From Sharm: Ras Mohammed Cruise with Island Visit and Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the reason to book this trip. The Red Sea is clear, warm, and full of coral and fish, while the boat gives you a comfortable base between swims. I especially like the helpful water guides, including Mustafa, Mohammed, and Mido, and the fresh buffet lunch with unlimited drinks.

The main drawback is that this is a full-day group outing, not a private cruise. Hotel pickups can take time, the first reef may be crowded, and White Island can be partly or completely covered at high tide. Wind can also make the sea chilly, especially in winter.

Key points at a glance

• Two main swimming stops: Explore protected Red Sea waters around Ras Mohammed, with the exact sites shaped by sea conditions.
• White Island visit: Reach the pale sandbank by boat when tides allow, but do not count on a long beach stay.
• Strong support in the water: Guides such as Mustafa and Ali help nervous swimmers, children, and first-time snorkelers.
• Comfortable yacht setup: Expect a spacious upper sun deck, a lower salon, seating, and room to rest between activities.
• Good-value food package: Lunch includes rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, Egyptian kofta, salads, and drinks.
• Optional introductory scuba: Add one or two beginner sessions if you meet the medical requirements.

Why Ras Mohammed makes this cruise worthwhile

At $30 per person, this is one of the better-value ways to see the Red Sea from Sharm El Sheikh. Your price covers the yacht, national park fees, lunch, soft drinks, water, and hot drinks. Hotel pickup and snorkeling equipment depend on the option you choose, and the marina fee may be an extra $5 unless prepaid.

I like the balance here. You are not simply taken to one swimming spot and sent home. The day combines a boat ride, two reef swims, a possible visit to White Island, time on deck, and a hot lunch. That variety matters if you are traveling with children or with family members who do not want to spend every minute in the water.

The trip also works well for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can swim with the guides and look for fish around the coral, while a nervous beginner can stay close to a water guide. Several guides, including Mustafa, have been especially good at calming non-swimmers and helping children feel safe.

Do keep your expectations sensible. Ras Mohammed National Park is a large protected area, but a six to seven-hour cruise cannot show you every corner of it. The boat may visit places such as Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef, South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani, or Old Quay, with the final route affected by wind, tide, and operating conditions.

The morning transfer from Sharm El Sheikh

If you select hotel pickup, a shared bus collects you roughly one to one and a half hours before the boat departure. The exact time depends on your hotel, and the operator sends the final pickup details by WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

This is the least exciting part of the day. Several stops can make the transfer longer than expected, so do not plan another tight activity immediately afterward. Once you reach Watanya Marina, find the Egypt Sunmarine Fleet operations team, usually identified by a yellow shirt, and show your ticket.

The marina entrance fee is mandatory. It is listed as $5 per person and can be paid at the marina or added in advance. Bring your passport, or a copy, since it is listed among the required documents.

The buses are described as well-conditioned, but pickup times and traffic vary. I would pack your swimwear under light clothing, keep sunscreen and cash handy, and bring a warm layer in the cooler months. Winter wind can make the boat ride surprisingly cold, even in sunny Egypt.

A yacht built for a long day at sea

The boats used for this trip are clean and well maintained, with a modern upper deck and a lower salon. The upper deck is the place to sit in the sun, watch the coast, and dry off between swims. The lower salon gives you shelter when the wind picks up.

The crew keeps the atmosphere friendly and active without making the day feel rushed. Guides help organize the water stops, point out fish, and watch over swimmers. Names that have been praised for their care include Mohammed, Mustafa, Mido, Ali, Shamz, Mahmoud, and Gamea. Staff assignments can change, but the important point is that water supervision is a real part of the outing.

The yacht is not a private luxury charter. You share the boat with other people, and the busiest swimming stop may have several boats nearby. Still, the clean boat, upper deck beds, lower salon, and steady supply of drinks make it a comfortable platform for a budget cruise.

One pleasant detail is that the crew may bring fruit later in the afternoon. It is a small touch, but welcome after swimming.

White Island and the first swim

White Island is usually the day’s postcard moment. The sandbank sits off the coast and is reached by boat, sometimes with a short transfer by smaller craft. The pale sand and shallow-looking water create a striking contrast with the open Red Sea.

The visit depends on the tide. At high tide, the island may be partly covered or unavailable, so it should be treated as a bonus rather than the central promise of the trip. Some people also want more time on the island than the schedule allows.

If the water is calm and the tide is right, this stop gives you a change from reef snorkeling. You can swim, take photographs, and enjoy the unusual setting. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photos, but keep your hands free in the water and listen carefully to the crew.

The first swim may be busy, particularly at popular sites. That does not make it worthless, but it can reduce the sense of space. The guides help by leading groups and showing you where to look, yet you should expect other boats in the area.

Reef snorkeling at Ras Mohammed

The reef stops are the heart of the trip. Ras Mohammed is known for coral formations and colorful fish, and the protected waters provide the main reason to spend a day on a yacht rather than remain at a hotel beach.

