From Sharm: Luxury Diving cruise to Ras Mohammed with Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the reason to book this six-hour outing. The park’s clear water gives you a good chance to see coral formations and marine life without arranging a separate full-day expedition. I especially like the choice between one or two underwater sessions and the chance for non-swimmers to remain part of the day through snorkeling and the boat cruise.

I also like that a professional instructor stays with beginners, with introductory sessions limited to about 15 minutes. The main caution is to read your chosen option closely: equipment, snorkeling gear, and the mandatory 5 euro marina fee may be add-ons, and two recent bookings raised concerns about session length and confusion over what was included.

Quick points before you book

• Two underwater stops are possible: Choose one or two sessions when booking, with experienced participants spending about 40 minutes underwater and beginners receiving shorter introductory sessions.
• Ras Mohammed is the main event: The national park offers clear water, coral reefs, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing from the boat.
• A full boat day fits into six hours: Allow about 35 minutes by shared bus, roughly 1.5 hours sailing out, time at the park, and about an hour returning.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The boat provides a buffet meal, light snacks during the surface break, and unlimited drinks.
• The 5 euro marina fee matters: It is mandatory and may be paid at the marina or added before checkout.
• Photo sales require caution: One low-rated booking reported a very high price for underwater photos and videos, so ask about the cost before agreeing to any package.

Why Ras Mohammed makes a good boat day

Ras Mohammed National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and this trip uses the boat to reach its underwater sites from Sharm El Sheikh. The appeal is simple: you spend less time arranging transport and more time near the reefs.

You begin with a shared pickup from your hotel reception. The ride to the diving center takes about 35 minutes, though the pickup itself is expected roughly one hour before the boat trip. Your exact time arrives by WhatsApp 24 hours ahead, so keep your phone active and check the message before bed.

At the center, you complete paperwork and get fitted for equipment if it is included in your selected package. This is the point to confirm how many underwater sessions you paid for, whether equipment is covered, and whether the marina charge has already been handled.

The boat ride is part of the experience, not just transport. Sailing from the marina takes about 1.5 hours according to the planned schedule, giving you views of the Red Sea and time to settle into the day. The water can look calm from the deck, but people with back, heart, respiratory, or swimming problems should not book this outing.

What happens at the first underwater stop

The first stop is set up for both certified participants and people trying scuba for the first time. An instructor explains the equipment and stays close during the session. For beginners, the introductory experience usually lasts up to 15 minutes. That is enough for a first look at coral and fish, but it is not the same as a long recreational session.

If you already have experience, the underwater time averages around 40 minutes. The actual length can depend on your certification, comfort, air supply, and the instructor’s judgment. You should treat the stated time as a guide, not a promise of an exact minute count.

Clear water is the main advantage here. You can expect coral formations and marine life viewing, with the instructor helping you manage the equipment and move safely. One particularly positive account described the instructor holding and guiding a beginner throughout the session, which is the kind of support that matters far more than a fancy boat name.

You must not touch marine life. That rule protects the coral and keeps you from harming animals or putting yourself in a risky position. Follow the instructor’s directions, stay with the group, and avoid wandering off to frame a better camera shot.

The 90-minute surface break

After the first session, the boat pauses for about 90 minutes. This is your chance to dry off, eat light snacks, drink water or another beverage, and use the time for snorkeling.

The break helps make the outing workable for mixed groups. If one person wants scuba and another prefers to snorkel, both can enjoy the same stop. Non-divers can also join the boat and use the snorkeling option, though snorkeling equipment must be included in the package or selected as an add-on.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. The supplied information also recommends swimwear, a camera, and snacks. Even with food on board, personal snacks are sensible for a long day in the sun, especially if you are not sure how much of the buffet or snack service will suit you.

The boat provides unlimited drinks, but the quality of the food and beverages has not been consistent for every booking. Some praise was directed at the lunch, while one sharply negative account found the food and drinks poor. I would treat the meal as a useful included service rather than the reason to choose this trip.

The second stop and what two sessions add

If you select the two-session option, the boat moves to another site after the surface break. A second location gives you a fresh setting and a better chance to see different coral and marine life. One account described two separate underwater sites and a visit to White Island, which can be part of the day’s route, although you should not assume every departure follows exactly that plan.

The second session is especially valuable for people who want more than a quick introduction. Beginners still receive the shorter format, while experienced participants may get roughly 40 minutes. Check the wording of your selected option because the number of sessions is stated before checkout, and extra sessions may be available as add-ons.

This is also where clear communication matters. One booking reported confusion over whether an introductory session was included, and another reported that two paid sessions were initially treated as one. Those accounts are not a reason to dismiss the entire outing, but they are a reason to save your booking details on your phone and show the staff exactly what you purchased before leaving the marina.

Ask the instructor to confirm the plan at the start. It takes one minute and can prevent a dispute later.

Lunch on the boat

Lunch is served on board before the return to Sharm. The planned park stop combines eating, snorkeling, a boat cruise, marine-life viewing, and the second underwater session if selected.

A buffet works well for a mixed group because you can eat quickly and return to the deck or water. Do not expect a restaurant meal. The quality may be perfectly acceptable for a boat excursion, but the strongest reason to book is the access to Ras Mohammed, not the menu.

