Sharm el-Sheikh: Ras Mohammed Elite VIP Cruise and BBQ Lunch

A spacious boat makes all the difference. This Ras Mohammed cruise combines three Red Sea stops, a large four-level vessel, comfortable sun loungers, and a generous seafood and barbecue lunch. I especially like the quiet top deck and the attentive snorkeling guides, including guides such as Ahmed, Omar, and Mohamed who have helped nervous swimmers feel safe in the water.

The food and service are the other big strengths. You get waiter service for hot and soft drinks, plus shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, soup, and fruit. The main drawback is that the transfer can be disorganized, and some drinks may cost extra despite the VIP label.

Key points to know before booking

• Four-level boat with a calm top deck: Comfortable loungers give you a proper place to relax between swims, with shaded areas below.
• Three Red Sea stops: Expect snorkeling in Ras Mohammed National Park and a visit to White Island, though the exact number of snorkeling sessions can vary with conditions.
• Strong guide support: Guides stay close to swimmers and can provide life jackets or help with a buoy if deep water makes you uneasy.
• Freshly cooked lunch: Seafood, barbecue meats, salads, sides, soup, and fruit make this more than a basic packed meal.
• Seven-hour schedule: Pickup is roughly one hour before the 9:00 am departure, with a return to the marina around 4:00 pm.
• Budget for extras: Marina entry costs 5 euros per person unless prepaid, and snorkeling equipment may require an add-on or port rental.

Why the boat matters on a seven-hour cruise

A day on the Red Sea can feel long if the boat is cramped or noisy. This one is designed more like a small floating resort, with four floors, two air-conditioned salons, an open upper deck, and plenty of room to spread out.

The upper sun deck is the main reason I would choose this trip over a cheaper cruise. You get a proper sun lounger, not just a narrow strip of bench. Cushions and clean loungers were praised repeatedly, and the top level gives you a quiet place to read, sunbathe, or watch the coast slide past.

If the sun becomes too strong, move down to the shaded deck or into one of the air-conditioned salons. The salon is also where lunch is served, so you can cool off before eating. The boat’s layout gives you choices, which matters when you are spending most of a day at sea.

The atmosphere also seems more peaceful than the party-style boats common around Sharm el-Sheikh. One useful detail is the lack of loud music. If you want a day built around snorkeling and scenery rather than dancing and a sound system, this is a better fit.

The morning pickup and marina departure

Pickup is from your Sharm el-Sheikh hotel, normally about one hour before the cruise. You receive the exact time by WhatsApp roughly 24 hours before departure, so keep your phone available the day before.

The transfer takes about 25 minutes by bus or coach. This is the least polished part of the experience. Several bookings describe confusion at the start or a cramped return minivan, even though the boat itself was praised. If transport comfort matters greatly to you, confirm the pickup arrangement rather than assuming that VIP applies equally to the road transfer.

At the marina, you need to account for the mandatory entrance fee of 5 euros per person. You can pay it on arrival or add it in advance. This is a small charge, but it changes the real price from $80 to at least $85 before any equipment costs.

Once aboard, the tone improves. Crew members begin offering hot and soft drinks, and service continues throughout the day. The strongest praise is aimed at the staff’s care, especially their habit of checking on people in the water and offering drinks while passengers relax.

The long sail toward Ras Mohammed

The boat spends a substantial part of the morning sailing toward Ras Mohammed National Park. The published schedule allows about two and a half hours for this outward journey, followed by additional cruising later in the day.

That sounds long on paper, but the spacious deck makes it easier to enjoy. I would use this time to settle into a lounger, take photos, and get comfortable with the boat before the first swim. The sea can become choppy, especially on the return, so sitting low and inside may suit you better if you are prone to motion sickness.

The Red Sea is warm enough for snorkeling through much of the year, with water temperatures described as seldom falling below 20 degrees Celsius even in winter. Still, January conditions can feel cold once you leave the water. One January booking found the sea too cold for comfortable snorkeling, so pack a towel and use the shaded or air-conditioned areas when needed.

The weather also affects the mood of the return journey. Strong wind can make the ride back feel less relaxing, even when the boat is comfortable.

Ras Mohammed snorkeling: coral, fish, and careful support

The main reason to book this trip is the time in the water. Ras Mohammed is known for clear water, coral formations, and a wide range of marine life. The exact sightings cannot be promised, but the possible list includes seahorses, octopus, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and fish ranging from tiny reef species to much larger animals.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal. You are not visiting an aquarium with a scheduled animal show. The reef changes from stop to stop, and the guides know where conditions are best on the day.

The schedule allows roughly 45 minutes at one of the main swimming and snorkeling stops. The wider program describes three snorkeling sites, while the practical itinerary and several accounts refer to two snorkeling sessions plus White Island. Treat the day as a series of reef stops rather than expecting a fixed number of identical swims. Wind, sea conditions, and park operations can affect the final plan.

Access to the water is via a low platform at the back of the boat. That is easier than climbing down a high ladder, especially when you are wet. Life jackets are available, and the guides are used to helping people with different swimming abilities.

This support is a real strength. Ahmed was praised for staying close to a nervous swimmer and checking that she was comfortable. Other accounts single out Omar and Mohamed for helping people overcome fear in deeper water. A guide may stay with you, use a life buoy, and pull you along if needed. You still need to tell the crew clearly about your swimming ability before entering the water.

The sea may be choppy, and several people chose life jackets even when they could swim. That is sensible, not embarrassing. A flotation aid lets you spend more time looking at the reef instead of wasting energy staying afloat.

White Island and the second water stop

White Island is scheduled as a 45-minute visit. It offers a change of pace from the coral sites, giving you time to stand on the pale sand, take photographs, and enjoy a different view of the national park.

