Sharm El-Sheikh: Ras Mohamed & White Island Snorkeling Trip

White Island is the star. This $25 boat trip gives you hotel pickup, two snorkeling stops, lunch, drinks, and a visit to one of South Sinai’s most unusual sandbars. I especially like the easy hotel-to-marina transfer and the crew’s careful help in the water, with guides such as Ahmed, Bishoy, Mustafa, and Shazly earning repeated praise for their calm, friendly support. The main drawback is the length of the day: you can be out from about 7:30 in the morning until roughly 6:30 in the evening, and the boat ride may feel long if you get seasick.

I also like the mix of active and quiet time. You can snorkel over coral reefs, swim toward White Island, eat a hot buffet lunch, or simply rest on the upper deck. The reefs can be excellent, though conditions and crowding vary, and one boat may share the same stopping places with many others.

Key points to know before booking

• White Island requires a short swim: The sandbar is reached from the boat by swimming a few metres, with crew members available to assist.
• Two reef stops are included: Each stop offers time in the water for snorkeling, while scuba sessions can be added at extra cost.
• The day is long: Expect around 11 hours from hotel pickup to hotel return, including transport and time at sea.
• Lunch is served onboard: The buffet includes chicken, rice, pasta, salads, fruit, and hot dishes, with orange salad getting a special mention.
• The crew is a major strength: Staff help nervous beginners, children, and anyone who needs support with masks, fins, or water entry.
• Bring motion sickness tablets if needed: The sea may be calm, but several hours on a boat can still unsettle your stomach.

Leaving Sharm El Sheikh by minibus

Your day begins outside your hotel, where an air-conditioned vehicle collects you and takes you to the marina. Pickup time depends on your location, so confirm it the day before. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, which is normal for a shared transfer.

The transport is usually practical rather than luxurious. Some passengers have reported an older, hot, crowded bus, while others had a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. I would treat the transfer as the functional part of the excursion, not a feature in itself.

A copy of your passport is required. Keep it ready rather than buried in your luggage. You should also bring swimwear, sunglasses, and a towel. The boat has two bathrooms and shower facilities, which matter on a full day at sea.

At the marina, you board the yacht and receive instructions from the crew. Life jackets are provided, and a snorkeling instructor is included. The staff generally make the water activities feel approachable, especially if you have never used fins or are uneasy in open water.

The boat ride toward Ras Mohammed

The route heads south toward Ras Mohammed National Park, at the southern tip of South Sinai. From the boat, you get wide views across the Red Sea, with Sharm El Sheikh’s coast gradually giving way to open water.

The boat is described as clean and spacious, though not especially fast. That is worth noting. You are likely to spend much of the day aboard, so the upper deck becomes part of the experience. Sit there for the breeze and the views, but remember that it may be windy during lunch.

Drinks are listed as unlimited soft drinks, mineral water, and hot and cold beverages. In practice, availability may depend on how quickly supplies are used, so carry water with you at the start if you can. There is no alcohol included, and snacks are limited or unavailable. This is not a serious problem if you eat a good breakfast, but a small snack in your beach bag is sensible.

The sea can be smooth, yet motion sickness remains a real possibility. One passenger enjoyed the day while another family member felt unwell during a windy stretch. If you know you are prone to seasickness, take your usual medication before leaving and choose a place on the boat with fresh air and a clear view of the horizon.

Two snorkeling stops over Red Sea coral

The main activity is snorkeling at two reef sites near Ras Mohammed. The exact reef locations are not specified, and conditions can change with wind, currents, and boat traffic.

The underwater scenery can be the best part of the day. Expect clear water, coral formations, and schools of colorful fish. Several people also reported seeing rays, and dolphins were spotted from the boat on some outings. These sightings are never guaranteed, but they show the range of marine life in the area.

The snorkeling is organized rather than completely free-form. Instructors explain what to do, and you remain with your group. That arrangement is helpful for beginners and families, though confident swimmers may prefer more time to explore independently.

Children are welcome, and the crew has been particularly praised for helping nervous youngsters. One family described a first underwater scuba session for a 10-year-old, with instructors prioritizing safety and staying close throughout. If your child is comfortable in a life jacket and follows instructions, this can be a pleasant introduction to the Red Sea.

The reef quality is not always consistent. Some people found the coral and fish outstanding, while one person felt the reefs near their hotel were better. That is fair criticism. A national park name does not guarantee that every stop will be the most impressive reef you see in Egypt. Boat traffic can also mean several boats visiting the same area.

Still, the combination of two water stops, equipment support, and the chance to see marine life makes the snorkeling good value at this price. You can stay on the boat if you do not want to enter the water.

Scuba add-ons for first-timers

Scuba sessions are available as an extra, with equipment, weights, belts, and 12-litre tanks supplied when that option is selected. The additional cost varies by arrangement, but one person reported paying about £90 for an hour over two sites with one-to-one guidance.

I would consider this add-on if you have always wanted to try scuba but do not want to commit to a full course. The instructors are repeatedly described as patient and reassuring. Mustafa helped one beginner relax, while another instructor quickly responded when a participant panicked and took on water. Ahmed also assisted a passenger with a back injury, putting the equipment on in the water so the person could still take part.

That personal attention is important. Scuba is not an activity to rush. You receive instruction before entering the water, and you should tell the crew about any concern or physical limitation before the session begins.

The extra cost is reasonable compared with a standalone beginner session, but ask about the exact price before agreeing. Photography is also available for an additional fee. The photos may be a nice souvenir, though several people found the package expensive.

White Island, a sandbar between two gulfs

White Island is the most distinctive stop. It is a natural sandbar where the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba meet, with bright sand and shallow, clear water around it.

