White Island & Ras Mohamed Boat Trip & Diving , lunch from Sharm

The best part of this Sharm el Sheikh boat trip is the change of scene: you leave the hotel strip behind and spend the day above the clear reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park, then reach White Island, a bright sandbar surrounded by Red Sea water. The boat, rather than a crowded beach, gives you room to swim, snorkel, eat, and dry off on the sun deck.

I like the generous time on the water and the simple all-in boat setup, with lunch, water, soft drinks, transport, and a guide included. I also like that the optional scuba stop can suit a first-timer, with patient instructors and one-to-one attention reported by several guests.

The main caution is timing. The advertised outing lasts about 10 hours, but one trip returned around 6:30 pm instead of 3:00 pm after a late departure. Bring patience, confirm the return plan, and remember that park entry and each borrowed piece of snorkeling gear cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Ras Mohammed reefs: Swim and snorkel in one of the Red Sea’s best-known protected areas, with the chance to see tropical fish, turtles, and possibly dolphins.
• White Island stop: Reach a pale sandbar surrounded by shallow sea, a striking place for swimming and photographs.
• Optional first scuba experience: Choose the scuba add-on for a supervised underwater session, with instructors described as calm and helpful.
• Lunch on board: An open buffet, unlimited water, and soft drinks are included during this long day at sea.
• Air-conditioned pickup: Transport is offered from most hotels, usually from the main road entrance, in a vehicle with air conditioning.
• Small enough to manage: The boat takes a maximum of 30 people, though the actual feel depends on the day’s booking level.

What this Sharm boat trip is really like

This is a full-day sea outing built around two famous stops south of Sharm el Sheikh. You leave at about 8:00 am, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to the boat, and spend close to 10 hours moving between swimming and snorkeling spots.

The pace is active but not rushed in the water. You are not simply taken to one beach and left there. The day combines a protected marine park, White Island, food on board, open-water swimming, and an optional scuba session.

I would think of it as a straightforward group boat trip rather than a private charter. That matters because you get a low price and a ready-made schedule, but you have less control over departure times, stops, and the length of each activity.

The price is listed at $17.42 per person, which is unusually low for a long boat day with transport and food included. It offers strong value if you want to see the Red Sea without arranging a private boat. The final cost is higher once you add the Ras Mohammed entrance fee of $10 per person and any equipment rental.

Leaving Sharm for Ras Mohammed National Park

Pickup begins around 8:00 am. For most hotels, the meeting point is the main road entrance rather than the hotel lobby itself, so check this detail before breakfast and leave enough time to reach the correct spot.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a real help in Sharm’s heat, particularly after a day in salt water. Several accounts also describe the bus as clean and well equipped. The vehicle takes you to the boat, where the sea portion of the outing begins.

You are asked to bring your original passport and two photocopies. That is not a detail to ignore. Pack them in a dry pouch or another secure holder, and keep the documents with you rather than leaving them loose in beach bags.

The group limit is 30 people. That is more manageable than a huge party boat, though it can still feel busy when everyone gathers around the snorkeling equipment, buffet, or entry ladder. The quality of the day will depend partly on how full the boat is.

Ras Mohammed’s clear water and coral reefs

Ras Mohammed is the main natural attraction. The park lies at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea offers clear water, coral formations, and a wide range of marine life.

The boat takes you to selected snorkeling points. You can swim over coral and look for tropical fish, with sea turtles and dolphins possible but never guaranteed. The clarity of the water is the star here. Even a short time in the sea can show you why this coast attracts snorkelers and scuba enthusiasts from around the world.

You should treat the reef as a living place, not an underwater playground. Follow the crew’s instructions, avoid standing on coral, and keep your movements calm. Clear water can make distances look deceptive, so stay within the area marked by the crew.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask for a life jacket before entering the water. Fins, masks, and life jackets are not included in the advertised price. Each piece costs EUR 5, so the extra charge can add up quickly if you need a complete set.

The snorkeling time appears to be one of the strongest parts of the schedule. You are given enough time to swim at several points rather than rushing into the water for a few minutes. That makes the trip more worthwhile for anyone who has come mainly for marine life.

White Island, sand, sun, and open water

White Island follows the Ras Mohammed portion of the day. It is a low sandbar surrounded by sea, and the contrast between pale sand and clear water makes it one of the most photogenic parts of the outing.

This stop is less about coral than about the setting. You can wade, swim, take photographs, and enjoy a break from the boat. The shallow appearance of the island can be misleading, so listen to the crew about where it is safe to walk and how long the stop will last.

White Island also gives the day a useful change of rhythm. After snorkeling around reefs, you get a simple open-water stop where you can stretch your legs and take in the wide view. If you prefer active swimming to sightseeing, you may find this stop shorter than the reef sessions, but it adds variety to the day.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photographs. The tour may offer underwater photography or video, but one important cost warning is clear: scuba videos have been described as expensive. Ask for the price before agreeing to any photo or video package.

Optional scuba for first-timers

The scuba option is separate from the basic snorkeling trip. If you select it, the schedule includes one scuba stop with an instructor.

This can work for a first underwater experience. One account describes an instructor who was patient and helped a nervous beginner settle down. Another notes that the scuba activity was conducted with one diver per instructor, which is reassuring for anyone trying it for the first time.

