Sharm El Sheikh: Luxury boat Cruise with Snorkeling & Lunch

Ras Muhammad National Park is the main event here: clear Red Sea water, coral reefs, and plenty of time to get in for a look. I especially like the combination of two reef swims and a stop at sandy White Island, since you are not stuck doing one short snorkel and then heading home. The open buffet lunch and sea views add useful comfort to a long day afloat.

I also like the low starting price of $35 per person, though the final cost depends on extras such as hotel transport, snorkeling gear, the marina fee, and an introductory scuba session. The main caution is crowding. Boats can gather around popular reefs, and choppy water has made some outings less relaxing. One guest described the day as chaotic and chose not to enter the water, so check conditions and be honest about your comfort level.

Key points to know before booking

• Ras Muhammad is the star stop: Expect reef snorkeling with a professional guide near the southern tip of Sinai.
• White Island depends on the tide: The sandy stop is planned, but it is not guaranteed in every condition.
• The day lasts about seven hours: Shared hotel pickup can begin roughly 60 to 90 minutes before departure.
• Lunch is a full buffet: Rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, fish, soft drinks, and sea views are included.
• Scuba is an add-on: You can choose one or two introductory sessions, depending on the option booked.
• Crowding and wind matter: Choppy water and many boats can affect how enjoyable the snorkeling feels.

Setting out from Watanya Marina

You can meet the boat at the Egypt Sunmarine Fleet center inside Watanya Marina in Sharm El Sheikh. Look for an operations team member, usually wearing a yellow shirt, and show your ticket. If you select hotel pickup, a shared bus collects you around one to one and a half hours before the boat departure, depending on your hotel’s location.

That early pickup window is worth noting when you plan your day. A hotel near the marina may have a shorter wait, while a farther hotel can mean a long morning before you even reach the boat. You receive the exact pickup time through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

There is also a mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 per person. You can pay it when you arrive or prepay it as an add-on. This is not a large charge, but it changes the advertised $35 starting price, so check the selected option carefully before you book.

The cruise is described as taking place on a comfortable yacht, with a return to Watanya Marina at the end. The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You get Red Sea views, open air, and a break from Sharm’s resort streets. The return sail takes about an hour, giving you a quiet finish after the water activities.

Ras Muhammad and the first reef swim

Ras Muhammad National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Its reefs are the reason to choose this trip over a basic boat outing near the resort. The park visit lasts several hours, with time for snorkeling, lunch, and another swim.

A professional snorkeling guide leads the first reef session. That support is useful if you are new to snorkeling, unsure about the water, or want help spotting fish and coral. You can also rent snorkeling or scuba equipment if your chosen package does not already include it.

The first swim is likely the part of the day you will remember most. The water is described as pristine, with coral reefs and colorful fish. Still, keep your expectations sensible. One experienced guest felt that heavy boat traffic had reduced the color and fish activity around the reefs. This is a popular area, not a private patch of sea.

The number of boats can affect your comfort as much as the reef itself. When the water is calm, the stop can feel easy and pleasant. With strong wind or choppy water, getting in and staying relaxed takes more effort. A recent guest specifically praised Mohammed for looking after people in rough water, which is a useful reminder to stay close to the guide and follow the crew’s instructions.

You should also avoid touching coral, standing on the reef, or feeding fish. Feeding animals is not allowed, and keeping your hands and fins clear protects both you and the reef.

White Island, shallow water, and a change of pace

White Island offers a different kind of stop. Instead of spending the whole day beside the yacht, you can walk onto soft sand, take photographs, relax in the sun, and snorkel in the shallow water around the island.

This is a welcome change after the first reef session. You can swim again without feeling that every minute must be spent looking below the surface. If you prefer a slower day, White Island gives you space to sit, dry off, and enjoy the Red Sea scenery.

The stop is tide dependent. That means it may not be available exactly as planned, and you should not book this trip solely for the promise of a sandy beach. When conditions allow, it is one of the outing’s most appealing features, especially for people who want more than a series of boat ladders and reef swims.

The schedule allows about three hours around White Island for swimming, snorkeling, and refreshments. That is a generous block of time, but the actual balance between activities can depend on sea conditions and the group. Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and beachwear. The sun can feel strong even when the wind keeps the air cool.

Lunch on board after the water activities

After the snorkeling and swimming, you return to the yacht for an open buffet lunch. The spread includes rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish, along with soft drinks. You eat while looking out over the sea, which makes a practical meal feel like part of the outing rather than a break from it.

Food matters on a seven-hour boat trip. You are active in the water, exposed to sun and wind, and away from the hotel for most of the day. A proper buffet is more useful than a small snack, especially if you choose the scuba add-on.

The food received strong praise in one German-language review, while another complaint concerned drinks that were expected but not provided. The included details specify soft drinks with lunch, but not unlimited drinks throughout the day. If refreshments are important to you, clarify exactly what your selected package includes before setting out.

