Snorkeling trip to Ras Mohamed & The White Island aboard Luxury Yacht

The best part of this Sharm el Sheikh boat trip is the combination of Ras Mohamed’s coral reefs and White Island, a pale sand strip surrounded by clear Red Sea water. You get a full day on the water rather than a quick swim from shore, with a yacht, lunch, drinks, and hotel pickup included.

I like the open buffet of local seafood, and I like the easy rhythm of the day: snorkel, sail, pause at White Island, eat, then play in the water. The main caution is that snorkeling equipment is not included, and the plan can change with wind conditions. Also, the advertised timing varies between about six hours on the water and seven to eight hours overall.

Key points to know before booking

• Ras Mohamed comes first: Expect one or two snorkeling stops at the national park, depending on wind conditions.
• White Island is a sand strip: The turquoise water and unusual setting make this the photo stop of the day.
• Lunch is more than a sandwich: A seafood cream soup comes first, followed by a seafood buffet with soft drinks and bottled water.
• The yacht adds comfort: You’ll have open air, fresh sea breezes, and room for up to 45 people.
• Water games are part of the fun: Try the hanging chair or the waist harness designed to let you walk on water.
• Pack or rent your own mask and fins: Equipment use is extra, and breakfast and snacks are not included.

Why this Sharm boat trip works well

This outing gives you two very different Red Sea experiences in one day. Ras Mohamed is about the water below you, with coral reefs and sea life to see while snorkeling. White Island is about the setting above the water, with a narrow sand strip and bright sea all around it.

I like that the boat itself is part of the experience. You are not simply being delivered to a beach and left there. The sailing yacht provides a breezy place to sit between stops, and the trip includes playful extras that can keep the return journey from feeling long.

At $70 per person, the package has solid value if you use the included parts: hotel transfer, yacht transport, lunch, bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea. You should add the cost of snorkeling equipment if you need to rent it. Breakfast, snacks, and any fruit plate or other extra food purchase are outside the stated price.

The trip has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 479 ratings and a 98 percent recommendation rate. Those numbers suggest strong overall satisfaction, but they should not replace a careful look at the details. A few important points need attention, especially the pickup timing, the exact package you book, and what is included in any VIP option.

The morning pickup from your Sharm hotel

Pickup is offered from your hotel, with the meeting time listed as 8:00 a.m. An air-conditioned vehicle takes you to the port, where sailing is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

That transfer is useful if you do not want to arrange a taxi or work out the port on your own. Still, allow patience in the morning. One poor account describes a late pickup, a rushed drive, and a long period of doubling back before reaching the port. That does not mean every transfer will go this way, but it is a good reason to confirm the pickup time and location by WhatsApp or another direct message before the day.

The provider is Sun ’N Fun Sharm. Communication by WhatsApp was especially helpful for one person who booked a VIP option, with clear messages about pickup. I would use that same approach even for the standard trip: confirm the hotel name, pickup point, start time, and the exact package.

The drive and boarding process are practical rather than scenic. Your real holiday begins when the yacht leaves the port, so bring water for the transfer if you like, even though bottled water is supplied during the boat trip.

Sailing from Sharm at 9:00 a.m.

Once aboard, you can settle into an open, airy setting with the Red Sea around you. The yacht is spacious enough for a maximum of 45 people, though that is still a sizeable group. If you want a quieter place to sit, getting aboard without delay may help.

The fresh breeze is one of the simple pleasures here. You can sit back during the ride, watch the coast recede, and save your energy for the snorkeling stops. This is a better fit for someone who enjoys a social boat day than for someone seeking a private sailing charter.

The schedule is listed in two ways. The full experience is described as about seven to eight hours, while the on-water portion is also listed as six hours. With pickup, boarding, sailing, stops, lunch, and the return trip included, plan to give the outing most of your day.

Wind affects the exact program. You may receive one snorkeling session or two, depending on conditions. That flexibility is sensible for a boat trip, but it means you should not treat the number of stops as fixed.

Snorkeling at Ras Mohamed National Park

Ras Mohamed is the strongest natural feature of the trip. The national park is known here for coral reefs and Red Sea sea life, and the boat stops at a reef area for snorkeling.

You should expect time in the water rather than a guided lesson in marine biology. The available information does not name a guide or promise a guided reef talk, so bring your own curiosity and stay aware of the crew’s instructions.

The quality of this part depends on the wind, water conditions, and visibility on the day. The tour can include one or two sessions, which gives you a chance to enjoy the reef without spending every minute in the water.

Snorkeling gear is not included in the $70 price. If you own a mask, snorkel, and fins, bring them. If not, equipment is available to rent, but ask about the rental cost before boarding so the final price does not surprise you.

A few practical habits will improve this stop. Keep your personal items secure on the yacht, listen for the return-to-boat time, and do not assume the second snorkeling session is guaranteed. Since the activity is weather dependent, the crew may adjust the order or number of stops.

White Island and the turquoise Red Sea

After the reef stop, the yacht heads to White Island. It is described as a sand strip in the middle of the Red Sea, surrounded by turquoise water. That unusual setting makes it the day’s main picture-taking stop.

