Reviewed · SCUBA DIVING
Ras Mohammed Diving & White Island Luxurious Cruise with Lunch
The main draw is the Red Sea underwater life. This full-day cruise takes you from Sharm El Sheikh to Ras Mohammed National Park, where clear water, coral formations, colorful fish, and possible sea turtles make snorkeling the star of the day. You then continue to White Island for beach time, swimming, and lunch aboard the boat.
I like the mix of guided activity and free time. You get a professional snorkeling instructor, two snorkeling stops, or one introductory scuba session, then plenty of room to rest on deck. I also like the practical value: hotel pickup, an open buffet, water, and soft drinks are included.
The main consideration is the extra cost for the national park fee, listed as EUR 10 per person, plus EUR 5 for each piece of snorkeling equipment. The sea can also become rough in poor weather, so a sunny day matters, especially if you are new to scuba.
Key points to know before booking

- Ras Mohammed is the main underwater stop: Expect coral, fish, and clear Red Sea water in a protected national park.
- White Island adds a change of pace: After time in the water, you can swim, relax, or explore the island’s beaches.
- Two snorkeling stops are included: You can choose guided snorkeling or one introductory scuba session.
- Mohamed speaks very good English: Staff provide close help, including reassurance for first-time scuba participants.
- The boat carries up to 30 people: That keeps the group manageable, though it is still a shared cruise rather than a private charter.
- Budget for extras: The park fee and snorkeling equipment are not included in the advertised price of $16.71.
Why this Ras Mohammed cruise works as a full-day outing

This is a long day on the Red Sea, not a quick boat ride with one brief swim. Pickup begins around 7:30 am, and the total experience lasts about 10 hours, including transfers and time aboard the boat. The cruise itself is listed at about seven hours.
That schedule gives you enough time to see two parts of the coast without rushing from one photo stop to the next. Ras Mohammed provides the strongest marine experience, while White Island offers a quieter pause on land. The result is a useful balance for people who want activity but do not want every minute planned.
The boat has an open deck and indoor lounges with broad sea views. I would treat the indoor space as a welcome option if the wind picks up or you need shade. On a calm, sunny day, the deck is likely where you will spend most of your time between stops.
The word luxurious should be kept in perspective. You are getting a comfortable shared boat, food, drinks, and organized water activities, not a private yacht charter. With a maximum group size of 30, the setting should feel more personal than a very large excursion boat, but you will still share the schedule and facilities with other people.
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Leaving Sharm El Sheikh for Ras Mohammed
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Sharm El Sheikh hotels, which removes one of the usual headaches of a boat excursion. The stated start time is 7:30 am, so you should be ready early and allow time for the transfer from your hotel to the departure point.
The first part of the day is about getting out onto the Red Sea. From the deck, you can watch the coast recede and settle into the rhythm of the boat. This is not simply transport between stops. The sea time gives you space to enjoy the sun, wind, and open views before the more active part begins.
Keep in mind that boat conditions depend on weather. One useful piece of advice is to choose a sunny day when possible. Wind can make the ride uncomfortable and may affect how enjoyable the water stops feel, especially for anyone trying scuba for the first time.
The operator requires good weather for the trip to run. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it also confirms that the forecast matters here.
Ras Mohammed National Park and its clear water

Ras Mohammed is the strongest reason to book this trip. The national park is known for protected Red Sea waters, coral reefs, and abundant marine life. The activity description specifically points to colorful fish, sea turtles, and detailed coral formations, so this is the place to focus your attention underwater.
A professional snorkeling instructor accompanies the group. That matters even if you already know how to use a mask and fins. A guide can help you enter the water safely, direct your attention toward marine life, and make the stop easier for people who are less confident in open water.
You receive two snorkeling stops as part of the standard plan. Two shorter sessions are often better than one long session because you can warm up, rest, eat, and reset between them. The exact length of each stop is not stated, so do not assume that you will have unlimited time in the water.
You can also choose one introductory scuba session instead of the two snorkeling stops. This is aimed at beginners, and the staff have been praised for helping first-time participants feel calm and safe. Mohamed is specifically noted as speaking very good English, which can make instructions easier to follow for English-speaking visitors.
If this is your first time using scuba gear, be honest with the instructor about your comfort level. The experience is designed to be accessible to beginners, but the sea is not a swimming pool. Listen carefully, take your time, and do not feel pressured to go farther than you want.
Snorkeling equipment costs EUR 5 per piece and is not included. That is a small but important detail. If you need a mask, fins, or other listed equipment, add the charge to your real budget. You should also check what equipment you plan to use before leaving the dock so you are not sorting out costs when the group is ready to enter the water.
The national park fee is another extra, listed as EUR 10 per person. At the advertised base price of $16.71, those additional charges make a noticeable difference to the final cost. The trip can still offer strong value, but the headline price is not the complete price for someone who needs equipment and pays the park fee.
White Island brings beach time to the itinerary