You should still be clear about what is included before booking. The tour information confirms one scuba stop if the option is selected, but it does not specify the exact duration, equipment list, depth, or certification requirements. Ask the operator about those points if scuba is the main reason you are booking.

The underwater scenery is described as colorful and striking, but the experience is not a full certification course. Think of it as a supervised introduction during a larger boat day. Experienced scuba users may find the single stop too limited, while beginners may appreciate the gentle introduction.

Staff names connected with the operation include Taher, Ziad, Saiko, and individual diving instructors. The exact crew can change, so do not book on the assumption that a particular person will be present. What matters is that you ask for help early if you feel uneasy in the water.

Lunch, drinks, and time on the boat

An open buffet lunch is served on board. Water and soft drinks are unlimited, which is useful on a long day under the sun.

The meal gives you a break between water activities, and several descriptions point to tasty food and a full meal prepared on the boat. Do not expect a restaurant setting. You are eating in a practical group environment, with wet clothes, swim bags, and people coming and going from the deck.

The boat itself is described as clean and comfortable, with a sun deck where you can sit and dry off while cruising. That space matters. A 10-hour outing would feel far longer if you had nowhere to rest between stops.

Pack a hat, sunscreen, a towel, and a light cover-up. These are ordinary items, but the sun deck can become intense, and you will spend much of the day exposed to sun and wind. Bring a dry bag for your passport, phone, and money.

The staff and organization

The strongest part of the human side is the crew’s willingness to help in the water. Guides and instructors are described as friendly, attentive, and able to assist beginners. Language support also appears to be broad, including Italian and other languages.

The transfer arrangements generally receive good marks for being on time, and the air-conditioned shuttle is a useful part of the package. The boat and bus are both described as clean, which is exactly what you want before spending a full day in swimwear.

Still, organization is not perfect every time. One account describes a major delay, a late return, and staff behavior that felt rude. That is important because the difference between a 3:00 pm return and a 6:30 pm return can affect dinner plans, onward travel, or an evening flight.

I would not schedule anything important immediately after the trip. Treat the 10-hour duration as an estimate, not a hard guarantee. Weather, loading, sea conditions, and group timing can all affect the return.

What the low price includes, and what it does not

At $17.42 per person, the package is built around volume and shared transport. You receive:

• Air-conditioned ground transport
• About 10 hours on the boat
• Ras Mohammed and White Island visits
• Snorkeling stops
• A professional guide
• Open buffet lunch
• Unlimited water and soft drinks
• One scuba stop if you choose the paid option

The Ras Mohammed entrance fee is extra at $10 per person. Snorkeling equipment is also extra at EUR 5 per piece for a mask, fins, or life jacket. If you need all three, ask for the total before the boat leaves.

The low base price still offers good value for a person who already has some equipment and wants a simple day on the Red Sea. It is less of a bargain if you need every item, pay for scuba, buy videos, and count on a precise return time.

Group discounts are offered, but the details are not provided. Ask how the discount works before booking a large party. The mobile ticket makes the booking easy, but you still need to follow the instructions about the main road pickup point and passport copies.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a budget-friendly way to see Ras Mohammed, prefer a planned day to arranging transport yourself, and enjoy swimming or snorkeling in open water.

It also suits first-time scuba participants who want a supervised introduction rather than a full course. The patient instruction described by several participants is especially useful if you feel nervous before entering the water.

Families and mixed groups may also find it practical because snorkelers, swimmers, sunbathers, and scuba beginners can share one boat. The maximum of 30 people keeps the group from becoming enormous, although anyone seeking quiet or personal service should look at a private charter instead.

I would hesitate to recommend it to you if you have a tight evening schedule, dislike group tours, or want guaranteed scuba time at several sites. The day is long, the return can run late, and several extras are paid separately.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

Book with the passport requirement in mind. Bring the original passport and two photocopies, and confirm the exact pickup instructions with Bella Trips before the morning of departure. Since the trip is often booked about nine days ahead, reserving early may help if your dates are fixed.

Should you book this Ras Mohammed boat trip?

Yes, if your priority is a low-cost full day of Red Sea swimming, snorkeling, and scenery with lunch and transport already arranged. Ras Mohammed and White Island give you two different kinds of coastal experience, and the long time on the water makes the $17.42 base price attractive.

Book the scuba option if you want a gentle first attempt and are comfortable confirming the extra details first. Skip the trip if you need a strict timetable, dislike shared boats, or expect all equipment and park fees to be included.

My practical verdict: this is a strong-value choice for an active day from Sharm, provided you budget for the entrance fee and equipment, protect your passport, and leave your evening schedule open.

FAQ

What time does the boat trip start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am. Pickup for most hotels is from the main road entrance.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is about 10 hours. One account reported returning as late as 6:30 pm after a delayed departure, so you should allow extra time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch, unlimited water, and soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. A mask, fins, or life jacket costs EUR 5 per piece. The Ras Mohammed entrance fee of $10 per person is also separate.

Is scuba included in the basic price?

One scuba stop is included only if you select the scuba option. The available information does not specify the exact duration or equipment details, so confirm those points before booking.

What documents should I bring?

Bring your original passport and two photocopies of your passport.