VIP -White Island & Ras Mohamed Snorkel Excursion

The main draw here is simple: you get a full day on the Red Sea with three snorkeling stops, including White Island and Ras Mohamed National Park. The large three-tier boat gives you room to spread out, while the crew keeps beginners close and reassured in the water.

I like the small group limit of 25 people, especially since the boat itself can hold up to 40. I also like that lunch, drinks, park admission, transport, and snorkeling gear are included. The catch is the firm cancellation policy, and the extra charge for photos and video can push up the final cost.

Key points at a glance

• White Island stop: Reach a striking patch of sand and shallow water in the middle of the sea.
• Three water stops: The schedule includes Ras Mohamed, White Island, and Stingray Station.
• Beginner-friendly crew: Guides such as Mohamed Mahmoud, Khaled Shabben, Mamdouh, and Hani Hendy are praised for patient instruction and calm support.
• Roomier boat setup: A three-tier boat has an air-conditioned saloon, lunch seating, and open areas for sea views.
• Included value: Hotel pickup, park ticket, snorkeling gear, lunch, bottled water, coffee, and tea are covered.
• Extra costs: Onboard photography and video are sold separately, as are souvenir photos and DVDs.

A full Red Sea day from Sharm el Sheikh

This is the sort of outing that makes sense when you want to see more than the hotel beach without arranging several separate activities. From Sharm el Sheikh, an air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your hotel, usually around 8:00 to 8:20 in the morning. Exact pickup time depends on the trip booked and your hotel location.

The boat day lasts about seven hours. That is long enough to make the journey to the snorkeling areas worthwhile, but it also means you should treat this as a full-day commitment. You will not be popping back to the hotel for forgotten sunglasses, lunch, or a quiet break.

The experience is built around three stops. The exact order can vary, but the plan includes Ras Mohamed, White Island, and Stingray Station. You receive snorkeling equipment, a professional guide, food, drinks, and the national park ticket as part of the package.

I like this straightforward setup. You pay once for the main parts of the day, board the boat, and let the crew handle the movement between sites. It is less flexible than hiring a private boat, but it is much easier for most people staying in Sharm el Sheikh.

Boarding the three-tier boat

The boat is described as a large three-tier vessel, with an air-conditioned saloon and a dedicated seating area for lunch. That matters more than it may sound. A day in direct sun can wear you down, so having an indoor place to cool off gives the trip a useful rhythm.

The advertised limit is 25 passengers, although the boat can hold up to 40. That lower group size should make the day feel less crowded than a fully loaded excursion boat. It also gives the guides a better chance to keep track of first-time snorkelers and people who need help in the water.

You can expect a mix of seating and open deck space. The supplied details do not promise reserved seats, private tables, or a separate VIP lounge, so do not book this expecting a luxury yacht. The VIP label appears to refer mainly to the boat setup, group limit, included service, and overall organization.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Names frequently associated with the trip include Mohamed Mahmoud, Khaled Shabben, Mamdouh Mohammed, Sabri Badr, Mostafa, and Hani Hendy. Guide assignments may change, but the repeated praise for these team members points to a service style that is friendly, active, and supportive rather than hands-off.

Stop one: Ras Mohamed’s underwater scenery

Ras Mohamed is the main natural attraction on this outing. The park is known here for its sea life and reef areas, which are the reason the boat carries snorkeling equipment and professional guides in the first place.

You should expect the guide to explain how to use the mask, snorkel, and fins, then help you enter the water and stay oriented. This is especially useful if you are nervous, cannot swim confidently, or have never tried snorkeling before. Several guide names are singled out for helping people overcome fear of the sea and for holding or supporting people in the water when needed.

That support does not replace your own responsibility. You should still tell the crew if you are uncomfortable, and you should follow instructions around the boat and reef. The trip is suitable for most people, but the information does not promise that every person can take part regardless of medical condition or swimming ability.

Underwater, you might find colorful reef formations and a range of fish. The guides are familiar with the reef areas and the fish around them, so staying near your assigned guide should help you notice more than you would on your own.

For experienced snorkelers, the guided format may feel a little controlled. For first timers, that is usually a fair trade. You spend less time wondering where to go and more time looking beneath the surface.

Stop two: White Island in the middle of the sea

White Island is the visual centerpiece of the trip. It is described as being right in the middle of the sea, giving you a chance to leave the boat and stand on a pale sandbar surrounded by open water.

This is not the kind of stop where you should expect buildings, shops, shade structures, or a long list of facilities. Its appeal is the setting itself. You get an open-water pause between snorkeling sessions, along with the chance to take photographs from the boat or shore.

White Island also makes the outing feel more varied. You are not spending seven hours doing the same thing. There is time in the water, time on the sand, and time aboard the boat for lunch, drinks, and views.

