Ras Mohammed and White Island in a nutshell
Ras Mohammed, at the southern tip of Sinai, became Egypt’s first national park in 1983. Its reefs, with Shark and Yolanda the most famous names, are the reason so many snorkellers and divers choose Sharm in the first place. White Island is a sandbar in the middle of the sea, reachable only by boat and ringed by shallow turquoise water that looks almost too bright in photos. Put the two together and you have a trip our guests write about often: it is one of the most-reviewed experiences on our site.
How the day typically runs
- Early pick-up from your hotel in an air-conditioned minivan. Mido confirms your exact time on WhatsApp.
- Marina check-in. Boat passengers are usually registered with the port authority, so have your passport or a copy ready.
- Cruise south towards the park. Find a shady spot, put on sunscreen and get your snorkel set sorted while the coast slides past.
- Three snorkelling stops at reefs chosen on the day according to wind and currents. The crew shows you where to get in and where to stay.
- Barbecue lunch with soft drinks on board, usually served between stops.
- White Island, when sea conditions allow: paddle in the shallows, walk on the sand and take the photos.
- Cruise back in the afternoon and drop-off at your hotel.
Who the White Island Sharm trip suits
Snorkellers of every level, families with children who are happy in a life jacket, couples and groups of friends. Strong swimmers get reef walls dropping into deep blue water; beginners and non-swimmers can stay in the shallows at White Island or simply enjoy the deck. If a full day at sea sounds like too much for your group, the glass bottom boat shows the coral in under two hours.
Tips from a local
- Pack your passport or a clear copy the night before. It is needed for port registration, and it is the one thing people forget.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and snorkel in a rash vest or T-shirt. The backs of your legs and shoulders burn first when you float face-down.
- Don’t touch or stand on coral, even in the shallows, and wear fins only where the crew says it is fine.
- Seasick easily? Take your tablet before boarding, not once you feel it, and sit in the middle of the boat rather than at the front. Winter mornings can be breezy.
- Choose your month. March to May and October to November bring warm water and comfortable air. In February the sea is around 21–22°C, so bring your own shorty wetsuit if you feel the cold.
- Bring small cash for tips. Tipping the crew is customary in Egypt.
The Ras Mohammed boat trip vs other ways to see the reef
| Option | Length | Do you get wet? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ras Mohammed and White Island | Full day | Yes, snorkelling | The full Red Sea experience |
| Glass bottom boat | About 1.5–2 h | No | Non-swimmers and all ages |
| Intro shore dive | About 2–3 h | Yes, scuba | A first taste of diving |
Plan the rest of your week
Book the Ras Mohammed boat trip early in your stay, so a windy day can’t squeeze it out. Keep the next day easier: a desert safari by quad or buggy in the late afternoon is a good contrast. If snorkelling gets you hooked, an intro shore dive is the natural next step. For the park’s history, the best-known reefs and the Magic Lake, read our Ras Mohammed National Park guide.
To book, send your date, hotel and the number of adults and children to Mido Tours on WhatsApp (+20 10 1868 1624).
