Sharm: Elite VIP Cruise Ras Mohammed & White Island with Lunch

The best colors are under the water. This six-hour cruise takes you from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel to Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island, with three guided snorkeling stops, a substantial lunch, and transport included. I like the simple door-to-door setup, and I like that the boat keeps the day focused on the Red Sea rather than filling it with unrelated stops.

The other strong point is the support in the water. Guides accompany the group, life jackets are available, and the boat has a low rear platform for entering the sea. A possible drawback is that snorkeling equipment is not included, so you must arrange your own gear or check whether rental is available before setting out.

Key points before you book

• Three snorkeling stops: You get several chances to see different parts of Ras Mohammed’s coral reefs and marine life.
• White Island visit: The cruise includes time at a bright sandbar within the Ras Mohammed area.
• Hotel pickup at about 9:00 am: Air-conditioned transfers make the marina connection easier.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect soup, salad, grilled meat and seafood, side dishes, and fruit.
• Guides support mixed abilities: Life jackets and guided assistance help less-confident swimmers take part.
• Small-to-medium group size: The boat accepts a maximum of 35 people, which should feel more manageable than a large excursion.

From your Sharm hotel to the marina

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh, with the stated start time at 9:00 am. One guest described an earlier hotel pickup at 7:30 am, followed by the transfer to the marina, so the exact collection time may depend on your hotel and the operator’s route for that day.

That early start matters. Ras Mohammed is outside the main resort zone, and arranging your own taxi to the marina would add another task to an already busy morning. Here, the air-conditioned vehicle is included, and the return transfer is also part of the package. You can focus on breakfast, sunscreen, and getting to the boat instead of negotiating transport.

The transfer is practical rather than scenic. Its value is convenience. Make sure your hotel details are correct when booking, and keep your phone available for any pickup communication. Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, which helps you sort out the day before you leave.

Boarding the Elite VIP Cruise boat

The ELITE VIP Cruise boats are described as brand new, with a layout intended for a full day on the Red Sea. Feedback about the boat is especially positive: it has been described as large, comfortable, secure, and clean. Those details matter more than they may sound. Six hours on a small or crowded boat can become tiring, while a solid boat with room to move makes the cruise easier to enjoy.

The maximum group size is 35 people. That is not a private yacht experience, but it is also not an enormous floating crowd. A group of this size should make it possible to hear the guide and move through the snorkeling routine without too much confusion.

The boat provides the setting for the day, but this is still a water-based excursion. Bring practical clothing, sun protection, and anything you need to stay comfortable between stops. The supplied details do not specify whether towels, drinks, or other personal items are included, so do not assume they are part of the price.

A guide explains the schedule before the boat reaches the snorkeling sites. One guide named in a review is Omar, who was praised for speaking good English and clearly explaining the plan. The guide’s role is not just commentary. The snorkeling team helps organize entry into the water, points out suitable areas, and stays with the group.

Three snorkeling stops in Ras Mohammed

The main reason to choose this cruise is the three-stop snorkeling program. Ras Mohammed National Park is known for colorful coral reefs and abundant Red Sea marine life, and the itinerary gives you several chances to see it from the water.

Three stops are useful because sea conditions and personal comfort can vary. You might feel hesitant at the first location, then relax at the second. You might find one site more appealing than another, or the visibility may differ between locations. A single stop leaves little room for adjustment. Three stops give the day a better rhythm and make the cruise feel like a proper exploration rather than a quick swim.

The guides accompany you at each location. Life jackets are available for less-confident swimmers, and access to the sea is through a low platform at the back of the boat. These features make the excursion more approachable for people who can swim but do not feel fully at ease in open water.

The description even notes that a guide can attach a less-confident participant to a life buoy and pull them along. That is a useful sign of how much assistance the crew is prepared to offer. Still, you should be comfortable with the basic demands of getting into the sea. This is not a glass-bottom sightseeing trip where you remain dry.

The largest practical issue is equipment. Snorkeling gear is excluded from the price. The package does not state that masks, snorkels, fins, or wetsuits are supplied, so check the arrangements before you book. If you own a mask and snorkel that fit well, bringing them may make the day easier. Poorly fitting gear can distract you from the reef, and the boat schedule is not the ideal time to discover that your mask leaks.

White Island and the sandbar stop

White Island gives the cruise a change of pace. After spending time around coral and marine life, you visit a bright sandbar surrounded by the Red Sea. The setting is the sort of place that makes a boat excursion feel worthwhile even when you have had enough snorkeling for the moment.

The island is not a conventional island with buildings, cafés, or shaded streets. It is a pristine sandbar, so the appeal is the open water, pale sand, and unusual setting. You should think of it as a short natural stop rather than a beach resort.

That also means conditions can affect the experience. The cruise requires good weather, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. The operator does not promise a fixed length of time at every stop, so the actual schedule may shift with sea conditions.

