From Sharm: Luxury Diving cruise to Ras Mohammed with Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the main event here: clear Red Sea water, coral gardens, and close views of fish from a boat leaving Sharm El Sheikh. You can choose one or two guided scuba sessions, so the trip works for a first underwater taste as well as a fuller day for certified participants.

I like the hotel pickup and the simple six-hour schedule. I also like the 90-minute break between water sessions, with snacks, drinks, and time to snorkel from the boat. The main caution is to check exactly what your booking includes. Equipment, snorkeling gear, and the marina entrance fee may be add-ons, and two customers had problems getting the underwater sessions they had paid for.

• Two underwater stops: Choose one or two sessions, with different reefs around Ras Mohammed.
• Beginner-friendly format: Introductory sessions last up to 15 minutes and are led by an instructor.
• Longer sessions for experienced participants: Professional underwater time averages about 40 minutes.
• Boat lunch included: Expect a buffet meal plus unlimited drinks during the cruise.
• White Island may be included: Some departures visit this striking shallow-water spot, depending on the day and route.
• Check extras carefully: The marina charge is 5 euros per person, and gear may need to be added before checkout.

What the $54 price gets you

At $54 per person, this is priced as a full boat outing rather than a private charter. The package includes hotel pickup, the instructor, lunch, drinks, and the boat ride. That makes it reasonable if you want a single day combining transport, reef access, food, and basic water equipment arrangements.

The price needs a closer look, though. The booking choices determine how many underwater sessions you receive. Diving equipment and snorkeling equipment are listed as optional add-ons, and the mandatory marina entrance charge is 5 euros per person unless you prepay it.

Before you pay, read the selected option line by line. Confirm the number of sessions, the duration promised for beginners, and whether gear is already included. This is especially important because one booking dispute involved a customer who believed a 15-minute introductory session was included, while the boat staff said it was not.

The advertised score is 4.3 from 31 ratings. Most of the positive feedback centers on friendly staff, careful instruction, smooth timing, the underwater scenery, and the food. That is a good sign, but the complaints about session length, package confusion, food quality, and expensive photographs deserve your attention.

The early pickup from Sharm El Sheikh

Your day starts with a shared bus from your hotel reception. Pickup usually takes place roughly one hour before the boat trip, and the exact time is sent by WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure.

Allow extra time in the morning. Shared transport means the bus may collect people from several hotels, and the ride to the diving center takes about 35 minutes. Once there, you complete paperwork and get fitted for equipment if it is included in your option or selected as an add-on.

The pickup is practical rather than luxurious. You are not paying for a private car, but you do avoid arranging a taxi to the marina. Keep your phone active the day before, since the exact pickup time is not fixed in the basic description.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, but it is not suitable for people with back, heart, or respiratory problems. Non-swimmers should not book the scuba option. A snorkeling alternative is available for people who do not want to take part in the underwater sessions, provided the required equipment is included or added.

Sailing out toward Ras Mohammed

The cruise from the marina to Ras Mohammed takes about an hour and a half. This is a useful part of the day, not just transport. You get open-water views, time to settle on the boat, and a chance to listen to the instructor before reaching the first site.

The boat schedule gives you roughly three and a half hours in the national park area. That time covers snorkeling, one or two underwater sessions, lunch, and time on the deck. With two sessions, the day feels active. With one, you get more free time for snorkeling and sitting in the sun.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a camera. Pack snacks too, even though light snacks and unlimited drinks are provided. Food is included, but one low-rated account described the meal and drinks as poor, while another praised the lunch. Expectations should be sensible: this is a boat buffet, not a restaurant meal.

The first underwater session

The first stop is chosen for clear water and marine life around the coral reefs. You enter with a professional instructor, who guides you through the experience and helps you stay comfortable below the surface.

For a beginner, the introductory session can last up to 15 minutes. That is enough to get a first look at the reef, but it is not the same as a full recreational scuba session. If you have never used this equipment, the short format may be a sensible way to test your comfort without committing to a longer underwater period.

Experienced participants can expect around 40 minutes on average. Actual time depends on the option selected, your experience, air use, and the conditions on the day. The description does not provide a certification requirement or a maximum depth, so ask the operator directly if those details matter to you.

The strongest praise for the instructors is about personal attention. One customer specifically described an instructor holding and guiding them throughout the session, which is reassuring for a first attempt. Instruction is offered in English, Russian, Italian, and German.

The important rule is simple: do not touch the marine life. Coral is delicate, and close viewing is the point of the experience. Keep your hands to yourself, follow the instructor, and avoid treating the reef like a photo set.

The 90-minute surface break

After the first session, the boat pauses for about 90 minutes. This is the most flexible part of the outing. You can rest on deck, take a drink, eat a light snack, or use the time for snorkeling.

That break matters because a two-session day can be tiring. You have time to dry off, warm up, and regain your balance before returning to the water. If you are new to scuba, tell the crew how you feel rather than rushing into the second session.

Snorkeling also gives non-divers a fair share of the day. You may see coral and fish from the surface without taking scuba equipment below. The snorkeling option is included, but the equipment itself may be an add-on, so confirm this before departure.

