Sharm: Elite VIP Cruise Ras Mohammed & White Island with Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the reason to book this cruise. The protected waters near Sharm el Sheikh offer three snorkel stops, while White Island gives you a bright, unusual break on a sandbar surrounded by the Red Sea. The boat also provides a low rear platform, life jackets, and guides who can assist swimmers at every level.

I like the hotel-to-hotel transport, which removes the fuss of finding the marina, and I like the generous lunch with soup, salads, grilled meat, seafood, sides, and fruit. The main drawback is simple: snorkel equipment is not included, so you must rent it or bring your own. Pickup can also begin before the stated 9 a.m. start, depending on your hotel.

Key points to know before booking

• Three separate snorkel stops give you more than one chance to see coral and Red Sea fish.
• White Island is a sandbar visit, not a full beach day, so your time there may depend on sea conditions.
• Guide Omar has been praised for clear English and for explaining the day’s plan carefully.
• Lunch is substantial, with soup, salad, grilled meat, seafood, side dishes, and fruit.
• The boat holds no more than 35 people, a useful limit for a boat day of this type.
• Snorkel gear costs extra, so check rental arrangements before departure.

Why Ras Mohammed makes a good boat day

Ras Mohammed National Park is one of the main reasons people come to the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. From Sharm el Sheikh, a boat trip lets you reach reef sites that are difficult to experience from shore. You spend the day on the water instead of piecing together separate transfers, beach visits, and equipment arrangements.

The appeal is not only the scenery above the water. The real event is below it. The cruise schedules three snorkeling stops, giving you repeated chances to see coral formations and marine life. If the first stop feels crowded, choppy, or simply less interesting than expected, the next two offer a fresh opportunity.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is a six-hour boat excursion, not a private reef expedition. The maximum group size is 35, so the boat has a social day-trip feel. Still, that limit is more comfortable than an open-ended mass outing, particularly when everyone is getting in and out through the rear platform.

The Elite VIP Cruise boat and the morning transfer

The day begins with pickup from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel. The advertised start time is 9 a.m., but one recent schedule had hotel pickup at 7:30 a.m. The exact collection time can vary by hotel and transfer plan, so do not assume 9 a.m. means you can sleep until then.

The included vehicle is air-conditioned, a useful detail in Sharm’s heat. Two-way transport also means you do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina or negotiate a return ride after a tiring day at sea. That is a real part of the price, not a minor extra.

At the marina, you board the Elite VIP Cruise boat. The boat is described as brand new, clean, comfortable, and secure. Those are important qualities on a snorkeling day because you will spend most of the excursion aboard, between stops. A boat with room to sit, move around, and dry off makes the hours between swims much easier.

The boat provides access to the water through a low platform at the back. That matters if you are nervous about jumping from a high deck. Life jackets are available, and the snorkeling guides can assist less-confident swimmers. The support is designed to be practical, not just a quick safety briefing before everyone scatters.

Three snorkel stops in Ras Mohammed

The three-stop plan is the strongest part of the excursion. Each stop is meant to show you a different section of the reef and the marine life around Ras Mohammed. You can expect guides to accompany the group and point you toward the better areas.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to consider this trip. The supplied information says all ability levels can take part, with life jackets and guide support available. If you are uneasy in open water, tell the guide before entering. The crew can help you use a life buoy and stay close to support.

That said, snorkeling is still an active water experience. You should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat’s rear platform, even with assistance. The tour does not promise a glass-bottom viewing option, so if you cannot enter the water at all, you may miss the main reason to choose this cruise.

The reef experience also depends on conditions. Clear water and calm seas make a major difference to visibility and comfort. The trip requires good weather, and it may be rescheduled or refunded if weather forces cancellation. That policy protects the safety of the day, though it means you should avoid booking it too close to the end of your holiday if the snorkeling is a top priority.

Bring your own equipment if you have it. Rental is excluded from the price, and the supplied information does not state the rental cost. Ask about the arrangement before boarding so you are not sorting it out at the last minute.

White Island, the bright stop between swims

White Island is the most distinctive stop on the route. It is a pale sandbar surrounded by Red Sea water, and it gives the day a change of pace after the snorkel sites. You can step out of the boat, enjoy the open setting, and take photographs that look very different from the reef scenes.

Do not picture a developed beach with shade, shops, or facilities. The attraction is the sandbar itself and its exposed position in the sea. Conditions can affect how much of it is visible and how long you can remain there.

White Island is also a useful pause for anyone who enjoys the boat trip but does not want to spend every minute in the water. You can stay with the group, take in the view, and enjoy the novelty of standing on a small strip of sand in the Red Sea.

