From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving

REVIEW · SHARM EL SHEIKH

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving

  • 4.528 reviews
  • 7 hours
  • From $31
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Operated by Egypt Sun Marine Fleet · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.5 (28)Duration7 hoursPrice from$31Operated byEgypt Sun Marine FleetBook viaGetYourGuide

Snorkeling here feels like stepping into an aquarium. I like that you spend real time around Ras Mohamed National Park with guided snorkeling, and I also like the on-board buffet lunch served right on the deck. One thing to consider: you’ll be on the boat for a big chunk of the day, and conditions can change what you see in the water.

Comfort is part of the deal. The yacht is set up with a modern sun deck on top and an air-conditioned salon below, plus a crew that keeps things organized and clean. In the stories I read, staff members like Islam and Mahmoud came across as professional, helpful, and genuinely friendly, which matters when you’re getting geared up and back out on the water.

Key Things I Think You’ll Care About

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - Key Things I Think You’ll Care About

  • Ras Mohamed National Park snorkeling time with expert guidance
  • Two reef-style snorkeling stops near Sharm El Sheikh (sites can vary by conditions)
  • White Island visit, but only if the tide allows
  • Buffet lunch on deck with waiter service for hot and soft drinks
  • Comfortable boat setup: sun deck above, air-conditioned salon below
  • Plan for a 5 euro marina fee (per person) on arrival or via add-ons

Ras Mohamed + White Island: The Red Sea Day Trip Setup

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - Ras Mohamed + White Island: The Red Sea Day Trip Setup
This is the kind of Sharm outing that works if you want a “big best-of” Red Sea experience without building a whole day around logistics. You’ll sail from Sharm, spend time in and around Ras Mohamed National Park, and then return in time for an evening back at your hotel.

The tour is built around snorkeling, not just a boat ride. You get multiple chances to get in the water, and the day is paced so you’re not only staring at the coastline. Even if you’re not an all-day ocean person, the on-board setup helps: you can cool down indoors between water time.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Sharm El Sheikh

From Your Hotel to Watanya Marina: Getting There Without Stress

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - From Your Hotel to Watanya Marina: Getting There Without Stress
Pickup runs on a shared bus system, and timing is part of the plan. Your pickup is roughly 90 minutes before the trip time, and it depends on where your hotel is located. You should also expect to receive your exact pickup time by WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure.

The meeting point is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina Sharm El Sheikh. When you arrive, you go straight to the operations team member (usually in a yellow T-shirt) and show your ticket. If you didn’t choose transfers, you’ll still find the marina easy to target because it’s clearly the hub for this operator.

Two practical notes I’d keep in mind:

  • You’re dealing with shared-bus pickup, so you’ll want to be ready when they call your group.
  • There’s a mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person, payable on arrival (or handled through add-ons if you choose that option).

Ras Mohamed National Park: Where the Snorkeling Time Counts

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - Ras Mohamed National Park: Where the Snorkeling Time Counts
Ras Mohamed National Park is the headline. The schedule gives you both sailing time and dedicated snorkeling time, plus a period to watch marine life while you’re cruising. That matters because it changes the feel of the day: you’re not only getting in water at random moments.

On this trip, snorkeling is guided, and that’s one of the strongest reasons to pick this format. You’ll have expert snorkeling guides with you at all times, so you’re not stuck figuring out gear, entry, or safety on your own. If you’re comfortable in open water, you’ll enjoy the structure; if you’re newer to snorkeling, you’ll appreciate the “handrails” this style provides.

You’ll also want to manage expectations about timing. Snorkeling isn’t “all day in the water,” even when the reefs are good. It’s more like: get in for focused sessions, reset, and go again when conditions are right.

Choosing the Best Reef Stops: What You’ll Likely See

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - Choosing the Best Reef Stops: What You’ll Likely See
This cruise uses two snorkeling stops near the Sharm area, and the operator lists several popular sites used around the region. Names that may come up include Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef, South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani, and an Old Quay option.

The key idea is that you’re not just hitting one spot. Two water sessions mean you have a better chance of seeing something interesting even if a specific area isn’t at its best. You’ll be in clear Red Sea water most of the time when conditions cooperate, and the guided format helps you spend your energy looking at fish and coral instead of worrying about logistics.

If you’re new to snorkeling, here’s what I’d do:

  • Use the guide time to get comfortable with your breathing and floating before you swim out too far.
  • Keep your mask sealed and avoid rushing—small adjustments early make the whole session better.
  • Move slowly. In places like these, faster movement usually means less time watching and more time fighting turbulence.

White Island (Only if the Tide Allows)

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - White Island (Only if the Tide Allows)
White Island is part of the experience, but it’s not guaranteed. The trip notes that the visit is subjected to tide conditions, so you should treat it as a bonus if it happens rather than a guaranteed box to tick.

When it does work, you’ll get another distinct change of scenery during the day. Even when you’re primarily there for snorkeling, this kind of stop breaks up the rhythm and gives your eyes a rest from the water.

The practical advice: pack with flexibility in mind. If you’re someone who hates uncertainty, just plan to enjoy the core piece—Ras Mohamed and the snorkeling stops—because that part is always the backbone of the schedule.

