From Sharm: Luxury Diving cruise to Ras Mohammed with Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the star here: clear Red Sea water, coral gardens, and a real chance to see colorful fish close to the reef. I like the choice between one or two underwater sessions and the relaxed 90-minute break with snacks, drinks, and snorkeling. The buffet lunch gives the day a useful pause instead of making it one long swim.

I also like the $54 starting price, which can be good value for a six-hour boat trip if the advertised inclusions are clear. The main caution is that equipment, snorkeling gear, and the mandatory €5 marina fee may depend on the option or add-ons you choose, so check the final booking screen carefully.

Key points to know before sailing

• Ras Mohammed by boat: You get roughly 1.5 hours of sailing and scenic views before the main water activities begin.
• Choose your water time: Beginners have introduction sessions of up to 15 minutes, while experienced participants usually spend about 40 minutes underwater.
• A useful surface break: The 90-minute interval includes light snacks, drinks, and time to snorkel from the boat.
• Lunch is served onboard: You do not need to return to shore for the midday meal.
• Non-swimmers are not accepted: Non-divers can snorkel, but the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers or people with certain medical conditions.
• Check the extras: Equipment and the €5 marina entrance fee may need to be selected or paid separately.

The Red Sea outing in plain terms

This is a half-day boat trip from Sharm El Sheikh to Ras Mohammed National Park, one of the area’s best-known places for coral and marine life. You spend about six hours away from the hotel, with transport to the marina, sailing, one or two guided scuba sessions, snorkeling, lunch, and the return trip.

The price of $54 per person is attractive for a boat day, especially when hotel pickup, lunch, and unlimited drinks are included. It becomes less of a bargain if you need to add equipment, snorkeling gear, the marina fee, or extra underwater sessions. The key is to compare the exact option rather than assuming every package contains the same items.

The trip suits a first-time participant who wants a guided introduction without booking a full multi-day course. It also works for certified or experienced participants who want two short reef visits. If you only want to swim and sunbathe, you can use the snorkeling option, but this is still an active day on a boat.

Pickup from Sharm El Sheikh and the marina

Pickup is by shared bus from your hotel reception. The ride to the diving center takes about 35 minutes, and the pickup usually happens roughly one hour before the boat leaves. The exact time is sent by WhatsApp 24 hours before departure, so keep your phone active and check your messages the day before.

At the center, you complete the required paperwork and get fitted for equipment if it is part of your chosen option. This is the moment to confirm what you paid for. Ask directly about the number of sessions, equipment, snorkeling gear, and the marina entrance charge.

The marina fee is listed as €5 per person. It may be paid on arrival or prepaid through an add-on. That is a small cost compared with the overall trip, but it is the sort of detail that can cause confusion if you expect the headline price to cover everything.

Sailing toward Ras Mohammed

The boat ride to Ras Mohammed takes about 1.5 hours, including the outward sailing and scenic views. This is not dead time. The coast, open water, and changing view give you a chance to settle in before getting wet.

The boat also serves as your base for the day. You return to it after the first underwater session, take your surface break there, eat lunch onboard, and later sail back toward Sharm El Sheikh. The return sailing is listed at about one hour, although the full water stop at Ras Mohammed takes much longer.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and a camera. Snacks are also sensible, even though light snacks and drinks are provided. Sun exposure can build quickly on open water, and the combination of swimming, sailing, and waiting between activities can leave you hungrier than expected.

What the first underwater session is like

The first stop is chosen for clear water and marine life. A professional instructor accompanies the scuba activity, which matters most if you are new to breathing underwater or feel uneasy with the equipment.

For beginners, an introduction lasts up to 15 minutes. That is enough for a first look at coral and fish, but it is not a long exploration. You should treat it as a controlled introduction rather than a full recreational session.

For experienced participants, the usual time is about 40 minutes. The actual length can depend on the selected package, conditions, and the instructor’s assessment. The guide’s job is to keep the group together, help with equipment, and respond if you have trouble.

One strong point from the feedback is the care shown by instructors, including close guidance for first-time participants. One account described an instructor holding the participant’s hands and guiding them throughout the session. That level of support can make a big difference if this is your first time in scuba equipment.

At the same time, the timing of the sessions deserves attention. A serious complaint described two advertised 15-minute sessions that felt closer to 10 minutes, along with confusion about whether the first session was included. I would take a screenshot of your paid option and confirm it with the center before leaving the marina.

The 90-minute break: snacks, snorkeling, and breathing room

After the first water session, the boat pauses for about 90 minutes. This is a useful part of the day because it gives your body time to rest and lets you enjoy the sea without the pressure of a timed underwater activity.

Light snacks and beverages are available, and you can snorkel during the interval. Non-divers can use this time to see the reef from the surface, although snorkeling equipment may be an add-on rather than a standard inclusion.

The long break also helps separate the two water stops. You can dry off, take photographs, eat a snack, and enjoy the boat ride before deciding how much energy you have left for the second session. If you are prone to seasickness, use the break to sit in a stable part of the boat and drink water.

