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

Ras Mohammed’s coral reefs are the star here, but the boat itself makes this trip unusually comfortable. You get four decks, air-conditioned salons, cushioned loungers, guided snorkeling, and a seafood-heavy lunch for $80 per person. I especially like the quiet top deck and the patient water support from guides such as Ahmed, Umar, and Mohammed.

I also like that this is not just a quick reef stop. You have several hours on the Red Sea, time at White Island, and a meal cooked aboard. The main caution is practical: snorkeling gear and the marina fee may cost extra, and one guest found the return transfer cramped and the drinks less generous than expected for a VIP trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Three reef stops: The day focuses on several snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park, with guides in the water to help beginners.
• A proper four-level boat: The top deck has sun loungers, while lower decks offer shade, tables, and air-conditioned salons.
• White Island visit: You get about 45 minutes at this bright, shallow-looking coastal stop, with a tender boat used during at least part of the visit.
• Fresh lunch aboard: Expect soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.
• Strong guide support: Ahmed, Umar, and Mohammed receive special praise for staying close to nervous swimmers and children.
• Extra costs to check: The mandatory marina entrance fee is €5 per person, and snorkeling equipment is an add-on unless you bring or arrange your own.

Why this boat is worth choosing

The clearest reason to book this cruise is comfort. Many Red Sea boat trips are built around the snorkeling alone, with little thought given to the hours spent getting there and back. This one gives you room to spread out. The four floors include a large sun deck with loungers, shaded areas with wooden tables, and two air-conditioned salons.

That matters in South Sinai. The sun can be hard work after several hours, especially when you are wet from snorkeling. I would use the top deck when you want sun and a clear view of the sea, then move downstairs when you need shade or a cool place to eat.

The atmosphere also seems calmer than the party boats. One guest specifically liked having no loud music, while another praised the clean, comfortable loungers. If you want a day of music, dancing, and a crowded deck, this may feel too quiet. If you want to read, rest, talk, and enjoy the coast between swims, that quieter style is a real advantage.

The trip is priced at $80. That is not the cheapest way to see the Red Sea, but the price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat, crew, and buffet lunch. You still need to account for the €5 marina entrance fee and possibly snorkeling equipment. At this price, I would ask exactly what your booking includes before paying, especially for drinks and gear.

The morning pickup from Sharm el-Sheikh

Pickup usually takes place about one hour before the boat leaves. The published departure is 9:00 a.m., and the road transfer from Sharm el-Sheikh to the marina takes about 25 minutes. You receive the exact pickup time through WhatsApp roughly 24 hours before the trip.

That one-hour buffer is useful because hotel pickups can be spread across the resort area. It also means the advertised seven-hour experience takes most of your morning and afternoon. You return to the marina around 4:00 p.m., then continue back to your hotel.

The transfer is the least consistent part of the day. Morning transportation has generally been described as fine, but one guest found the afternoon minivan cramped despite paying for separate transport for up to four people. Another called the transfer the main weakness. If comfortable transport matters to you, confirm the pickup arrangement before the day begins.

At the marina, expect to pay the mandatory €5 entrance fee if it was not prepaid as an add-on. This is easy to miss when comparing headline prices. I would also check whether the boat provides mask, snorkel, and fins, since the information says equipment is available if selected as an add-on, while one guest paid $5 for a mask and goggles and found that fins were not included.

Two and a half hours across the Red Sea

The cruise toward Ras Mohammed takes about two and a half hours in the stated program. That is a long ride, but the boat gives you several ways to spend it. You can claim a lounger, sit in the shade, use an air-conditioned salon, or watch the coast fade behind you.

This is where the boat’s size earns its keep. You are not stuck in one narrow seating area. The top deck is best for sun and open views, while the lower deck makes more sense if the wind picks up or the sun becomes too strong.

The return can also feel windy, particularly on the top deck. One guest enjoyed the loungers but found the ride back breezy. Bring a light cover-up, even if the morning is hot, and keep a firm grip on hats and loose items.

The sea can be choppy. Several swimmers used life jackets during rougher conditions, and the crew supported people at different comfort levels. If you are nervous in open water, tell the guide early. The rear platform gives you low-level access to the sea, which is easier than climbing down a high ladder.

Ras Mohammed snorkeling stops

The main event is the series of snorkeling stops in Ras Mohammed National Park. The program describes three locations, with roughly 45 minutes at one of the first stops and further time in the water later in the day. The exact order and length can change with sea conditions.

The reef scenery is the reason to come. The water can show coral gardens and many kinds of fish, from tiny reef species to larger animals. Possible sightings include seahorses, octopus, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and colorful fish, but none of these can be promised on a particular day.

I like the way the guides handle mixed ability groups. You do not need to be an expert swimmer. Life jackets are available, and the guides stay with the group in the water. The crew can also use a life buoy to support someone who is anxious or tired.

This help appears to be more than a quick safety briefing. Ahmed is described as an experienced underwater guide who stayed close to a nervous swimmer and kept checking that she was comfortable. Umar and Mohammed received similar praise for personal care in the water. Another guide looked after a child carefully. That makes this a good choice for families and first-time snorkelers.

