From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving

Bright water, easy access, one long day. This Ras Mohammed cruise combines two snorkeling stops, a boat ride through South Sinai, and a buffet lunch for $31 per person. I like the two-water-stop plan, which gives you a better chance to see coral and fish, and I like the comfortable yacht setup with a shaded salon, open sun deck, and drinks served during the day.

The main tradeoff is time on the boat. The trip lasts about seven hours, with roughly 2.5 hours sailing out and another two hours returning. I also see one cost detail to check carefully: the national park fee is listed as €5, while the mandatory marina entrance fee may be paid separately or added during booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Two snorkeling stops: The route may include Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef, South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani, or Old Quay.
• White Island depends on the tide: It is part of the plan only when conditions allow.
• Buffet lunch on board: Expect chicken, Egyptian kofta, rice, pasta, potatoes, fresh salads, and drinks.
• Optional hotel transfer: Shared pickup usually comes about one to one and a half hours before departure.
• Optional introductory scuba session: One recent booking included a patient instructor who explained the basics clearly.
• The main caution is boat time: This is best for people who enjoy a full day at sea, not anyone eager to get back to shore quickly.

Setting sail from Watanya Marina

Your day begins at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. If you arrange your own way there, look for the Egypt Sunmarine Fleet center and show your ticket to an operations team member, usually identifiable by a yellow shirt.

Hotel pickup is optional. If you choose it, the shared bus generally collects you around 60 to 90 minutes before the boat leaves. The exact time depends on your hotel, and you should receive the final pickup details by WhatsApp 24 hours before the trip.

That early pickup window matters. Sharm El Sheikh is spread out, so a hotel near the marina will not necessarily have the same collection time as a hotel farther away. Keep your phone available the day before, and do not assume the advertised boat departure time is your pickup time.

At the marina, allow time for the entrance charge. The information provided lists a mandatory marina fee of €5 per person, payable on arrival or available as a prepaid add-on. The national park entry fee is also listed at €5. Since the booking details describe these charges in slightly different ways, check your selected option before you leave your hotel.

The 2.5-hour cruise toward Ras Mohammed

Once aboard, the boat becomes the main setting for much of the day. The yacht is described as modern and spacious, with an open upper deck and an air-conditioned salon below. That gives you two useful choices: sun and sea views upstairs, or cooler shelter indoors.

I would claim a spot early if you want a particular place on deck. The upper level should suit you if you want to watch the coast, dry off after swimming, or work on your tan. The lower salon is the smarter refuge during the hottest part of the day, especially if you are traveling with children or prefer not to sit in full sun.

The cruise toward Ras Mohammed takes about 2.5 hours. That is not a short transfer. It is part of the experience, but it also explains the one less favorable reaction in the available feedback: one person found the many hours on the boat tiring and felt the sea looked dirty during the scuba portion.

Sea conditions and visibility can change. Clear water is a major reason to book this trip, but no operator can make every stop look perfect. If your priority is spending the maximum possible time in the water, a shorter shore-based snorkeling outing may suit you better. If you like a full day on a yacht, the sailing time feels more worthwhile.

Ras Mohammed’s first water stop

Ras Mohammed National Park protects some of the best-known coastal waters near Sharm El Sheikh. The exact stop can vary, with possible locations including Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef, South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani, and Old Quay.

The plan calls for around 45 minutes of snorkeling at the first main stop. That is enough time to get your mask settled, swim with the group, and look for fish around the coral. It is not an unlimited session, so listen carefully to the crew’s instructions and enter the water ready.

The scenery below the boat is the main reason to take this cruise. The Red Sea is known for clear blue water, coral formations, and plentiful marine life close to the surface. You may find the best views around the reef edges rather than directly under the boat, though the crew will decide where it is safest and most useful to swim.

The guides accompany the snorkeling group. That matters if you are not confident in open water, since you do not have to work out the route alone. It also helps keep the group together, which is important around reef areas and boat traffic.

Bring your own sense of comfort. If you tire quickly, stay near the guide and do not feel pressured to swim farther than you can manage. The program is designed for a broad range of abilities, but the sea remains the sea, not a hotel pool.

A second look at the Red Sea

After the first snorkeling period, the schedule allows about 30 minutes for a boat cruise and marine-life viewing. Think of this as a transition rather than a second full snorkeling session. The boat may reposition, and you may have time to look over the water, rest, or watch the coastline.

The itinerary then provides another water stop at one of the listed reef areas. The highlights describe two snorkeling locations, while the timed schedule gives 45 minutes for the main snorkeling period and another 30 minutes for marine-life viewing. In practice, the exact division of time may depend on weather, sea conditions, and the day’s chosen sites.

This flexible routing is useful. Instead of promising one fixed reef regardless of conditions, the crew can work with several possible locations. The drawback is that you may not know the exact sites until the day itself.

White Island is another possible stop. It depends on tide conditions, so treat it as a bonus rather than a guaranteed feature. When the tide allows, it adds a change from reef viewing and gives the day a distinct Ras Mohammed highlight. If tide or conditions prevent the visit, the snorkeling remains the core attraction.

Lunch on the yacht

Lunch is served on board, usually after the water activities. The buffet includes freshly prepared salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta. That is a sensible menu for a day at sea: familiar choices, filling starches, and a few local flavors rather than a meal designed only for adventurous eaters.