You do not simply step off the boat onto the island. You swim a short distance, usually only a few metres, and the crew helps people make the crossing. Wear secure swimwear and keep your belongings on the boat unless they are protected from water.

The island itself is small. That is part of its charm, but also the reason it can feel crowded when several boats arrive. You will have time to walk on the gleaming sand, swim, take photographs, and enjoy the unusual setting before returning to the yacht.

I would not plan the whole excursion around spending hours on White Island. The visit is brief, but visually special. It is a striking contrast to the reef stops: first you look below the surface at coral and fish, then you stand in shallow water on a pale sandbar surrounded by open sea.

The timing usually places White Island after lunch, which works well. You have already completed the more active snorkeling, and the sandbar gives you an easy final stop before the return cruise.

A barbecue lunch with a Red Sea breeze

Lunch is served onboard as a buffet. The listed selection includes chicken, rice, pasta, salads, fruit, and other hot and cold dishes. The meal is more substantial than the word barbecue might suggest.

Food quality appears to be a strong part of the trip. Orange salad received particular praise, and families generally found the meal satisfying. The setup is simple, but eating on deck with the sea around you adds something that a hotel buffet cannot provide.

Choose your seat with care. The upper deck offers better views and more air, but wind can make it difficult to eat comfortably. If you prefer a calmer meal, sit in a more sheltered area. You may also want to eat promptly rather than waiting until the buffet has been picked over.

There are no alcoholic drinks included. The supplied drinks are water, soft drinks, and hot beverages. Because the excursion lasts so long, I would eat breakfast before pickup and bring a small snack, especially if you have children with you.

Resting on deck before the return

After snorkeling and White Island, the yacht turns back toward Sharm El Sheikh. This is your chance to stop trying to see everything and simply enjoy the boat.

The warm breeze and open views are a pleasant finish, though the return can feel slow because the boat is not built for speed. A few people saw dolphins during this part of the journey, but that is a lucky extra, not part of the promised itinerary.

If you skipped the water activities, this final stretch can still make the excursion worthwhile. One passenger spent the day relaxing on the boat and appreciated that the crew did not pressure her to snorkel. That is a useful detail: you do not need to be an enthusiastic swimmer to enjoy the outing.

Back at the marina, your driver takes you to your hotel. The exact return time depends on the sea conditions, group timing, and hotel location. Plan a light evening rather than booking another fixed activity after this one.

What the $25 price really buys

At $25 per person, this is strong value if you want a full day on the Red Sea without arranging separate transport, food, and water activities.

The base package includes:

• Hotel pickup and return
• Air-conditioned transport
• Yacht cruise
• Two snorkeling stops
• White Island stop
• Snorkeling instructor
• Life jackets
• Buffet lunch
• Hot and cold drinks
• Soft drinks and mineral water
• Bathroom and shower facilities

Snorkeling masks, fins, and related gear are included only if the equipment add-on is selected, so check your booking choice carefully. Scuba equipment is also an add-on, not part of the basic $25 price.

The Ras Mohammed National Park entry fee is listed as €5 if option 2 is selected. That wording is easy to miss, so confirm whether your chosen package includes it. Even with that fee, the total remains attractive for a long excursion with meals and transport.

The tradeoff is comfort and time. This is a shared boat day, not a private cruise. You may share reefs with other boats, wait while other people enter the water, and spend many hours onboard. If you want a quiet, private experience, pay more for a smaller charter. If you want the most activities for a modest price, this outing makes sense.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to see Ras Mohammed without arranging a taxi, boat, park ticket, food, and equipment separately. Families can also benefit from the patient crew, especially if children are nervous around open water.

It suits you if you enjoy a full schedule with some freedom to opt out. You can snorkel, try an introductory scuba session, swim at White Island, or stay on deck with a drink and the sea air.

It is less suitable if you dislike long boat rides, suffer badly from motion sickness, or want a quiet reef with no other boats nearby. Strong swimmers should also keep expectations realistic: the group format is safer and easier to manage, but it may limit how far you roam.

The listed languages are English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic. That is useful for mixed groups and helps make safety instructions easier to follow.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed trip?

Book it if you want a low-cost, full-day Red Sea outing with strong crew support. The best reasons are the two reef stops, the unusual White Island visit, included lunch, and helpful instructors who take beginners seriously.

Before booking, confirm three things: the exact pickup time, whether park entry is included in your chosen option, and whether snorkeling equipment is part of your package or an add-on. Bring a towel, sunglasses, swimwear, passport copy, water, and motion sickness tablets if you need them.

I would choose this trip for value and variety, not privacy or speed. It gives you a broad taste of South Sinai’s sea life and coastline in one day, with enough support for a first snorkeling or scuba experience.

FAQ

How much does the Ras Mohammed and White Island trip cost?

The listed price is $25 per person. Extra charges may apply for snorkeling gear, scuba equipment, scuba instruction, photography, or the Ras Mohammed National Park entry fee under the specified option.

What is included in the basic trip?

The basic inclusions are hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, the yacht trip, two snorkeling stops, one White Island stop, a snorkeling instructor, life jackets, buffet lunch, drinks, and access to bathrooms and showers onboard.

How long does the excursion last?

The full day can take about 11 hours, including hotel transport. Some schedules run from around 7:30 in the morning until about 6:30 in the evening.

How many snorkeling stops are there?

There are two snorkeling stops at coral reef sites near Ras Mohammed National Park.

Do I have to snorkel?

No. You can remain on the boat and relax if you do not want to enter the water.

Is scuba available?

Yes. Scuba sessions can be added for an extra charge. Tanks, weights, belts, and other equipment are supplied when the scuba option is selected.

How do I reach White Island?

White Island is reached by swimming a few metres from the boat. Crew members are available to assist you.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. A copy of your passport is required, and motion sickness tablets are sensible if you are affected by boat travel.