Ras Mohammed Diving Day Trip from Sharm el-Sheikh

Ras Mohammed gives first-time scuba visitors a fine introduction to the Red Sea, with coral, tropical fish, and a boat ride out from Sharm el-Sheikh. I like the small maximum group of 15 and the fact that your English-speaking divemaster explains breathing, equipment, and emergency hand signals before you enter the water.

I also like the practical package: hotel pickup, gear, park fees, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling are covered. The main limitation is that the beginner underwater session lasts about 20 minutes and reaches only 6 to 8 meters, so certified scuba users may find it too basic.

Key points at a glance

• A gentle first underwater session: You receive instruction before spending up to 20 minutes at a maximum depth of 6 to 8 meters.
• Ras Mohammed by boat: The day combines a marine park visit with time at several water stops.
• Shiref and an English-speaking crew: Shiref is named as the diving guide, with an English-speaking divemaster leading the instruction.
• Snorkeling fills out the day: You can continue enjoying the water at other stops after the beginner scuba session.
• Useful all-in pricing: Lunch, soft drinks, equipment, national park fees, and hotel transfers are included in the $68 cost.
• An early start and full day: Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m., with the return to your hotel planned for about 4:00 p.m.

What the Ras Mohammed day is really about

This is not a full certification course. It is a supervised first taste of scuba in one of the best-known marine areas near Sharm el-Sheikh.

That distinction matters. You will not spend the day in a classroom, and you will not be sent into deep water. Instead, the divemaster gives you the basic information needed to use the equipment, breathe correctly underwater, and understand the main hand signals used in an emergency.

After that briefing, you receive equipment matched to your body size. The beginner session reaches a maximum of 6 to 8 meters and lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough time to get a sense of how your body reacts underwater and to see marine life without making the day feel like a technical course.

I think this format works best for someone who has always wanted to try scuba but does not want to commit to a multi-day class. It also suits couples or families with mixed interests, since snorkeling and swimming are part of the day as well.

The 8:00 a.m. pickup from Sharm el-Sheikh

The day begins with hotel pickup in Sharm el-Sheikh at about 8:00 a.m. You then travel to the marine jetty, where you board the boat for Ras Mohammed.

Round-trip transport is a useful part of the $68 price. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the harbor or work out how to reach the national park on your own. The return drive is planned for around 4:00 p.m., making this an approximately eight-hour outing.

That timing gives you a full day without turning the trip into a late-night commitment. Still, plan for an early start and a long day away from your hotel. You will be moving from vehicle to jetty, then boat to water stops, so bring only what you need and keep your personal belongings organized.

The group limit is 15 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough to keep the instruction more manageable than a large boatload. If you are nervous, stay close to the divemaster during the briefing and ask for clarification before entering the water.

Learning the basics before entering the Red Sea

Once aboard, the divemaster explains how to use the scuba equipment and how to breathe underwater. You also learn the main hand signals used for communication and emergencies.

This preparation is one of the most important parts of the experience. Underwater communication is different from ordinary conversation, and the breathing rhythm can feel unfamiliar at first. The briefing helps you understand what the equipment does before you have to think about it in the water.

The English-speaking instruction is especially useful if you are booking from abroad and want clear guidance. Shiref is identified as the diving guide, and the crew is described as friendly and well organized. You should still listen carefully and tell the guide if you feel uncomfortable, need help, or want to end the session.

The equipment is supplied and selected to match your body size. That saves you from renting gear elsewhere, but remember that fit is personal. If a mask feels loose or equipment does not feel right, say so before the boat reaches the water stop.

The 20-minute beginner session at 6 to 8 meters

The main underwater session is designed for people who are not certified. You spend up to 20 minutes at a maximum depth of 6 to 8 meters, under instruction and supervision.

The shallow depth is a sensible choice for a first attempt. You can focus on breathing and watching the coral rather than dealing with the demands of a deep descent. The session is short enough to be approachable, but long enough to give you a real sense of scuba rather than a quick dip below the surface.

Ras Mohammed is known for coral and tropical fish, so the appeal is the setting as much as the lesson. The underwater bottom has been described as colorful, with unusual reef formations and marine life. Conditions can vary, of course, and no wildlife sighting is guaranteed, but the park is chosen for its marine environment.

Do not confuse this session with certification. It does not turn you into a qualified scuba diver, and the information provided describes an introductory activity only. If your goal is independent underwater touring, you will need formal training separately.

For many first-timers, the brief format is a strength. You get to test the experience without spending several days learning skills. For anyone hoping for a long underwater outing, it is the clearest limitation.

Snorkeling at the other water stops

After the beginner scuba session, you can snorkel or swim at additional locations where the boat stops. This gives you more time in the water and lets you continue seeing the reef from the surface.

