Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed & White Island Snorkel or Dive

Ras Mohamed is the main event here: clear Red Sea water, coral gardens, and a real chance to see rays and other tropical fish from the boat. I especially like the choice between snorkeling and scuba, plus the way instructors such as Ibram and Nader take time with nervous beginners. The White Island stop adds a scenic break to a full day on the water.

I also like that lunch, drinks, transport, equipment, and hotel pickup are included in the basic outing. The catch is the low advertised price of $18: extra scuba charges can apply, and one guest reported paying £250 more for added sessions. Confirm exactly what your selected option covers before you leave your hotel.

Key points at a glance

• Ras Mohamed’s clear water: Two sea stops give you time to see coral and marine life without rushing between sites.
• White Island cruise: A separate stop adds shallow water, sand, and a change of pace from the reef sites.
• Patient beginner instruction: Ibram and Nader received especially strong praise for helping nervous first-timers descend calmly.
• Lunch on the boat: A buffet meal, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and mineral water are included on the daytime trip.
• Several ways to book: Choose snorkeling, an introductory session, one to three days of scuba, or a night option for certified participants.
• Bring your paperwork: Your passport or ID, certification card, and dive log may be needed, and a passport copy must be sent ahead.

Why Ras Mohamed is worth a day at sea

Ras Mohamed National Park sits at the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba. The area is known for coral reefs and clear water, which is why it is one of the most popular sea excursions from Sharm El Sheikh.

You are not simply being taken to one platform in the sea and sent home. The daytime plan uses two different reef sites, selected by the guides, followed by a stop at White Island. That variety matters. If one spot has less fish or poorer visibility on your day, the second location gives you another chance.

For snorkeling, the appeal is easy to understand. You can stay near the surface and look down through the clear water at coral and fish. No certification is needed, and the equipment is supplied. The trip also suits people who cannot swim confidently, although you should tell the crew before entering the water so they can guide you properly.

The scuba option gives you more time and a closer view of the reef. Certified participants normally make two sessions of 30 to 45 minutes at different sites. An introductory session is shorter, listed as 15 minutes, and takes place at shallow sites. That is a sensible format for a first try: you get a controlled introduction rather than being sent straight into a long open-water session.

The morning pickup and boat routine

Your day begins with a hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh in air-conditioned transport. The exact time depends on your hotel, so confirm it one day before the trip. Pickup is made at the main gate, not the reception entrance, and you should provide your room number in advance.

You must also send a copy of your passport at least one day before the outing so the required permission can be arranged. Keep your original passport or ID with you, along with your certification card and logbook if you are taking the certified option.

At the marina or center, you meet the captain and guides. The crew gives a briefing covering the sites and the day’s plan. This is the point to explain if you are nervous, have never used scuba gear, or want to remain a snorkeler. The strongest praise for the crew centers on patience, especially when first-timers struggle to descend.

Ibram helped several children aged 12 during their first scuba session, while another guest singled out his calm instruction when depth caused fear. Nader was also praised for helping an adult who had trouble going down. Those details matter more than a generic promise of a professional crew. Comfort in the first few minutes can decide whether the experience feels exciting or frightening.

WiFi is listed onboard, though I would treat that as a useful extra rather than a reason to book. You are going to spend most of the day looking at the sea, not your phone.

Two reef stops, with time to look around

The daytime outing includes two swim or snorkeling stops. Certified scuba participants use the two sites for their underwater sessions, while snorkelers can explore the same general areas from the surface. The guides choose the locations according to conditions and the best chance of seeing marine life.

The first site may provide your clearest water of the day. One guest described excellent visibility and seeing a black stingray close up, a memorable encounter even for someone who has already spent time in the Red Sea. Sightings can never be promised, but the combination of protected reef sites and clear water gives you a good setting for fish, coral, and rays.

The second stop gives you another look at the park’s underwater life. You may find different coral shapes or fish here, but the supplied details do not promise a particular species. That is worth keeping in mind. Book this for the sea setting and reef access, not for a guaranteed turtle, shark, or ray.

For snorkelers, the two-stop plan is a strong part of the value. You can spend time in the water, return to the boat, eat, and then go out again. The day is not built around one rushed photo opportunity. Still, a boat trip can feel long if you do not enjoy being at sea, so bring a towel and expect a full day away from your hotel.

White Island adds a different kind of stop

White Island is included in the daytime plan and gives the itinerary a welcome change from the reef sites. The boat cruises there for a swim and photo stop, with shallow water and a bright, open setting rather than another reef session.

The island is best understood as a scenic pause, not the reason to choose the trip over every other sea outing. The coral sites are the more substantial part for anyone interested in marine life. White Island helps break up the day and gives non-scuba members of a family or group something easy to enjoy between water sessions.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and protection from the sun. Large bags are not allowed, so pack lightly. Drones are also prohibited, and alcohol cannot be taken in the vehicle.

