VIP -White Island & Ras Mohamed Snorkel Excursion

The main attraction here is simple: you get a full day on the Red Sea, with three stops for swimming and snorkeling around Ras Mohamed and White Island. The large three-tier boat gives you room to sit, eat, and escape the sun in its air-conditioned saloon.

I like the practical all-in price, which covers hotel pickup, park entry, equipment, lunch, bottled water, and hot and cold drinks. I also like the human side of the trip. Guides including Mohammad Mahmoud, Khaled Shabben, Mamdouh Mohamed, Sabri Badr, and Mostafa are repeatedly praised for helping nervous beginners.

The main thing to consider is the length of the day. You will spend about seven hours on the boat, and the group can include up to 25 people. The photographer and videographer are not included, and their pictures cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• White Island is the signature stop: You will reach a small island in the middle of the sea, alongside other snorkeling areas around Ras Mohamed.
• Three water stops are included: The schedule gives you more than one chance to see the Red Sea, rather than relying on a single reef.
• First-timers get active support: Guides such as Mohammad Mahmoud and Khaled Shabben are praised for encouraging people who are unsure in the water.
• Lunch is served aboard: A BBQ meal, coffee, tea, bottled water, and other drinks are included.
• The boat is built for comfort: Expect a large three-tier vessel, an air-conditioned saloon, seating for lunch, and a maximum group size of 25.
• The price includes the costly extras: At $81.10 per person, the package includes national park entry and snorkeling equipment, but not souvenir photos or video.

A full day from Sharm el Sheikh to Ras Mohamed

Your day normally starts with an air-conditioned pickup from your hotel around 8:00 to 8:20 in the morning. The exact time depends on the trip booked and your hotel, so keep the morning free rather than arranging another activity before departure.

The boat portion lasts about seven hours. That makes this a proper day out, not a quick coastal outing. You should expect time on deck, time in the water, and breaks between stops for food and drinks.

The route centers on Ras Mohamed, Sharm el Sheikh’s best-known marine area, with White Island included as the most distinctive stop. The plan includes three stops in different places, including White Island and a snorkeling station identified in the schedule as Sting rail Station.

The wording of the schedule is not perfectly clear about the exact order of stops. That is worth knowing if you are comparing this with another boat trip that publishes a minute-by-minute plan. The important point is that you get three separate opportunities to enter the water.

Why White Island makes this more than a standard boat trip

White Island sits in the middle of the sea and gives the day a change of scene. Instead of spending every water stop beside the boat, you get a chance to reach a small island surrounded by open water.

The island is likely to be the visual highlight of the day, while Ras Mohamed supplies the main reef setting. You should think of White Island as a memorable location within a broader snorkeling trip, not as the only reason to book.

The Red Sea is the real subject here. The supplied information describes clear marine scenery, reef fish, and colorful underwater life, while the guides provide help identifying fish and pointing out parts of the reef. Conditions can affect what you see, so the trip requires good weather.

If the weather is poor, the operator may cancel the trip and offer another date or a full refund. That is useful protection, though the experience itself cannot be changed or refunded simply because you decide not to go.

Three water stops, with help for nervous swimmers

Three stops give you flexibility. If you are a confident swimmer, you can use each one to see a different section of the sea. If you are new to snorkeling, you can treat the first stop as a practice run and become more comfortable before the later stops.

The crew’s support is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Guides are repeatedly singled out for clear explanations, patience, and encouragement. Mohammad Mahmoud is praised for helping people overcome fear of the ocean, while Khaled Shabben is noted for supporting first-timers.

That does not mean you should ignore your own limits. If you do not swim well, tell the crew before entering the water and follow their instructions. The trip information says the crew can support people in the sea, but that assistance is not a replacement for sensible personal care.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or hiring your own mask and fins. Equipment quality and fit can vary on any group boat, so check your mask before leaving the boat and ask the crew to help if it leaks.

The boat: comfort without pretending it is a private yacht

The boat is described as large and three-tiered, with an air-conditioned saloon and seating for lunch. That matters on a long Red Sea day. You can sit indoors during the hottest part of the day, eat at a table, and move around rather than being confined to one small deck.

The experience is called VIP, but you should set your expectations sensibly. The boat can hold 40 people, while this trip is capped at 25 passengers. That lower limit should make the day less crowded than a full-capacity sailing, but it is still a shared excursion.

The boat’s size also helps create a steadier base between stops. You will have room to find a seat, store your belongings, and take breaks from the water. The tradeoff is that a large boat is less intimate than a small private charter.

