From Sharm: Ras Muhammed & White Island By Boat & intro Dive

The Red Sea steals the show. This full-day boat trip from Sharm El Sheikh combines Ras Muhammad National Park, White Island, snorkeling, a short beginner scuba session, and lunch for $43 per person. I especially like the calm, patient instructors, including Mohammed and Arabi, and the friendly guides such as Abanoub, Emad, Bishoy, and Ziad.

I also like the amount packed into the day: several water stops, an open buffet lunch, soft drinks, hotel transport, and the chance to see coral and fish from both the surface and below it. The main consideration is time. This can be a long day, with some departures leaving the hotel around 7:30 am and returns close to 7 pm. Extra scuba time and underwater photos cost more.

The important points at a glance

• A beginner-friendly first scuba experience: A short 10 to 15-minute session is included, with an instructor assisting you closely in the water.
• Ras Muhammad and White Island in one day: You get several swim stops, though White Island itself may be a brief visit.
• Friendly, attentive staff: Guides and instructors are repeatedly praised for clear instructions, patience, and safety checks.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The boat serves a buffet meal, with water and soft drinks available during the trip.
• Budget price, optional extras: The $43 cost is strong value, but snorkeling equipment, photos, and longer scuba sessions may require additional payment.
• Bring your own towel and passport copy: Pickup is from the hotel’s main gate, and you should keep a passport copy on your phone for boarding.

Setting out from Sharm El Sheikh

Your day begins with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is from outside the main hotel gate, not the reception entrance, and the exact time depends on where you are staying. The operator confirms the time and your room number the day before, which helps avoid confusion at large resort entrances.

Allow for a small delay of up to 10 minutes. In practice, some people are collected around 7:30 am, while the boat may not leave port until after 9 am. The departure time is also linked to approval from the Army, so the stated 9 to 9:30 am start is not guaranteed to the minute.

At the harbor, you are directed to your yacht, given information about the day, and prepared for the trip. Keep a copy of your passport on your phone, as this is required for boarding. It is a small detail, but forgetting it could create an avoidable problem at the port.

The boat ride to the first site can be long. One reported schedule included about an hour and a half on the water before reaching the first stop. That travel time is part of the day, not a short transfer between activities, so bring a light layer for the wind and do not expect the whole outing to feel like nonstop swimming.

What Ras Muhammad adds to the day

Ras Muhammad National Park is the main reason to book this trip. The Red Sea here is known for clear water, coral formations, and many kinds of fish. Visibility can depend on weather and wind, but the conditions described by the guests were strong enough for colorful coral, plenty of fish, and enjoyable surface swimming.

The schedule usually includes two or three water stops. The exact order and number depend on wind direction and weather, so you need to stay flexible. At each stop, the snorkeling guide asks you to remain with the group in the water. That is good advice, especially for anyone who is not a confident swimmer or who is unfamiliar with boat-based snorkeling.

The first site may receive around two hours, giving you time to snorkel, take turns with the scuba activity, and relax on deck. The second location can be only a short boat ride away, with roughly 30 minutes in the water. This makes the first stop the more important one, so have your mask, fins, and swimwear ready when the crew tells you to get prepared.

The water activities are the strongest part of the trip. Several people described seeing striking coral and many fish, while one group even spotted dolphins on the return journey. That kind of sighting is never guaranteed, but it shows why the boat ride can be worthwhile even when the schedule feels lengthy.

Your first scuba session, from nerves to coral

The included beginner session lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. Before entering the water, an instructor explains the equipment, safety rules, and basic signals. The staff then assists you closely rather than leaving you to manage the equipment alone.

This is especially useful if you are nervous, do not swim confidently, or have never tried scuba before. Mohammed, Arabi, and other instructors received particular praise for keeping beginners calm and checking that they understood the instructions. Some people described being paired one-to-one with an experienced instructor, although the exact arrangement may depend on the group and the crew.

You should expect this included session to be an introduction, not a full certification course or a long underwater expedition. Ten to 15 minutes passes quickly once you are settled. Still, it is enough time to experience breathing underwater, look at coral, and decide if you want to pay for more time.

Longer sessions and additional scuba stops are optional extras. Some people paid to extend the session to 20 or 30 minutes, while others chose a second session at another site. The crew appears to explain these options before you agree, but you should ask for the exact price before handing over money.

The extra time may be worthwhile if the underwater part is your main reason for booking. If you mainly want snorkeling and a boat outing, the included session may be enough. I would decide before the trip how much you are willing to spend, since the beauty of the water can make an extra session tempting once you are already in the mood.

Snorkeling equipment needs a careful check

The information provided is inconsistent about snorkeling equipment. The included list mentions scuba gear, while the exclusions say snorkeling equipment is not included. A specific report states that snorkeling equipment cost 200 Egyptian pounds per person.

For that reason, confirm the mask and fins arrangement before boarding. If you own a comfortable mask and snorkel, bringing them may be sensible. A poor-fitting mask can spoil an otherwise excellent swim, and repeatedly adjusting it in the water is no fun.

The professional snorkeling guide is included, and you are expected to follow the guide during each stop. You can still enjoy time on the boat if you do not want to snorkel, and the scuba session is optional as part of the broader activity choice.

White Island is beautiful, but the visit is short

White Island is reached after the water stops and lunch, although the order can change with conditions. The island is a bright, shallow stretch of sand and water that gives you a different kind of Red Sea experience. One person especially enjoyed swimming out to it, while others found the scenery more beautiful than expected.

