Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

The Red Sea is the real star. This Sharm El Sheikh cruise takes you by boat to Ras Muhammad National Park for two swim and snorkeling stops, a visit to White Island, and lunch on deck. I like the mix of clear water and coral reefs with a full day on the sea, and I also like the friendly staff, especially guides such as Mido, Omar, Islam, Ali, and Mohammed, who have earned praise for helping swimmers and beginners. The main consideration is that snorkeling gear and the mandatory marina fee may cost extra, so the advertised $31 price is not always the final amount.

The trip is a good-value way to see more of the Red Sea than you can from a hotel beach. I especially appreciate that you can stay with snorkeling or add one or two introductory scuba sessions. Just remember that this is a shared boat outing, and the White Island stop depends on tide conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Ras Muhammad by boat: You spend much of the day sailing from Watanya Marina toward Egypt’s best-known marine park.
• Two water stops: The schedule includes one longer reef stop and a second snorkeling stop, giving you more than one chance to get in the sea.
• White Island is tide-dependent: The sandbar visit is beautiful, but it is not guaranteed in every sea condition.
• Lunch is included: Expect an open buffet with rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks.
• Scuba is optional: You can add one or two introductory sessions if you want more than surface snorkeling.
• Allow for extra costs: The marina entrance fee is €5 per person unless prepaid, and equipment is included only if selected as an add-on.

Why Ras Muhammad makes this boat trip worthwhile

Ras Muhammad National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea offers clear water, coral reefs, and plenty of open views. The boat ride gives you a different side of Sharm El Sheikh. Instead of looking out from a resort shore, you spend the day surrounded by sea, with the coastline fading behind you.

I like the fact that the park visit is not treated as a quick photo stop. You have time for marine life viewing and snorkeling with a professional guide. That matters if you are new to the water, since a guide can point out what to look for and help you stay comfortable.

The water conditions are the main attraction, but they also shape the day. A sunny, calm day can make the Red Sea look almost impossibly clear. Wind and waves may make the boat ride less gentle, and conditions can affect the White Island stop. Keep your expectations flexible rather than treating every listed stop as guaranteed.

The cruise is priced at about $31 per person, which is strong value for a full day at sea. The package includes the boat, national park entry, lunch, and soft drinks. If you need hotel transport, snorkeling equipment, or scuba equipment, check the selected option carefully. The €5 marina fee is particularly easy to overlook.

From your hotel to Watanya Marina

Hotel pickup is optional. If you choose it, a shared bus usually collects you roughly one hour to 90 minutes before the boat departure, depending on where your hotel is located. You should receive the exact time through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

That early pickup window is practical, but not precise. Keep your phone available and avoid planning anything tightly before departure. If you are arranging your own transport, the meeting point is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh.

At the marina, look for an operations team member, usually wearing a yellow shirt, and show your ticket. The marina fee is €5 per person if it was not prepaid through the add-ons. Bring cash or confirm the accepted payment method before you go, since this charge is mandatory.

The bus ride from the pickup area to the marina takes about 45 minutes in the published schedule. Pickup and return arrangements can vary by hotel, so the shared transfer is convenient but not as quick or private as a taxi.

Sailing south toward Ras Muhammad

Once aboard, the cruise begins with a long sailing section. The schedule allows roughly two and a half hours for the outward journey, though the exact pace and order of activities can change.

This is not wasted time. You can sit outside, enjoy the sea breeze, and watch the views shift from Sharm El Sheikh to open Red Sea scenery. The boat is also where you can settle into the day, organize your towel and sunscreen, and listen to instructions from the crew.

I would bring a light cover-up for the ride. Swimwear is essential for the water stops, but a shirt or beach cover-up helps when the wind picks up or you want a break from the sun. Sunscreen, a towel, and beachwear are listed as essential items.

The cruise is a shared experience, so you should expect other people on board and a set activity rhythm. The advantage is the lively atmosphere and the presence of staff to help with equipment and water entry. The tradeoff is less personal space than you would get on a private charter.

