Sharm El Sheikh: Luxury boat Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

The Red Sea is the real attraction here. This seven-hour cruise takes you from Sharm El Sheikh to Ras Muhammad National Park for reef swimming, a stop at White Island, and lunch on the boat. I like the chance to see two very different parts of the coast, and I like that the basic price is only $35 per person. The main drawback is crowding: busy reefs, choppy water, and a long day can make the trip feel less peaceful than the word luxury suggests.

I also like the helpful crew, with one guest singling out Mohammed for looking after people in rough water. The open buffet gives you rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, which is more substantial than a simple snack. Still, you should budget for the $5 national park fee and a possible $5 marina entrance fee, plus gear or hotel transfer if those are not included in your selected option.

Key points to know before booking

• Ras Muhammad is the main event: Your best underwater views come at the national park, where a guide leads the snorkeling stop near coral reefs.
• White Island depends on the tide: The sandbank visit is not guaranteed, but when conditions allow, it gives you shallow water, soft sand, and good photo opportunities.
• You get two water stops: Plan for one extended stop around Ras Muhammad and another swim later in the day.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect an open buffet with rice, pasta, salads, chicken, fish, and soft drinks.
• The low headline price has extras: The $35 fare does not automatically cover every add-on, so check transfer, equipment, marina, and scuba options before paying.
• Sea conditions matter: Strong wind can make the boat ride and water entry uncomfortable, while heavy boat traffic may affect the reef experience.

A seven-hour Red Sea outing from Sharm El Sheikh

This is a full-day sea trip, not a quick morning boat ride. The schedule includes hotel pickup when selected, a transfer to Watanya Marina, sailing to Ras Muhammad, snorkeling, White Island, lunch, another swim, and the return journey.

If you choose shared hotel transport, pickup is roughly one to one and a half hours before the boat departure. The exact time depends on your hotel, and you should receive the final pickup details through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip. That early start matters because the road transfer adds about 35 minutes before you even reach the marina.

If you arrange your own way to the harbor, go to the Egypt Sunmarine Fleet center at Watanya Marina. Look for the operations staff, usually wearing yellow shirts, and show your ticket. The listed end point is also Watanya Marina, so independent transport can make the day simpler if you are staying nearby.

The boat portion is designed to be easygoing. You can sit in the sun, watch the coast, and use the open deck between stops. Just keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular Red Sea route, and several boats may gather at the same sites.

Setting out from Watanya Marina

The marina is the practical starting point, where the crew checks passengers and prepares the boat for the trip south. A mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person may be paid on arrival or added in advance, depending on your booking choice.

The cruise price is attractive, but the extra fees deserve attention. At $35, the trip offers a lot for the money, especially with lunch and national park access included. The final total can rise if you add hotel transfers, snorkeling equipment, marina access, or an introductory scuba session.

The boat ride to the park is part of the experience, but it also makes this a long day. One timetable allows around 2.5 hours for the first cruise section, followed by several hours at White Island and the swimming areas. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. The sun has few places to hide on open water.

Ras Muhammad: the best reason to book

Ras Muhammad National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and is the central attraction. The boat stops near coral reefs, where a professional snorkeling guide helps you enter the water and points out the area.

You may rent snorkeling or scuba equipment if it is not included in your chosen option. If you are new to snorkeling, the guide is particularly useful because the boat stop can feel busy and the water may move with the wind. Stay close to the guide and follow the crew’s instructions around the boat.

The underwater scenery is the reason to make this trip. You may see schools of fish around the reef, but conditions and visibility can change. One recent account praised the crew’s care in choppy water, while another found the reef crowded with boats and felt the fish activity and color had suffered from heavy tourism.

That contrast is important. Ras Muhammad can offer memorable Red Sea scenery, but you should not expect a private reef. The quality of your stop depends on sea conditions, how many boats arrive at the same time, and how comfortable you feel in open water.

The main swim is followed by another water stop later in the day. This is useful if wind or crowding affects the first session. You get another chance to swim, take in the reef, or simply remain onboard if the water feels too rough.

White Island and the tide-dependent sandbank

White Island gives the trip a different rhythm. Instead of focusing only on reef swimming, you get time around shallow water and soft sand. The boat stops there for swimming, snorkeling, refreshments, and photographs when the tide allows.

The island is not a permanent guarantee on every departure. Tide conditions can prevent the stop, so do not book this trip solely for a certain sandbank photo. When the visit goes ahead, it is a pleasant break from the boat. You can walk on the sand, cool off in shallow water, or sit back near the Red Sea.

The scheduled White Island portion can last around three hours, although the exact timing will depend on the day’s conditions. That makes it the longest single part of the outing. If you prefer a packed sightseeing schedule, this may feel slow. If you like swimming and sitting in the sun, it gives you welcome breathing room.

Bring beachwear under your clothes and pack a towel. Sunscreen is essential, especially because the water reflects the sun and shade may be limited. You should also protect your phone if you plan to take photos near the water.

