From Sharm: Luxury Diving cruise to Ras Mohammed with Lunch

Ras Mohammed is where this six-hour outing earns its keep: you leave Sharm El Sheikh by boat, reach South Sinai’s famous marine park, and spend your day around coral reefs rather than hotel pools. Clear water and abundant sea life make this a good first taste of the Red Sea.

I like the choice between one and two underwater sessions, and I like that non-swimmers are not the target audience but non-divers can still snorkel. The professional instructors are often praised for staying close and helping beginners. The catch is that you must check exactly what your booking includes, especially equipment, the marina fee, and the number and length of sessions.

Key points to know before you book

• Ras Mohammed by yacht: Expect roughly 1.5 hours of sailing each way, with sea views along the route.
• One or two underwater sessions: Beginners get up to 15 minutes per session, while experienced divers generally spend about 40 minutes underwater.
• Snorkeling during the surface break: The roughly 90-minute pause includes light snacks, drinks, and time in the water.
• Lunch is served aboard: A buffet meal and unlimited drinks are included, though food quality may vary.
• Shared hotel pickup: Your exact collection time arrives by WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure, usually around one hour before the trip.
• Extra charges need attention: The mandatory marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person unless prepaid, and equipment may be an add-on.

Why Ras Mohammed makes this boat trip worthwhile

Ras Mohammed National Park sits at the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Red Sea offers some of Egypt’s most famous underwater scenery. The appeal is simple: clear water, coral formations, and a good chance to see plenty of marine life without arranging a multi-day liveaboard trip.

I like this outing because the boat ride gives you a change of pace from Sharm El Sheikh. The coast passes by while you settle into the day, and the water activities are spread across several hours rather than crammed into one rushed stop.

The trip is also flexible. Choose one scuba session if you want a gentle introduction, or two if the underwater part is your main reason for booking. Non-divers can use the snorkeling option, although the information provided specifically excludes non-swimmers and people with respiratory, heart, or back problems.

This is not a private yacht charter. You will share the boat, the instructor’s attention, and the snorkeling areas with other customers. One account described the park as crowded with other boats, particularly during the busier season. That is normal for a popular marine park, but it means you should not expect a quiet private encounter with the reef.

Leaving Sharm El Sheikh by shared bus

Pickup begins at your hotel reception in Sharm El Sheikh. The transfer is shared, and the drive to the diving center and marina takes about 35 minutes. Your exact time is sent through WhatsApp roughly 24 hours before departure, with pickup usually scheduled about an hour before the boat leaves.

That flexible pickup system is useful, but do not rely on the broad start time shown when you book. Keep your phone available the day before, and ask your hotel reception to help if you do not have reliable mobile service.

At the diving center, you complete the paperwork and get fitted for equipment. Equipment is listed as included only when selected through the relevant add-on, so check the price breakdown carefully. The same applies to snorkeling equipment.

The marina entrance fee is another small but important detail. It is 5 euros per person and may be paid on arrival or prepaid as an add-on. A low headline price can look less attractive once extras are added, so compare the final total rather than only the advertised 54-dollar price.

The 1.5-hour cruise to Ras Mohammed

Once aboard, the boat heads toward Ras Mohammed. The sailing portion takes about 1.5 hours, giving you time to enjoy the coast, find a place to sit, and prepare for the first water activity.

A six-hour schedule may sound long for one national park stop, but much of the value comes from the time at sea. You are not simply driven to a beach, given 20 minutes, and hurried back. The boat functions as your base for the day, with drinks, food, equipment, and a place to dry off between sessions.

Bring sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a camera. Snacks are also listed as useful to bring, even though light snacks and drinks are available during the surface interval. A waterproof camera can be worthwhile, but think carefully before paying for the operator’s photo package. One disappointed customer reported being asked for £120 for pictures and video they felt were poor value.

Your first underwater session

At the first site, the professional instructor explains the basics and helps you enter the water. If you are a beginner, the introduction session lasts up to 15 minutes. That is enough for a first look at the reef, but it is not a full certification-style scuba experience.

The instructor’s role matters here. Several positive accounts specifically praise the staff for being kind, calm, and attentive. One beginner described an instructor guiding and holding their hands throughout the session, which gives you a fair idea of the support available for nervous newcomers.

Experienced divers get about 40 minutes on average. The wording matters: that is an average, not a guaranteed underwater time. Conditions, your comfort, your air supply, and the selected package can affect the actual session.

You should also confirm the number of sessions before boarding. The number is selected in the trip option, and extra sessions can be added before checkout. Two recent complaints involved customers believing they had paid for two introduction sessions but needing to argue with staff before receiving what they expected. That kind of confusion can spoil an otherwise good day.

Take a screenshot of your booking and the exact inclusions. If your confirmation says one or two sessions, keep it accessible on your phone. This is not a glamorous tip, but it can save time at the marina.

The 90-minute surface interval

After the first session, the boat pauses for about 90 minutes. This is the day’s breathing space. You can sit on deck, have light snacks and drinks, or go snorkeling while the crew prepares for the next stop.

This break is valuable because repeated time in the water can be tiring, especially for beginners. Use it to warm up, drink water, and let your body settle before deciding how much more activity you want.

The snorkeling option also makes the trip workable for people who are not taking part in scuba sessions. You still get to see the reef and marine life, although non-swimmers are not suitable for this activity. Follow the crew’s instructions, remain with the group, and do not touch marine life.

