Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed, White Island, Snorkel and Diving

REVIEW · RED SEA SNORKELING TRIPS

Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed, White Island, Snorkel and Diving

5.0 · 47 reviews From $37 Operated by Egyptra Travel Services · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Red Sea gets real fast on this cruise. You’ll visit Ras Mohamed and White Island with snorkeling, plus optional scuba sessions, and you get pickup and lunch on board.

I like the way the day is built around water time: two swim and snorkeling stops and a long-ish White Island break. I also like that the trip includes equipment and a professional scuba instructor, which makes it far easier if you’re new to the Red Sea.

One thing to watch: Ras Mohamed entrance fees are not included, and your underwater time may vary by option and group flow. I’d also confirm what your exact package includes before you board, especially if you’re aiming for a specific split between snorkeling and scuba sessions.

Key highlights at a glance

Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed, White Island, Snorkel and Diving - Key highlights at a glance

  • Ras Mohamed reefs with a professional scuba instructor for guided underwater time
  • White Island time for shallow snorkeling and beach relax
  • Two swim and snorkeling stops, not just one quick splash
  • On-board buffet lunch with meat, fish, plus rice, pasta, and salads
  • Small max group size of 25 for a calmer day on the water

A 7-Hour Red Sea Day From Sharm el Sheikh Marina

Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed, White Island, Snorkel and Diving - A 7-Hour Red Sea Day From Sharm el Sheikh Marina
This is a classic “big Red Sea highlights” half to most of a day plan, designed for one thing: get you out on the water and into the clear shallows. The total duration is about 7 hours, which is long enough to feel like a full outing, but short enough to keep your energy for photos, lunch, and a real swim break.

You sail from the Sharm el Sheikh marina into the Red Sea, with fresh sea air and that very specific bright-water look you only get in the right places. The pace feels tour-friendly, because the hard parts are handled for you: you’re transported, guided, and fed.

Pickup and the Boat Ride Pace (Mobile Ticket, Up to 25)

Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed, White Island, Snorkel and Diving - Pickup and the Boat Ride Pace (Mobile Ticket, Up to 25)
The trip starts with a chauffeur-style hotel pickup and then a ride to the marina in air-conditioned transportation. Once you’re on the boat, your day follows a steady rhythm: sail, underwater stops, lunch, then the White Island phase before heading back.

A limit of 25 travelers matters. It usually means less chaos at equipment time and less waiting around to get back in the water. Also, you get a mobile ticket, which cuts down on the usual last-minute paper scramble.

Tip I’d give you: on a day like this, small delays feel bigger. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take your usual precautions before pickup, not after you’re already out at sea.

Ras Mohamed National Park: Reefs, Coral Scenery, and Scuba Sessions

Ras Mohamed is on the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and the area is known for coral reefs that reward attention. This stop is the heart of the underwater side of the day, with a professional scuba instructor guiding you during the planned underwater time.

Depending on the option you choose, you’ll do one or two scuba sessions. In practice, that means you’re not just dropping in to float around. You get instruction, gear support, and the structure that helps first-timers feel like they know what’s happening.

One more reality check: scuba time depends on your selected option and how the group is scheduled. I’ve seen situations where scuba participants were waiting longer at the first underwater spot than snorkeling-only people, so if you’re strict about timing, confirm the exact plan with the operator before you go.

Also, an important detail that’s easy to miss when planning: Ras Mohammed National Park entrance fees are not included. If you’d rather avoid surprises, budget for it when you book.

White Island: Soft Sand, Shallow Snorkel Time, and Photo Stops

White Island is where the tour turns into a beach-plus-water break. After Ras Mohamed, you head onward to a place famous for pale sand and shallow water where snorkeling is the focus.

This is the part of the day that tends to feel the most relaxed. You can snorkel in the surrounding shallow waters, then unwind on the sand. And yes, it’s also a photography moment, because the contrast between the sky, the pale beach, and the Red Sea is hard to miss.

If you’re bringing family, this is often the most enjoyable section. Kids under 10 can’t do scuba sessions, but they can still snorkel, and shallow-water time usually gives everyone an easier entry into the day. Even if you’re an experienced swimmer, the White Island stage is great because it’s less about training and more about enjoying the view.

Two Swim and Snorkeling Stops Plus the On-Board Lunch

What I like here is that snorkeling is not treated like an afterthought. You get 2 swim and snorkeling stops, plus the White Island shallow-water snorkeling break. That’s more chances to see fish and enjoy the water without feeling like you’re rushing from one thing to the next.

Now, lunch. You’ll eat a buffet lunch on board while you’re still out on the water. The menu described for this trip includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, so there’s usually something for most tastes.