Stay close to the group in the water. One serious complaint described a participant being carried away from the boat by the current and not being noticed quickly enough. The account ended with another boat helping, and the matter was resolved, but it is a useful warning. Follow the crew’s instructions, keep track of the group, and do not swim off alone to take photographs.

The second reef and White Island

If you select two sessions, the boat moves to a second site. The attraction is variety: a different reef can offer another view of the coral, fish, and underwater terrain rather than repeating the first stop.

Some departures also include White Island. One account described it as beautiful, but the route can be busy with other boats and people. Treat it as an extra stop rather than a guaranteed private beach moment.

The schedule may feel tight if the boat visits White Island, serves lunch, and runs two sessions. One complaint involved time lost while staff and customers argued about whether the second session was included. That is why your voucher and selected option matter. Keep a screenshot of the booking details on your phone and show it at the diving center before leaving the marina.

Do not assume that a second session can be added casually without affecting the timing. The number of sessions is selected in the trip options, and extra sessions can be added through the available add-ons before checkout.

Lunch on board and the return journey

Lunch is served on the boat during the Ras Mohammed portion of the trip. The meal is described as a buffet, with unlimited drinks available throughout the cruise. It is a welcome pause after time in the water.

Food quality appears uneven. One customer called the food delicious, while another found the food and drinks very poor. I would treat lunch as convenient fuel, not a reason to book the trip. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special meal choices, so ask before paying.

The return sailing takes about an hour. By then, you will probably be ready for a quiet seat, dry clothes, and sunscreen again. The total activity lasts six hours, but hotel pickup and drop-off make the full morning-to-afternoon commitment longer than the advertised boat time.

Photo sales and extra costs

An underwater photographer may offer pictures or video during the sessions. This can be a nice souvenir, especially if you are trying scuba for the first time, but get the price before agreeing to anything.

One customer reported being asked for £120 for photographs and video and felt the images were poor. Another complained about pressure to buy pictures at the end. I would not treat this as proof that every photo package will be disappointing, but I would set a firm budget and ask to see a sample before purchasing.

You do not need to buy the media package to enjoy the trip. Bring your own camera if it is suitable for water use, but follow the instructor’s directions and never let photography distract you from the group or the marine life.

Who will get the most from this trip

This outing suits you best if you want a straightforward introduction to the Red Sea without arranging a full scuba course. The short beginner format, multilingual instructors, boat lunch, and snorkeling option make it approachable for first-timers who can swim and are medically fit for the activity.

It also works for experienced participants who want two reef stops in one half-day. The average 40-minute professional session gives you more time underwater than the introductory option, though you should confirm the exact plan and equipment terms before booking.

Families and mixed groups may find the format useful because non-divers can snorkel while others take part in scuba. The main limitations are the shared bus, the possible crowding around the national park, and the need to manage your own expectations about lunch and photo sales.

You should skip it if you have back, heart, or respiratory problems, or if you cannot swim. This is not a passive sightseeing cruise. Even with an instructor beside you, you need to be comfortable in the water and willing to follow instructions.

Booking checks that can save trouble

I would make these checks before final payment:

• Confirm whether you selected one or two underwater sessions.
• Check if diving equipment and snorkeling equipment are included or added separately.
• Add or budget for the 5 euro marina entrance fee.
• Save a screenshot of the booking option and its session details.
• Ask about the pickup time through WhatsApp the day before.
• Bring your own towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and snacks.
• Set a clear limit for optional photographs and videos.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sharm schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Ras Mohammed cruise?

I would book this trip if you want good-value access to Ras Mohammed, prefer a guided first underwater experience, and are comfortable checking the extras carefully. The best parts are the reef setting, the choice of one or two sessions, kind instructors, hotel pickup, and a full boat day for $54.

I would be cautious if precise session time matters greatly to you. The complaints about a promised session being disputed, sessions running shorter than expected, and weak group control are not minor details. Keep your booking proof, stay near the group, and confirm every add-on.

For a first Red Sea scuba outing, this can be an enjoyable and practical choice. It is not a private luxury cruise in the quiet, pampered sense of the word. Think shared boat, busy national park, simple buffet, and beautiful water. If that balance suits you, the trip offers a solid way to see Ras Mohammed without spending a full day on shore.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The activity lasts about six hours. The route includes hotel pickup, a bus ride of roughly 35 minutes to the diving center, sailing to Ras Mohammed, time in the park, and the return boat trip.

How many underwater sessions can I choose?

You can select one or two sessions in the trip options. Additional sessions may be available as add-ons before checkout. Beginners receive introductory sessions of up to 15 minutes, while professional sessions average about 40 minutes.

Is snorkeling available for non-divers?

Yes. Snorkeling is available as an option for non-divers and during the surface interval. Snorkeling equipment may need to be selected as an add-on.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served on board, and unlimited drinks are included. Light snacks and drinks are also available during the surface interval.

Is the marina entrance fee included?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of 5 euros per person applies. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the available add-on.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in English, Russian, Italian, and German.