Sharm El Sheikh doesn't need much of an introduction, it's one of the most famous names on the Red Sea, and the water here earns every bit of that reputation. What sets the snorkeling apart isn't just the coral, it's the sheer variety packed into a single stretch of coast: a protected national park teeming with marine life, a sandbank so white it looks photoshopped, and a semi-submarine for anyone who'd rather watch the reef through glass than a mask.
In this guide, Marsa Waves walks you through every snorkeling trip we run from Sharm El Sheikh, so you know exactly what you're booking before you step on the boat.
Why Sharm El Sheikh Is One of Egypt's Best Snorkeling Destinations
Sharm sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, right where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba, two bodies of water with different depths, temperatures, and currents that collide here and create unusually nutrient-rich conditions for marine life.
That geographic accident is a big part of why the reefs off this coast are as rich as they are, and why divers and snorkelers have been making the trip here for decades. Add warm water most of the year, generally calm conditions close to shore, and an unusually short distance between the airport and the boats, and it's easy to see why Sharm remains one of Egypt's most reliable snorkeling bases.
For more on the town itself and where to stay, see our Sharm El Sheikh travel guide.
Ras Mohammed National Park, What Makes It So Famous
Long before "marine conservation" was a phrase anyone used casually, Egypt protected this headland in 1983, making Ras Mohammed the country's first national park. The name itself comes from the cliff's silhouette, which early visitors thought resembled a bearded man's profile. What that early protection bought the reef is remarkable: studies have found live coral cover here reaching up to 90% in places, compared to roughly 20–30% in unprotected areas nearby, the difference between a reef that's merely surviving and one that's genuinely thriving.
The numbers back up the reputation. Over 1,000 species of fish and more than 200 species of coral call these waters home, alongside green and hawksbill turtles that show up regularly enough that spotting one barely counts as luck. It's this density and health of marine life, decades in the making, that turns a snorkeling stop here into something closer to a living museum than an ordinary beach day.
White Island, Why It's Called the "Invisible Island"
White Island sits inside Ras Mohammed's protected waters, and it earns its nickname honestly: from a distance, its sandbank is so pale and the surrounding water so clear that the island seems to hover on the surface with nothing beneath it.There's no permanent structure here, no vendors, nothing built, just a strip of soft white sand ringed by turquoise water, which is exactly why it photographs the way it does and why every boat that stops here treats it as the day's highlight rather than an afterthought.
What Marine Life Can You See While Snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh?
Between Ras Mohammed's reefs and White Island's shallows, there's a genuinely wide cross-section of Red Sea life on offer. Green and hawksbill turtles are common enough to expect rather than hope for, and the coral gardens themselves host colorful reef fish in numbers that make it hard to know where to look first, parrotfish, butterflyfish, and clouds of smaller reef species moving over more than 200 varieties of hard and soft coral. Rays and reef sharks are occasionally spotted by snorkelers lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right moment, though they're far more a possibility than a promise. It's this combination, healthy coral, reliable turtle sightings, and the occasional larger surprise, that keeps Ras Mohammed near the top of most divers' and snorkelers' Red Sea lists.
Best Time to Snorkel in Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm is a year-round snorkeling destination, but conditions do shift with the seasons. Water is warmest and visibility often at its best between July and September, making these the most popular months to book a boat. Winter is still very much diveable and snorkelable, though February tends to run cooler than the rest of the year, so a wetsuit is worth considering if you're visiting then.
Outside of temperature, mornings generally offer calmer seas than afternoons, which is part of why most boats, including the trips below, depart early. You can browse the full range of Sharm El Sheikh snorkeling tours to see what fits your dates.
Our Sharm El Sheikh Snorkeling Tours
With the background out of the way, here's exactly what's on offer. Three trips, three very different days on the water, from a full seven-hour sail to a two-destination reef and sandbank combo, up to a fully premium yacht experience, and a semi-submarine for anyone who'd rather stay dry.
Ras Mohammed & White Island, Pirates Sailing Boat Tour
There's something about sailing out of the marina on a boat that actually looks like it belongs in a pirate story, sun decks, that unmistakable silhouette, the whole day stretching out ahead of you. This trip spends its morning at Ras Mohammed National Park, one of the most celebrated stretches of reef anywhere in the Red Sea, with a guided snorkeling session among coral gardens that have been protected long enough to actually recover and thrive.
From there, you sail on to White Island, sometimes called the Invisible Island, because from a distance its sandbank looks like it's floating on the water with nothing underneath it, for a second snorkeling stop and a walk on sand so fine it barely feels real.
