Diving And Snorkeling To Ras Mohamed And White Island By VIP Boat

The main attraction here is simple: you spend a full day on the Red Sea, with time above and below the water at Ras Mohamed and White Island. The coral and fish are the stars, while the yacht gives you a comfortable base between stops.

I like the two water stops and the chance for first-time scuba participants to try a short session with an instructor. I also like the included lunch, drinks, hotel transfer, and small group size of up to 30 people. The main caution is that the scuba time is brief, and White Island can feel crowded when several boats arrive together.

Key points to know before you book

• Ras Mohamed offers the best underwater time: Expect colorful coral, angelfish, butterflyfish, and clear Red Sea water.
• The scuba session is short: One 15-minute introductory session includes equipment, but it is not a substitute for a full certification course.
• White Island is a shallow sandbar: You may swim part of the way, then walk through shallow water to reach the beach.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a buffet-style meal, coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and seasonal fruit.
• The boat holds up to 30 people: That is smaller than some large day boats, though the island itself may still be crowded.
• The price is strong for a full day: At $50 per person, the package covers transport, the boat, guides, food, drinks, equipment, and the national park fee is only an extra €5 in cash.

What this Sharm el Sheikh boat day is really about

This is a classic Red Sea day trip, but it has enough variety to keep the day from feeling like one long wait beside a swimming platform. You move between a national park, open water, a sandbar island, and the yacht itself.

I would choose it for the balance. You can snorkel without committing to scuba, try a short underwater session if you are curious, eat lunch without returning to shore, and spend time on White Island. That mix makes the trip suitable for couples or families with different comfort levels in the water.

The tour begins with pickup from your hotel at about 8:00 a.m. You then travel to the port, board the boat, and sail from Sharm el Sheikh toward Ras Mohamed National Park. The full outing lasts about eight hours, so this is a full day rather than a quick morning activity.

The operator advertises a maximum of 30 people. That matters. A boat with 30 people can still feel lively, but it is generally easier to find space on deck and hear instructions than on a much larger excursion boat.

The ride from Sharm el Sheikh to Ras Mohamed

The boat ride is part of the experience, not just transport. Once you leave the marina, the Red Sea opens around you and the day settles into a relaxed rhythm: sail, swim, return to the boat, eat, and go back into the water.

You have an air-conditioned vehicle for the hotel transfer and a comfortable yacht for the sea portion. The supplied details do not identify the boat by name or specify cabin arrangements, so I would think of this as a practical day boat rather than a luxury cruise.

Bring something warm for the ride back. One person found the wind and cold unpleasant, and weather can change how comfortable an open-water trip feels. The tour requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Ras Mohamed National Park: the main underwater stop

Ras Mohamed is the strongest reason to book this trip. The park is known for clear water and coral areas full of small reef fish. You may see angelfish and butterflyfish, which add quick flashes of color among the coral.

The first stop gives you the option to snorkel or take part in the introductory scuba session. Snorkeling equipment can be rented at the site, while the included package provides equipment for the 15-minute scuba stop.

If you are new to scuba, expect a short orientation rather than a formal course. The instructor gives beginners a basic introduction and helps them get into the water. That can be a good way to test your comfort, but it is not enough preparation for independent scuba use.

I would be honest with yourself here. If the thought of breathing underwater makes you panic, stay with snorkeling. Several people enjoyed the beginner session, but one account specifically suggested taking a formal PADI course for anyone who needs more instruction or feels nervous.

The underwater time may also feel rushed. One person felt that the scuba portion focused too much on taking photographs and would have preferred one longer session instead of two short opportunities. If your main goal is serious scuba time, choose a certified course or a specialist scuba trip instead.

For a first taste, though, the session adds something useful. You get to see the reef from below the surface, with an instructor close by, without paying for a full certification program.

White Island and its shallow-water walk

White Island is a different kind of stop. It is a small sandbar, described as about 20 meters long, with pale sand and shallow water around it. The crossing may begin with swimming, but much of it can involve walking through shallow water.

That makes the island easy to enjoy if you prefer not to spend all your time with a mask on. You can step ashore, take photographs, and enjoy the bright water around the sandbar.

Do not picture a large, quiet beach. White Island is small, and several boats may arrive at the same time. The beach can become crowded, especially during the busiest part of the day. I would treat it as a short scenic stop rather than a place to settle in for hours.

The contrast with Ras Mohamed is what makes the stop worthwhile. Ras Mohamed is about coral and fish. White Island is about open water, sand, and the feeling of standing in the middle of the Red Sea.

Two water stops, with different strengths

The day includes a snorkeling stop and time at White Island, with the schedule allowing additional underwater time after lunch. The exact order can vary, but you should expect more than one chance to enter the water.

One stop may feel merely good, while another can be excellent depending on visibility, the boat’s position, and sea conditions. This variation is normal in a marine trip. The same reef can look different as light and water movement change.

The guides are there to help with snorkeling and the beginner scuba session. The tour information does not provide their names, but it does identify both snorkeling guidance and a scuba instructor as part of the service.