I like this part of the plan because it prevents the day from ending after the 20-minute underwater session. Snorkeling is also a good fallback if scuba feels uncomfortable, or if one person in your group does not want to use an air tank.

The surface view is different from the underwater view. You can move at your own pace, pause when you like, and spend more time simply looking down through the water. The schedule does not specify how long each stop lasts, so you should expect the crew to control the timing around the boat’s route.

You should also remember that snorkeling is an included option, not a private guided lesson. The main instruction is for the introductory scuba portion. For the best day, pay attention to the crew’s directions about where to swim and when to return to the boat.

Lunch and drinks between water activities

Lunch and drinks are included, so you do not need to arrange food during the day. The meal is served on the boat, giving you a chance to sit down between water activities.

The food has been described as an ample buffet with some unusual dishes. That makes the meal more than a simple snack and helps explain why the tour can occupy most of the day without requiring extra planning.

Food matters on a boat trip. You have an early pickup, physical activity in the water, and several hours away from your hotel. Having lunch included keeps the schedule simple and means you do not need to carry a full meal with you.

The tour includes soda and drinks, but the information does not specify every beverage or cater to special diets. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet will meet your needs. Tipping and personal expenses are not included, so keep some money available for those.

What the $68 price includes

At $68 per person, the value depends on how much of the package you would otherwise need to arrange separately. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, boat access to the marine area, national park fees, an English-speaking divemaster, scuba equipment, lunch, and drinks.

That is a useful bundle. The national park fee alone is an extra cost on many outings, while equipment rental and transport can quickly add up. You also avoid the hassle of finding a separate instructor for a first attempt.

The price is strongest for a beginner who needs everything supplied. If you already own equipment or only want to snorkel from shore, the value is less clear. In that case, you would be paying for the boat trip, park access, meal, and supervised scuba instruction even if you do not plan to use all of them.

There is no mention of private transport or a private guide. The group can reach 15 people, so this is a shared excursion rather than a personal underwater lesson. For a first experience at a well-known marine site, that trade-off is reasonable.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this day to you if you want a straightforward first introduction to scuba and prefer a package that takes care of the practical details.

It suits:

• First-time scuba participants who want shallow, supervised instruction
• People staying in Sharm el-Sheikh who want hotel transport included
• Couples or groups where some people prefer snorkeling
• Visitors who want Ras Mohammed access without arranging park fees, food, and equipment separately
• Anyone comfortable spending most of a day on a shared boat

It may not suit you if you are already certified and want multiple long underwater sessions. The beginner session is limited to 20 minutes at 6 to 8 meters, and the tour is built around instruction rather than advanced skills.

It may also be a poor fit if you need a private schedule or dislike early starts. Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m., and the day does not return to Sharm el-Sheikh until around 4:00 p.m.

A few practical points before you book

The experience is confirmed when you book, and most people can participate. The supplied information does not list special medical requirements, age limits, or accessibility details, so ask the operator directly if any of those points affect you.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That is important because you cannot recover the payment if you cancel or request an amendment, so make sure your schedule is firm before paying.

Wear comfortable clothing for the transfer and boat ride, and bring whatever personal items you need for a full day away from the hotel. The package supplies scuba equipment, lunch, drinks, park fees, and transport, but personal expenses and tips remain your responsibility.

Keep expectations realistic. Ras Mohammed is the star of the day, but the tour gives you an introductory session, not unlimited time below the surface. The best way to view it is as a marine park outing with a well-organized first scuba lesson, followed by snorkeling and a boat ride.

Should you book this Ras Mohammed trip?

Book it if you want to try scuba in Ras Mohammed without arranging transport, equipment, food, or park admission yourself. The combination of a shallow supervised session, colorful coral areas, extra snorkeling stops, and an included buffet makes the day easy for beginners.

I would choose it especially if your group has mixed interests. One person can enjoy the first scuba session, while others can focus on snorkeling and swimming.

Skip it if you want certification, private instruction, or several long underwater sessions. For a first taste at $68, with Shiref and an English-speaking crew handling the basics, this is a practical and fairly priced way to meet the Red Sea below the surface.

FAQ

What time does the Ras Mohammed trip start?

Hotel pickup begins at 8:00 a.m. You then travel to the marine jetty and board the boat.

What time does the tour return to Sharm el-Sheikh?

The boat returns to the dock before the drive back to your hotel, with hotel return planned for about 4:00 p.m.

How deep is the beginner scuba session?

The introductory session reaches a maximum depth of 6 to 8 meters.

How long do I spend underwater?

The introductory scuba session lasts about 20 minutes for participants who are not certified.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. After the introductory scuba session, you can snorkel or swim at other stops made by the boat.

What is included in the $68 price?

The price includes national park fees, lunch, drinks, hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking divemaster, and scuba equipment. Tips and personal expenses are not included.