You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Sharm El Sheikh

Lunch on Deck: Comfort Food With a View

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - Lunch on Deck: Comfort Food With a View
The cruise includes an open buffet lunch served on the yacht deck, and there’s all-day waiter service for hot and soft drinks. This is one of those details that sounds minor until you’re hungry halfway through the day and you don’t want to hunt for someone holding a menu.

Food choices are described as straightforward and market-driven: things like freshly cut salads, plus rice, pasta, and potatoes, and also chicken and Egyptian kofta. The operator also emphasizes on-board hygiene and uses fresh ingredients, which matters on a long day at sea.

What I like about the lunch setup is the timing and location. You eat while the boat is partway through the day, not after the tour is over, and you’re still in “vacation mode,” not in transit mode.

Boat Comfort and How to Use It

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - Boat Comfort and How to Use It
This is not a tiny speedboat day. It’s a more comfortable yacht style: modern sun deck on top for sitting and soaking in the views, and an air-conditioned salon below for shade and cooling off.

Between snorkeling sessions, that indoor space is more useful than people think. If the sun is strong and you’re out of the water, you’ll want somewhere to reset. On a day like this, comfort isn’t luxury—it helps you enjoy the next stop.

Wheelchair accessibility is also listed. If mobility is part of your planning, it’s worth confirming what on-board movement looks like for your exact needs, but the operator indicates wheelchair access.

Optional Scuba: Good for Curious Beginners

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - Optional Scuba: Good for Curious Beginners
The experience includes an optional scuba component. While the exact scuba structure isn’t spelled out in the basic info, one of the stories I read mentioned an introductory scuba session where the instructor was patient and good at explaining.

So if you’ve been thinking about doing your first scuba try, this could fit your style—especially if you want someone to guide you step-by-step rather than tossing you into equipment without support. The tradeoff is simple: it can add expectations to the day. If your main goal is snorkeling time, keep your energy focused there and treat scuba as a bonus if you decide to add it.

Also note: conditions can affect how good water visibility feels. If you’re booking scuba primarily for perfect underwater clarity, consider that this is still a sea-day and conditions change.

Duration and the One Real Consideration: Time on the Water

From Sharm: Ras Mohammed snorkeling cruise & optional diving - Duration and the One Real Consideration: Time on the Water
The total duration is about 7 hours. That’s long enough to feel like a real outing, and short enough to avoid turning it into a whole vacation day for the sake of a single activity.

Still, a long boat day isn’t automatically fun for everyone. One negative note I saw was about feeling tired after many hours on the boat, plus concerns about sea conditions for scuba. That’s not a reason to avoid it for sure, but it is a reminder: if you get restless on boats, bring a plan for shade, water, and snacks beyond the lunch (where allowed).

If you’re prone to motion sickness, I’d also take sea conditions seriously. The day includes sailing legs between zones, so you’ll feel it at least a little.

Price and Value: What Around $31 Actually Buys

The price listed here is $31 per person, which is fairly strong considering the ingredients: boat cruise, hotel pickup and drop-off (if you choose that option), national park entry fees (listed as €5), a buffet lunch, and the snorkeling experience with guided support.

There’s also that mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person, payable on arrival or via add-ons. Once you factor that in, you’ll still likely find the trip good value if you want a structured day with transport, food, and real water time.

Where the value shows up most:

  • You’re not just “watching” snorkeling sites from above.
  • You’re provided a guided safety net while you’re in the water.
  • You’re not required to organize reef-hopping independently.

Who Should Book This Trip (and Who Might Not)

This tour is a great match for you if:

  • You want a guided snorkeling day at Ras Mohamed without handling complex planning.
  • You like having food included and time built in to cool down on a yacht.
  • You’re visiting Sharm and want to see more than one kind of coast view.

It might be less ideal if:

  • You dislike long boat hours and prefer shorter outings.
  • You’re booking mainly for scuba, expecting the best visibility every day no matter what.
  • You’re very sensitive to water conditions and want maximum certainty.

If you’re in the “first time snorkeling” category, you’re probably in the sweet spot—especially with guides in the water.

Should You Book Ras Mohamed + White Island From Sharm?

I’d book this if your top priority is Ras Mohamed snorkeling with guided support, plus an easy day that includes transport and lunch. The comfort of the yacht matters, and the guide presence helps you focus on marine life instead of juggling details.

I’d pause and double-check your expectations if you’re mainly chasing a scuba-perfect day or if boat time usually drains you. For most people, the structure is the advantage: you get the parks, you get the reefs, you get the food, and you’re back in the evening without extra effort.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the cruise?

You meet at Egypt Sun Marine Fleet in Watanya Marina Sharm El Sheikh. When you arrive, go to the operations team member (usually wearing a yellow t-shirt) and show your ticket.

How long is the tour, and when does it return?

The duration is about 7 hours. The boat sails back by around 4:30 PM, then you get transfer back to your hotel.

Does the trip include White Island?

White Island is included, but the visit depends on tide conditions. If the tide isn’t right, you may not stop there.

Are snorkeling guides included during the snorkeling stops?

Yes. Expert snorkeling guides accompany you at all times to help with safety and enjoyment during the snorkeling sessions.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

There is a mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person. It’s paid upon arrival or can be prepaid from add-ons, if that option is selected.

What language is the live tour guide?

The live tour guide is available in English, German, and Russian.

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