Do not picture a long island walk or a full afternoon ashore. Some schedules allow only about 20 minutes on White Island. Much of the day is spent traveling by boat, snorkeling, and taking meals, so the island is best treated as a memorable short stop rather than the central activity.

The shallow water and clean setting make it a good place for photos. The photographer may offer pictures from the island as well as underwater images. Again, ask the price first. Some people liked the photos, but several felt the photo packages were expensive, with one report putting a package of 15 to 20 images and two videos at about £45.

Lunch, soft drinks, and life on the boat

Lunch is served as a buffet on the boat, usually around the White Island portion of the route. The meal includes meat, salads, and several filling side dishes such as pasta, potatoes, and rice. The exact selection may vary, but the general setup is casual and plentiful.

Food opinions were mostly positive. Some people called it delicious and went back for seconds or thirds. Others found the choice limited and would have preferred a more obvious barbecue meal. I would set your expectations at a practical boat buffet rather than a restaurant lunch.

Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. Coke and Sprite were specifically noted, which is useful on a hot day when you need regular drinks between swims. Bring strong sunscreen and apply it often. Sun reflects off the water, and a long boat ride can leave you more exposed than a day at the beach.

You should bring your own towel and swimwear. Towels are not provided. A light warm layer is also useful for the ride back, since the wind can feel cool after you leave the water.

The crew makes the difference

The most praised feature is the staff. Abanoub and Abanop are mentioned as kind, attentive guides who regularly checked on people. Emad was praised for answering questions and keeping the day organized. Bishoy, Ahmed Araby, Ziad, Maged, and several members of the dive team also received warm comments.

That matters because a boat trip with first-time scuba participants can easily feel rushed or confusing. Here, the guides explain the program, repeat the safety rules, and help people who are anxious. Several people said they felt safe because instructors stayed close and checked their comfort in the water.

The crew also works with an international group. Support is available in English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic. Communication can still take time when many people are boarding and preparing equipment, but the multilingual setup is helpful for a mixed group.

The staff may offer paid extras, including longer scuba sessions and photo packages. This is normal for this type of outing, but you should not feel that you must buy them. The additional activities are optional, and the base trip still includes the main water stops, lunch, drinks, and transport.

Is $43 good value?

At $43 per person, this is a strong package if you want a full day on the Red Sea without arranging transport, food, and equipment separately. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a yacht trip, three swim stops, a beginner scuba session, lunch, drinks, and scuba equipment are included.

The value is best for people who want variety. You can snorkel, try scuba, swim toward White Island, eat on board, and spend time relaxing on the yacht. If you only want a short swim near Sharm, this trip may be more than you need.

The price becomes less simple if you add everything available. Snorkeling equipment may cost extra, and longer scuba sessions and photos are charged separately. One couple reported spending about $100 beyond the booking price, though those choices were voluntary. Confirm each extra before agreeing, and carry a spending limit that suits you.

The long day is the other cost. You may leave early, wait at the port, spend a long time reaching the first site, and return close to dinner. That is reasonable for a national park and island boat trip, but it is not a quick half-day outing.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this trip if you want to try scuba for the first time but do not want to commit to a full course. The careful instructors and short session give you a gentle introduction, and you can pay for more time only if you enjoy it.

It also suits couples, families with older children if they meet the operator’s requirements, and groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can try scuba, and others can enjoy the boat, food, and island stop.

Confident certified scuba enthusiasts may find the included session too brief. You would need to arrange additional time, and this is still a mixed activity outing rather than a specialist scuba charter.

I would hesitate if you dislike long boat rides, need a quiet small-group experience, or want a long stay on White Island. The day is active, exposed to weather, and shaped by the needs of a large mixed group.

Practical advice before you go

• Confirm your pickup time and room number the day before.
• Wait outside the main hotel gate, not at reception.
• Keep a passport copy on your phone for boarding.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, strong sunscreen, and a light layer.
• Ask whether snorkeling equipment is included, since the information is not consistent.
• Decide in advance how much you want to spend on extra scuba time and photos.
• Follow the snorkeling guide at each water stop.
• Expect the day to run from early morning into the evening.

Should you book it?

For $43, I think this is a worthwhile choice for a first Red Sea boat outing, especially if you want to combine snorkeling and a short scuba session. The instructors and guides are the strongest reason to choose it, with Mohammed, Arabi, Abanoub, Emad, Bishoy, and Ziad repeatedly singled out for patience and care.

Book it if you value a full schedule and do not mind a long day. Skip it if you want a short, quiet trip or dislike optional sales for photos and extra time. Confirm the snorkeling equipment charge before you go, set a budget for extras, and you will know exactly what you are paying for.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour operates from Sharm El Sheikh in South Sinai, Egypt, and visits Ras Muhammad National Park and White Island.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $43 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Pickup takes place outside the main hotel gate, not at the reception entrance.

What time does pickup take place?

The time depends on your hotel location. You should confirm the exact pickup time one day before the trip, and a delay of up to 10 minutes may occur.

Is a beginner scuba session included?

Yes. The package includes one introductory session lasting about 10 to 15 minutes, with instructor assistance.

Can I pay for a longer scuba session?

Yes. Longer sessions and additional scuba activities are available for an extra charge. Confirm the price before agreeing.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The information is not consistent. The exclusions state that snorkeling equipment is not included, and one reported charge was 200 Egyptian pounds per person. Confirm the arrangement before boarding.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served on the boat, and water and soft drinks are available during the trip.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, strong sunscreen, and a light layer for the boat ride. Keep a copy of your passport on your phone for boarding.