Alcohol and drugs are not permitted. You should also bring your own water if you have particular preferences, since the listed meal details mention soft drinks but do not promise a wider selection.

Adding an introductory scuba session

You can upgrade the outing with one or two introductory scuba sessions. This is aimed at trying scuba for the first time rather than taking a full certification course. The activity information identifies one introductory session as an available add-on, while the highlights also refer to a two-session option.

The value depends on your goal. If you have always wanted to try scuba but do not want to commit to a full course, adding a session lets you sample the experience during the same boat trip. If snorkeling is enough for you, the base outing already provides two swims and access to the reef, so you may prefer to save the extra money.

Make sure you choose the correct option at booking. Equipment, the introductory scuba session, and snorkeling gear are not all included in every package. The safest approach is to treat the $35 price as a starting point, then check the exact inclusions and add-ons.

The second swim and return to Sharm

The schedule includes another swim at Ras Muhammad after lunch, with about an hour and a half set aside for the activity. This second chance is useful because conditions, confidence, and visibility can change during the day. If the first session feels rushed or rough, you may have a better opportunity later.

It also gives you flexibility. You can spend the first swim exploring more actively, then use the second for a shorter, easier dip. Or you can sit out one session and join the other, depending on your energy and the sea.

Afterward, the boat sails back toward Sharm El Sheikh for about an hour. At this point, the day may feel long, particularly if your hotel pickup was early. One guest liked nearly everything but felt the total day involved a lot of time for relatively short periods of driving and snorkeling. I would choose this trip for the full-day sea outing, not for a quick excursion between resort meals.

How much value do you get for $35?

At $35 per person, the base price is attractive for a seven-hour boat trip with Ras Muhammad, White Island when tides allow, lunch, and two planned water sessions. The price becomes stronger if your package includes transport and gear.

You need to watch the extras. The €5 marina entrance fee is mandatory. Hotel pickup and drop-off are tied to the selected option, and snorkeling gear may require an add-on. An introductory scuba session costs extra as well. Before paying, compare the final total rather than the headline price.

For many visitors, this is a good-value way to see Ras Muhammad without arranging a private boat. You trade privacy for a shared outing, and that trade is exactly where the possible weakness lies. Several boats may use the same reef area, and crowding can reduce the sense of calm. If you want a quiet, tailored day, a private charter may suit you better, though that is not the product being offered here.

The activity has an overall rating of 4 out of 5 from 22 reviews, which fits the mixed picture. The strongest praise goes to the friendly crew, professional attention, good food, and helpful care in windy conditions. The weaker points are crowding, occasional confusion, rough water, and a long day for the amount of actual snorkeling.

Who will enjoy this boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward Red Sea day with several ingredients in one booking: boat time, reef snorkeling, a sandy island stop, lunch, and an optional first scuba experience.

It suits couples, families, and groups with mixed interests because you can snorkel, swim, sit on the sand, eat, or simply enjoy the cruise. The live guide service is offered in English, German, and Russian. That can make instructions easier to follow, especially around the boat and water entry.

You should think twice if you dislike shared excursions, crowded reefs, or rough water. The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the available details do not explain the exact boarding or water-entry arrangements. If you use a wheelchair, contact the operator first and ask how boarding, deck movement, and the swimming stops are handled.

Bring a passport or a copy, sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Do not bring alcohol or drugs, and do not feed the fish. Comfortable swimwear and sun protection matter more than dressing up for the yacht.

Should you book the Ras Muhammad cruise?

Book it if you want good coverage for a modest price and understand that the day is shared, tide dependent, and affected by weather. The strongest reasons are the two chances to swim, the White Island stop, the buffet lunch, and the option to add an introductory scuba session without arranging a separate trip.

I would be cautious if your priority is solitude or untouched coral. Boat traffic can be heavy, and wind can make the sea uncomfortable. Check the final price, confirm whether transport and gear are included, and ask about the marina fee before you go.

For a first Red Sea outing from Sharm El Sheikh, this is a practical choice. Just treat it as an active group day at a popular marine site, not as a private escape.

FAQ

How long is the cruise experience?

The full activity lasts about seven hours. This includes transport arrangements, the boat trip, reef snorkeling, White Island, lunch, another swim, and the return to Sharm El Sheikh.

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.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the relevant option. Shared pickup usually takes place about 60 to 90 minutes before the trip, depending on your hotel location.

Is White Island guaranteed?

No. The White Island stop is subject to tide conditions. You can swim, snorkel, relax on the sand, and take photographs when the conditions allow.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if you select the option that contains it or add it separately. You can also rent snorkeling or scuba equipment.

Is scuba included in the base price?

No. An introductory scuba session is an optional add-on. The available options include one introductory session, with a two-session choice also mentioned.

What food is served?

Lunch is an open buffet with rice, pasta, salads, barbecue chicken, and fish. Soft drinks are served with the meal.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, German, and Russian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option allows you to keep your plans flexible and pay nothing at the time of booking.