Sharm: Vip Snorkeling Cruise with international lunch

Three decks, clear water, one long day. This Bella cruise gives you a comfortable way to reach Ras Mohamed’s reefs, with a large sun deck, air-conditioned salons, and a crew that keeps a close eye on snorkelers. I especially like the easy access for nervous swimmers and the generous onboard setup, including loungers, drinks, snacks, and a full hot lunch. The main catch is value: at $117 per person, you are paying for a premium boat, and one recent trip found the vessel older than expected and the advertised fish dish missing.

The day runs about eight hours, with hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh, a marina departure at 8:30 am, three water stops, and a return later in the day. The staff received very strong praise for friendly service and clear safety help, though the marina itself can be confusing at the start, especially if English directions are limited.

Key points to know before booking

• Three snorkeling stops in Ras Mohamed: The route includes Ras Mohamed National Park, White Island, and Stingray Station, with guides accompanying you in the water.
• A proper three-floor boat: You get an open sun deck, shaded seating, and two air-conditioned salon or dining areas.
• Strong support for less confident swimmers: Life jackets, a rear low deck, and life rings are available at the stops.
• Lunch is more than a snack: The menu may include shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, soup, and fresh fruit.
• White Island requires a longer swim: There is no tender boat, so a guide swims with a life ring to help you reach the island.
• Premium price with one caution: The service and comfort can justify the cost, but the boat condition and lunch menu may not always match the high-end promise.

Why this cruise costs $117

At $117, this is not the cheapest way to see the Red Sea. You are paying for hotel transport, entry to Ras Mohamed National Park, a full day aboard a large boat, snorkel equipment, lunch, drinks, snacks, and staff support. If you only want a quick swim from a basic boat, cheaper trips may suit you better.

I see the price making more sense if you value comfort between stops. The Bella boat has three floors, so you are not stuck in one crowded sitting area all day. You can stretch out on a sun lounger, sit in shade, cool off in an air-conditioned salon, or eat indoors. That flexibility matters on an eight-hour outing.

The service is another part of the price. Drinks and snacks are available throughout the day, and waiter service is offered on the sun deck. You do not have to keep walking below deck every time you want something to drink.

Still, I would book with realistic expectations. One trip was described as an older, tired boat rather than the polished VIP vessel shown in the sales description. Other trips found the boat clean and beautiful, so condition may vary by departure or by personal expectation. If the word VIP makes you expect a new yacht and a private group, this may disappoint you.

Getting from Sharm to the marina

Hotel pickup is included from hotels in Sharm El Sheikh. The boat leaves the marina at about 8:30 am, but the first part of the morning may feel less polished than the rest of the day.

The marina can be busy and confusing, with limited English explanation at the start. I would keep your phone, passport, and booking details close, and allow a little patience while you find the right meeting point. Once you are aboard, the mood becomes much calmer and the crew takes over.

Bring your passport, or a copy if accepted for your booking, along with swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The sun deck is a major part of the experience, but it also means you will spend long stretches exposed to strong sun. Reapply sunscreen after getting out of the water, even if a breeze makes the heat feel mild.

The listed duration is eight hours. Starting times can vary, so check the exact pickup details before you leave your hotel.

Three floors that make the day easier

The Bella boat is designed for a full day at sea, not just a short ride to a reef. The top deck has lounge chairs and open space, making it the natural place to stretch out during the cruise.

The middle deck offers shaded seating. This is useful when you want fresh air but need a break from direct sun. Families and people who tire easily may appreciate being able to move between the levels instead of choosing between heat and an enclosed room.

Two salon and dining decks are air-conditioned and furnished for meals or quiet time. I like this setup because a Red Sea boat day includes plenty of time when you are not in the water. You can enjoy the ride, eat lunch indoors, and cool down before the next stop.

The boat also has a lower rear deck for entering the sea. That detail is important for anyone who feels unsure about jumping from a high side platform. You can use the lower access point, put on a life jacket, and enter with more control.

The strongest praise goes to the crew. Service was described as attentive, friendly, and calm, with staff checking on people during the water activities. The boat was also found clean and well organized on several outings, though the older-boat criticism is worth keeping in mind.

Ras Mohamed: the main reef day

Ras Mohamed National Park is the heart of this cruise. It is known for coral reefs and varied Red Sea marine life, and the boat makes three water stops in the park area.

You receive a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. You can also bring your own equipment if you prefer a familiar fit. Guides give safety instructions before the water activities and remain with the group in the water.

That supervision is especially useful if you are not a strong swimmer. Staff can support you with a life ring, and the life jacket is available at every stop. One particularly reassuring detail is that a guide may tow or support you if you struggle, rather than leaving you to manage alone.

You should not expect unlimited freedom to swim anywhere you like. The guide may keep the group together, and one recent outing included waiting while scuba participants finished their activity. If you want constant, independent snorkeling with no pauses, the organized format may feel restrictive.

For most people, the tradeoff is sensible. You get help locating the best reef sections and someone nearby if conditions or confidence become a problem. Stay close to the guide, listen to the instructions, and treat the safety rules as part of the day rather than an interruption.

White Island and the long swim

White Island is the most distinctive stop, but it also requires a little more effort. There is no tender boat taking you from the main vessel to the island, so you swim the distance.

The water can look inviting, yet the swim is fairly long for anyone who is not comfortable in open water. A guide accompanies the group with a life ring and can tow or support you. You can also wear a life jacket, which removes much of the pressure to swim continuously.

