Is the White Island trip in Egypt suitable for kids and non-swimmers, and what mask should you use for snorkeling there?

A recent report says White Island currently has a proper sandy water entry rather than only waist-deep shallows, with enough space for a normal swim.

For entering the water, use the sandy descent by the staircase with a lifebuoy; most tourists go in there. The alternative route crosses dead coral and is less comfortable, especially for children and less confident swimmers.

According to visitors, the White Island and Ras Mohammed excursion is most worthwhile for the reef, so it suits those planning to swim, dive, or snorkel. For non-swimmers, it is mainly a boat outing with a stop on the sand.

The sea around White Island is mostly shallow; to find deeper water you need to walk about 300-500m to the right (which is technically another beach's area, but swimming there is fine). Reaching the island/sandbank itself sometimes requires swimming about 70 meters.

The sand at White Island is coarse and rough, uncomfortable to walk on barefoot. It's recommended to bring modern aqua shoes: comfortable for both walking and swimming, no need to take them off, sand doesn't get trapped inside, and they dry quickly (about 10 minutes) — more practical than regular sandals.

For snorkeling at White Island, a full-face mask is mainly suitable for relaxed surface floating. If you want to dive down and explore deeper reef sections, a standard separate mask and snorkel is the more practical choice.

At White Island there is usually no proper walk-in entry to deep water from shore: the water close to the edge is often only knee-deep. At high tide, children can splash around there, and non-swimmers usually stay in these shallows; when the tide is higher, some people even snorkel along the shoreline.

It is better not to overexpect the “white sand” experience on the excursion: the sandbank is often partly submerged, and you may need to swim to reach the most photogenic sections. If you expect to simply relax on a fully dry white beach, the trip can feel underwhelming.