White Island is not presented as a developed beach with facilities, shops, or shade. Think of it as a short, natural pause in the sea. You can get into the water, pose for photographs, and enjoy the contrast between pale sand and open water.

The conditions matter here. The route and time at White Island can be affected by wind, so you should treat the stop as weather dependent. The tour needs good weather to operate, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

The water activities add a lighthearted side to this stop and the sailing periods around it. You can use a hanging chair in the water or try the waist harness that lets you appear to walk on the surface while showing off a few dance moves. These are not serious water sports, but they give families and groups something to do between swimming and photographs.

Seafood lunch after the island stop

The food service follows the White Island visit. First comes a freshly prepared seafood cream soup, then a premium seafood open buffet. Sodas, bottled water, coffee, and tea are included.

That sequence gives the meal a little more care than the usual basic excursion lunch. If you enjoy seafood, it adds real value to the package. If you do not eat seafood, you should ask about alternatives before booking, since the stated lunch centers on seafood and no separate menu is provided.

Breakfast is not included, and neither are snacks. Eat something before pickup if you tend to get hungry in the morning. The transfer begins around 8:00 a.m., while sailing starts around 9:00 a.m., so lunch may feel late if you begin the day with nothing to eat.

Be careful with optional food purchases. One poor account describes a $17 fruit plate being presented in a confusing way. The safest approach is simple: ask the price before accepting anything not clearly included in the package.

Standard booking, VIP claims, and the real price

The listed standard price is $70 per person. For a seven to eight hour outing with transport, a yacht, reef stops, a seafood lunch, and drinks, that is a reasonable package if the day runs to plan.

The word VIP needs particular care. A positive account recommends a VIP option and praises the boat, staff, communication, and overall atmosphere. A separate account says that a $120 VIP price did not include wetsuits or even basic drinks such as coffee.

These are different booking experiences, so do not assume that VIP automatically means every extra is included. Before paying, check the exact inclusions for your chosen option, including drinks, wetsuits, snorkeling gear, seating, and any added food. The $70 package described here includes soda, water, coffee or tea, and seafood lunch, but that does not necessarily define every upgraded package.

The trip is capped at 45 people. That keeps it smaller than some large day boats, but it is not an intimate private cruise. If you want personal service or quiet sailing, ask about a private charter instead. If you are happy with a shared boat and want the price to cover the main parts of the day, the group size is reasonable.

What to pack for a smoother day

Keep your packing simple and useful:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Reef-safe sun protection, if you use it
• Hat and sunglasses
• Dry clothes for the return transfer
• Your own snorkeling gear, if you have it
• Some breakfast or a small snack
• A waterproof phone pouch or secure camera case
• Cash for rentals or optional purchases

Do not count on breakfast or snacks being available as part of the package. The included drinks cover soda, bottled water, coffee, and tea, but they are not a substitute for a morning meal.

If you plan to use the hanging chair or harness, keep loose valuables off your body. The supplied information does not describe storage arrangements, so bring only what you need on the boat.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full Red Sea day with several kinds of activity. It suits people who like snorkeling but also want food, photographs, swimming, and a relaxed boat ride. Couples, families, and groups of friends can all find something to enjoy.

It is also a good option if hotel pickup matters. You do not need to organize a separate ride to the port, and the package includes the main meal and drinks.

You may want another option if you need a fixed, tightly timed program. Wind can reduce the snorkeling to one stop, and the overall timing is described differently in the available details. You should also think twice if you need guaranteed English guiding, since the excursion information does not clearly promise a named English-speaking guide.

The boat is a shared experience with up to 45 people. That can create a friendly holiday mood, but it will not provide the privacy of a small sailing trip. And if you do not eat seafood, confirm the meal arrangements before committing.

My booking advice

I would book this outing at $70 if I wanted a straightforward Sharm el Sheikh boat day and was comfortable renting snorkeling gear separately. The strongest reasons are the Ras Mohamed reef stop, White Island’s unusual setting, the included seafood lunch, and the convenience of hotel pickup.

Before booking, I would send one message to confirm four points: pickup time, exact sailing duration, snorkeling equipment cost, and the inclusions of the selected package. If you are considering VIP, ask for a written list of what changes from the standard option.

Book at least 24 hours before the start time if your plans are uncertain. Cancellation is free up to that point, while later cancellations and changes are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling trip take place?

The trip visits Ras Mohamed National Park for snorkeling and then continues to White Island in the Red Sea.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience is described as approximately seven to eight hours. The on-water program is also listed as six hours, so you should allow most of the day, including pickup and return.

What time is hotel pickup?

The meeting or pickup time is listed as 8:00 a.m. Sailing from Sharm el Sheikh’s port is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle provides pickup from your Sharm el Sheikh location and return transportation.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The trip includes one or two snorkeling sessions at Ras Mohamed, depending on wind conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, but use of the equipment is not included in the stated tour price.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a seafood cream soup, a seafood open buffet, soda, bottled water, coffee, and tea.

Are breakfast and snacks included?

No. Breakfast and snacks are not included, so you should eat before pickup or bring something with you.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 45 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient participation cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.