The stop is especially useful for families or anyone who does not want to snorkel for the entire day. One family found the children enjoyed the speedboat tender used to reach the island. The exact access method may depend on conditions, but you should expect some movement between the main boat and the island.

White Island can feel exposed, particularly in strong sun or wind. Bring sunscreen, a hat if you use one, and drinking water from the boat. Do not assume that every minute here will be calm and still. The attraction is the contrast with the reef, not a long beach stay.

The remaining snorkeling or swimming stop gives you another chance to enter the water. The two sessions may feel different because visibility, current, and marine life change from one site to the next. If you only have the energy for one swim, tell the guide. You can enjoy the boat and island without forcing yourself into the water.

A barbecue and seafood lunch worth planning around

Lunch is served during the Ras Mohammed portion of the day and lasts about an hour. The menu includes seafood soup, three fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

This is unusually broad for a day cruise. You get both seafood and land-based choices, which helps if someone in your group does not eat fish. The meals were frequently praised as plentiful and tasty, with one booking calling the food better than the hotel meal. That is a strong endorsement, although the word VIP may set expectations higher than the actual presentation.

The food is prepared onboard using market-fresh ingredients, according to the operating description. You can expect a buffet-style meal rather than a formal restaurant service. The value comes from quantity, variety, and the fact that lunch is part of the cruise price.

Drinks are served throughout the day, and crew members regularly bring them to the deck. But read the inclusions carefully. One account specifically complained that only small plastic cups of generic cola and lemonade were included, with other refreshments charged separately. Ask the crew what is free before ordering anything beyond the standard hot drinks and soft drinks.

What $80 really gets you

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest Red Sea boat trip. The price makes more sense if you will use the upper deck, enjoy the meal, and want active guide support in the water.

You are paying for hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat, crew, buffet lunch, and a full day that runs from about 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. You also get air-conditioned indoor space, waiter service, several stops, and a boat that feels less crowded than many lower-cost options.

The trip is particularly good value for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can spend more time snorkeling, nervous swimmers can use a life jacket and stay with a guide, and non-swimmers can enjoy the deck, lunch, and White Island. The large boat also gives you room to retreat when you have had enough sun.

You need to add the 5 euro marina fee. Snorkeling equipment is included only if selected as an add-on, and one account says mask and goggles could be rented at the port for $5, with no flippers available. Confirm the equipment arrangement when booking, and do not reach the marina assuming fins will be supplied.

The people who make the difference

The boat and reef attract bookings, but the crew determines how comfortable the day feels. Ahmed received especially strong praise for attentive care and calm help in deep water. Omar and Mohamed were also singled out for their professionalism and close support during snorkeling.

That does not mean every guide interaction will be equally strong. One booking described a guide who barely interacted with the group, even though the rest of the crew performed well. Your best approach is to ask direct questions at the start: where the safest entry point is, how long the swim lasts, where to meet the group, and who to stay beside in the water.

Guidance is available in English, German, and Russian. The crew’s practical support suits beginners, families, and anyone who feels uneasy away from shore. If you are an experienced snorkeler, you can still enjoy the reefs, but you may find the organized group approach less independent than a private outing.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if comfort matters almost as much as snorkeling. The sun loungers, air-conditioned salons, shaded deck, food, and drink service make the long sailing sections much easier.

It is also a strong choice for families. The boat has space to move around, White Island adds variety, and guides can pay close attention to children and less-confident swimmers. You should still supervise children closely and listen to the crew’s instructions around the platform and tender.

This cruise suits couples and solo passengers who prefer a relaxed day without loud music. It also works well for a group with mixed abilities, since no one has to spend every stop in the sea.

I would hesitate if you want a small, fast boat, a private guide, or a fully predictable schedule. The transfer may be messy, the return can be windy, and the VIP label does not necessarily mean every drink is included. People who dislike long boat rides may also find the outward sailing too much.

For the best day, bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and any personal snorkeling equipment you prefer. Ask in advance about mask, goggles, and fins. Wear something warm for the ride back in winter, and use a life jacket if the sea is rough.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed Elite VIP Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable full-day boat with strong reef access, a generous lunch, and staff who take water safety seriously. The upper deck and quiet atmosphere are the main reasons to choose it over a cheaper cruise.

Skip it if you mainly want a short snorkeling outing or expect luxury transfers and unlimited premium drinks. The core experience is good value at $80, but remember the marina fee and possible equipment or drink charges.

For most people staying in Sharm el-Sheikh, I would consider this a solid Red Sea day, especially for beginners and families. Just treat the boat as the VIP part, not necessarily the minivan ride.

FAQ

How long is the Ras Mohammed Elite VIP cruise?

The experience lasts about seven hours. The advertised boat schedule runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with hotel pickup usually taking place about one hour before departure.

What is included in the $80 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat cruise, buffet lunch, and crew service. Snorkeling equipment and the mandatory marina entrance fee may require selecting or paying for add-ons.

How much is the marina entrance fee?

The mandatory marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the available add-on.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program describes three snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park. The detailed schedule and some accounts describe two snorkeling sessions plus a visit to White Island, so the exact arrangement can depend on sea and operating conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Equipment is available if you select it as an add-on. A rental option at the port has been listed at $5 for a mask and goggles, with no flippers available, so confirm the current arrangement before departure.

Can a nervous swimmer join the snorkeling?

Yes. Life jackets are available, and guides accompany swimmers in the water. Guides can also assist with a life buoy, but you should tell the crew about your swimming ability before entering the sea.

What food is served at lunch?

The menu includes seafood soup, three salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

Are drinks included?

Waiter service for hot and soft drinks is provided during the day. Some accounts indicate that drinks beyond the basic small servings of generic cola and lemonade may cost extra, so ask the crew before ordering.

Which languages are available?

Instruction and guide service are available in English, German, and Russian.