For the best day, treat White Island as one part of the outing rather than the entire purpose. The three reef stops are the core activity. The sandbar adds variety and helps keep the six-hour schedule from feeling like one long swim.

Lunch with grilled food and fruit

The included meal is more generous than a basic packed lunch. The menu features soup, salad, grilled meat and seafood, side dishes, and fruit. After several water stops, that sort of meal is welcome, especially if you have spent the morning swimming.

I like that lunch is part of the main fare, along with taxes and fees. You do not need to choose a restaurant at the marina or carry enough food for the entire day. The combination of soup, grilled items, sides, and fruit also gives you more choice than a single sandwich or snack box.

The supplied details do not specify the exact dishes, dietary options, or meal service time. If you have a food allergy or a strict diet, ask the provider before departure rather than relying on the general menu description.

Lunch is one of the reasons the $77.99 price can make sense. You are paying for a full boat outing, transfers, a guide, park-related fees, and a substantial meal. The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to pay separately for transport, a boat seat, food, and access charges.

Guides, safety, and the group size

A good guide can make a big difference on a reef trip. Omar has been singled out for speaking good English and explaining the itinerary clearly. That is useful when the day includes several stops, equipment arrangements, safety instructions, and return timings.

The guides are also there to help you find suitable areas in the water. A reef can look ordinary if you enter in the wrong place or swim away from the better coral. Having someone direct the group is more useful than simply being dropped at a snorkeling site with no help.

The boat’s maximum of 35 people gives you a reasonable idea of the scale. This is not a private charter, but it is also not an unlimited crowd. At each stop, you should expect some shared time in the water and on deck.

Life jackets are available for less-confident swimmers. The rear platform is low, and guides can assist with a life buoy if needed. These details make the tour more approachable for mixed groups, where one person may be a confident swimmer and another may need extra support.

You should still follow the guide’s instructions. The Red Sea is beautiful, but open-water conditions can change. Stay within the advised area and tell the crew if you feel tired or uncomfortable.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $77.99 per person, the tour sits in the middle range for a full-day-style boat outing from Sharm el Sheikh, though the advertised duration is about six hours. The fare includes an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and all fees and taxes. The two-way hotel transfer adds convenience and removes a common source of extra cost.

The price does not include snorkeling equipment. This is the one cost you should plan for in advance. If you do not own a mask, snorkel, or fins, ask how rental works and what it costs before you arrive at the boat.

The value is good for someone who wants a straightforward package. You get transport, a boat, three water stops, White Island, guides, lunch, and included fees in one booking. It is less attractive if you already have marina transport, your own boat arrangement, and snorkeling equipment.

The boat’s reported cleanliness and secure feel also matter. Comfort is hard to judge from a list of inclusions, but it affects whether six hours on the water feels pleasant or tiring. A clean, well-kept vessel is worth paying for when you spend most of the day aboard.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this trip if you want to see Ras Mohammed without arranging every part yourself. It suits couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where some people need help in the water. The guides, life jackets, and low platform make it more approachable than a bare-bones snorkeling transfer.

It also suits anyone who wants a full outing rather than a short reef stop. The lunch and White Island visit give the day more shape, while the three snorkeling sites provide the main activity.

I would hesitate if you want a private boat, a quiet sailing day, or total flexibility over how long you spend at each site. A maximum group of 35 still means shared timing and shared space. I would also think twice if you do not want to enter the water, since snorkeling is central to the experience.

The trip may work well for most participants, but anyone with specific mobility or medical needs should confirm details before booking. The provided information says most people can participate and that service animals are allowed. It does not provide full accessibility details for the boat or water entry.

Booking timing and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. The experience begins at 9 a.m. as listed, but hotel pickup may be earlier, so wait for the confirmed collection time.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Because weather affects both the boat ride and snorkeling, I would book this earlier in your Sharm stay when possible. That leaves room to move the outing if conditions are poor.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed VIP cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized day with three snorkel stops, White Island, lunch, and hotel transfers in one package. The strongest points are the helpful guide support, the comfortable boat, the clear itinerary, and the amount of food included.

Skip it if you want a private experience or if you do not want to snorkel. Also check the equipment cost first. For most visitors who want an easy route to Ras Mohammed and do not mind sharing the boat with a group, $77.99 is a fair price for the amount included.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour departs from Sharm el Sheikh and visits Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island in the Red Sea.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9 a.m. Hotel pickup may take place earlier, depending on your hotel and transfer schedule.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Two-way transfers from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel are included in an air-conditioned vehicle.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The itinerary includes three snorkeling stops at Red Sea reef sites.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included in the price.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes soup, salad, grilled meat and seafood, side dishes, and fruit.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 35 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.