Tiran Island Boat & Snorkeling Day from Sharm El Sheikh
8 hours, shared boat for up to 40. Two or three snorkel stops, lagoon swim, lunch, equipment and hotel transfers included.
The short answer
An 8-hour shared boat day from Sharm El Sheikh to the Straits of Tiran, with two or three snorkeling stops, a shallow lagoon swim and lunch on board, about one hour of sailing each way.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Sharm El Sheikh · Tiran Island · Straits of Tiran
- Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba, Old Market) · Boat shared with other guests · Snorkeling guide · Mask, snorkel and fins · Lunch on board with soft drinks and water
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
The sea is warmest from June to October. From December to February it is cooler and windier, and a wetsuit helps. Mornings are usually calmer.
- Egyptian tour operator working since 1988
- ETAA Licence 718, Category A, and IATA member
02Overview
A first look
This is an 8-hour boat day from Sharm El Sheikh to the Straits of Tiran, shared with up to 40 guests. The boat sails about an hour north-east to the reefs off Tiran Island, where you snorkel at two or three stops with a guide and swim in a shallow lagoon. Landing on the island is not permitted. Lunch on board, mask, snorkel, fins, marine park fees and hotel transfers are included. It suits swimmers and families who are comfortable at sea.
Background
The facts
Tiran Island lies in the Straits of Tiran, about one hour by boat north-east of the Sharm El Sheikh jetty, between Sinai and Saudi Arabia. The full day, with transfers, takes about 8 hours.
Named in this entry
Tiran Island·Straits of Tiran·Sharm El Sheikh·Red Sea·coral gardens
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Swimmers and families who want a full day of snorkeling with gear and lunch included.
Maybe not, if
- Non-swimmers who do not want to stay on deck, and travelers who are very prone to seasickness.
What lingers
- 01Two or three snorkeling stops over the coral gardens off Tiran Island
- 02A swim in a shallow lagoon with clear, light-blue water, easy for less confident swimmers
- 03About one hour by sea from the jetty north-east to the Straits of Tiran
- 04Lunch on board with soft drinks and water, served once the morning stops are done
- 05Mask, snorkel and fins are provided, and the marine park fees are already paid
- 06Shared boat for up to 40 guests, with hotel pickup and drop-off
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Two or three snorkel stops with a guide
- Shallow lagoon for easy swimming
- Lunch, gear and fees included
Things to Consider
- The strait can be choppy
- No landing on Tiran Island
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
A driver collects you at 08:00 from your hotel in Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba or the Old Market and takes you to the jetty. Bring your passport or a copy, as it is needed at the jetty. Wear your swimwear under your clothes to save time on board.
- 2
The boat leaves the jetty at about 09:00 and sails north-east for about one hour to the Straits of Tiran. The crew explain the safety rules. The water can be choppy in the open strait, so take a seasickness tablet before sailing if you are prone to it.
- 3
At about 10:00 the boat anchors at a reef off Tiran Island and you snorkel with the guide. Mask, snorkel and fins are provided. The coral gardens here are shallow enough to see from the surface. Landing on the island itself is not permitted, so all the swimming is from the boat.
- 4
At about 11:30 the boat moves to a shallow lagoon with light-blue water. It is an easy place to swim or float, including for children and less confident swimmers, with a life jacket if you want one. The guide stays nearby. Reef-safe sunscreen is a good idea.
- 5
At about 13:00 lunch is served on the boat, with soft drinks and water included. Use the break to rest in the shade and rinse off the salt. Tell the crew about any food allergies when you book, so they can plan the meal.
- 6
At around 14:00 there is a third snorkeling stop or a free swim, depending on the sea. The crew decide on the day, because wind and waves change in the strait. Water sports offered on the boat are paid for separately, and you can also just relax on deck.
- 7
The boat sails back to the jetty, and you are driven to your hotel, arriving at about 16:00 to 17:00 depending on the route. The sea can be rougher on the return leg, so keep the seasickness tablet handy. Bring a dry layer, since the wind feels cold when you are wet.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba, Old Market)
- Boat shared with other guests
- Snorkeling guide
- Mask, snorkel and fins
- Lunch on board with soft drinks and water
- Marine park fees
Not included
- Gratuities
- Towels
- Underwater photos and video
- Water sports offered on the boat
- Personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Take a seasickness tablet before sailing, not after you feel unwell
- 02
Bring a windproof layer for the return, because wet skin gets cold quickly
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. Children should be comfortable at sea and in the water. Please enter each child's age in your request.
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On the ground
Where it is
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How does the price work for the Tiran Island boat day?
The price is per person for a place on a shared boat with up to 40 guests. It covers transfers, snorkeling gear, the guide, lunch, drinks and marine park fees. Prices are provisional until our team confirms your request. Towels, photos and water sports on the boat are extra.02What time is pickup and where do you collect?
Pickup is at about 08:00 from hotels in Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba and the Old Market, followed by a transfer to the jetty. Our team confirms the exact time after accepting your request. Bring your passport or a copy for the jetty.03Can I go onto Tiran Island itself?
No. Landing on Tiran Island is not permitted, so the day is spent on the boat and in the water. You snorkel over the coral gardens off the island, swim in a shallow lagoon and eat lunch on board. The views of the island from the water are good, and the guide points out what you can see.04Is the boat day suitable for children?
Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. Children should be comfortable at sea and in the water. The shallow lagoon stop is the easiest place for them to swim.05What if the sea is too rough, and how do I cancel?
More than 72 hours ahead, keep 100% as credit toward future travel or take a 100% refund, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours, keep 100% as credit or take a 50% refund. Within 24 hours, or if you don't show up, there is no refund or credit. If we have to cancel, you lose nothing.06Do I need to be able to swim?
You should be comfortable in the water, because snorkeling is the main activity. A life jacket can be worn if you want one, and the guide stays near the group. If you would rather not swim, you can stay on board and relax on deck while others snorkel.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated Product ID: EXC-SHM-465695
At a glance
- Departs
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