First water stop: coral reefs and guided snorkeling

The first major stop is inside Ras Muhammad National Park, with about 90 minutes set aside for snorkeling and marine life viewing. This is the heart of the trip.

The park’s coral reef is the reason to book this excursion rather than a simple coastal boat ride. You can swim above the reef in clear water, look for marine life, and follow a professional snorkeling guide. Guides named Mido and Islam received especially warm praise for staying close to swimmers and offering support in the water. Mido was also singled out for accompanying people during snorkeling.

If you are comfortable swimming, you can focus on the reef and move at your own pace within the group’s boundaries. If you are less confident, tell the crew early. One past participant specifically suggested having life jackets available for people who are not comfortable in the water, so you should ask about flotation support before entering.

Snorkeling equipment is not automatically included in every option. You can rent gear, but check the booking choice before departure. A well-fitting mask is important here. Poor equipment can turn an excellent reef stop into a frustrating one.

The water stop lasts long enough to feel worthwhile, but you will still be working within a group schedule. Follow the guide’s instructions and avoid touching coral. The reef is delicate, and careful swimming protects the very thing you came to see.

Optional introductory scuba sessions

If snorkeling leaves you wanting a closer look, you can add one or two introductory scuba sessions. The schedule lists about 35 minutes for scuba activity, so this is an introduction rather than a full certification course or an all-day instruction program.

This option suits someone who has always wanted to try scuba but does not want to commit to a formal course. Staff members Ali and Omar were praised for supporting beginners, and one family specifically credited Ali with making a son’s first scuba experience memorable.

You should select the scuba option when booking if you want it. Equipment and instruction arrangements depend on the chosen add-on, so do not assume the basic $31 package includes the underwater session.

The scuba activity may not suit everyone. You need to be comfortable following instructions and entering the sea. If you prefer a relaxed day, snorkeling provides a simpler way to see the reef with less preparation.

White Island and its shifting sandbar

The cruise continues to White Island for about an hour. This is the most photogenic part of the route, with soft white sand and shallow water around the island.

The name can sound grander than the actual place. White Island is a low sandbar, and its appearance depends on tide conditions. When accessible, it gives you a chance to walk on the sand, take photos, and enjoy a different kind of Red Sea scenery after the reef stop.

I like the change of pace. The reef stop is active and water-focused, while White Island lets you stand, relax, and take pictures. The shallow water can also feel more approachable if you are less confident in deeper water.

Do not build your entire decision around this stop. It may not be possible under every tide condition. If the island is unavailable, the marine park and additional snorkeling remain the main reasons to book.

The sand and water can be bright under the midday sun, so keep your sunscreen close. A waterproof phone pouch can be useful for photographs, though that item is not supplied.

Lunch on board, with a proper break from the water

Lunch is served on the boat as an open buffet. The menu includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks.

The meal received repeated praise, with several people calling the food tasty or good, and one person who works as a chef particularly liked the cooking. That is useful context because boat lunches can often be an afterthought. Here, lunch appears to be treated as part of the experience rather than merely fuel between stops.

The buffet format works well for a mixed group. You can choose a full plate after swimming or keep it light if you plan to return to the water. Eating on deck also gives you time to enjoy the views and dry off.

Do not expect a restaurant meal with a broad choice of special diets unless you confirm this in advance. The supplied menu is fairly straightforward. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before departure rather than relying on the buffet to solve the problem.

The second snorkeling stop

After White Island and lunch, the boat returns to the Ras Muhammad area for another snorkeling stop of about an hour. This second chance is one of the strongest features of the schedule.

Your first swim may be affected by nerves, equipment, or the simple shock of getting into open water. The later stop lets you try again with more confidence. You may also prefer the second session because you have already learned how the guides organize the group.