Lunch with a view, served at sea

Lunch is served back on the yacht after the water activities. The open buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, along with soft drinks.

That menu suits a long day outdoors. You get enough food to make the $35 base price feel reasonable, rather than paying for an excursion that provides only a sandwich. One particularly positive account praised both the food and the friendly, professional service.

The meal is not a fine-dining event, and you should not approach it that way. Its value is practical: you eat onboard, avoid losing time searching for a restaurant, and can continue enjoying the sea views. Soft drinks are included with the meal according to the tour details, but one account reported that promised free drinks were not provided. I would confirm exactly what is included in your selected package before departure.

Optional introductory scuba sessions

The basic trip centers on swimming and snorkeling, but you can add one or two introductory scuba sessions. This option is aimed at people who want to try breathing underwater without booking a full certification course.

The extra activity changes the day’s focus. You will spend less time simply floating or sitting on White Island, but you may gain a more memorable first look below the surface. Ask about the equipment and package details when booking, since the basic fare does not automatically include every water activity.

If you are unsure about scuba, snorkeling is enough to enjoy this trip. You can see fish and coral without committing to additional instruction or equipment. The crew’s support becomes especially important in rough water, so listen carefully to the guide and do not enter if you feel uncomfortable.

What the reviews reveal about service and conditions

The strongest praise goes to the staff. Several people described the crew as friendly, attentive, and professional. Mohammed was specifically praised for helping people when the water became choppy, a useful detail for anyone who feels nervous at sea.

The food also receives good marks. The buffet is simple but filling, and the atmosphere onboard can be pleasant when the weather cooperates. English, German, and Russian support is available, which helps if you need instructions during boarding or water activities.

The weak point is not usually the idea of the trip. It is the setting. One complaint described confusion, too many boats near the reef, and enough disorder to make getting into the water feel unsafe. Another assessment liked almost everything but found the day long compared with the actual time spent driving and snorkeling.

Wind is another variable. Strong wind has not stopped every departure from being enjoyable, but it can make the boat rock and reduce comfort in the water. If you are prone to seasickness, the seven-hour schedule deserves serious thought.

The reported overall rating is 4 out of 5 from 22 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience with clear limits. I would book it for the sea time and staff support, not for quiet waters or a guaranteed untouched reef.

Transport, fees, and what your $35 buys

At $35 per person, this is a good-value way to reach Ras Muhammad by boat. The fare includes the cruise, lunch, national park entry, and the White Island visit when tide conditions permit. A $5 national park fee is listed, and a separate 5 euro marina fee may also apply.

Hotel pickup and drop-off depend on the option you select. Shared pickup can be convenient, but it makes the day longer and the pickup time less exact. If you value control over your schedule, arrange your own transport to Watanya Marina, provided that works with your booking.

Snorkeling gear is included only if selected through the relevant add-on. The same applies to the introductory scuba session. Check the final package carefully, since a low advertised fare can look less low once transfers, equipment, and marina fees are added.

The operator lists the boat as wheelchair accessible. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the exact boarding and water activity arrangements before booking, because the information provided does not explain how swimming stops are handled.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your plans around Sharm El Sheikh are still changing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a reasonably priced day on the Red Sea with several activities in one package. Families, couples, first-time snorkelers, and people who want to try an introductory scuba session can all find something useful here.

It is also a good choice if you value staff support. The praise for Mohammed and the wider crew suggests that attentive help can make a real difference, especially when the water is rough.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet nature experience. The reef may be busy with boats, and the White Island stop depends on the tide. You should also think twice if you dislike long days, shared transport, or changing sea conditions.

For the best experience, bring your own towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and beachwear. Keep your passport or a copy with you, as requested by the operator. Do not bring alcohol or drugs, and do not feed the marine animals.

Should you book the Ras Muhammad cruise?

Book it if your priority is value, sea views, two swimming stops, lunch, and a chance to see Ras Muhammad without paying for a private charter. The friendly crew and useful food service add real value, and the optional scuba session gives beginners another way to enjoy the water.

Skip it if your priority is peace, guaranteed access to White Island, or a quiet reef with no boat traffic. The day can be long, and wind or crowding may limit what you see.

My practical advice is to check four things before paying: the exact pickup arrangement, the marina fee, equipment inclusion, and the weather forecast. Go with flexible expectations, and this can be a rewarding Red Sea day at a fair price.

FAQ

How long does the Sharm El Sheikh cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, not including the exact waiting time for hotel pickup. Shared pickup generally takes place roughly one to one and a half hours before departure, depending on your hotel.

What is included in the lunch?

The open buffet includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, and soft drinks.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The White Island stop depends on tide conditions. If the tide does not allow the visit, the schedule may change.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is included only if you select it through the available add-on. You can also rent snorkeling or scuba equipment for the activity.

Can I add an introductory scuba session?

Yes. You can select one introductory scuba session, and the experience also offers an option with two sessions.

Where do I meet the boat?

The meeting point is the Egypt Sunmarine Fleet center at Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. Look for an operations team member, usually wearing a yellow shirt, and show your ticket.