Sharm el-Sheikh: Ras Mohammed Elite VIP Cruise and BBQ Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the reason to book this cruise: the Red Sea’s clear water, coral gardens, and colorful fish are the main event, while the large boat gives you room to enjoy the day between swims. I especially like the comfortable top-deck loungers and the calm, polished feel, with no loud music reported on some trips. The lunch is another strong point, with shrimp, fish, chicken, kofta, salads, and hot sides prepared on board.

I also like the attentive water support. Guides such as Ahmed, Umar, and Mohamed have helped nervous swimmers feel safe, staying close in the water and using life buoys when needed. The main drawback is that transport can be disorganized, and the water may feel cold in winter. Also, confirm what drinks and snorkeling equipment are included before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Three Red Sea stops: Expect snorkeling in Ras Mohammed National Park, plus a visit to White Island.
• A roomy four-level boat: Sun loungers, shaded decks, and two air-conditioned salons give you space to spread out.
• Strong food offering: Lunch includes seafood, BBQ chicken, Egyptian kofta, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, soup, and fruit.
• Good help in the water: Guides support beginners and nervous swimmers, with life jackets available.
• Seven hours on the water: Pickup is roughly one hour before the 9:00 am departure, with return around 4:00 pm.
• Budget carefully: The listed price is $80 per person, but the $5 marina fee and optional snorkeling gear may cost extra.

Why this cruise works better than a basic boat trip

A day on the Red Sea can mean very different things in Sharm El Sheikh. Some boats pack people onto narrow decks with loud music and little shade. This cruise takes a more relaxed approach. You get four floors, two air-conditioned salons, a broad upper deck, and proper sun loungers with cushions.

That extra space matters. You are not snorkeling for seven straight hours. Much of the day is spent sailing, eating, drying off, or simply watching the sea. I like having a quiet place to sit after getting out of the water, especially if you are traveling with children or with someone who does not want to snorkel every time.

The atmosphere also appears calmer than the party-boat alternative. One trip was praised for having no loud music, which will appeal to you if the reef matters more than a DJ and a foam party. The boat still offers a social day, but the focus is comfort, food, and time in the water.

The experience is priced at $80 per person. That is not the cheapest Red Sea cruise, but the fare includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat, crew, buffet lunch, and guided snorkeling. You should add the mandatory $5 marina entrance fee unless you prepay it as an add-on. Snorkeling gear may also be an add-on, so check the booking choices carefully.

From Sharm El Sheikh to the marina

Pickup from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel normally takes place about an hour before the boat leaves. The exact time is sent by WhatsApp roughly 24 hours before the trip, so keep an eye on your phone and do not assume that 9:00 am is your hotel pickup time.

The road transfer to the marina takes about 25 minutes. This part has been less consistent than the boat itself. One account described a smooth morning transfer but a cramped return in a shared minivan. Another noted confusion before boarding. If you have paid for separate transport for up to four people, confirm exactly what that arrangement covers.

At the marina, you may need to pay the $5 entrance fee. It is a small amount compared with the total cost, but it is easy to overlook when comparing prices. Have swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and some dry clothing ready. You will be in the sun for much of the day, even when you are not in the water.

A comfortable boat with room to find your own spot

The boat is the strongest part of the experience apart from the reef. The upper deck has rows of padded loungers, and these are a real advantage if you want to sunbathe, read, or rest between stops. The upper level can be windy, particularly on the return to Sharm El Sheikh, so bring a light cover-up even on a hot day.

The deck below offers shade and tables. This is the useful middle ground: cooler than the sun deck, but still open to the sea. The two air-conditioned salons provide an indoor escape during lunch and a welcome place to cool off.

The layout also helps families and mixed groups. A confident swimmer can head out for each snorkeling session, while someone else can remain on board without feeling trapped in a cramped cabin. The boat is wheelchair accessible, although sea access is through a low rear platform, so you should confirm whether that setup meets your specific mobility needs before booking.

The service is another positive. Waiter service is advertised for unlimited hot and soft drinks throughout the day, with staff bringing drinks to your lounger. However, one account reported that only small cups of generic cola and lemonade were freely available, with other refreshments charged separately. That difference is important. Ask the crew what is included when you board.

The first Ras Mohammed snorkeling stop

The sailing time to Ras Mohammed National Park is listed at about two and a half hours. That sounds long, but it is part of the day rather than dead time. You can settle into the boat, watch the coast, have a drink, and choose your preferred deck before the swimming begins.

The first stop is designed to show you the coral reefs and fish that make Ras Mohammed famous. Expect a guided session of about 45 minutes in the water. The exact fish and animals are not fixed. You might see small reef fish, larger species, octopus, seahorses, turtles, manta rays, or dolphins, but none of these sightings is guaranteed.

The guides are a major help here. Ahmed was praised for checking on swimmers and staying close to a nervous participant. Umar and Mohamed were also singled out for their care and support in the water. Guide names can change from day to day, but the useful point is that the crew is set up to assist beginners, not just strong swimmers.

Life jackets are available, and the rear platform gives you a simple way into the sea. If you are uneasy in deep water, tell the guide before entering. The crew may use a life buoy and stay alongside you. That support can turn snorkeling from a stressful idea into the best part of the day.

Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins if you have them. Equipment is listed as available when selected as an add-on, and one account reported paying about $5 for a mask and goggles at the port, with no flippers supplied. Do not assume the gear is included in the $80 price.

White Island and a second look at the reef

White Island is the scenic break in the day. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and gives you a chance to get off the boat, walk on the pale sand, and take photographs. The water around the island is shallow enough to make this a different experience from the reef stops, though conditions can affect how easy it is to reach.

One family found the tender boat ride to White Island especially enjoyable. If the sea is choppy, the transfer may feel more active than the calm name suggests. Listen to the crew and wear secure footwear if you have it.

The later snorkeling session lets you see a different section of the park. Each reef site can feel distinct, even though the basic activity is the same. Fish movement, visibility, and current change from day to day, so it is better to approach this as a chance to see what the sea offers rather than a promise of a particular animal.

The water is often comfortable, but winter conditions deserve attention. In January, one person found it too cold for enjoyable snorkeling. The information provided says the sea seldom drops below 20 degrees Celsius even in winter, but that can still feel chilly after 30 or 45 minutes in the water. A life jacket also helps with warmth as well as flotation.

Lunch is a serious part of the day

Lunch is served on board and lasts about an hour. The menu is much more substantial than a basic boxed meal:

• Seafood soup
• Three fresh salads
• Rice, pasta, and potatoes
• Shrimp, calamari, and fish
• BBQ chicken and Egyptian kofta
• Seasonal fresh fruit

The kitchen prepares the food during the cruise, using market-fresh ingredients according to the operator. Several accounts praised the meal, with one person rating it better than the food at their hotel. Another called it first class, while a less enthusiastic assessment found it good but not quite VIP quality.

That spread makes the price easier to justify. You are not paying only for a boat ride and a few short swims. You are also getting a proper lunch, drinks, crew service, and a comfortable place to sit for the entire day. Seafood quality can vary with timing and personal taste, but the range of dishes means you should find something suitable.

If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking or tell the crew as soon as you board. The provided menu contains seafood, chicken, and kofta, but no specific vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or halal arrangements are stated.

The return cruise can be windy

After lunch and the snorkeling sessions, the boat begins the trip back toward Sharm El Sheikh. The return sailing is listed as about two hours, and this is when the boat’s size and deck options become useful.

The upper sun deck is the favorite place for many people, but it can be windy on the way back. If you are sensitive to spray or motion, the shaded lower deck or air-conditioned salon may be more comfortable. The sea can be choppy, and several swimmers used life jackets during rougher conditions.

The boat arrives back at the marina around 4:00 pm, followed by the return transfer to your hotel. In practice, allow extra time beyond the advertised seven hours because the drive, marina procedures, and group transport can vary.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would choose this cruise if you want a full Red Sea day without giving up comfort. It suits couples who want a quiet upper-deck lounger, families who need shade and indoor seating, and first-time snorkelers who value close support in the water.

It is also a good fit for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can explore the reef, while non-snorkelers can enjoy the boat, White Island, lunch, and the views. The crew’s attention to nervous swimmers is a real advantage, but you should still be comfortable entering the sea from a rear platform or using a life buoy with guide assistance.

You may want a different trip if your priority is a small private boat, serious underwater photography, or guaranteed scuba activity. This is a shared cruise with snorkeling as its main water activity. You should also think twice if you dislike a long sailing period, shared transfers, or uncertain drink charges.

Practical details that affect your choice

The experience runs daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and includes English, German, and Russian instruction. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still shifting.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• High-factor sunscreen
• A cover-up for the windy return
• Your own snorkeling gear if you prefer a better fit
• Cash or payment for the marina fee and possible extras

Do not leave sunscreen until lunch. The top deck is exposed, and the reflected light from the sea can catch you even on a cooler day. If you want a lounger, go upstairs soon after boarding, then use the shade when you need a break.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed Elite VIP cruise?

I would book it for the spacious boat, strong lunch, guided snorkeling, and helpful water support. The $80 price is fair if you value a comfortable vessel and a full meal rather than the lowest possible fare.

I would not book without checking three details first: the exact pickup plan, the cost of snorkeling equipment, and which drinks are included. If those points are clear, this is a well-rounded day at sea and a particularly good choice for nervous swimmers, families, and anyone who wants Ras Mohammed without spending the entire day on a cramped boat.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The experience lasts seven hours, with departure from the marina at about 9:00 am and arrival back around 4:00 pm. Hotel pickup usually takes place roughly one hour before departure.

What places does the boat visit?

The cruise visits Ras Mohammed National Park for snorkeling, stops at White Island for about 45 minutes, and includes further sailing, swimming, and marine life viewing near Ras Mohammed.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes three stops at snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park. The supplied itinerary also lists a White Island visit.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is available if selected as an add-on. You can also bring your own equipment. One reported arrangement offered a mask and goggles for about $5 at the port, but no flippers.

Is a life jacket available?

Yes. Life jackets are available for less-confident swimmers, and snorkeling guides accompany participants in the water.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes seafood soup, three salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

A mandatory $5 marina entrance fee applies. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the available add-on.

What languages are supported?

Instruction and assistance are available in English, German, and Russian.