Sharm El Sheikh: Luxury boat Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

Ras Muhammad is the reason to book this trip. The boat takes you from Sharm El Sheikh to coral reefs at the southern tip of Sinai, then on to White Island, a sandbar that appears only when tide conditions allow. I like the mix of reef time and easy boat relaxation, plus the chance to add an introductory scuba session without booking a separate course.

I also like the price. At $35, it covers the cruise, lunch, and national park entry, though a mandatory €5 marina fee may be extra. The main caution is crowding. At busy reef stops, several boats may share the water, and one poor experience reported chaotic conditions and no interest in entering the sea.

• Ras Muhammad National Park: Two water stops give you more than a quick look at the Red Sea.
• White Island: Swim in shallow water, sit on soft sand, and take photos if the tide allows access.
• Two and a half hours by boat: The cruise itself is part of the day, with time to sit in the sun and watch the coast.
• Optional scuba: Add one or two introductory underwater sessions if snorkeling is not enough.
• Lunch at sea: Rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks are served onboard.
• Useful language choice: Guides operate in English, German, and Russian, with Mohammed singled out for patient help in rough water.

Ras Muhammad by boat, not by road

This seven-hour outing begins with a transfer from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel if you choose the pickup option. The shared bus usually comes about an hour to 90 minutes before the boat departure, depending on where your hotel sits. You receive the exact time by WhatsApp 24 hours before the trip, so keep your phone available.

If you arrange your own way there, go to Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina. Look for the operations team, usually wearing yellow shirts, and show your ticket. This is a simple meeting point, but allow time for the marina entrance process. The required marina fee is €5 per person unless you have prepaid it as an add-on.

Once aboard, the boat heads toward Ras Muhammad National Park. The listed sailing time is about an hour each way, with around 2.5 hours noted for the park cruise portion. That makes this more than a transfer to a swimming spot. You get a full day on the Red Sea, with sun, wind, open water, and a chance to sit down between activities.

A boat day also means conditions matter. One person found the water choppy but praised Mohammed for staying close and helping people. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a stable part of the boat, keep your eyes on the horizon, and bring only what you need.

Your first reef stop at Ras Muhammad

At Ras Muhammad, a professional snorkeling guide leads you into the water around the coral reef. You can bring your own equipment or rent snorkeling or scuba gear through the available options. Check exactly what you have selected before departure, since equipment and the introductory scuba session are connected to add-ons rather than automatically included in every $35 booking.

The park is the main reason to choose this cruise. Ras Muhammad is known for its Red Sea reefs, and the day gives you two chances to swim rather than one rushed stop. You may see colorful fish around the reef, but the quality of the experience depends on water clarity, wind, tide, and the number of boats using the site.

Stay close to the guide and follow instructions around the coral. Feeding fish is not allowed, and that rule protects the animals and keeps the water experience more natural. Avoid touching the reef as well, even if the shapes and colors tempt you.

The trip is suitable for people who want a gentle introduction to snorkeling. You do not need to plan an independent boat charter, arrange park access, or find a separate lunch stop. The guide, crew, equipment options, and timetable are handled for you.

The tradeoff is that this is a shared excursion, not a private reef visit. One particularly negative account described too many boats, confusion, and conditions that felt unsafe. Another person liked almost everything but found the actual snorkeling time short compared with the long day. I would book this knowing that the boat schedule and shared sites limit your freedom.

White Island and the tide-dependent sand stop

The trip continues to White Island, where you can swim in shallow water, snorkel, rest on sand, and take photographs. This is the more relaxed part of the day. After the reef, you can leave your mask behind for a while, sit in the sun, and enjoy the Red Sea without treating every minute as a search for fish.

White Island is not guaranteed. The stop depends on tide conditions, so do not book this trip solely for a permanent beach visit. When the sand is accessible, it adds variety to the day. You get a bright, open setting and a break from being in the water.

The schedule gives this section around three hours, including swimming, snorkeling, and welcome refreshments. That is a generous block of time, though the exact balance between activities can change with conditions. Bring a towel and beachwear that you can move in comfortably, since you will go from boat to water and back again.

This is also a good spot for photographs, but protect your phone carefully. Nothing in the supplied information promises dry storage or a waterproof case, so use your own protection rather than assuming the boat provides it.

An open buffet with a Red Sea view

After the water activities, lunch is served onboard. The buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, with soft drinks available. It is practical boat food, not a formal restaurant meal, and the appeal is being able to eat without leaving the day at sea.

One strong point is the range. Rice and pasta give you filling choices, salads provide something lighter, and chicken and fish cover the main dishes. This works well after several hours in the sun and water. A German-language review specifically praised the food and the pleasant mood onboard.

