Sharm: Luxury Private Yacht with optional Lunch & Drinks

The Red Sea is best seen from the water. This private yacht trip gives you a comfortable base for two snorkeling stops near Ras Mohammad, with a private guide and crew helping you make the most of the coral and fish. I like the small-group format for families and the option to eat a freshly prepared lunch onboard. The main concern is cost: the advertised group price may not cover marina, park, gear, and transfer extras.

The boat is described as clean, spacious, and air-conditioned, with a sun deck above and a salon below. I also like that snorkeling instruction is included, which matters if you are rusty in the water. But several bookings had much shorter sailing time than expected, and one reported being placed on a very large boat rather than a yacht sized for five people.

Key points to know before you book

• Two 40-minute snorkeling stops: The day is built around two water sessions, not a long coastal cruise.
• Ras Mohammad access: This is the main natural attraction, with coral reefs and Red Sea marine life below the surface.
• Private booking, shared pickup: Your boat group is private, but the ride from your hotel to the marina is normally shared.
• Lunch is optional: Choose the buffet or BBQ lunch if you want a meal prepared onboard by the private chef.
• Large extra marina charge: A mandatory marina fee of 200 euros per private boat is stated in the booking information. Confirm exactly what you will pay.
• Mixed timing reports: The planned outing is four hours, but some bookings finished after only one to three hours.

What the Sharm yacht day is really like

This is a four-hour Red Sea outing from Sharm El-Sheikh, designed around comfort and snorkeling rather than sightseeing on land. Your hotel pickup usually comes about one hour before the boat departs, followed by a roughly 30 to 40-minute ride to the marina.

The road transfer is shared unless you pay for a private transfer. That distinction matters. You may have a private yacht once you reach the water, but the first part of the morning is not necessarily private.

At the marina, you can arrange snorkeling equipment if it is not already included in your chosen package. The booking information lists gear as an add-on, and one customer was charged separately for snorkeling equipment and water shoes. Ask about this before you leave your hotel, not after you reach the boat.

The planned boat ride lasts about four hours. The published sequence is roughly 45 minutes of sailing to the first snorkeling area, a 40-minute swim, a short trip to the second location, another 40-minute swim, lunch if selected, and then a return to the marina.

That schedule leaves little room for delays. A late pickup, marina paperwork, waiting for equipment, or an early return can cut into your water time. I would treat the four-hour figure as the total boat outing, not four hours of continuous sailing or snorkeling.

Reaching Ras Mohammad by private boat

Ras Mohammad Marine National Park is the reason to consider this trip. The park is famous for coral reef systems and Red Sea marine life, and a boat gives you access to water sites that are not simply a walk from your hotel beach.

The appeal is direct and practical. You board once, settle into your own boat group, and reach two snorkeling areas without spending the day moving between separate shore facilities. A qualified snorkeling guide is meant to accompany you, helping with safety and showing you where to look.

The water stops are scheduled for about 40 minutes each. That is enough time for a useful look at the reef, but it is not a full-day marine expedition. If you want long, unhurried sessions in the water, you should check the exact departure and return plan before paying.

Conditions can also affect the quality of the stop. A January booking reported cold weather, fading light, and no practical chance to snorkel because the boat returned too late. This is a good reason to request a morning departure and confirm the pickup time in writing through WhatsApp.

Two snorkeling stops, with real tradeoffs

The first stop follows approximately 45 minutes of sailing. In the best version of the day, this gives you time to enjoy the open Red Sea, settle into the boat, and prepare for the reef.

The snorkeling session is planned for 40 minutes. Your guide should be available throughout, which is especially useful for children, nervous swimmers, or anyone unfamiliar with reef conditions. You can ask the guide about the safest entry point and how far the group will move from the yacht.

The second stop comes after a short sail. It is intended to show you another section of reef and marine life rather than repeating the first site. Two stops are useful because visibility, fish activity, and water conditions can vary from one location to another.

Still, do not picture a completely private patch of sea. One booking reported stopping in a bay with other boats nearby. The experience can offer a private group on a shared marine route, not total solitude.

Another important point is the difference between snorkeling and cruising. A customer who wanted to sunbathe and sail rather than snorkel found the boat stopped for a long period instead of continuing along the coast. If your priority is a scenic yacht cruise, state that clearly before departure. This product is built first around reef stops.

The yacht, the crew, and the meaning of private

The boat is described as modern, well maintained, and crewed, with a broad upper sun deck and an air-conditioned salon below. That layout should suit a mixed group. You can sit in the sun, cool down inside, or move between the two during the day.

The advertised capacity is up to eight people in your private group. That sounds intimate, but the actual vessel may be much larger than your party. One group of five found the yacht big enough for around 50 people, which weakened the feeling of a small luxury charter.

This is an important distinction when judging value. A private booking may mean that only your party has been assigned the boat, but it does not guarantee a small yacht or a sleek, personal sailing experience. Ask for the boat name, photos, and maximum capacity if the size of the vessel matters to you.

The crew receives mixed but useful feedback. The snorkeling instructor was described as very capable, and the staff were praised as friendly and helpful in the strongest positive report. Those are meaningful strengths because a good guide can make the water time safer and more enjoyable.