The air-conditioned saloon is especially useful if you are traveling with children or with family members who do not want to snorkel at every stop. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the boat has an onboard seating area for the included meal.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and what the price really covers

At $81.10 per person, the value depends on how much of the included package you would otherwise have to pay for separately. Here, the price includes hotel pickup, snorkeling equipment, a professional guide, bottled water, coffee or tea, lunch, and the national park ticket.

That is a solid bundle for a full-day trip. The park entry alone is an item that can quietly increase the cost of other excursions, while equipment hire and transport are also included here.

Lunch is a BBQ meal served on the boat. The available comments describe the food as tasty and the boat as clean, though you should not book this expecting a restaurant meal. It is a practical lunch that keeps the day moving.

Hot and cold drinks are available onboard, and bottled water is included. You should still bring any personal snacks or drinks you specifically need, since the published package only promises the listed refreshments.

The photographer and videographer work as an outside company. Their services are not included in the $81.10 price, and photos or a DVD can be purchased separately. If you want pictures, ask about the cost before agreeing to anything.

The guides make a real difference for beginners

A boat trip can feel very different depending on the crew. Here, several guides are praised by name for making people feel safe and relaxed.

Mohammad Mahmoud is repeatedly associated with snorkeling support and with showing people what to look for in the water. Khaled Shabben is praised for encouragement, friendliness, and making the trip enjoyable for families. Mamdouh Mohamed is also noted for guiding people around the sea and improving the overall experience.

Other staff members mentioned positively include Sabri Badr, Mostafa, Hani Hendy, Mina, Moo Ali, Honey, and Asmat. Some of these names are connected with scuba instruction rather than ordinary snorkeling. Scuba activities are mentioned in the available information, but the core package described here is a snorkeling excursion.

The guide may be multilingual. That can be useful if your group includes people who are not comfortable receiving instructions in English. Still, the exact language mix is not guaranteed, so ask when booking if this matters to you.

Who should book this Ras Mohamed outing?

I would consider this a good match for several types of visitors:

• First-time snorkelers: You receive equipment, instruction, and active support from the crew.
• Families: The boat has an indoor saloon, lunch seating, and staff who are used to helping children and nervous swimmers.
• Couples: The full-day schedule gives you a shared outing with time for swimming, food, and views from the boat.
• Repeat visitors to Sharm el Sheikh: White Island and Ras Mohamed provide a different day from ordinary hotel time.
• Anyone who wants a simple package: Transport, food, drinks, park entry, equipment, and a guide are handled together.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group activities, prefer a private boat, or want a short half-day outing. Even with a 25-person limit, this is a shared boat experience lasting roughly seven hours.

It is also not ideal for someone who wants a highly precise timetable. The published plan identifies the main areas and three stops but does not give exact durations for every stop.

Practical details that can save you trouble

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. Keep it with you rather than leaving it at the hotel.

Pickup is offered from hotels in Sharm el Sheikh, and the trip is near public transportation. Your pickup time is usually around 8:00 to 8:20 in the morning, but the exact time depends on the booking and hotel.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes. The supplied information does not list a towel, so confirm that point before departure rather than assuming one will be provided.

The activity is subject to weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel for another reason or request an amendment, the amount paid is not refunded.

Most people can participate, but children need an accompanying adult. The maximum group size is 25, despite the larger boat’s stated capacity of 40.

Should you book the VIP White Island and Ras Mohamed trip?

I would book this if you want a well-organized full day on the Red Sea and value having the major costs included. The combination of White Island, three snorkeling stops, lunch, park entry, equipment, and hotel transport makes the $81.10 price easy to understand.

The strongest reason to choose it is the crew support. If you are nervous in open water, guides such as Mohammad Mahmoud and Khaled Shabben may make the difference between watching from the boat and actually enjoying the sea.

I would skip it if you want a private, quiet sailing or a short outing. For everyone else, especially first-time snorkelers and families, this offers a practical way to see Ras Mohamed without piecing together transport, equipment, food, and entry fees yourself.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The boat trip lasts about seven hours, and the full experience takes approximately one day including hotel pickup and return arrangements.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is usually around 8:00 to 8:20 in the morning. The exact time depends on your hotel and the trip booked.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Air-conditioned transportation collects you from your selected hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The trip includes three stops in different places around Ras Mohamed, including White Island and a snorkeling station identified as Sting rail Station.

Is White Island included?

Yes. White Island is one of the planned stops and is located in the middle of the sea.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with bottled water, coffee or tea, and hot and cold drinks onboard.

Is the national park ticket included?

Yes. The national park ticket is included.

How many people are on the boat?

The trip has a maximum of 25 travelers. The boat itself can hold up to 40 people.

Are photos and video included?

No. A photographer and videographer may be onboard through an outside company, but photos and DVDs cost extra.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather. The experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for another reason.