From Sharm: Luxury Diving cruise to Ras Mohammed with Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the reason to book this trip: its clear Red Sea water gives you a good look at coral gardens and marine life without needing a full-day expedition. From Sharm El Sheikh, you ride to the marina, board a yacht, and spend most of the day at sea inside the national park.

I like the choice between one or two guided scuba sessions, which makes the outing workable for beginners and experienced swimmers alike. I also like the long surface break, with snacks, drinks, and time to snorkel rather than rushing from one activity to the next.

The main concern is clarity over what you have paid for. Equipment, snorkeling gear, and the 5 euro marina fee may be optional add-ons, and some bookings have led to confusion over the number and length of underwater sessions. Confirm every inclusion before departure.

Key points at a glance

• Ras Mohammed by yacht: Spend about three and a half hours in the national park, with time for snorkeling, underwater sessions, lunch, and marine-life viewing.
• One or two sessions: Beginners receive an introduction of up to 15 minutes, while experienced participants usually spend about 40 minutes underwater.
• A real surface break: The roughly 90-minute interval gives you time to eat light snacks, drink, rest, or snorkel.
• Shared pickup from Sharm: Your bus usually collects you about an hour before departure, with the exact time sent by WhatsApp 24 hours ahead.
• Good value at $54: The price covers transport, lunch, drinks, instruction, and the boat trip, but check add-ons before comparing the final cost.
• A few practical cautions: Stay close to the group in the water, confirm your selected option, and treat underwater photo packages as optional extras.

Why Ras Mohammed makes this six-hour trip worthwhile

Ras Mohammed National Park is one of the best reasons to leave Sharm El Sheikh by boat. The trip takes you away from the resort shoreline and into clearer open water, where coral formations and fish are the main event.

You do not need to be an experienced scuba participant to take part. The introduction session for beginners lasts up to 15 minutes and is conducted with a professional instructor. That format suits someone who wants a first look below the surface but does not want to commit to a full certification-style session.

If you already have experience, the underwater time is usually around 40 minutes per session. You can select one or two sessions, and the second option gives you a better chance to see two different parts of the park. One booking account also describes a visit to White Island, though this is not guaranteed in the supplied trip details, so do not book solely for that stop.

The main appeal is the combination of access and simplicity. You get hotel pickup, a boat ride, an instructor, food, and drinks in one half-day outing. At $54 per person, that is a fair starting price for Sharm, especially if your chosen package includes the equipment and marina charge.

From the hotel to the Sharm marina

Pickup is by shared bus from your hotel reception. The drive to the marina is listed at about 35 minutes, though your total morning may begin roughly an hour before the boat leaves because other pickups are involved.

You receive the exact pickup time through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip. Keep your phone active and check the message carefully. The advertised start time is not necessarily the time you leave your hotel.

At the diving center, you complete paperwork and get fitted for equipment. This is the moment to settle any uncertainty about your booking. Ask clearly:

• How many underwater sessions are included?
• Is equipment included in your selected option?
• Is the marina entrance charge already paid?
• Is snorkeling equipment included?
• What time does the boat return?

That short check can save an argument later. The 5 euro marina entrance fee is mandatory. It may be paid on arrival or added before checkout, depending on the option you choose.

The 1.5-hour sail to the national park

Once aboard, the boat heads toward Ras Mohammed. The outward sailing portion is listed at about 1.5 hours, giving you time to settle in, watch the South Sinai coast recede, and organize your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and camera.

This is not just transport between two points. The boat ride is part of the day, and you should expect open-water movement, sun, wind, and a fair amount of waiting between activities. Bring protection for the sun and keep valuables simple.

The boat offers unlimited drinks, along with light snacks during the surface interval. Lunch comes later. Food quality is not perfectly consistent in the available feedback. One person found the meal delicious, while another found the food and drinks disappointing. I would treat lunch as useful fuel rather than the main reason to book.

Your first look below the surface

At the first site, the instructor explains the basic procedure and helps you enter the water. For a beginner, the session can last up to 15 minutes. That is enough for a first taste, but it is not a long underwater tour.

The instructor’s role matters most here. A good introduction keeps you calm, controls the pace, and helps you focus on breathing and the coral scenery instead of wrestling with unfamiliar equipment. The strongest praise for this experience centers on instructors being kind, patient, and attentive, including one account where the instructor guided the participant by the hand throughout the session.

Experienced participants receive about 40 minutes underwater on average. You can expect coral reefs, fish, and other Red Sea marine life, but exact sightings depend on conditions, visibility, and the site used that day. The instruction is available in English, Russian, Italian, and German.

Remember the national park rule: do not touch marine life. Coral can be damaged easily, and even harmless-looking creatures should be left alone. Your best underwater photographs will usually come from moving slowly and keeping your hands off the reef.

The 90-minute rest period

After the first session, the boat pauses for about 90 minutes. This is one of the better features of the schedule because it gives your body and attention a proper break.

Use the interval to drink water, eat a snack, dry off, or sit in the shade if the boat provides it. You can also snorkel during this period. Non-scuba participants are welcome to use the snorkeling option, though snorkeling equipment may need to be selected as an add-on.

The break also makes the trip workable for mixed groups. One person can take an introductory underwater session while another sticks to snorkeling. If you are booking for a family or a couple with different comfort levels, this flexibility matters more than having every person follow the same plan.

Do not spend the entire interval in the water. Rest between sessions, keep an eye on the group, and listen for instructions about the next departure into the sea.