In between, lunch is served buffet-style on deck: seafood, grilled chicken, Egyptian kofta, pasta, the works, eaten while the Sinai coastline slides past. It's a full seven-hour day built for people who want two completely different snorkeling experiences, a protected marine park and a barefoot sandbank, without having to choose between them.
Book the Pirates Sailing Boat Tour to Ras Mohammed & White Island
Ras Mohammed & White Island, Elite VIP Cruise
Same two destinations, a different kind of day. Where the Pirates Sailing trip leans into character and atmosphere, the Elite VIP Cruise leans into comfort, a four-deck yacht with sun loungers, shaded seating, air-conditioned lounges, and unlimited hot and cold drinks running the whole time you're on board.
The itinerary also goes a step further underwater: instead of one snorkeling stop at Ras Mohammed, you get three separate guided sessions across different reef sites inside the national park, plus the same White Island stop to finish the day.
If you'd rather spend more time actually in the water than on deck between stops, this is the version built for that, more snorkeling, more reef, and a noticeably higher level of service throughout, all wrapped around the same gourmet buffet lunch and a smooth return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Book the Elite VIP Cruise to Ras Mohammed & White Island
Sharm El Sheikh Submarine Tour, Royal Seascope
Not everyone wants to get in the water, and that's exactly what the Royal Seascope is built for. Instead of a mask and fins, you descend into an air-conditioned observation deck roughly three meters below the surface, where wide panoramic windows put the entire reef right in front of you, no swimming required.
It's the kind of trip that works for grandparents, toddlers, and anyone who's never felt fully at ease with their face underwater, without anyone having to sit the day out.
The whole experience runs about 90 minutes, with two daily departures, and for anyone who does want a bit more, there's an optional snorkeling stop tacked onto the same reef you just watched through the glass, so you can go from spectator to swimmer in the same afternoon if the mood strikes.
If you're still deciding whether snorkeling or a fully submerged dive is more your speed on this trip, our snorkeling vs diving guide breaks down what each actually involves.
Book the Sharm El Sheikh Submarine Tour – Royal Seascope
Which Sharm El Sheikh Snorkeling Trip Is Right for You?
- Want the classic Ras Mohammed & White Island combo, with character? Go with the Pirates Sailing Boat Tour.
- Want the same destinations with more time in the water and a higher level of service? The Elite VIP Cruise is built for that.
- Traveling with non-swimmers, young kids, or older family members? The Royal Seascope submarine tour lets everyone see the reef without anyone getting wet.
If dolphins are what you're really hoping to see on your trip, it's worth knowing these three tours are reef and sandbank focused rather than dolphin-specific, our guide to swimming with dolphins in Egypt points you toward the destinations built around that experience.
And if you're still weighing Sharm against other stops on the coast, our ultimate guide to Red Sea tours in Egypt lays out how the main destinations compare.
Why Book Your Sharm El Sheikh Snorkeling Trip with Marsa Waves?
- Instant Booking confirmation, no waiting around for a reply; your spot is confirmed right away.
- Book Now & Pay Later, secure your trip today without any upfront payment.
- A trip for every kind of traveler, from full-day sailing adventures to a submarine ride that doesn't require anyone to swim.
- Door-to-door service, hotel pickup and transfers are included on every trip.
- Verified traveler reviews, real feedback from customers who've actually taken our trips, so you can book with confidence knowing what past guests experienced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Pirates Sailing Tour and the Elite VIP Cruise?
Both visit Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island, but the Elite VIP Cruise includes three guided snorkeling stops instead of one, a four-deck yacht with more onboard comfort, and unlimited drinks throughout the day.
Do I need to know how to swim to go on the submarine tour?
No, the Royal Seascope tour is designed specifically for non-swimmers and families, since you view the reef from a dry, air-conditioned observation deck rather than snorkeling.
Is Ras Mohammed National Park good for beginners?
Yes, the guided snorkeling sessions are suitable for beginners, with calm conditions and experienced staff supervising every stop.
How long are these trips?
The Pirates Sailing Tour and Elite VIP Cruise both run around 7 hours, while the Royal Seascope Submarine Tour takes about 90 minutes.
Book Your Sharm El Sheikh Snorkeling Tour Today
Whether you're chasing a full day of reef and sandbank on a sailing boat, upgrading to a more comfortable yacht experience, or keeping the whole family dry in a semi-submarine, Sharm El Sheikh has a way to put you in front of the Red Sea's best marine life. Pick your trip above and book with Marsa Waves today.