ras Mohammed National Park

The first snorkeling period lasts about 45 minutes. The exact reef can change, with possible locations including Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef, South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani, and Old Quay.

That flexibility is useful because sea conditions affect where a boat can safely stop. You might find calmer water in a bay, or a more exposed reef with stronger movement and better underwater scenery. The crew and snorkeling guides accompany you, helping with equipment and keeping the group oriented in the water.

Ras Mohammed is the reason this trip costs more than a simple boat ride along the Sharm coast. The national park protects an important Red Sea marine area, and the snorkeling sites are the day’s main attraction. You can expect clear water and coral habitat with plenty of marine life, although visibility and water quality can vary by weather and sea conditions.

You should not treat the first stop as a private snorkeling session. This is a shared boat excursion, so the amount of time in the water is fixed and the number of people around you may affect how peaceful it feels. Still, 45 minutes is enough for a useful first look, especially if you are new to snorkeling and prefer a guided introduction.

The snorkeling gear is included only if you select the relevant add-on. Check this carefully when booking. The national park entry fee is listed at €5 per person, and the marina entrance charge is another mandatory €5 fee unless prepaid through the available add-ons. At the advertised $31 price, those extra charges matter when you calculate the real cost.

A second look at the Red Sea by boat

After the first water stop, the schedule includes about 30 minutes for a boat cruise and marine-life viewing. This break gives you time to dry off, eat something, or simply watch the water from the deck.

The second snorkeling stop gives the trip its best practical feature. If visibility is disappointing at the first site, you have another chance. Conditions can also make one site feel better suited to relaxed floating while another offers more reef structure and fish activity.

You may be offered an introductory scuba session during the day. This is aimed at trying scuba rather than earning a certification. One booking described the instructor as patient and clear when explaining the basics, which is useful if you are curious but nervous. You should think of it as a short first experience, not a full scuba course or a substitute for a dedicated certified dive trip.

The available site names are not guaranteed in a fixed order. The boat operator chooses among the listed locations, and the final plan can depend on conditions. That is normal for a sea excursion, but it is worth knowing if you are booking specifically for one named reef.

White Island and the tide question

White Island is included as a planned part of the outing, but only when tide conditions allow. This is an important qualification. You may reach the area and find that the timing or water level makes a visit impractical.

When accessible, White Island adds a change of scene from the reef stops. Instead of spending the entire day looking below the surface, you get a chance to experience a bright, exposed stretch of the Red Sea. Do not book this trip solely for White Island, since the stop is not guaranteed. Consider it a welcome extra alongside the national park snorkeling.

The route also includes time near places such as South Bereika Bay and Marsa Ghozlani, but the precise combination can vary. The strongest reason to book is the overall marine day, not a promise of one particular beach or reef.

Lunch on the yacht

Lunch is served on board during a one-hour break. The buffet includes freshly prepared salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta. Hot and soft drinks are available during the day, with waiter service included.

I like having lunch on the yacht because it avoids losing more time to a shore stop. You can eat, rest, and stay close to the water. The menu also offers enough familiar choices for people who do not want an adventurous meal, while the kofta gives you a taste of a common Egyptian dish.

The operator places emphasis on food hygiene and fresh ingredients. Even so, I would carry any personal snacks or dietary supplies you specifically need, since the supplied information does not promise vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-specific menus.

After lunch, you sail back toward Sharm El Sheikh for about two hours. The return can feel relaxed after the water stops, but it can also be the hardest part for anyone who gets bored on long crossings. Use the air-conditioned salon if the deck becomes too hot, and plan for a full seven-hour outing rather than a short morning activity.

Boat comfort, guides, and service

The boat has two useful zones: a sun deck for open-air views and an air-conditioned salon for shade and cooling off. You are likely to move between them throughout the day. The supplied information describes the boats as clean, well maintained, and spacious, with a crew assigned to the trip.

Guided snorkeling is another plus. You are not simply dropped at a reef with equipment and left to work things out. The guides accompany you and focus on safety as well as helping you enjoy the coral and marine life.

Islam and Mahmoud are specifically praised for being professional, available, and cheerful. Their names are worth noting if you want to recognize the crew members who help organize the day. The listed guide languages are English, German, and Russian, so check that your preferred language is available for your departure.

The service received very strong praise overall, but the experience is not immune to sea conditions. One poor report described a tiring day, dirty water, and a scuba session that felt aimed at amusement. I would take that as a reminder to check the forecast and keep your expectations realistic. Red Sea trips can be excellent, but no operator controls wind, visibility, current, or the comfort of every person on a moving boat.

Is $31 good value for this day?

At $31 per person, the base price is attractive for a seven-hour boat trip with lunch and two snorkeling opportunities. You are paying for transport on the water, crew service, a buffet meal, and access to a major marine area rather than only a short boat transfer.

The value becomes less simple once extras are added. The €5 national park entry fee is listed as included, while the €5 marina entrance fee is mandatory and may be paid on arrival or prepaid as an add-on. Snorkeling equipment also depends on the option you select. Hotel pickup is optional, so compare the final checkout total rather than judging only the headline price.

For a first Red Sea snorkeling day, the package makes financial sense. You receive a full schedule and do not need to arrange a separate lunch or boat connection. A dedicated snorkeler who wants long, quiet time at one reef may prefer a more specialized trip, but you will pay for the same convenience in a different way.

Who should book this Ras Mohammed cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward introduction to Sharm’s offshore reefs, prefer an organized day, and like having lunch and transport handled together. It also suits mixed groups, since some people can snorkel, others can try introductory scuba, and anyone needing a break can stay on the yacht.

Families and first-time snorkelers may appreciate the guides and the two-stop format. The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical details with the operator before booking if you need specific boarding assistance.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long boat rides, need a quiet private outing, or are booking mainly for a guaranteed White Island visit. The crossing takes time, the route can change, and the sea may not look perfect on every departure.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the trip, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Sharm schedule is still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the final fee, pickup time, and equipment option.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want good value, two reef stops, and a complete day at sea without arranging each piece yourself. The strongest points are the guided snorkeling, included buffet, comfortable yacht setup, and friendly service associated with Islam and Mahmoud.

Skip it if you want a short outing or guaranteed access to a particular reef. The long sailing periods and tide-dependent White Island stop are the key compromises. For most first-time visitors to Sharm who want to see the Red Sea beyond the hotel beach, this is a sensible and reasonably priced choice, provided you budget for the mandatory marina fee and accept that nature sets part of the schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The full activity lasts about seven hours. The boat is scheduled to return to Watanya Marina by approximately 4:30 PM.

Where does the boat depart from?

The meeting point is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the pickup option. Shared pickup generally begins about 60 to 90 minutes before the trip, depending on your hotel location.

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in English, German, and Russian.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The day includes two snorkeling stops at sites that may include Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef, South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani, or Old Quay.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The visit to White Island depends on tide conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is included only if you select the applicable add-on.

What food is served for lunch?

The open buffet includes salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta. Hot and soft drinks are served during the day.