One more note: lunch is solid, but it’s still a buffet on a boat. If you’re the type who needs constant variety, you might find the options limited, even if the food is generally well received.

Drinks are handled too. The tour includes unlimited hot drinks (tea, coffee, milk) and soft drinks, plus mineral water on board. Translation: you won’t be stuck rationing water while you’re in and out of the water all day.

Equipment, Staff, and What Makes First-Timers Feel Safe

Included in the price are snorkeling and scuba equipment, plus the presence of a professional scuba instructor. On paper, that’s standard. In real life, it’s the difference between a stressful day and a smooth one, especially if you’re trying scuba sessions for the first time.

The staff support is a recurring theme in the way people talk about this trip. Names that come up include Said, Ali, Alex, and Saeed. People also mention crews like the Miss Sherry group, which suggests some travelers strongly connect with specific guides and crew members.

If you’re new to snorkeling or scuba sessions, pay attention to how the instructor explains the basics. A calm, clear approach matters underwater. You’ll also want to listen during timing and safety briefings, because your day depends on staying ready when your group is called.

Practical tip: bring reef-safe sunscreen and water-friendly clothes you don’t mind getting wet. This is a full-on sea day, not a dry-land museum stop.

Price and Value: Is $37.05 Good for This Much Water Time?

Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed, White Island, Snorkel and Diving - Price and Value: Is $37.05 Good for This Much Water Time?
At about $37.05 per person, this tour can be strong value, especially if you compare what’s included. You’re getting:

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Air-conditioned transportation
  • A sailing cruise to White Island
  • 2 snorkeling and swim stops
  • Scuba sessions (one or two, depending on your option)
  • Equipment
  • Buffet lunch
  • Unlimited hot drinks and soft drinks, plus water

The only clear “you pay extra” item in the provided details is Ras Mohammed National Park entrance fees. That’s still a cost, but it’s manageable and easy to plan for.

Where value can change for you is in your personal preference. If you only want beach time and snorkeling, you’ll likely feel the money goes mostly into swim stops plus lunch. If you want scuba sessions, the included instructor and equipment become even more important, because you’re not lining up those pieces separately.

Also note the operating scale: maximum 25 travelers. That tends to preserve the value because you aren’t packed into an over-sized herd for the key moments.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Plan)

Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed, White Island, Snorkel and Diving - Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Plan)
This tour fits best if you want a well-rounded Red Sea day, with both underwater time and a beach break.

It’s a great fit for:

  • First-time scuba participants, since you get guided instruction and included equipment
  • Snorkelers who want multiple snorkeling moments, not a single short stop
  • Families with children under 10, because kids can snorkel even if they can’t do scuba sessions

It might feel less ideal if:

  • You’re very sensitive to scheduling changes. Scuba options can affect timing at the first underwater stop.
  • You expect entrance fees to be included. They aren’t.

One more consideration from a reported concern: pickup can be part of the experience, and in at least one case, a pickup driver was described as rude and driving aggressively tied to tipping expectations. I can’t promise that will happen to you, but if you want a stress-free day, take note of how your pickup process feels, and be ready to address issues immediately.

Final Verdict: Should You Book Ras Mohamed and White Island?

My bottom line: this is a strong pick if you want Red Sea highlights without piecing together multiple tours. The mix of Ras Mohamed reef time, White Island sand and shallow snorkeling, and a proper on-board buffet lunch is built for convenience.

I’d book it if:

  • You like the idea of two snorkeling stops plus a dedicated White Island break
  • You want the option of one or two scuba sessions with a professional instructor
  • You value included perks like hotel pickup, equipment, and drinks

I’d think twice if:

  • You are trying to avoid any chance of scheduling compression between snorkeling and scuba sessions
  • You hate dealing with extra fees like the Ras Mohammed entrance fee

If you’re flexible, this kind of day is exactly what Sharm el Sheikh does best: lots of water time, clear marine life viewing opportunities, and a crew that focuses on keeping the day moving.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is about 7 hours.

What’s included in the price?

You get hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, a sailing cruise to White Island, 2 swim and snorkeling stops, a professional scuba instructor, snorkeling and scuba equipment, a buffet lunch on board, and unlimited hot drinks, soft drinks, and mineral water.

Are Ras Mohamed National Park entrance fees included?

No. Ras Mohammed National Park entrance fees are not included.

Do I get one or two scuba sessions?

That depends on the option you select. The tour includes one or two scuba sessions (with the scuba instructor) based on your choice.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 10 cannot do scuba sessions, but they can snorkel.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 25 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid is not refunded.

More of Sharm el Sheikh from our review pile