White Island works well for people who want photographs and a simple place to stand in the water. It also gives non-snorkelers something to enjoy between reef stops, although the excursion remains centered on the sea. If you strongly dislike swimming or boat travel, this will not suddenly become a land tour.

A generous lunch on board

Lunch is one of the better value points. It includes soup, salad, grilled meat and seafood, side dishes, and fruit. That is a full meal, not just a boxed sandwich waiting between swims.

A substantial lunch matters on an active day in the sun. Snorkeling takes energy, and the long transfer and boat time can make a proper meal welcome. The food also gives the day a clear pause, allowing you to dry off and settle down before the next part of the cruise.

The information does not list specific menu choices, drinks, or dietary accommodations. If you have food restrictions, ask before departure rather than relying on the general lunch description. The meal includes grills, seafood, sides, and fruit, but exact dishes can vary.

The lunch also strengthens the price comparison. At $77.99 per person, you are paying for transport, boat access, national park fees, a guided three-stop snorkeling program, and a full lunch. The value looks good if you want all of those pieces in one booking. It is less compelling if you already have transport, equipment, and a private boat arranged separately.

How the $77.99 price works for you

The headline price is $77.99 per person. Included are an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and all fees and taxes. The boat excursion and guided snorkeling experience are the central value, while the hotel transfers remove the need to arrange separate transport.

The cost is easier to justify for a first-time visitor to Sharm el Sheikh. You do not need to work out how to reach the marina, find a boat, or organize a route to Ras Mohammed. The day is packaged around the area’s major water attractions, and the lunch keeps extra spending down.

The exclusion is important. Snorkeling equipment is not included. That means the real cost depends on what you already own and what arrangements are available before boarding. Check this point carefully, because a low headline price can feel less attractive if you need to pay an additional fee at the last minute.

The group limit of 35 also helps explain the price. You are not booking an intimate private charter, but you are getting a more controlled group than some mass-market boat trips. At its best, that balance gives you a comfortable boat, a guide, and a social day without paying private-cruise prices.

The published rating is 4.7 from 34 reviews, with 91 percent recommending the experience. The strongest praise centers on the snorkeling, lunch, White Island, helpful staff, clean boat, and pickup service. That pattern is useful because it matches the main promises of the excursion rather than focusing on a minor extra.

Who will enjoy this six-hour cruise

I would point you toward this cruise if you want a convenient Red Sea day with several activities already arranged. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who prefer a guided outing instead of piecing together transport and boat tickets.

It is also a reasonable choice for mixed swimming abilities. The guides stay with the group, life jackets are available, and the low platform makes sea access easier. The crew’s willingness to assist people using a life buoy is reassuring, though you should still tell the guide about your comfort level before entering the water.

This is a good fit if you want both reef time and a scenic stop. Three snorkeling locations provide variety, while White Island offers a quieter pause on the sandbar. The lunch adds comfort and makes the day feel complete.

You may want a different experience if you require included snorkeling equipment, private service, or a very small group. You may also prefer a land-based national park visit if open-water swimming is not appealing. The maximum of 35 people is manageable, but it is not the same as having the boat to yourself.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is also near public transportation, though the included hotel pickup makes public transport unnecessary for most people staying in Sharm el Sheikh.

Timing, weather, and the small print

Plan for roughly six hours, but allow flexibility around the pickup and marina transfer. The schedule includes several water stops and lunch, so the actual flow can depend on sea conditions and the time needed to move the group safely.

Good weather is required. If the cruise is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

The booking is confirmed at the time of purchase. Since pickup is offered, provide accurate hotel information and watch for communication about the collection time. One reported pickup was at 7:30 am even though the general start time is listed as 9:00 am, so do not assume you can sleep until the advertised departure hour.

Should you book the Elite VIP Cruise?

I would book it if your priority is a well-organized day on the Red Sea, with three snorkeling opportunities, White Island, lunch, and hotel transfers for $77.99. The boat receives strong marks for comfort and cleanliness, and the staff support is a real advantage for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Before paying, confirm how you will get snorkeling equipment. That is the one clear gap in an otherwise complete package. If you bring or arrange your own gear and accept a group size of up to 35, this cruise offers a solid mix of convenience, water time, food, and scenery.

FAQ

How long is the Elite VIP Cruise to Ras Mohammed?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am. Pickup details can vary by hotel, and one reported collection time was 7:30 am.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Two-way transfers from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel are offered, using an air-conditioned vehicle.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The cruise includes three snorkeling stops at sites around Ras Mohammed National Park.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Use of snorkeling equipment is not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes soup, salad, grilled meat and seafood, side dishes, and fruit.

Is White Island part of the itinerary?

Yes. The cruise visits White Island, described as a pristine sandbar.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.