Sharm El-Sheikh: Ras Mohamed & White Island Snorkeling Trip

Two reefs and one sandbar in a day. This Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip turns the Red Sea into a full-day change of scenery, with hotel pickup and a real chance to snorkel among corals. You get a straightforward plan, plus the kind of on-water guidance that helps first-timers feel confident.

My favorite part is the day’s rhythm: two snorkeling stops at Ras Mohammed reefs, then a later break on White Island where you can swim near the shore and enjoy the views. The barbecue lunch onboard also keeps things easy and good-timed. One thing to plan for is the long day on the water, including possible motion sickness, plus a few reports of slower boat speed and limited snack options.

Key highlights to expect

• Hotel pickup and drop-off to start and end the day without stress
• Two snorkeling stops at Ras Mohammed National Park with an onboard snorkel instructor
• White Island sandbar stop where you swim a short way to reach the area
• Barbecue lunch on board with rice, pasta, salads, and chicken
• All-day onboard support, including life jackets and help in the water

Why Ras Mohammed and White Island make sense from Sharm El-Sheikh

Sharm El-Sheikh is built around the Red Sea, and this trip gives you the best kind of payoff for your time, two protected-water snorkeling stops plus a sandbar break. Ras Mohammed National Park is known for coral and fish, and on this outing you’re not just watching from the boat. You’re in the water, with guidance, so you can actually enjoy the reefs you came for.

Then comes the switch in scenery. White Island is a sandbar area, a different feel from coral reefs. You trade the underwater focus for views, photos, and that goofy, float-around feeling as the warm breeze hits after snorkeling.

This is also a value-heavy format. At around $25 per person, you’re getting transport, park entry (depending on option), a boat day, snorkeling support, and lunch. If you want the Red Sea without the complexity of planning reefs and boats yourself, this is one of the simplest ways to do it.

Hotel pickup to the marina: easy in theory, plan for timing reality

The day starts with hotel pickup and a transfer to the marina. You’ll meet your transport outside the hotel, and the pickup time depends on where you’re staying. You should get an email from the supplier one day before the trip with the exact time.

Two practical points from the experience itself:

• Expect pickup delays of up to 10 minutes.
• The ride quality can vary. One report mentioned an older bus that was hot and packed, even though the rest of the day ran smoothly once you reached the port.

If you’re traveling with kids or someone who gets cranky when the start slips, set a realistic mindset. The tour runs on the sea schedule, not your watch.

On board the yacht: comfort, facilities, and the real drink situation

You’ll sail out on a small boat or yacht (some days the Eshta yacht is mentioned), and you’ll have basic onboard comfort to make the long day easier. Life jackets are provided, and there are two bathroom and shower facilities onboard, which matters more than you might think once you’re out there for hours.

Food and drinks are a big part of why this trip feels manageable. Lunch is served onboard as a barbecue, and hot and cold drinks are included. The listing also notes unlimited soft drinks and mineral water.

Here’s the balanced truth from real conditions:

• Most people describe drinks as included and helpful during the day.
• A few reports say the unlimited part may feel limited in practice once bottles shared among passengers run out.

So my advice is simple: bring a refill mindset. Drink regularly, especially if you’re out of the water and the sun is strong.

Languages offered on the trip include English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic, which helps if you want clear instructions for snorkeling and safety.

Snorkeling at Ras Mohammed: how the two stops work in practice

The heart of this day is two snorkeling stops at Ras Mohammed National Park. You get an onboard snorkeling instructor, and the crew helps you manage the water entry and stays nearby. This is especially valuable for anyone who hasn’t snorkeled in a while or isn’t used to floating with your mask.

What you’re looking for underwater:

• Coral areas and fish life in the protected waters
• Calm, guided snorkeling sessions timed during the day
• Better odds of seeing something interesting with two different stops rather than one

Safety and confidence come up repeatedly in the experience reports. One first-time diver said their instructor reacted quickly when they felt panicky underwater, and another mentioned help putting equipment on in the water. That’s the difference between a trip where you feel left alone and one where you’re genuinely supported.

A small caution: not every reef moment is perfect. One report said fish life felt limited compared with what they expected, and another said the reefs weren’t as strong at that particular stop. Still, when conditions are right, multiple people describe seeing coral and lots of fish.

Practical takeaway for you:

• If you want maximum enjoyment, ask the instructor where to look and how to move slowly. Don’t rush your breathing and don’t chase fish. Let the fish come to you.

White Island sandbar stop: short swim, big photo energy, and crowd reality

After the snorkeling portion, the trip pivots to White Island, a sandbar where gulfs meet. You’ll get time on land, and you can often swim a short distance to reach the area. One report notes you need to swim a few meters to get there, and the crew is there to assist.

White Island has a distinct character:

• Clear, shallow water and a strong visual contrast after the reef time
• A chance to float and reset
• Photo opportunities and that rare feeling of being surrounded by sea from all sides

The trade-off is crowd level. One report said the island was busy. In other words, it can feel like a popular stop, which is not bad, just something to accept. If you prefer quiet, consider that the best photos usually happen when you reach the sandbar right as the boat group arrives.

Lunch on deck and the small details that make the day feel easy

Lunch is served onboard as a barbecue, usually described as a buffet with:

• Rice and pasta
• Salads
• Chicken
• Plus hot and cold drinks onboard

In multiple accounts, lunch is timed so you’re not stuck waiting forever between water stops. People also mention the freshness of the food, and one person even highlighted orange salad as a standout.