Do not confuse the included buffet with unlimited drinks of every kind. Alcohol is not allowed, and one unhappy account said promised free drinks were not provided. The stated meal information confirms soft drinks, so I would plan on that basis and ask the crew early about what is included.

The lunch stop lasts about an hour in the published schedule. Use it to dry off, eat slowly, and refill your energy before the final swim. Sunscreen is still important, even when you are seated on the boat. The Red Sea sun does not take a lunch break.

The second swim and the ride home

The program includes another swim after lunch, with about 1.5 hours listed for water time in Ras Muhammad. This second opportunity is useful if the first stop is windy, crowded, or simply too short for you. You can also use it to snorkel at a calmer pace after learning how the boat and guide organize the group.

The experience may feel long for people who want only a quick swim. One person enjoyed nearly the entire day but felt the travel time was long compared with the actual snorkeling. That is a fair concern. Pickup, marina procedures, sailing, two water stops, lunch, and the return journey add up.

I see the length as a reasonable trade for the $35 starting price, especially if you enjoy being on a boat. If you dislike long transfers or need a packed schedule of land sights, this may not be your best use of a day. If you like slow hours on the water, the sailing time becomes part of the attraction.

The return to Sharm El Sheikh takes about an hour by boat, followed by the marina arrival. Hotel drop-off is available when the transfer option is selected. If you arrange your own transport, confirm where you need to return, since Watanya Marina is the stated marina destination.

What the $35 price really covers

The advertised $35 per person is appealing because it includes the cruise and open buffet lunch, and the park entry fee of €5 is listed as included. However, you should budget for the separate mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 unless you prepay it as an add-on.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the relevant option. Snorkeling equipment and the introductory scuba session also depend on the option or add-ons you select. Read the booking choices carefully before paying, since the lowest price does not necessarily include transport, gear, or the underwater upgrade.

For a full day on the Red Sea, the value is good if you already have transport or select a package that includes it. The boat ride, two swims, White Island visit when possible, lunch, and multilingual support give you a lot for the base cost. The value is weaker if your main goal is a quiet, uncrowded reef or a long technical snorkeling session.

The optional scuba feature is useful for a first try. You can add one or two introductory sessions, but this is not presented as a full certification course. If you already scuba regularly, the snorkeling and sightseeing parts may matter more to you than the add-on.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a straightforward Red Sea outing with transport, food, and equipment options organized in one booking. It suits couples, families, and first-time snorkelers who prefer a guide nearby rather than arranging a boat independently.

The multilingual service helps if you speak English, German, or Russian. The activity is also listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical details of boarding and water access before booking if you use a wheelchair.

You should think twice if you need complete control over the schedule. White Island depends on the tide, reef time can be affected by other boats, and wind may make the water rough. The shared bus and marina process also add waiting time.

The strongest praise centers on the staff. People described the crew as friendly and professional, and Mohammed received specific credit for helping during choppy conditions. That human support matters more than it may sound, especially when you are nervous in open water.

What to bring for a smoother boat day

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, beachwear, and your passport or a copy. A copy is accepted, according to the trip information. Keep valuables to a minimum and protect electronics from spray, sand, and wet hands.

Wear something suitable for both swimming and sitting in the sun. You will repeatedly move between water and boat, so a towel and a dry layer can make the return sail more comfortable.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Do not feed the fish or other animals. These rules are clear, and following them helps protect the reef and avoids trouble with the crew.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still shifting.

Is this Sharm El Sheikh cruise worth booking?

Book it if you want an affordable, well-organized day at Ras Muhammad with lunch, two water sessions, and a possible White Island stop. The friendly crew, especially the help provided by Mohammed in rough water, is a real plus. The multilingual guides and optional hotel transport make the day easy to arrange.

Skip it if you want solitude, guaranteed calm seas, or a private reef experience. The busy-season crowding can reduce the quality of the coral viewing, and the seven-hour schedule may feel long if snorkeling is your only priority.

My practical advice is to choose the option that clearly includes your transport and gear, confirm the €5 marina fee, and treat White Island as a bonus rather than a promise. With those expectations, this is a solid-value Red Sea day for first-time snorkelers and casual swimmers.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, including transport and time on the boat, at Ras Muhammad, and around White Island.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Egypt Sunmarine Fleet at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. Hotel pickup is available if you select the transfer option.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the applicable pickup option. Shared pickup usually takes place about one to 1.5 hours before the trip, depending on your hotel location.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if you select the relevant add-on or option. You can also arrange equipment rental to explore the reef.

Can I add scuba to the cruise?

Yes. You can upgrade to include one or two introductory scuba sessions, depending on the option selected.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The White Island visit depends on tide conditions.

What food is served?

The onboard buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish. Soft drinks are available, while alcohol is not allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, beachwear, and your passport or a copy.