I would treat this stop as an important planning point. If you are nervous, tell the crew before entering the water. If you tire easily, stay beside the guide and use the ring when needed. The staff’s supportive approach makes the stop accessible, but it does not change the fact that you must cover the distance through the water.

For confident swimmers, White Island adds variety to the day. You are not simply looking at coral from beside the boat. You are making a longer swim to a separate spot, which gives the outing a stronger sense of adventure without requiring special skill.

Stingray Station and the marine life

Stingray Station is the third named stop. Along with the other Ras Mohamed locations, it gives you several chances to see coral and fish rather than relying on one short water session.

The Red Sea is the reason to book this trip. The coral and marine life are the main event, and the time in the water can include colorful reef formations and a variety of fish. One outing described the fish seen during snorkeling and scuba activities as exceptional.

The quality of your experience will depend on water conditions, visibility, and how closely the group follows the guide. The boat’s staff know the stop locations and manage the group, but no cruise can guarantee that every species will appear or that every stop will feel identical.

Bring an underwater camera if you have one, but consider the cost of the boat’s own photographer. A photographer works aboard the cruise and was praised for friendly service and strong pictures. The catch is that the photos can be expensive, so decide in advance how much you are willing to spend.

Lunch, drinks, and the advertised seafood

Lunch is served aboard the boat and is intended to be a full meal rather than a boxed picnic. The menu can include seafood, fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, soup, and seasonal fruit.

The onboard kitchen is said to follow strict hygiene rules and use fresh market products. The practical benefit is simple: you can eat soon after returning from the water, rather than waiting until the boat reaches shore.

Drinks and snacks are available during the day, including hot and cold drinks. That makes the cruise easier in the heat, especially if you are spending long periods on the sun deck.

There is one important menu warning. Fish was advertised but was not available on one recent trip, while lunch was still considered good overall. If fish is essential to your meal, ask the crew what is being served before you board or as soon as lunch preparations begin. Pescatarians should not assume that the advertised fish option will appear every time.

The menu includes chicken and kofta as well as seafood, so it is not designed only for people who eat fish. The mix should work for groups with different tastes, provided everyone is comfortable with the available selection on the day.

Safety for nervous swimmers

This is one of the best reasons to consider the cruise. The guides give safety briefings before snorkeling and remain nearby during the water sessions. Life jackets are provided, and a low rear deck makes entry easier.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part. The crew can guide you with a life ring, and support is available at each stop. That does not mean you should ignore your own limits. Tell the guide if you are nervous, stay with the group, and use the life jacket from the start rather than waiting until you feel tired.

The organized approach may bother strong swimmers who want to range far from the group. The guide can stop you from continuing during certain periods, including times when scuba participants are finishing their activity. In exchange, you get a more controlled outing with staff watching the water activity.

For families, older adults, and first-time snorkelers, that trade is likely worthwhile. The crew’s steady presence was one of the most praised parts of the day.

Languages, access, and who will enjoy it

Instruction is available in Arabic, English, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian. That broad language coverage can make the safety briefing easier to follow, especially when you are using unfamiliar equipment.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the boat includes several decks and sea access. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical boarding and movement arrangements before booking. The listing confirms accessibility, but it does not provide detailed information about ramps or transfer assistance.

I think this cruise suits you best if you want:

• Several reef stops in one day
• A large boat with indoor and outdoor seating
• Help in the water rather than completely independent snorkeling
• Lunch and drinks included
• A comfortable option for a mixed group of swimmers and non-swimmers

You may prefer another trip if you want a small private boat, a brand-new vessel, or complete freedom to snorkel without waiting for other activities.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Sharm schedule may change.

Pickup is included from hotels in Sharm El Sheikh. Bring your passport or an accepted copy, plus swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Snorkel gear and life jackets are included, though you can bring your own mask and fins if you prefer them.

Should you book the Bella cruise?

I would book this cruise if comfort, staff support, and a full day of reef stops matter more to you than finding the lowest price. The three-floor boat gives you room to change your surroundings, the food and drinks reduce the need to plan anything else, and the guides make the water activities approachable for less confident swimmers.

I would pause if you are paying the $117 price mainly for a luxury boat. The boat condition has not felt equally impressive on every outing, and the advertised fish may not be served. Ask about the day’s lunch and set your expectations at premium day trip rather than private yacht.

For most people who want an easy Red Sea snorkeling day from Sharm, this is a strong choice. The best reason to go is not the word VIP. It is the combination of Ras Mohamed reefs, White Island, Stingray Station, attentive crew, and a boat that gives you somewhere comfortable to sit between swims.

FAQ

How long is the snorkeling cruise?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, the boat journey, lunch, and the three snorkeling stops.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat departs from the marina at about 8:30 am. Check the exact pickup time for your hotel before the day begins.

Which places are included in the route?

The cruise includes stops at Ras Mohamed National Park, White Island, and Stingray Station.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The cruise includes a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. You may also bring your own snorkeling equipment.

Can a nervous swimmer join?

Yes. Guides provide safety instructions, life jackets are available at every stop, and a guide can accompany you with a life ring. White Island involves a longer swim because there is no tender boat.

What food is served for lunch?

The listed menu includes seafood, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit. The exact selection may vary, and fish was not available on one recent outing.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included from hotels in Sharm El Sheikh.