Lunch, drinks, and the pace between sessions

A buffet lunch is served onboard between the two water sessions. Mineral water, cola, tea, and coffee are also included. This is practical rather than fancy boat dining, but it means you do not need to arrange food during a day that starts with hotel pickup and ends with a return transfer.

The meal is particularly useful for groups with different interests. One person can eat and rest while another prepares for the next water session. The boat also carries a minibar, according to one account, though the included drinks are the items clearly listed in the package.

The night option does not include lunch, which makes sense because it is a different format. If you choose that option, check the exact schedule and inclusions before paying.

Choosing snorkeling, an introduction, or certified scuba

Snorkeling is the simplest choice. It requires no certification, and the equipment is supplied. You stay at the surface and can still see the coral and fish in clear water. It suits families, mixed groups, and anyone who prefers not to use an air tank.

The introductory session is for non-certified participants who want to try scuba. It is listed as a 15-minute session at shallow sites. The shorter format lets you test your comfort with the mask, breathing equipment, and descent without committing to a full certified session.

Several first-timers needed help getting below the surface. That is normal, not a sign that you have failed. Equalizing pressure, breathing through the regulator, and relaxing in open water take a moment. The guides received their strongest praise for stopping, explaining, and trying again rather than forcing anyone down.

Certified participants can choose one to three days of scuba, depending on the booking. The regular daytime format includes two sessions of 30 to 45 minutes at different sites. You need to bring your certification and logbook, and you should confirm that your chosen number of days matches the price shown at checkout.

The night option is for certified participants. Beginners instead have a shore-based option listed. Since this is a separate format, ask for the exact meeting time and equipment details before booking.

What the $18 price really means

At $18 per person, the advertised rate looks unusually low for hotel transport, a boat trip, two water stops, food, equipment, and a guide. That can make it attractive for a budget-conscious visitor, especially if you mainly want snorkeling and a day at sea.

The important word is selected option. The included items vary. One or two scuba sessions are included depending on the option you choose, while snorkeling equipment is included for snorkelers. A guest who added scuba reported an extra cost of £250, so you should not assume that the base figure covers every upgrade.

There is also a national park entry fee of 10 EUR, paid onsite. Add that to the advertised amount when comparing this outing with another boat trip. If you are considering a certified package or more than one day, ask for the full price in writing before departure, including equipment, park entry, and any added session.

The value is strongest for the standard snorkeling plan or a clearly priced introductory session. It becomes harder to judge when you add certified scuba, multiple days, or a night outing without first confirming the supplement.

The practical details that can save your day

The experience is available in English, Arabic, Russian, and Italian. Do not assume another language will be available just because it was selected during booking. One person chose Polish but found no Polish-speaking crew onboard.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear and towel
• Dive log and certification card, if applicable
• A small personal bag only

You should send your passport copy and room number at least one day ahead. Confirm the pickup time the day before, then wait at the main hotel gate. This small detail can prevent a missed transfer.

Pregnant women should not book this activity. Pets, large bags, drones, and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed. Underwater photos are available to purchase, but they are not included, so decide in advance if you want to budget for them.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-and-pay-later option also helps if your Sharm plans are still changing.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for a first Red Sea snorkeling day, a family group with older children, or a mixed party where some people want scuba and others prefer to float above the reef. The calm instruction is a real advantage for beginners who feel uneasy about going underwater.

It also works well if you want more than one water stop but do not want to organize a separate boat charter. Transport, food, drinks, equipment, and a guide are bundled together, which keeps the day simple.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, small-group trip, guaranteed marine sightings, or a clearly fixed scuba price with no add-ons. The available information does not state the group size, and the price can change when you add extra scuba. Ask those questions before committing.

Should you book the Ras Mohamed trip?

Book it if your priority is easy access to Ras Mohamed, two reef stops, White Island, and a patient introduction to Red Sea scuba. I would lean toward snorkeling or the clearly priced one-day option for the best balance of cost and simplicity.

If you are certified, confirm the exact number of sessions and all extra fees first. If you are nervous, tell the instructor at the briefing and ask for the same slow approach that helped other beginners. The sea, coral, and clear water provide the setting, but the guide’s patience will shape your day.

FAQ

Where does the activity take place?

The trip runs from Sharm El Sheikh to Ras Mohamed National Park and White Island in South Sinai, Egypt.

What water activities can I choose?

You can choose snorkeling, an introductory scuba session for non-certified participants, one to three days of scuba for certified participants, or a night option for certified participants. Beginners also have a shore-based option for the night format.

How many water stops are included?

The daytime trip includes two swim or snorkeling stops and one stop at White Island.

How long are the certified scuba sessions?

Certified participants normally have two sessions lasting 30 to 45 minutes each. The introductory session for non-certified participants is listed as 15 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The daytime trip includes a buffet lunch onboard, along with mineral water, cola, tea, and coffee. Lunch is not included with the night option.

Is the national park entry fee included?

No. The Ras Mohamed entry fee is 10 EUR and must be paid onsite.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and, if you are certified, your dive log and certification. Send a passport copy and your hotel room number at least one day before the activity.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.