Luxury Ras Mohamed and White Island Cruise Sharm El Sheikh

Ras Mohamed Marine National Park

Ras Mohamed is the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and Egypt's first national park, declared in 1983. The headland is a mix of desert cliffs, mangrove inlets and some of the richest coral reefs in the world, which is why it is one of the most visited marine areas on the Red Sea.

Many travellers search for a Ras Mohamed cruise from Sharm El Sheikh because the park is close to the resort and protected, so the water is clear and the fish are abundant. By boat you reach the reef sites directly from the marina and spend the day on the water instead of on a bumpy road.

Snorkelling sites in the park

The captain chooses two snorkelling sites for the day from the park's well-known reefs, which include Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef, South Bereika Bay, Marsa Ghozlani and the Old Quay. The choice depends on wind, current and the number of boats, so the reef visited may change from day to day.

Underwater you will see coral walls dropping into the blue, and the guide shows you where the fish gather: parrotfish, butterflyfish, anthias, groupers and sometimes a turtle. Snorkelling gear can be rented if you do not bring your own, and a life jacket is available for less confident swimmers. The guides stay with you in the water. Photographs of the coral are best taken early in the stop, when the sun is high and the water is at its clearest.

White Island

White Island, or Gezirat el Bayda, is a sandbank of fine white sand that appears as a small island in turquoise shallows. It is an easy place to swim, wade and take photographs, and the contrast of white sand and blue sea explains its name. It is calm and gentle, so it suits families and weaker swimmers.

The stop usually lasts long enough to swim and relax, but the sandbank offers little shade, so bring a hat, sunscreen and a towel. Back on the boat you can rest in the cool salon or on the sun deck before sailing on. The shallow water around the sandbank is warm, and the gentle slope into the sea makes it comfortable for children as well as adults.

On board the boat

The boat is designed for day cruises: a spacious sun deck for sunbathing, shaded seating, and an air-conditioned salon below for lunch and rest. The crew serves hot and soft drinks throughout the day, and the guides give a short briefing before each snorkelling stop.

Lunch is an open buffet prepared on board, with freshly cut salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken and Egyptian kofta, which fits both adults and children. If you have a special diet, tell our team in advance so we can ask the crew to help. There is room to sit in the shade, to sunbathe or to watch the coast pass by, so the day can be as active or as restful as you like.

Transfers and planning your day

The default option includes pickup and drop-off by shared bus from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, usually about an hour to an hour and a half before departure, with the exact time confirmed by WhatsApp the day before. The boat returns to the marina in the afternoon and the bus takes you back.

A marina entrance fee is paid on arrival unless it was added when booking, and tips are not included. Bring your passport or a copy for the boat permit, and plan for a relaxed day of about six hours on the water. It is wise to carry a light cover-up for the boat, because the air-conditioned salon feels cool after a morning in the sun.