After Ras Mohammed, the boat continues to White Island. This gives the day a different feel. Instead of focusing only on coral and fish, you can step ashore, look around the beach, swim, or sit in the sun.
White Island is described as secluded and surrounded by clear water. The exact amount of time ashore is not stated, so I would think of it as a scenic stop rather than a long beach holiday. Bring realistic expectations. You are visiting as part of a boat schedule, not checking into an island resort.
The stop is useful because it breaks up the water activities. If your children, companions, or fellow passengers are not keen to spend all day snorkeling, White Island gives them another way to enjoy the outing. You can also use the pause to dry off and take photographs before returning to the boat.
The island is especially appealing for anyone who wants variety from a day on the water. Ras Mohammed supplies the best marine focus. White Island supplies the simple pleasures of sand, swimming, and wide sea views.
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Lunch on board, with a practical menu
An open buffet lunch is included, along with water and soft drinks. The meal includes local and international choices, and the food has been described as plentiful, with salads among the offerings. That makes lunch a useful part of the package rather than an afterthought.
You eat aboard the boat, which saves you from giving up more time to find a restaurant on shore. After a morning in the water, a proper meal also helps make the long day more comfortable.
Do not expect a restaurant-style tasting menu. This is a shared buffet prepared for a boat group. The strength is convenience and enough food for the day. If you have specific dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus, so you should ask the operator before booking rather than assume.
The boat also provides water and soft drinks. That is worth noting in the heat, since staying hydrated is important during a full day in the sun. You should still bring the personal items you normally need for a beach day, such as sun protection and a towel, because those items are not listed as included.
The crew and the feel of the day

The human side of this experience appears to be one of its strongest points. Staff are described as friendly, attentive, and willing to help people individually during water activities. That matters more here than polished sales language. A good crew can turn a nervous first attempt in the water into an enjoyable one.
Mohamed is singled out for his English and his help with the scuba experience. Other staff are also described as calming and reassuring, particularly for first-time participants. If you are unsure about scuba but curious to try it, that support is a meaningful reason to consider this cruise.
The boat also offers photography, according to the information provided. If photos matter to you, ask about the arrangement and price before committing to anything extra. The supplied details do not state whether photographs are included, so do not treat them as part of the base package.
The group limit is 30 people. That is not an intimate private outing, but it is a useful ceiling. It should give the crew a reasonable chance to organize the water stops and help individual participants, while still keeping the price low.
What the $16.71 price really means

At $16.71 per person, the advertised rate looks unusually low for a 10-hour outing with hotel transfers, a seven-hour boat trip, lunch, drinks, and guided water activities. The value is strong if you want a full day at sea without paying for a private boat.
Still, you need to calculate the final cost. Add the EUR 10 national park fee, then add EUR 5 for each piece of snorkeling equipment you use. These charges can make the total notably higher than the advertised figure, particularly for a family or group.
Even after those extras, the package includes several costly elements: transport from your hotel, a staffed cruise, a buffet meal, water, soft drinks, and access to two water stops. For a first visit to Sharm El Sheikh, it is an efficient way to see Ras Mohammed and White Island in one day.
Group discounts are available, though the details are not supplied. If you are booking for several people, ask how the discount works and confirm the final amount before paying. Since the experience is often booked about nine days ahead, securing places early may be sensible during busy periods.
Who should choose this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want a packed Red Sea day with several activities included. It suits couples, families, first-time snorkelers, and people who want to try an introductory scuba session with staff support.
It is also a good fit if you value convenience. Hotel pickup, food, drinks, instruction, and the two-stop plan mean you do not need to organize separate transport or search for a lunch stop.
You may prefer another option if you want a quiet private outing, a highly specialized scuba trip, or complete control over the schedule. A shared boat with up to 30 people follows a set route, and the weather can affect comfort.
People who dislike early starts or long days on the water should also think carefully. The 7:30 am start and 10-hour duration make this a substantial excursion. White Island and the deck offer breaks, but this is still a full day rather than a gentle half-day cruise.
Booking details and cancellation
Confirmation is provided at booking. The tour offers hotel pickup from Sharm El Sheikh hotels, and it is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but the supplied information does not provide specific accessibility details, so you should ask the operator about your personal needs.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather is treated separately, with a different date or full refund offered if the operator cancels.
Should you book Ras Mohammed and White Island?
Book this cruise if you want the best mix of coral viewing, beach time, and simple logistics at a low starting price. Ras Mohammed is the clear highlight, while White Island gives the day a pleasant change of pace. The attentive crew, including Mohamed’s English support, is another advantage for anyone new to scuba.
Before paying, confirm the final cost with the EUR 10 park fee and equipment charges included. Pick a sunny day if you can, and choose this trip for a lively, organized group outing rather than a private luxury cruise. For that kind of day, it offers a lot for the money.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The stated start time is 7:30 am.
How long does the experience last?
The total experience lasts about 10 hours. The boat trip itself is listed as about seven hours.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Sharm El Sheikh hotels.
How many people can join the tour?
The maximum group size is 30 people.
Are snorkeling stops included?
Yes. The standard plan includes two snorkeling stops with a professional snorkeling instructor.
Is an introductory scuba session available?
Yes. You can choose one introductory scuba session instead of the two snorkeling stops.
Is lunch included?
Yes. An open buffet lunch is included, with local and international food choices. Water and soft drinks are also included.
What extra fees should I expect?
The Ras Mohammed National Park fee is listed as EUR 10 per person. Snorkeling equipment costs EUR 5 per piece.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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