Sharm: Luxury Private Yacht with optional Lunch & Drinks

Sharm’s Red Sea is at its best from the water, and this private yacht trip gives you a comfortable way to reach coral reefs near Ras Mohammad Marine National Park. You get two snorkeling stops, a guide in the water, a sun deck, and an air-conditioned salon below. It is a pleasant setup for a family or small group that wants its own boat rather than a crowded excursion.

I like the private group format, which lets you set the pace more easily than a standard group cruise. I also like the combination of a trained snorkeling instructor and a chef, since one handles safety while the other prepares a proper buffet with salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta.

The main caution is price clarity. The advertised group price is $570 for up to eight people, but the mandatory marina charge, park fees, and snorkeling equipment may add a substantial amount. Several bookings also received less time on the water than expected, so confirm every charge and the actual departure plan before you pay.

Key points to know before booking

• Two 40-minute snorkeling stops are planned, with a private snorkeling guide accompanying you in the water.
• The yacht is private for your group, but it may be much larger than you need if only two or three people are going.
• Lunch is optional, and the chef prepares a buffet with fresh salads, side dishes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta.
• A 200-euro marina fee may apply per private boat, either paid at the marina or prepaid as an add-on.
• Snorkeling gear may cost extra, with one booking reporting a charge of $10 per person for equipment and swimming shoes.
• The schedule can be the weak point, with some departures running closer to three hours or less than the promised four.

What this Sharm yacht trip is really offering

This is not simply a boat ride with a quick swim. The intended experience is a private half-day on the Red Sea, with time to sail out from Sharm, stop at two reef sites, snorkel with a guide, eat lunch if selected, and return to shore.

The setting is the appeal. Ras Mohammad is known for coral reefs and marine life, and the trip gives you a chance to see that underwater world without committing to scuba training. You can swim, float, and look down through clear water while an instructor helps you get comfortable with the equipment and points out what is worth seeing.

The boat itself is described as modern, spacious, and well maintained, with an upper sun deck and a cooled salon below. That matters in Sharm, where four hours in direct sun can become tiring. You can move between shade, indoor air conditioning, and the open deck instead of being stuck in one seat.

The word private also needs a little context. Your group has private use of the yacht, but that does not mean a small, intimate speedboat. One booking found the vessel far too large for a group of five, with room for roughly 50 people. That may feel luxurious for a big family group, but less special if you are paying for two people and most of the boat sits empty.

Getting from Sharm El-Sheikh to the marina

Pickup is included from your hotel, but the standard transfer uses a shared bus. The pickup usually takes place about an hour before the trip, and you should receive the exact time through WhatsApp roughly 24 hours before departure.

The drive to the marina takes about 30 to 40 minutes. That is easy enough, but your four-hour outing does not begin when the bus leaves your hotel. Allow for the early pickup, the transfer, marina procedures, and any waiting before the boat departs.

Private transfers are available as an add-on. I would consider paying for one if your group values a smoother morning, has mobility needs, or wants more control over timing. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm the transfer and boarding arrangements directly, since the details of getting from vehicle to yacht are not provided.

Before leaving the marina, check what you have already paid. The mandatory marina entrance fee is listed as 200 euros per private boat, although one booking reported paying 180 euros. That difference makes it especially important to confirm the current amount, currency, and payment method.

Sailing out toward Ras Mohammad

The planned route includes about 45 minutes of sailing to the first snorkeling site. This is the part of the day when the private yacht should earn its keep. You can sit on the upper deck, watch the Sharm coast recede, and settle into the rhythm of the sea instead of rushing straight from the marina into the water.

The yacht has soft drinks on board, but do not expect a fully stocked bar based on the information available. One booking described receiving one opened 1.5-liter bottle of cola and one opened bottle of Sprite with paper cups. That is a useful warning for anyone who expects personal drinks or a more polished beverage service.

Bring your own water if you prefer to drink regularly, though the included refreshments are part of the stated package. Also bring sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear. A hat and a light cover-up are sensible additions for the sunny upper deck, although only swimwear, towel, and sunscreen are specifically listed as required items.

The first 40-minute snorkeling stop

The first stop is meant to show you the coral reefs and marine life around Ras Mohammad. The planned water time is about 40 minutes, which is long enough for a real look around but not so long that inexperienced swimmers become worn out.

The snorkeling instructor is one of the stronger parts of this experience. A German booking specifically praised the instructor’s competence, and the crew was described as friendly and willing to help. That is important because a guide can make a major difference when you are adjusting a mask, using fins, or deciding how far from the yacht you should swim.

You do not need to be a confident snorkeler to benefit from the stop, but you should be comfortable entering the water. The guide is there to accompany you and support safety, not to turn the activity into a private swimming lesson.

Equipment rental may not be included in the base price. The package information says snorkeling gear is available if selected as an add-on, and one booking reported paying $10 per person for snorkeling equipment and swimming shoes. Ask in advance if you plan to use the operator’s gear, rather than assuming mask, fins, and shoes come with the yacht.

The exact reef quality can vary with weather, water conditions, and the site selected on the day. The appeal is the chance to see coral and fish in a protected marine area, but no responsible operator can guarantee a specific animal or perfect visibility.

The second stop and time on the water

After the first swim, the yacht makes a short trip to a second snorkeling site. Another 40-minute stop is planned, giving you a chance to see a different section of reef and compare the conditions.

Two stops are better than one for a short outing. If the first site is crowded or visibility is not ideal, the second gives you another opportunity. It also breaks up the swim time, which works well for families with mixed energy levels.