The second site and second session

If you select two underwater sessions, the boat moves to a second site after the surface interval. The setting may offer a different view of the reef and another chance to see fish and other creatures close to the coral.

The second session is especially useful for experienced participants who want more underwater time. For beginners, it may be worth choosing two only if you feel comfortable after the first. You can reportedly add more sessions through available add-ons, but the number included should be settled before you pay.

Pay attention to the clock and the guide’s instructions. Some complaints connected to this type of outing involve uncertainty about the number of sessions or their duration. Keep a copy of your booking details on your phone, and show it at the center before boarding if anything seems unclear.

There is also a safety lesson here. Stay close to your group, keep your buddy nearby, and do not drift away while filming. Currents can separate you from the boat quickly, even when you are only a short distance away. If you are not a strong swimmer, this is not the right activity for you.

Lunch, drinks, and the ride home

Lunch is served aboard the boat during the park portion of the trip. It is included, as are unlimited drinks. The meal gives you a chance to refuel before the return journey, but expectations should remain modest. This is a working boat lunch, not a restaurant meal.

The return sailing takes about an hour before you reach Sharm. That is a good time to sit back, dry out, and enjoy the coast from the water. After returning to the marina, the shared bus takes you back to your hotel area.

The entire experience lasts about six hours. The timing is long enough to feel like a proper day on the Red Sea, but short enough to fit beside other Sharm plans. If you have a late flight, confirm the return timing before booking. The published duration is an estimate, and shared transport can add waiting time.

What the $54 price really covers

At $54, this is priced as an accessible group boat trip rather than a private charter. The value is strongest when your selected package includes:

• Hotel pickup
• Professional instruction
• Boat transport to Ras Mohammed
• Lunch
• Unlimited drinks
• One or two underwater sessions
• Equipment, if selected
• Marina entry, if selected

The important words are if selected. The basic advertised price may not cover every item you need. Equipment, snorkeling gear, and the mandatory 5 euro marina fee can appear as separate choices or charges.

Compare the final checkout total, not only the headline price. A cheaper-looking option can lose its advantage once you add equipment and entry fees. Still, for a six-hour trip with food, transport, instruction, and access to Ras Mohammed, the base price is competitive.

Personal expenses are not included. The most obvious extra to watch is underwater photography. Photo and video packages can be offered during the outing, and the reported prices have been high enough to cause frustration. You can simply decline, and I would avoid agreeing until you know the exact price and what the package contains.

Who should book this outing

This trip suits you if you want a first underwater experience without arranging a separate instructor and boat. It also works well for experienced participants who prefer a simple two-site day with transport handled from Sharm.

It is particularly useful for groups with mixed interests. Scuba participants can take one or two sessions, while non-scuba participants can snorkel and enjoy the boat. The language range also helps international groups, with instruction offered in English, Russian, Italian, and German.

You should not book if you are a non-swimmer or have back, heart, or respiratory problems. The activity involves boat movement, entering the water, swimming, and wearing equipment. If you have a medical concern, get professional medical advice before booking rather than relying on the short activity description.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, snacks, and a camera. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, but do not let filming distract you from the guide or group.

How to avoid the common frustrations

The underwater scenery is the reason to go, but a little preparation will improve the day.

First, take a screenshot of your selected booking option. Confirm the number of sessions and whether each one is an introduction or an experienced session. Do this before leaving the center.

Second, ask about the marina fee and equipment before boarding. If you need snorkeling gear, confirm that it is included rather than assuming it comes with the boat trip.

Third, keep your belongings together and your phone charged. The exact pickup time arrives by WhatsApp, and you may need your booking information at the center.

Fourth, stay with the group in the water. Do not separate to take photographs, even if the boat appears close. If the current pulls you away, signal immediately and follow the crew’s instructions.

Finally, decide in advance how you will handle photo sales. You can enjoy the outing without buying a package. Ask the price first, and do not feel pressured by a sales pitch at the end.

Is this Ras Mohammed trip worth booking?

I would book it if you want a reasonably priced, guided day on the Red Sea and you understand that the experience is a group boat outing, not a private luxury cruise. The strongest reasons to go are the park setting, the choice of one or two sessions, the patient professional instruction, and the useful 90-minute break.

I would be more cautious if you dislike add-on charges or expect a polished meal and flawless organization. Confirm the inclusions in writing, budget for the 5 euro marina fee if it is not prepaid, and keep your expectations sensible about lunch and photographs.

For a first underwater experience from Sharm, this is a practical choice. For a seasoned participant, select two sessions only after confirming the time and equipment included. If those details are clear, $54 can buy a satisfying half-day in one of the Red Sea’s best-known marine areas.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed boat trip last?

The activity lasts about six hours, including hotel pickup, the boat ride, time in Ras Mohammed National Park, lunch, and the return to Sharm El Sheikh.

How many underwater sessions can I choose?

You can select a single or double session. Beginners receive an introduction of up to 15 minutes, while experienced participants usually spend about 40 minutes per session.

Can non-scuba participants join?

Yes. Non-scuba participants can use the snorkeling option. Snorkeling equipment may need to be selected as an add-on, so confirm this before payment.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

The mandatory marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person. It can be paid on arrival or prepaid through an add-on, depending on your selected option.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in English, Russian, Italian, and German.

What happens during the break between sessions?

The surface interval lasts about 90 minutes. You can rest on the boat, have light snacks and drinks, or snorkel before the boat moves to the next site.