Keep a drink with you during the surface break and use sunscreen again after getting out of the water. The Red Sea sun can make a six-hour day feel longer than expected, especially when you are wet and spending time on the open deck.

The return sail to Sharm

The return portion takes about an hour in the planned schedule. You sail back to the marina, then rejoin the shared bus for the hotel transfer.

The stated duration is six hours, but pickup and hotel drop-off make this a larger block of your day. The schedule also contains several rounded sailing and stop times, so leave room for delays caused by marina procedures, group coordination, or conditions at sea.

A shared bus keeps the price low, but it is not the same as a private transfer. Pickup is from your reception, and you may need to wait for other people. For most visitors staying in Sharm, that is a fair trade for a $54 starting price.

What the $54 price really includes

At $54 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to combine transport, a boat trip, instruction, food, drinks, and access to Ras Mohammed. The value is strongest if you want a first underwater experience and do not want to arrange separate transport, equipment, and boat access.

The headline price needs a careful reading. The mandatory marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person. It can be paid on arrival or prepaid as an add-on. Equipment is also listed as included only if selected from the available add-ons, and the same applies to snorkeling equipment.

Before you pay, check these points:

• Is one or two underwater sessions selected?
• Is diving equipment included?
• Is snorkeling equipment included if you need it?
• Has the 5 euro marina fee been added?
• Are there any extra charges for additional sessions?

The biggest possible extra cost is the photo and video service. One dissatisfied booking reported being asked for £120 for images that did not meet expectations. I would ask for the complete price before posing for any underwater camera service, and never assume photos are included.

Safety, comfort, and accessibility

The instructors speak English, Russian, Italian, or German. That language range can make equipment briefings and safety instructions easier, especially for first-timers.

Wheelchair access is listed, but the activity still involves a bus, a boat, wet equipment, and movement around a marina. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical arrangements before booking rather than relying only on the accessibility label.

This trip is not suitable for non-swimmers or people with back, heart, or respiratory problems. You should also tell the instructor about any concern before entering the water. The rule about not touching marine life is firm and sensible.

The most important safety issue is staying with the group. A serious complaint described a swimmer being separated from the boat after leaving White Island and needing another boat to help. The account also raised concerns about headcounts and communication. I cannot treat that as the normal experience, especially since other bookings describe professional and caring instructors, but you should still remain close to the group, listen for instructions, and avoid swimming away to film.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This trip suits a first-time scuba participant who wants a guided introduction without committing to a full training course. The short session keeps the experience manageable, and an instructor is available throughout.

It also works for a mixed group. One person can take the underwater option while another snorkels, relaxes on deck, or watches marine life from the boat. The two-session choice is better for someone who wants a fuller day in the water.

Experienced participants should set realistic expectations. The trip offers access to Ras Mohammed and professional guidance, but it is a group outing with rounded timings and possible add-ons. If you need highly specific sites, long bottom time, or a private instructor, this probably is not the right format.

Families with young children should check the operator’s age rules before paying, since no age information is provided here. The same applies to anyone with a medical condition.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Save the booking confirmation on your phone, including the wording for the number of sessions. Show it at the diving center and ask staff to confirm what is included.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, a camera, and personal snacks. Keep valuables to a minimum. You will spend much of the day on a boat, and the information provided does not promise secure storage.

Expect the pickup message on WhatsApp 24 hours before departure. Pickup usually takes place about one hour before the activity begins, not exactly at the boat’s departure time.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful if your Sharm plans may change, but it does not remove the need to check the add-ons before checkout.

Should you book this Ras Mohammed boat trip?

I would book it if you want a convenient, fairly priced introduction to the Red Sea, especially if your group includes both scuba beginners and snorkelers. The best parts are the national park setting, the choice of one or two sessions, the supportive instructor format, and the fact that lunch, drinks, and hotel pickup are arranged.

I would be more cautious if exact session length, high-quality food, or a polished photo package matters to you. Confirm every inclusion, budget for the 5 euro marina fee, and ask about photo prices before using the service.

At $54, the trip offers good value when you treat it as a shared boat day with guided water time, not as a private premium charter. Book it for Ras Mohammed and the underwater experience. Do not book it mainly for the buffet or the photographs.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about six hours. Pickup from your hotel usually takes place roughly one hour before the trip, and the exact time is sent by WhatsApp 24 hours before departure.

What is the price?

The listed price is $54 per person. Additional charges may apply for equipment, snorkeling gear, extra sessions, and the mandatory 5 euro marina entrance fee.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is provided from your hotel reception in Sharm El Sheikh by shared bus.

How long is the bus ride?

The planned bus journey to the diving center takes about 35 minutes.

How many underwater sessions can I choose?

You can select either one or two sessions, depending on the option you book. Additional sessions may be available as add-ons before checkout.

How long is a beginner session?

An introductory session for a beginner usually lasts up to 15 minutes.

How long is an experienced participant session?

A session for a professional participant averages around 40 minutes.

Can non-divers join the boat?

Yes. Snorkeling is available for non-divers, although snorkeling equipment must be included in your selected option or added separately.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board, and light snacks and drinks are available during the surface interval. Unlimited drinks are listed as included.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, Russian, Italian, and German.