The two-stop format makes the day feel less rushed. One participant described the timing as a good length, with enough to do but without feeling dragged out. That is a fair description of the schedule. You get reef time, a sandbar visit, lunch, and a second swim without packing every activity into a short coastal trip.

As always, the sea sets the rules. The exact order and length can change with conditions. Listen for announcements and keep track of when you need to return to the boat.

Returning to Sharm El Sheikh

The final sailing section takes roughly 50 minutes in the published plan. It is a pleasant way to wind down after the water activities, though tired swimmers may simply want shade and a quiet seat.

The boat returns to Watanya Marina, with drop-off arrangements connected to the marina and optional shared hotel transport. If you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another tour later in the day, leave plenty of margin. The advertised duration is about 390 minutes, or seven hours, and pickup adds more time to your day.

This is best treated as a full-day outing, not a quick morning activity. You will spend much of the day on the boat, so the trip suits people who enjoy being at sea as much as those focused on snorkeling.

What the price really includes

At $31, the basic price is appealing. You receive the cruise, national park entry, the White Island visit when tides allow it, buffet lunch, and soft drinks. For a full day with two water stops, that is a sensible package.

The important detail is the add-on structure. Snorkeling gear is included only if selected, and scuba sessions cost extra. The marina entrance fee is €5 per person unless you prepay it through the available add-ons. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also tied to the selected option.

Before paying, check four things:

• Is hotel transport included in your chosen option?
• Is snorkeling equipment included, or will you rent it?
• Have you prepaid the €5 marina fee?
• Have you added one or two introductory scuba sessions if wanted?

The experience still offers good value after reasonable extras, but the headline price should not be treated as an all-inclusive final total.

Who will enjoy this Ras Muhammad cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward Red Sea day with several activities in one booking. It suits couples, families with older children who are comfortable in water, first-time snorkelers, and people who want to try scuba without booking a separate course.

The staff support is a major plus. Mido, Omar, Islam, Ali, Mohammed, Nada, and Eslam were all praised by name in connection with friendly service, snorkeling help, or scuba support. That does not guarantee the same crew on every departure, but it gives you a useful idea of the service style to expect.

You may want a different experience if you dislike shared tours, long boat rides, or fixed schedules. The day also depends on weather and tides, especially for White Island. And if you want a private guide or a quiet boat, this is not the right format.

The trip is wheelchair accessible, but water activities can still involve practical limitations. Contact the operator before booking if you need specific assistance beyond access to the boat and marina.

Practical packing advice for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. I would also pack a cover-up, sunglasses, and a waterproof bag for your phone and room key.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs, which are not allowed. Keep valuables to a minimum because you will be moving between the bus, boat, beach, and water.

If you are prone to seasickness, ask about the boat conditions when you receive your pickup message. The supplied information does not specify medication or seating arrangements, so any personal preparation is your responsibility.

My verdict: a strong-value day on the Red Sea

This cruise earns its strong reputation for good reasons: the staff are friendly, the snorkeling is the main event, White Island adds variety, and the lunch is better than you might expect from a boat buffet. The option to add introductory scuba sessions makes it useful for both casual swimmers and curious beginners.

I would book it if you want Ras Muhammad, two snorkeling stops, and lunch for around $31, provided you confirm the extras first. I would skip it only if you need a private outing, dislike a full day at sea, or would be disappointed if tide conditions cancel White Island.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Muhammad cruise last?

The activity lasts about 390 minutes, or seven hours. Hotel pickup can begin roughly one hour to 90 minutes before the boat departure, 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 hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the appropriate option. Pickup is shared, and the exact time is sent through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only when selected through the available add-ons. You can also rent snorkeling or scuba equipment as part of the chosen option.

Is the €5 marina fee included?

There is a mandatory €5 marina entrance fee per person. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the add-ons.

Can I try scuba during the trip?

Yes. You can upgrade the trip with one or two introductory scuba sessions. The standard package does not automatically include these sessions.