You can eat on deck or in the air-conditioned salon, depending on the boat setup and the conditions. All-day waiter service for hot and soft drinks is also included in the description, which is useful after time in the water.

I would not book this cruise for the food alone, but the meal adds real value to the $31 price. A boat day can feel expensive if you must buy every drink and arrange lunch yourself. Here, the basic meal and refreshments are built into the day.

The operator also highlights on-board hygiene and market-fresh ingredients. That does not guarantee a restaurant-style meal, but it sets a reasonable expectation for a practical buffet rather than a luxury dining experience. Eat a sensible amount before returning to the water, and keep drinking fluids in the heat.

Optional scuba for first-timers

The experience also offers an optional scuba activity. One recent booking described an introductory session with an instructor who was patient and clear when explaining the basics.

That makes the option more appealing to a first-timer than simply being dropped into the water with equipment. You should still treat it as a brief introduction, not a full certification course or a serious scuba itinerary.

The wording around the optional activity is important. One person felt the scuba session was mainly for amusement and found the sea conditions disappointing. That is a useful warning if you are booking specifically for a major underwater scuba experience.

For serious scuba enthusiasts, this cruise may not provide enough time or depth-focused planning. For someone who has always wanted to try breathing underwater but does not want to commit to a full course, it can be a convenient add-on. Ask at booking what the option includes, since the base $31 price centers on the cruise and snorkeling.

What $31 really buys you

At $31 per person, this is a strong-value day if the listed inclusions match your chosen option. You receive the boat cruise, buffet lunch, and access to Ras Mohammed, with hotel transportation available when selected.

The value comes from combining several separate costs into one outing. You avoid arranging transport to the marina, finding a boat, organizing a guide, bringing lunch, and locating snorkeling sites on your own. The crew also handles the route and water-stop logistics.

Still, do not assume every charge is included automatically. The information lists snorkeling gear as included only if selected from add-ons, and it separately identifies the €5 marina entrance fee. National park entry is listed at €5. Before paying, confirm:

• Whether hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your option
• Whether snorkeling equipment is included
• Whether the marina fee has been prepaid
• Whether the national park fee is included or collected separately
• What the optional scuba session costs

That short check prevents the common problem of a cheap headline price becoming less cheap at the marina.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this day to you if you want a simple way to see Ras Mohammed without arranging several separate services. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, families, and first-time visitors to Sharm El Sheikh who want a guided day on the Red Sea.

It also works well for people who enjoy time on a boat. The yacht has an open deck, a cooled salon, food, and drinks, so the sailing portions are not just dead time if you enjoy watching the coast and relaxing between swims.

You may want another option if you dislike long boat rides, get uncomfortable in the sun, or want a packed schedule of water time. The cruise has roughly 4.5 hours of sailing in total, so the snorkeling itself occupies only part of the day.

The trip is described as wheelchair accessible, but specific details about boarding, deck access, and getting into the water are not provided. If those details matter to you, contact the operator before booking rather than relying on the general accessibility label.

The tour is offered in English, German, and Russian. That is useful for safety instructions and for understanding the snorkeling plan. Hotel transfers are shared, so expect the pickup schedule to depend on other hotels as well as your own.

Practical tips for a better day

Pack lightly, but bring what makes a boat day easier. You will want swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and something dry to wear after snorkeling. The upper deck can be sunny for hours, while the air-conditioned salon offers a cooler break.

Keep your phone protected from spray and carry enough personal medication for the full day. The sailing time is long enough that you should not plan around a quick return to your hotel.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully about the 2.5-hour outbound cruise and two-hour return. The supplied information does not mention seasickness medication or onboard medical arrangements, so ask your doctor or pharmacist about suitable preparation before the trip.

Stay close to the snorkeling guides. The crew’s presence is one of the tour’s practical strengths, especially for less confident swimmers. Do not chase marine life or coral, and follow every instruction about where to enter and exit the water.

Use the day’s timing as a guide, not a guarantee. Tide conditions affect White Island, and sea conditions can influence the choice of snorkeling sites. The boat may return to Watanya Marina around 4:30 PM, followed by drop-off at the marina or transfer back to Sharm El Sheikh hotels.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed cruise?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, organized day with two reef stops, lunch, transport options, and a comfortable yacht. The strongest parts are the helpful crew, the flexible choice of snorkeling sites, the included buffet, and the chance to add an introductory scuba session.

Skip it if you want a short outing or a serious scuba program. The long sailing time is the central tradeoff, and the quality of the water experience can vary with conditions.

Before booking, confirm the add-ons and fees, especially snorkeling gear, hotel transfer, the €5 marina charge, and the €5 national park entry. With those details clear, this is a practical way to reach Ras Mohammed and spend a full day enjoying the Red Sea.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. The schedule includes roughly 25 minutes by bus when transport is selected, about 2.5 hours sailing to Ras Mohammed, snorkeling and marine-life viewing, lunch, and around two hours sailing back.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the transfer option. Shared pickup usually takes place about one to one and a half hours before the trip, depending on your hotel.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is the Egypt Sunmarine Fleet center at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. On arrival, show your ticket to an operations team member, usually wearing a yellow shirt.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included if you select it as an add-on. Check your chosen booking option before departure.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The visit to White Island depends on tide conditions. It should be treated as a possible part of the route, not a guaranteed stop.

What languages are available on the cruise?

Live guidance is available in English, German, and Russian.