Is White Island worth it? Ras Mohammed and White Island guide 2026

White Island is worth it if you want an easy snorkelling day with a swim stop on a white sandbar inside Ras Mohammed National Park. The boat trip from Sharm El Sheikh takes about 9 hours, with two reef stops at Ras Mohammed and one at White Island. The landing is not guaranteed: sea conditions and access rules decide it on the day.

What is White Island?

White Island is a sandbar of fine white sand in the western part of Ras Mohammed National Park, at the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula. It can only be reached by boat. Boats anchor nearby and you swim or wade across to the sand. The water around it is shallow and turquoise, with reef and fish at the edges.

On the White Island and Ras Mohammed by boat (from $30) trip you get about 20 minutes on the sandbar to walk, sunbathe and take photos. The rest of the day is spent on the yacht and snorkelling at the reefs.

What is Ras Mohammed National Park?

Ras Mohammed is a protected area about 12 km from Sharm El Sheikh. It was declared a marine reserve in 1983 and covers about 480 km², of which about 345 km² is sea. Its best-known reefs, Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, are popular dive sites. On land it has a small mangrove area and a saltwater lagoon known as Magic Lake or the Lake of Desires.

What do you see on a Ras Mohammed trip?

It depends on whether you go by sea or by road.

• By boat: two snorkelling stops at reefs in Ras Mohammed National Park and one stop at White Island, with a buffet lunch and soft drinks on board.
• By bus: the Gate of Allah, the mangroves, the Lake of Desires and a snorkelling stop in Ras Mohamed Bay. You see more of the park on land, but you do not visit White Island.

How good is the snorkelling?

The reefs inside the park are protected, and you can see coral and reef fish from the surface. On the boat trip you snorkel from the yacht in open water, with an instructor who goes with snorkellers to the reef and watches for safety. On the bus trip you snorkel from the shore in Ras Mohamed Bay.

The crew chooses the reef sites on the day, based on wind, waves and current. If you are not a confident swimmer, wear a life vest and tell the instructor before you get in.

Snorkelling equipment is not included in either tour. You can rent a mask, snorkel and fins at a diving centre on the way, or order them through us in advance for a lower fee. On the boat trip you can also book a short intro dive: no certificate is needed, the dive lasts up to 10 minutes and goes to 3 to 6 m.

From December to March the sea averages about 22 to 25°C, so many people wear a wetsuit in those months.

How much is the Ras Mohammed entrance fee in 2026?

Foreign visitors pay a national park entrance fee, which tour listings from 2025 and 2026 give as about $5 to $7 per person. One listing gives $5 or 250 EGP, and another gives $7, payable at the gate. We could not find an official published tariff for 2026, so treat these figures as a guide and carry some small cash.

For SinbadTour trips:

• The Ras Mohammed National Park by bus with snorkelling (from $20) includes entrance fees and tickets.
• The White Island and Ras Mohammed by boat (from $30) lists the yacht, crew, instructor, three sea stops, drinks and lunch as included. Its list does not mention the park entrance fee, so ask us when you book whether it is covered for your date.

Some other operators also list a marina fee, paid in cash at the port.

Boat or bus: which Ras Mohammed trip should you choose?

Choose the boat if you want White Island and reef snorkelling from a yacht. Choose the bus if you want a shorter, cheaper half day and the land sights of the park.

	White Island and Ras Mohammed by boat	Ras Mohammed by bus with snorkelling
Price	From $30 per person	From $20 per person
Duration	9 hours	5 hours
Hotel pickup	Around 8:00	Around 9:00
Back at hotel	Around 17:00	Around 14:00
Stops	2 reef stops at Ras Mohammed, 1 stop at White Island	Gate of Allah, mangroves, Lake of Desires, Ras Mohamed Bay
White Island	Yes, about 20 minutes ashore when conditions allow	No
Park entrance fee	Not listed in the inclusions, ask when booking	Included
Food and drinks	Buffet lunch and soft drinks	Not included, bring drinks
Snorkelling	From the yacht, with an instructor	From the shore in the bay
Equipment	Rental extra	Rental extra

The boat trip suits couples and families who are happy to spend most of the day at sea. The bus trip suits people who get seasick, travellers with young children who prefer a shorter day, and anyone who wants to see the mangroves and the Lake of Desires.

If you only want to see the reef without swimming, a Glass bottom boat (from $18) is a shorter alternative.

Is White Island open every day?

No. White Island is sometimes closed to visitors, and the stop cannot be guaranteed on any given day. Operators state that the landing depends on weather, waves, tide, safety and access rules in the park, and that the crew decides the route each morning. When the stop is not possible, the crew changes the route and the snorkelling sites.

Wind is a frequent reason for changes, and strong wind on deck is more common in winter. If White Island matters to you, book the trip early in your holiday so there is time to rebook if the stop is cancelled.

What should you bring?

• A photo of your passport’s first page on your phone, which is requested for the boat trip.
• Swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
• Your own mask, snorkel and fins, or money to rent them.
• Cash in small notes for the park fee if it is not included, equipment, photos and tips.
• A sweatshirt or windproof layer from November to March, as it gets cool on deck.
• Drinks if you take the bus trip, as they are not included.

So, is White Island worth it?

Yes, for most visitors to Sharm El Sheikh who like the sea. You get two reef stops in one of the Red Sea’s best-known protected areas, lunch on board and time on the sandbar, for a moderate price. If you dislike long boat days, the shorter bus trip is a better fit. If the sandbar is your only reason for going, remember that the landing is not guaranteed.