There is a serious timing issue to watch. One booking described a 20-minute sail followed by a 45-minute wait near other boats, despite booking a private trip with the intention of cruising, sunbathing, and relaxing. The group had to ask for the boat to move on. Another booking reported a total outing of only about an hour, with very little actual sailing and no usable snorkeling because the day became too cold and dark.

Those accounts do not prove that every departure runs this way, but they do show why you should state your expectations clearly. If you want snorkeling, ask exactly where the two stops will be. If you mainly want a private cruise and time on the sun deck, say so before leaving the marina. A private boat should give you more communication, not less.

Lunch on board: worth adding?

The optional lunch is one of the more appealing extras, especially if your group wants to stay on the yacht between snorkeling stops. The chef prepares a buffet using fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta.

This is a practical Egyptian-style meal rather than a fine-dining service. It should suit a mixed group because it includes familiar side dishes as well as local kofta. The stated onboard hygiene standards and market-fresh ingredients are reassuring, but the information does not provide a sample menu, portion sizes, or details for special diets.

Check whether lunch is included in your chosen price. The general package description presents lunch as optional, while the included list mentions BBQ lunch only if that option is selected. Do not assume that booking the yacht automatically includes food.

I would add lunch if you want the day to feel like a full outing and do not want to return hungry after swimming. If your main aim is to maximize time in the water, you may prefer to skip it, particularly if the operating schedule already feels tight.

What the $570 price really means

The listed price is $570 per private group of up to eight people. Divided among eight, that works out to about $71 per person before extra charges. For a full group, the price can be reasonable for a private yacht, guide, crew, soft drinks, and the option to add lunch.

For two people, the value is much harder to defend. You may pay almost the same boat price while using only a small part of the yacht’s capacity. The extra marina fee can also change the calculation sharply. A 200-euro charge per boat is not a minor service fee, and it should be included in your group budget from the start.

You may also need to add:

• Marina entrance fee
• National park entry fee, if required as an add-on
• Snorkeling equipment
• Swimming shoes
• Lunch, if selected
• Private hotel transfer, if selected

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful, but they do not solve the main value question. Before booking, ask for one written total covering the yacht, marina, park, equipment, lunch, and transport.

Who will enjoy this private yacht most?

I think this trip fits a group of six to eight people who want a private boat and are comfortable paying for convenience. Families can benefit from the private setting, the air-conditioned cabin, and the guide who stays with the group during snorkeling.

It may also suit a mixed group where some people want to snorkel and others prefer to sit in the sun. The private format gives the crew a better chance to understand those preferences, though you should make them clear before departure.

The trip is less suitable for anyone who expects a small luxury yacht, a long scenic cruise, or a completely flexible itinerary. The boat may be much larger than expected, and the actual sailing time has not been consistent for every departure.

It is also not the best choice if you are paying for only one or two people and care mainly about value. A standard shared boat could cost less, although this experience does offer more privacy and a dedicated instructor.

How to make the day go better

I would send a short WhatsApp message before the trip and ask five direct questions:

• What is the final total price for my group?
• Is the 200-euro marina fee included?
• Are park fees, masks, fins, and swimming shoes included?
• Will the yacht make two snorkeling stops of about 40 minutes each?
• Is lunch included, and what time will the boat return?

Keep a record of the agreed price and payment method. One booking reported being charged three times by Visa, so check your card statement after payment and avoid handing over more money without a clear receipt or explanation.

If your group wants to sunbathe and cruise rather than snorkel, say that at the marina. If you want the full reef experience, say that too. Clear instructions matter here because the difference between a satisfying private charter and a long stop in a bay is largely down to how the day is managed.

Should you book this Sharm yacht trip?

I would book it only after confirming the complete cost and the exact schedule in writing. The ingredients are good: Ras Mohammad, two planned reef stops, a private yacht, a capable snorkeling instructor, a chef, and space for a family group. The strongest positive feedback focuses on the helpful crew and the competent snorkeling guidance.

But the price is not simple, and the timing record is uneven. Some bookings received an enjoyable, well-run day, while others paid extra fees and got far less sailing or snorkeling time than expected. That makes this a conditional recommendation, not an automatic one.

Book it if you have a full group, value privacy, want an instructor in the water, and are prepared to confirm every add-on. Skip it if the marina fee pushes the price beyond your budget, if you mainly want a small yacht, or if you cannot tolerate a loose schedule.

FAQ

How long does the yacht trip last?

The scheduled boat experience lasts about four hours, with hotel pickup normally taking place roughly one hour before the trip. Some departures have reportedly lasted less than the advertised time, so confirm the schedule before setting out.

Where does the activity begin?

Pickup is from your hotel in Sharm El-Sheikh, followed by a shared transfer to the marina. The drive to the marina takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

Is the yacht private?

Yes. The yacht is reserved for your private group, with a maximum group size of eight people at the listed price.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The planned route includes two snorkeling stops. Each stop is scheduled to last about 40 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is available as an add-on. It is not automatically included in every booking, and one booking reported paying $10 per person for equipment and swimming shoes.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is optional. If you select it, a private chef prepares a buffet with salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta.

Is there a marina entrance fee?

Yes. A mandatory marina fee of 200 euros per private boat is listed. It can be paid upon arrival or prepaid through the available add-ons. Confirm the current amount before departure.

What languages does the guide speak?

Live guiding is available in English and Russian. A private snorkeling guide accompanies the group during the water activity.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You may also want to bring personal drinking water, since the included soft drinks may be limited.