Conditions matter here. The whole experience requires good weather, and a rough sea could affect the schedule or cancel the trip. If weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your holiday plans.

Stop three: Stingray Station and the final water session

The third named area is Stingray Station, written in the tour details as Sting rail Station. The available information does not promise a guaranteed wildlife encounter, so I would treat the name as the location or planned snorkeling area rather than a promise that you will see stingrays.

This stop gives you another chance to use the included equipment and explore with the guide. By this point, you should have a better feel for your mask and fins, which can make the final session more relaxed than the first.

The guides are a real help here. Mohamed Mahmoud is repeatedly recognized for encouraging nervous snorkelers, while Khaled Shabben is noted for helping first timers. If you are unsure about entering the water, speak up early rather than waiting until the group is already moving.

The boat schedule means you may spend time waiting for other people to finish each session. That is normal on a group trip. The advantage is that you can return to the saloon, find a shaded or air-conditioned area, and have a drink before the next activity.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical comforts

A BBQ lunch is included, served in the boat’s seating area. The food is described as clean and good tasting, and several comments specifically praise the meal. Do not expect a restaurant menu or special-order service, but the included lunch saves you from carrying a full packed meal.

Hot and cold drinks are available on board, along with bottled water, coffee, and tea. Easy access to drinks is important after time in the sun and salt water. I would still bring personal essentials such as sunscreen, a hat, and a towel, since those are not listed among the inclusions.

The boat has an air-conditioned saloon, which is a useful feature rather than a decorative extra. You can sit indoors during the hottest part of the day, eat lunch in a more comfortable setting, or take a break when the wind picks up.

The included snorkeling equipment is another money saver. If you prefer using your own mask or fins, you can bring them, but the package provides the basic gear you need.

What the $81.10 price really buys

At $81.10 per person, this is not the cheapest possible boat outing around Sharm el Sheikh. The value depends on how many of the included parts you would otherwise have to arrange separately.

The price covers hotel pickup, a professional guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, bottled water, and the Ras Mohamed national park ticket. It also gives you three planned stops and a group limit of 25 people. For a visitor who wants a simple, organized day, that is a solid bundle.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short swim or a quiet private boat. You are paying for a full day, shared transport, crew support, food, and access to several locations. You are not paying for a private guide or a luxury vessel with premium extras.

Budget carefully for the optional photography. A photographer and videographer may be on board, but they are an outside company and charge separately. Souvenir photos and DVDs are also not included. Decide before the trip if you actually want the package, since enthusiastic sales pitches can be harder to resist once you have seen the underwater pictures.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this excursion for families, couples, and first-time snorkelers who want a guided day with the major costs handled in advance. The crew’s patient approach should help if one member of your group is worried about the sea.

It also suits people who want a little variety. White Island breaks up the water time, Ras Mohamed gives the day its main reef focus, and the boat provides a comfortable base between stops.

Strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers may find the group pace slower than they prefer. You will need to follow the guide and fit your time in the water around the rest of the group. That is the normal compromise for a shared excursion.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but a current valid passport is required on the day of travel. The tour may use a multilingual guide, which is useful for international groups, though the exact language support is not specified.

Timing, weather, and booking cautions

Pickup usually starts around 8:00 to 8:20 in the morning, and the activity lasts about seven hours. You should keep the rest of the day light, since the return time is not given precisely and depends on the day’s route and sea conditions.

The activity is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. That is the biggest practical drawback. Book only when your plans are firm.

Bad weather is treated differently. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The sea, not just the forecast, controls the final decision.

Should you book the White Island and Ras Mohamed trip?

Book it if you want an organized Red Sea day with three stops, included equipment, lunch, drinks, and guide support. The small passenger limit, air-conditioned saloon, and calm assistance for beginners give it an edge over a bare-bones boat ride.

Skip it if you want a private experience, a short outing, or complete freedom over where and when you snorkel. Also think twice if your schedule may change, since ordinary cancellations are not refundable.

For most people staying in Sharm el Sheikh, the $81.10 price is fair for a full day that combines Ras Mohamed, White Island, food, transport, and practical help in the water. Just pack sun protection, confirm your pickup time, bring your passport, and treat the photo package as an optional extra rather than part of the advertised price.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The activity lasts approximately seven hours.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is usually around 8:00 to 8:20 in the morning, depending on the trip booked and your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Air-conditioned transportation collects you from your selected hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The day includes three stops in different places, including Ras Mohamed, White Island, and Stingray Station.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included and served in the boat’s seating area.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, coffee, tea, and hot and cold drinks are included.

Is the national park ticket included?

Yes. The ticket for the national park is included.

How many people can join the trip?

The tour has a maximum of 25 participants, although the boat can hold up to 40 people.

Are photos and videos included?

No. A photographer and videographer may be on board, but they are an outside company and charge extra. Souvenir photos and DVDs are also available to purchase separately.