Still, do not confuse guided support with a private swim. You are part of a boat group, and sea conditions may affect visibility and comfort. January can bring colder water, with one guest finding it too cold to snorkel. The information says the water seldom falls below 20 degrees Celsius even in winter, but that can still feel chilly after a long ride or in windy weather.

Bring your own towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. I would also carry a dry change of clothes for the ride home. Sunscreen should be applied before boarding and renewed after swimming, especially on the upper deck where reflected light is strong.

White Island and the change of pace

White Island gives the day a break from repeated swims. The planned visit lasts about 45 minutes. It is reached as part of the Ras Mohammed outing, and a speedboat tender has been used during the visit.

The appeal here is simple: you get off the main boat, see a different part of the park, and let children enjoy a more active transfer. One family particularly liked the tender ride, while another guest called White Island a highlight alongside the reef stops.

Do not expect a long land visit. Forty-five minutes passes quickly, and the trip is still primarily a boat and snorkeling day. Bring footwear that you do not mind getting wet, though the supplied information only specifically requires swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Lunch with shrimp, fish, and Egyptian kofta

Lunch is served aboard in the air-conditioned salon, and it is more substantial than the usual boxed meal. The planned menu includes seafood soup, three fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

I like this menu because it gives you choices. If you do not want seafood, chicken and Egyptian kofta provide a solid alternative. If you have worked up an appetite in the water, the combination of rice, pasta, potatoes, and grilled food should make the meal filling.

The food has been one of the most praised parts of the day. Several people found it fresh and tasty, and one said it was better than the food at their hotel. Another described it as plentiful and first-class. That is high praise, though I would keep expectations sensible: this is a buffet prepared on a boat, not a fine-dining restaurant.

The drink policy needs closer attention. The description promises waiter service for hot and soft drinks throughout the day. Yet one guest said the only included refreshments were small plastic cups of generic cola and lemonade, with other drinks charged. That may reflect a package difference or a change in service. Ask before boarding which drinks are included in your price.

Service, space, and the VIP label

The VIP label makes sense mainly because of the boat’s space and finish. The vessel has clean decks, padded loungers, large wooden tables, and cool indoor seating. That is a better setup than a basic day boat with one crowded deck.

Service is another strength. Crew members are described as attentive, offering drinks and checking on people throughout the day. The snorkeling staff are especially important because they affect how safe the water feels. A good guide can turn a frightening first swim into a manageable one.

The experience is not flawless. Boarding was confusing for one guest, and another felt the guide did not interact with the group. The crew and the guide are not always the same people, so service can vary from one departure to another.

The trip also seems to avoid the packed feeling associated with some large boats. A large vessel does not automatically mean a large crowd, and one guest found the group small enough to enjoy the space. Still, group size can change, so I would not book this expecting a private charter.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this trip if you want a full Red Sea day without giving up comfort. It suits couples who want quiet deck time, families who need shade and room to move, and nervous swimmers who value close water support.

It also works well for people who care about lunch. The seafood, salads, hot sides, chicken, and kofta make the meal a real part of the day rather than an afterthought.

You should think twice if you dislike long boat rides. The outward cruise is about two and a half hours, and the return portion adds another two hours of sailing and sea activities. The snorkeling itself is the reward for that travel time.

This is also not ideal if you want guaranteed sightings of turtles, dolphins, or manta rays. The sea changes from day to day. The coral and fish are the reliable reason to go, while larger animals are a bonus.

Practical ways to get more from the day

• Arrive ready to swim: Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep sunscreen, a towel, and a dry layer easy to reach.
• Reserve a lounger early: The top deck is a major reason to choose this boat, so settle in when you board.
• Use the shade: The open deck is pleasant, but the air-conditioned salon will be more comfortable after snorkeling.
• Tell the guide your ability: If you are anxious, cannot swim confidently, or are traveling with a child, say so before entering the water.
• Check equipment costs: Confirm mask, snorkel, and fins before departure. The marina fee is €5 per person if not prepaid.
• Confirm drinks: Ask what unlimited hot and soft drinks means for your specific package.
• Expect wind on the return: Secure hats and loose items, and keep a light layer nearby.
• Do not skip White Island: The visit breaks up the swimming and gives children a change of pace.

Should you book it?

I would book this cruise if the $80 price fits your budget and you want a comfortable, well-supported day on the Red Sea rather than the cheapest possible boat trip. The combination of good deck space, guided snorkeling, White Island, and a substantial lunch gives you solid value.

Before paying, confirm the marina fee, snorkeling gear, drinks, and transfer setup. If those extras are clear and acceptable, this is a strong choice for families, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants a quieter boat with room to sit in the sun or shade.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The activity lasts seven hours, from about 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hotel pickup usually takes place about one hour before departure.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $80 per person. A mandatory marina entrance fee of €5 per person may be paid on arrival or prepaid as an add-on.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm el-Sheikh are included. The exact pickup time is sent through WhatsApp about 24 hours before the trip.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes three snorkeling stops at sites in Ras Mohammed National Park. The exact timing can vary with sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is available if selected as an add-on. You should confirm the cost and exact equipment provided before departure.

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 cruise suitable for people who are not confident swimmers?

Yes. Life jackets are available, the boat has a low rear platform for entering the sea, and snorkeling guides support people with different ability levels.