Ras Mohammed can become crowded with other boats, especially at popular stops. That does not cancel out the quality of the reef, but it does mean the setting may feel busy rather than private. If quiet water time is your top priority, ask the operator about the likely stop and schedule before booking.

The second stop and onboard lunch

If you select two sessions, the boat heads to a second location. The appeal is variety: another chance to see coral, fish, and underwater creatures in a different setting rather than repeating the same reef.

The second stop is also a chance to judge how you feel after the first session. If you are tired, cold, or uncomfortable, tell the instructor. You are not required to treat the second session as a test of endurance.

Lunch is served on the boat before the return to the marina. The meal is described as a buffet, and several accounts praised the food. However, one strongly negative account found the food and drinks poor, so I would keep expectations practical. Think of lunch as a convenient included meal, not a restaurant outing.

Some departures may also include a visit to White Island, according to one account, but this is not presented as a guaranteed part of every trip. Do not book on the assumption that it will be included. If this stop matters to you, confirm it before paying.

The return to Sharm El Sheikh

After the final water activity and lunch, the boat returns toward Sharm El Sheikh. The listed return sailing takes about one hour, followed by transport back to your hotel area.

A good operator should keep track of everyone during water activities. One account described a serious problem in which a swimmer was separated from the group near the boat and had to be collected by another vessel. The situation was eventually resolved, but it points to a basic safety question: stay close to the group, follow the instructor’s signals, and do not swim away to take photographs.

You should not touch marine life. This protects the reef and also keeps you from harming yourself on coral or marine animals. Keep your camera secure, and do not let photography distract you from the instructor or the group.

What the $54 price really buys

At $54, this is a competitive price for a six-hour marine excursion from Sharm El Sheikh. Hotel pickup, an instructor, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling access can make it good value, especially for someone who wants a simple introduction to Ras Mohammed without arranging separate transport.

The value changes according to the selected package. The information states that diving equipment is included if selected from the add-ons, and snorkeling equipment may also need to be added. The mandatory €5 marina fee is another possible extra.

Photography can also become an expensive surprise. A complaint reported a charge of about £120 for underwater photographs and video, with the quality not matching the price. You do not have to buy the images, so decide your budget before the boat staff begins taking photographs. If you want personal pictures, bring your own camera and follow the safety rules.

The flexible cancellation policy helps reduce booking risk: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available. These policies are useful if your Sharm schedule may change, but they do not remove the need to check the paid inclusions.

Who should book this boat trip

I would recommend it to:

• First-time scuba participants who want an instructor close by.
• Experienced participants who want one or two short reef sessions.
• Non-divers who are comfortable swimming and prefer snorkeling.
• Couples or friends looking for a half-day boat outing rather than a full-day land tour.
• Visitors who value hotel pickup and an onboard meal.

I would be cautious if you have back, heart, or respiratory problems. The activity is also unsuitable for non-swimmers. Wheelchair access is listed, but because the day includes a shared bus, boat transfers, and water activities, confirm that the practical arrangements suit your needs before booking.

This is not the right choice if you want a quiet, private boat or guaranteed isolation from other vessels. It is a shared commercial trip, and Ras Mohammed may be busy at popular stops. It is also not ideal if you dislike checking add-ons and payment details.

Six practical things to pack

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera. Snacks are allowed and useful, even with food served onboard.

Use reef-friendly habits: do not touch coral or marine life, stay with the group, and listen closely to the instructor. If you use a personal camera, secure it before entering the water so it does not interfere with your safety gear.

The boat supplies drinks and light snacks during the surface interval, but the exact food quality may vary. Pack only what you can comfortably carry from the hotel to the shared bus and boat.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, structured introduction to Ras Mohammed with hotel pickup, a professional instructor, snorkeling time, and lunch on the boat. The best value comes from choosing the correct one or two-session option and confirming every extra before departure.

I would not book it blindly. Save your confirmation, verify the number of included sessions, ask about equipment, budget for the €5 marina fee, and decline any overpriced photo package that does not suit you. With those checks, this can be a rewarding Red Sea day for beginners and casual snorkelers, with reasonable value for the price.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed boat trip last?

The activity lasts about six hours. This includes hotel pickup, transport to the diving center and marina, sailing, water activities, lunch, and the return toward Sharm El Sheikh.

How long is an introduction session for beginners?

An introduction session for beginners lasts up to 15 minutes. Experienced participants usually spend around 40 minutes underwater.

Can I choose one or two scuba sessions?

Yes. The number of sessions can be selected through the available options, and additional sessions may be available as add-ons. Check the exact option before checkout.

Can non-divers join?

Yes, non-divers can use the snorkeling option. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is served onboard the boat. Unlimited drinks are also listed as included, along with light snacks during the surface interval.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 per person applies. It can be paid on arrival or prepaid through an add-on, depending on the booking option.