Here are two small things that affect lunch quality:

• Wind can change how pleasant it feels to sit and eat. One report said if you eat upstairs when it’s windy, you might not eat much.
• Snack options are not consistently a feature. One person wished for more fruit or snacks during the day, and another noted the lack of snack availability.

So for your planning:

• Eat your lunch when it’s served, not later when you feel hungry.
• If you know you get snacky, bring a small personal snack for the gaps. That keeps you from feeling disappointed later.

Optional scuba diving add-on: worth it if you want more than snorkeling

Scuba diving is offered as an add-on option, and extra gear is available if you choose it. The strongest benefit is the instruction quality people mention for first-timers.

Examples from the experience:

• A first dive guide named Mustafa helped a girlfriend on her first scuba session and made her feel reassured.
• Another first-time diver described an instructor who calmed them quickly when they panicked.
• A family reported good safety attention for a child, including clear follow-through.

If you’re considering the add-on, ask yourself one question: do you want to just look at the reef from the surface, or do you want to actually go down with a tank? If you’re curious, this is often the easiest way to try scuba in Sharm El-Sheikh without arranging separate lessons and boats.

One review even gave a ballpark of about £90 for an hour of diving over two spots with an instructor and equipment, but costs depend on the exact setup you choose that day.

What to bring, and how to handle the long hours on the water

This is a full-day outing. Expect a lot of time in transit and afloat, and a total day length can run long compared with the time you’re actually snorkeling. One person mentioned being collected around 7:50AM and returning around 6:30PM, with roughly 8 hours on the boat.

So pack like you’re going to be out there awhile:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel

And plan for motion sickness even if you usually handle boats fine. One person directly advised taking tablets before you leave if you tend to get sick. You’ll thank yourself later.

Also, if you’re worried about seasickness:

• Focus on the horizon when you can.
• Keep your hands occupied.
• Drink water regularly, not just when you feel awful.

Price and value: what $25 really buys you, and what may cost extra

At $25 per person, the value is strong. You’re not paying just for a boat. You’re also paying for:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned transportation
• Life jackets
• Yacht tour
• Two snorkeling stops
• A snorkeling instructor
• Onboard barbecue lunch
• Hot and cold drinks, plus mineral water
• Entry to Ras Mohammed in some option setups (there’s a note that park entry fees are €5 if option 2 is selected)

What might cost extra depending on choices:

• Snorkeling gear like masks and fins if they are selected as an add-on
• Scuba diving, including the deeper dive experience
• Photographs, which one person described as optional and expensive

So the value story is simple. If you snorkel and eat onboard, you often feel like the day is priced more like a budget outing than a premium reef experience.

Who should book this trip, and who should think twice

This tour is a good match if you:

• Want a guided reef day without learning complicated logistics
• Prefer convenience like pickup, lunch, and onboard drink service
• Want to try snorkeling, and maybe scuba, with support
• Travel as a family and want an organized day with staff help

It can be a tougher match if you:

• Get motion sickness easily and don’t plan ahead
• Hate long boat days, because this is clearly a full-day outing
• Expect lots of snacks beyond lunch, because snack availability seems inconsistent
• Are very sensitive to drink limits, since a few reports suggest drinks may run out once shared bottles are gone

If you’re flexible and you go into it expecting a long sea day, it usually works out well.

Should you book Ras Mohammed and White Island with FTS Travels?

My honest take: yes, if your goal is a simple, guided Red Sea day with real time in the water. The mix is smart. Two snorkeling stops at Ras Mohammed plus a White Island break gives your day variety without asking you to think about anything complicated.

Before you book, do two quick checks:

• If you’re prone to seasickness, plan medication in advance and bring a towel and sunglasses. This trip is long enough that it can matter.
• If you’re a snack person, expect lunch to be your main food, and consider bringing a small extra item for the gaps.

If you want a day that feels organized, with staff who help first-timers and a lunch that keeps your energy up, this is a strong option from Sharm El-Sheikh.

FAQ

How does the hotel pickup work, and when will I know the exact time?

Pickup time depends on your hotel location. The supplier sends you an email one day before the trip with the exact pickup time. Pickup happens outside the hotel, and delays up to 10 minutes can occur.

Do I need to send a passport copy?

Yes, a copy of your passport is required.

What snorkeling is included, and how many times do we get in the water?

The trip includes 2 snorkeling stops at Ras Mohammed National Park, plus a snorkeling instructor during the snorkeling.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Snorkeling gear, masks, and fins are available if you select the snorkeling add-on option. Life jackets are included.

What happens at White Island?

You make a stop at White Island. You may need to swim a few meters to reach it, and the crew provides assistance.

What food and drinks are included onboard?

Lunch is buffet-style on board, described as barbecue lunch with items like rice, pasta, salads, and chicken. Hot and cold drinks are included, with unlimited soft drinks and mineral water noted.

What languages do the guides or staff speak?

The experience is listed as available in English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel.

Is scuba diving available, and how does it fit with the day?

Scuba diving can be added as an extra option, and diving gear, weights, belts, and 12-liter tanks are listed as included if the diving add-on is selected. Reports also mention first-timer support from instructors.

Can I cancel or pay later?

The experience offers reserve and pay later. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.