One important safety point comes from a serious complaint about a participant becoming separated from the group near White Island while swimming back to the boat. Another vessel assisted before the original boat was reached. The account is disputed in its details, but the practical lesson is clear: stay close to the guide and boat, do not drift away while filming, and make sure the crew knows where you are.

The second site and White Island possibility

If you choose the two-session package, the boat continues to another location. Here you can expect another guided underwater session among coral and marine life. Some customers also visited White Island during the day, describing it as a beautiful extra stop.

White Island is not clearly guaranteed in the supplied schedule, so treat it as a possible part of the route rather than the main reason to book. If it appears in your plan, enjoy the change from reef viewing to open-water scenery, but follow instructions closely when swimming between the island and the boat.

The second session is where the two-session option earns its extra cost. You get another chance to adjust to the equipment, improve your breathing, and see a different underwater setting. For a beginner, the second attempt may feel much easier than the first because the initial nerves have passed.

For experienced divers, two sites provide more variety than staying in one location. Still, this is a day tour rather than a specialist expedition, and the exact underwater sites depend on the operator’s plan and conditions.

Lunch, drinks, and the return cruise

Lunch is served aboard the boat before the return to Sharm El Sheikh. It is described as a buffet, with unlimited drinks available during the trip. Some customers found the food delicious, while another report described both the meal and drinks as poor. I would treat the food as a convenient included meal, not a reason to choose this tour over another.

The return sailing takes about an hour. After the equipment, sun, and water, the ride back gives you a chance to dry off and watch the coast. Keep a towel and sunscreen within reach, since the boat deck can be exposed for much of the day.

Personal expenses are not included. The most obvious possible extra is the photo and video package, which can be expensive. You are under no obligation to buy it, so decide in advance what your photos are worth to you.

What the 54-dollar price really covers

At 54 dollars per person, this can be good value if your package includes the sessions you want, equipment, marina access, lunch, drinks, and hotel pickup. A full day at sea with access to Ras Mohammed costs more to arrange independently, and the instructor support is especially useful for beginners.

The value becomes less clear if you must add several extras. Check these points before paying:

• How many underwater sessions are included
• Whether scuba equipment is included
• Whether snorkeling equipment is included
• Whether the 5-euro marina fee is prepaid
• Whether the listed option is for a beginner introduction or an experienced session
• Whether any additional session is available as an add-on

The tour’s recorded rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 31 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience with a few important service concerns. The strongest praise focuses on friendly instructors, smooth timing, good organization, and the beauty of the underwater world. The sharpest criticism concerns unclear inclusions, short sessions, food quality, photo pricing, and group supervision.

That mix tells me the experience can be excellent when the booking details are clear and the crew runs the day well. It also tells me not to book on price alone.

Who should book this Ras Mohammed trip

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh and want a straightforward introduction to Red Sea scuba without committing to a longer program. It also suits experienced divers who want two guided sessions and prefer a boat-based day with lunch included.

It can work for a mixed group, since one person can choose scuba while another uses the snorkeling option. The boat ride and meal give non-participants something to do, but everyone should be comfortable around open water.

I would not choose it for non-swimmers, or for anyone with heart, respiratory, or back problems. You should also reconsider if you need a private boat, a guaranteed quiet reef, precise underwater timing, or a highly controlled photographic experience.

The language support is useful, with instructors available in English, Russian, Italian, and German. The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm how that applies to boarding and water activities before booking.

Simple ways to have a better day

Save your confirmation on your phone, including the number of sessions and any add-ons. Ask the diving center to confirm those details before you leave the marina.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and a camera, but protect your phone and valuables from spray. Drink regularly, use the surface interval to rest, and do not let filming pull you away from the group.

Most important, follow the instructor’s route and never touch the coral or marine life. The reef is the attraction, not a souvenir shop. A careful approach protects the park and keeps your own day safer.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the package details.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a reasonably priced, guided day on the Red Sea with hotel pickup, lunch, snorkeling, and a choice of one or two scuba sessions. The underwater scenery and supportive instructors are the main reasons to go.

Before paying, confirm every inclusion in writing, especially the marina fee, equipment, and session length. If you do that and keep your expectations realistic about shared boats, variable food, and possible photo sales, this can be a rewarding introduction to Ras Mohammed. If you want private service or guaranteed precision, spend more elsewhere.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed trip last?

The activity lasts about six hours. This includes hotel pickup, the boat journey, time at Ras Mohammed, water activities, lunch, and the return to Sharm El Sheikh.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is provided from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel by shared bus, usually around one hour before the trip. Your exact pickup time is sent by WhatsApp about 24 hours beforehand.

How long is the trip to Ras Mohammed by boat?

The outward sailing takes about 1.5 hours. The return boat journey takes about one hour.

How long is the scuba session for a beginner?

An introduction session for a beginner lasts up to 15 minutes. A session for a professional diver lasts around 40 minutes on average.

Can I choose one or two scuba sessions?

Yes. The number of sessions is selected through the trip option. Additional sessions may be available as add-ons before checkout, so check the exact package you choose.

Is snorkeling available for non-divers?

Yes. Snorkeling is offered for non-divers, and snorkeling equipment may be selected as an add-on. Non-swimmers are not considered suitable for this activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served aboard the boat, along with unlimited drinks. Personal expenses, including optional purchases such as photos and videos, are not included.