The weak point is operational control. Late pickup and early returns have affected some bookings. I would confirm three things by WhatsApp: the hotel pickup time, the planned return time, and the exact amount due at the marina.

Lunch onboard: useful comfort, not the main attraction

The optional meal is prepared by the onboard chef and is described as a buffet or BBQ lunch. The planned menu includes fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta, using market-fresh ingredients.

That kind of meal can be valuable after two swims. You do not need to leave the boat, find a restaurant, or spend your short outing searching for food. Soft drinks are also included, although one booking reported receiving only one opened bottle each of cola and Sprite, served in paper cups.

I would treat the drink service as basic rather than luxurious. If you expect unlimited cold drinks, bring your own expectations down and ask what is included. Sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel are specifically listed as things to bring.

The lunch option makes most sense for families or groups that want a simple, self-contained day. If you prefer to spend every available minute snorkeling, you may decide that the meal is less important than the water time.

Price, fees, and whether the luxury label earns its keep

The stated price is $570 per group of up to eight. Divided among eight people, that is about $71 per person before any extra charges. For a full private yacht, a guide, chef, soft drinks, hotel pickup, and two reef stops, that can be fair.

For a group of two or three, the calculation changes. You are paying for the whole boat, not for individual seats. The experience becomes better value when you fill most of the eight places, provided the boat really feels private and the full four-hour schedule is delivered.

The major warning is the marina fee. The information gives a mandatory charge of 200 euros per private boat, payable at arrival or in advance through the add-ons. Another booking reported paying an additional 180 euros. These figures are close enough to show the risk, but not identical, so you should confirm the current amount and currency before booking.

National park entry fees may also be an add-on, and snorkeling equipment may cost extra. Private transfers are optional too. Add all of these before comparing the price with a hotel boat trip or a standard group excursion.

At the advertised base price, the outing can be reasonable for a family or group of friends. Once you add a large marina charge, park fees, gear, and a private vehicle, it becomes an expensive half-day. That price only makes sense if the yacht is genuinely private, the schedule is honored, and the reef time is good.

Shared pickup and timing problems to avoid

The pickup window is not especially precise. You may be collected about one hour before the trip, and the exact time is normally sent by WhatsApp 24 hours before departure.

That system can work well, but you need to watch your phone and keep the morning flexible. One booking had a pickup 45 minutes later than expected. In a Red Sea outing, that delay is not minor. It can mean less snorkeling time, weaker light, and an earlier return.

I would ask for a written pickup time the evening before and save the provider’s contact details. At the hotel, be ready early. At the marina, check the extras before boarding, especially gear, park entry, and the marina fee.

The activity is advertised with a separate entrance and wheelchair access. English and Russian guide service is available. These details are useful, but they do not remove the need to confirm the physical setup of the actual yacht and the transfer vehicle for your group.

Who will enjoy this private yacht trip

I would consider it for a family or group of friends who want their own boat arrangement and do not want to join a large standard excursion. The private snorkeling guide is a real plus for mixed swimming abilities.

It also suits people who value a meal onboard, shade, air conditioning, and the ease of staying on one vessel. You can build the day around two clear water sessions without arranging separate beach transfers.

I would be cautious if your main goal is a long sailing cruise, quiet sunbathing, or a small sleek yacht. The schedule centers on snorkeling, and a large vessel may be used even for a small group.

I would also avoid booking without written clarification if your time in Sharm is tight. The four-hour plan can be worthwhile, but reports of one to three-hour outings make the timing issue impossible to ignore.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you have a nearly full group, want two guided snorkeling stops, and are prepared to confirm every extra charge in advance. The coral reefs near Ras Mohammad, chef-prepared lunch, private group arrangement, and helpful snorkeling staff can make this a pleasant family day.

I would not book it on the assumption that $570 is the final price or that the yacht will be a small luxury boat. Get the marina fee, national park fee, equipment cost, transfer type, boat capacity, and exact timetable in writing.

The best practical choice is a morning departure with your own snorkeling gear if possible. If the provider confirms the full four-hour schedule and the additional costs are acceptable, this can be a comfortable way to reach the Red Sea reefs. If those answers stay vague, spend the money elsewhere.

FAQ

How long does the yacht trip last?

The planned boat outing lasts four hours. Hotel pickup takes place roughly one hour before the trip, followed by a 30 to 40-minute transfer to the marina.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the standard pickup is done in shared transportation. Private transfers are available as an add-on.

Is the yacht private?

The booking is for a private group, with a price covering up to eight people. The vessel itself may be larger than your group, so confirm the boat size if that matters to you.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Lunch is optional. If you select it, the onboard chef prepares a buffet or BBQ-style meal with items such as salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta.

Are snorkeling equipment and water shoes included?

Snorkeling gear may be selected as an add-on, so it is not automatically included in every package. One booking also reported a separate charge for water shoes. Confirm the equipment price before departure.

What extra marina fee should I expect?

A mandatory marina entrance fee of 200 euros per private boat is stated in the booking information. Another booking reported an additional 180-euro charge, so confirm the current amount, currency, and payment method before you go.