I like this arrangement for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can try the introductory scuba session, and anyone who prefers to stay dry can remain on the yacht or visit White Island.

Lunch on deck and drinks through the day

Lunch is served on board after the first water activities. The meal is described as a fresh-cooked buffet, with coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and seasonal fruit included.

Expect practical boat-trip food, not a restaurant meal. The food received good marks overall, with portions described as plentiful and the meal as decent or nice. That is exactly what you need after swimming: something filling, simple, and ready without another transfer.

The included drinks improve the value. You do not need to plan for a separate lunch stop or buy every bottle of water on board. Still, I would bring any snack you personally need, since the exact menu is not stated.

Lunch also gives you a useful break from the sun. Use it to dry off, drink water, and rest before the later water stop.

Is $50 a good price?

At $50 per person, this is a strong package for an eight-hour outing. The price includes hotel pickup, the boat, snorkeling guidance, a scuba instructor, equipment for the 15-minute scuba session, lunch, coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and the return transfer.

You also get access to two well-known Red Sea locations in one day. If you booked transport, a boat, lunch, and water activities separately, the total would likely be harder to keep this low, though the supplied information does not provide comparison prices.

There is one required extra: the Ras Mohamed National Park fee, listed as €5 per person, payable in cash on the boat. Bring that cash so the payment does not catch you by surprise.

Optional photographs and video cost extra. One person found the package priced at €50 for scuba photographs and €20 for island photographs. You do not have to buy them, so decide before the trip how much you value professional images.

The price is best for someone who wants a broad experience rather than long specialist scuba sessions. You are paying for a full day at sea with several activities, not hours of uninterrupted time below the surface.

Comfort, timing, and the group size

The 8:00 a.m. start gives you most of the day on the water, but it also means an early hotel pickup. Exact pickup timing can depend on your hotel and transfer arrangements.

The maximum group size is 30. That is worth checking if you dislike crowded boat trips. The yacht is described as spacious and clean, and the service received praise for being polite and attentive.

White Island is the place most likely to feel crowded, not necessarily the boat. Several boats can gather around the same small sandbar, so do not book this expecting private beach time.

The day also depends heavily on the weather. Wind can make the boat ride cold, and rougher conditions can reduce visibility or make entry into the water less pleasant. The operator requires good weather and offers another date or a full refund if poor conditions cancel the trip.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want a straightforward introduction to the Red Sea. It works especially well if your group includes both confident swimmers and people who only want to snorkel.

It also suits first-time scuba participants who understand the limits of a 15-minute session. You can try the equipment and see how you feel underwater, with an instructor nearby. If you already hold certification and want serious bottom time, this will probably feel too limited.

Families and couples may like the mix of activities. One person can swim at Ras Mohamed, another can take photographs from the boat, and everyone can meet again for lunch and White Island.

I would be more cautious if you dislike wind, cold water, crowded beaches, or fixed group schedules. You also need to be comfortable with a full day away from shore.

Practical tips for a better day

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and cash for the €5 national park fee. A light layer is useful for the boat, especially if the wind picks up.

If you want to rent snorkeling equipment, the rental is handled directly at the site. The included scuba equipment applies to the short introductory session, so confirm any separate snorkeling rental cost before entering the water.

Tell the instructor clearly if you are nervous. You do not need to force yourself into the scuba session. Snorkeling at Ras Mohamed still gives you access to the coral and fish without the extra pressure.

Use the lunch break to drink water and get out of direct sun. If you purchase photographs or video, check the price first. The optional images can add a noticeable amount to a $50 excursion.

The trip is often booked about two weeks ahead, so reserve early if your Sharm el Sheikh dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

Should you book this Ras Mohamed trip?

I would book it if you want a good-value day that combines snorkeling, a short beginner scuba session, White Island, lunch, and transport. The best parts are the coral at Ras Mohamed, the helpful water staff, the included food and drinks, and the manageable group size.

I would not book it as a substitute for scuba training or a serious underwater expedition. The session is brief, the island may be crowded, and the sea can feel cold or windy in poor conditions.

For most first-time visitors to Sharm el Sheikh, this is a sensible way to see two famous Red Sea locations without arranging several separate activities. Go for the reef and the variety. Treat White Island as a scenic sandbar stop, and keep your expectations realistic about the short scuba time.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohamed and White Island trip last?

The trip lasts approximately eight hours, including hotel transfer, the boat ride, water activities, lunch, and the return journey to the port.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. Hotel pickup takes place before the boat departs from the port.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. The tour includes pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and a return transfer after the boat trip.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment can be rented directly at the site. The included equipment applies to the 15-minute introductory scuba session.

Is a scuba instructor included?

Yes. A scuba instructor is included for the introductory underwater session, along with the equipment used for that session.

How long is the included scuba session?

The included session lasts 15 minutes. It is intended as a beginner introduction, not a complete certification course.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board as a buffet-style meal. Coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and seasonal fruit are also included.

Do I have to pay a national park fee?

Yes. The Ras Mohamed National Park fee is €5 per person and must be paid in cash on the boat.

How many people can join the trip?

The maximum group size is 30 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.