You may visit well-known sites such as Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, or locations around South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani, and Old Quay. The exact combination is not fixed. Strong wind can make one area unpleasant, and the crew may choose a calmer alternative, which is a sensible trade.

Snorkeling gear is available if selected as an add-on. Check the booking option carefully, because the basic price does not automatically mean every extra is included. If you already own a comfortable mask and snorkel, bringing them can save fitting time, but the tour offers rental equipment for those who need it.

You will see the best results by staying close to the guide and looking slowly rather than swimming fast. Guides can point out fish and coral that are easy to miss from the surface. They also help keep the group together, which matters around boat traffic and coral.

Take care near the reef. Coral can sting or scratch, and standing on it damages the living reef. Use the boat ladder, follow instructions, and avoid touching the bottom. The crew has been particularly useful with first-time swimmers, children, and people who are uneasy in deep water.

Optional introductory scuba sessions

You can add one or two introductory scuba sessions to the booking. This suits a beginner who wants more than surface snorkeling but does not hold a certification.

The instructors provide close support, and the experience can be a good way to test scuba without committing to a longer course. Guides have helped nervous participants build confidence and have kept a close watch during the session.

There is an important condition: you must meet the medical requirements. One person was unable to take part after failing the medical check, so do not assume that paying for the add-on guarantees participation. Ask about the requirements before booking and clarify the refund policy for an unused session.

If you are uncertain, snorkeling alone still gives you a strong Red Sea experience. The coral and fish are visible from the surface, and the water guides make the activity accessible to people with limited swimming confidence.

Lunch, drinks, and what is really included

Lunch is served buffet-style on the boat. The spread includes freshly cut salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta. Water, soft drinks, and hot drinks are available throughout the outing.

The food is a useful part of the value, not an afterthought. You can eat while looking out over the sea, and the menu offers enough choice for a family group. It is not a seafood lunch, so fish lovers may be disappointed. The menu also may not satisfy every special diet, since the published selection centers on meat, starches, and salads.

The food is prepared with market-fresh ingredients and attention to hygiene. Reports from the boat describe the buffet as hot, tasty, and generous, though individual opinions naturally vary. I would take the lunch as a solid included meal rather than a reason to compare the cruise with a restaurant.

Because swimming works up an appetite, the timing is sensible. You get time in the water before eating, then a chance to rest on deck. Keep drinking water, especially in summer, and use sunscreen even when the boat is moving.

Weather, comfort, and the best time to go

Summer offers strong sun and warm water, but the upper deck can become hot. Bring sunscreen, a towel, a hat if you use one, and enough dry clothing for the ride home.

Winter brings a different concern. Wind can make the crossing and open deck feel cold, and some people have found snorkeling less comfortable in rough conditions. Pack a fleece, sweatshirt, or blanket for February and other cooler months. The boat may adjust the route and find calmer reef areas, but it cannot control the weather.

Sea conditions also affect the quality of each stop. A calm day can produce excellent visibility and relaxed swimming. A windy day may shorten a swim or change the site. The crew’s willingness to use alternative calm spots is a plus, but the experience is still dependent on nature.

Who should book this $30 cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a low-cost introduction to Sharm’s Red Sea, especially if you are staying at a hotel without strong snorkeling access. It suits families, first-time snorkelers, couples, and anyone who wants lunch and transport handled in one package.

It is also a good choice for solo visitors. The guides give you structure, and you are not left to work out boat transfers or reef locations on your own. People who do not swim confidently can still take part, provided they listen to the safety guidance and use the support offered.

You may want something else if you dislike group outings, need a guaranteed long visit to White Island, or want a quiet private boat. You should also reconsider if a long shared transfer and a full six to seven hours at sea sound tiring.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 377 reviews, and that matches the strongest features of the trip: friendly crew, a clean yacht, capable water support, good food, and strong value. The common cautions are just as useful: pickup delays, crowded first stops, changing weather, and a White Island visit that depends on the tide.

Should you book it?

Book this Ras Mohammed cruise if you want a full Red Sea day without paying private-charter prices. The best reasons are the guided reef swims, the kind treatment of nervous swimmers and children, the comfortable yacht, and the meal and drinks included for $30.

Before paying, check three things: if hotel transfer is included in your chosen option, if snorkeling equipment is included, and if the $5 marina fee has been prepaid. Add a warm layer in winter and keep your schedule open around the pickup.

For most visitors, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see Ras Mohammed. Just treat White Island as tide-dependent, expect a shared boat, and let the sea conditions shape the day.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The activity lasts about six to seven hours, not including possible variations in hotel pickup and shared transportation time.

Is hotel pickup from Sharm El Sheikh included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available when you select the transfer option. Pickup usually takes place roughly one to one and a half hours before the trip, depending on your hotel location.

What food and drinks are provided?

The open buffet includes salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta. Water, soft drinks, and hot drinks are available during the trip.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The White Island visit depends on tide conditions, and high tide can cover some or all of the island.

Can beginners try scuba?

You can add one or two introductory scuba sessions, but you must meet the required medical conditions. Ask about those requirements before booking.

What languages are available?

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