Sharm: Luxury Private Yacht with optional Lunch & Drinks

Ras Mohammad is the prize here: a protected Red Sea area known for coral reefs and abundant fish, reached by a comfortable private boat from Sharm. I like the two planned snorkeling stops and the fact that a private guide stays with your group in the water. I also like the option of a chef-prepared lunch, which turns a simple boat outing into a more relaxed half-day at sea.

The catch is value. A trip priced at $570 for up to eight people sounds attractive when shared by a family or group, but extra charges can change the total sharply. Some guests also received less than the advertised four hours, so I would confirm every fee, the boat size, and the exact schedule before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Ras Mohammad is the main attraction: The trip is designed around coral reefs and Red Sea marine life, not sightseeing from the boat alone.
• Two snorkeling stops last about 40 minutes each: A private guide is meant to accompany you and help with safety.
• The yacht may be much larger than your group needs: A private booking does not always mean a small yacht built only for your party.
• Lunch is optional: The chef can prepare a buffet with salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta.
• The advertised four hours need checking: Some departures have ended after about one to three hours, according to the booking feedback available.
• Extra costs matter: Marina entry, national park fees, snorkeling gear, and swim shoes may not all be covered in the base price.

Ras Mohammad gives this boat trip its purpose

The Red Sea is the reason to book this outing. Ras Mohammad Marine National Park is known for coral reef systems and plentiful marine life, and the trip is arranged to give you two chances to see it from the water.

That matters because a yacht ride without good snorkeling stops can become a costly float in the sun. Here, the best part of the plan is clear: sail out from Sharm, stop at two reef sites, and spend about 40 minutes at each one. You get enough time to swim, look beneath the surface, and return to the boat before the experience becomes tiring.

I would keep your expectations focused. This is not presented as a long coastal cruise with many scenic stops. The main reward is the underwater setting. If you want to spend most of the day sailing, sunbathing, and covering a large stretch of coast, the four-hour format may feel limited.

The itinerary allows about 45 minutes of sailing before the first snorkeling stop. A shorter sail follows before the second stop. That gives the outing a sensible rhythm, although the actual amount of sailing can vary. One account described the boat moving for only about 20 minutes before stopping for 45 minutes among other boats. If cruising time matters as much to you as snorkeling, ask for a clear route before departure.

What the two snorkeling stops are like

The first stop is planned for roughly 40 minutes. That is a useful amount of time for most casual swimmers. You can get settled in the water, follow the guide, and return to the yacht without spending a full morning in one place.

The second stop is also planned for about 40 minutes. Two sites are better than one if conditions allow, since reef scenery and fish activity can differ from one location to another. The guide is supposed to stay with your party, help with the equipment, and keep an eye on safety.

The description says that snorkeling gear is available, but the cost needs attention. Equipment rental is listed as an optional add-on, and one booking account reported paying extra for snorkeling equipment and swim shoes. Do not assume fins, mask, snorkel, or footwear are included in the $570 price.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them and prefer a familiar fit. The official packing advice is simple: bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A rash guard or other sun-protective clothing is also sensible, though it is not specifically required in the supplied details.

The water experience is not guaranteed to feel the same on every departure. Wind, light, timing, and the arrival of other boats can affect visibility and comfort. A winter departure may also feel chilly, especially if pickup runs late and the boat returns near sunset. One poor experience involved a delayed pickup, fading light, and snorkeling that could not go ahead because the water and air became too cold.

A private yacht does not always mean a small yacht

On paper, this is a private group experience for up to eight people. That is a strong arrangement for a family or group of friends that wants to stay together rather than join a standard shared excursion.

The boat description promises a clean, well-maintained yacht with a spacious upper sun deck and an air-conditioned salon below. Those features matter in Sharm’s heat. You can sit in the shade, cool off indoors, or spread out on deck between the snorkeling stops.

Still, I would ask a direct question before booking: How many passengers is this particular yacht designed to carry? One group of five found the boat far too large, with room for around 50 people. A large yacht can be comfortable, but it may not feel intimate or especially private when your party is small.

There is also a difference between private use of a boat and a private experience tailored to your wishes. One group wanted to sail, sunbathe, and relax rather than snorkel, but felt the boat stayed too long at a stop until they asked to leave. If you want a flexible day, discuss the plan with the operator before departure. Tell the crew how much time you want in the water and how much time you want under way.

The strongest praise available is for the crew. The snorkeling instructor was described as very capable, and the staff as friendly, helpful, and eager to assist. Another booking rated the whole experience highly and specifically praised the staff. That is important for families and first-time snorkelers, since a calm guide can make the water feel much less intimidating.

Lunch from the onboard chef

Lunch is optional, so compare the total cost with and without it. If you choose it, the onboard chef is expected to prepare a buffet using fresh ingredients and careful food handling.

The listed menu includes freshly prepared salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta. This is practical boat food rather than a formal restaurant meal. You get a filling spread that suits a mixed group, including people who want something familiar after swimming.

Soft drinks are included in the activity details. Be precise about what that means when you confirm the booking. One account described receiving a bottle of Sprite and a bottle of cola that had already been opened, with cardboard cups provided. That is not the standard you would expect from a luxury yacht outing, particularly when the price is high.

For that reason, I would ask how drinks are served and whether water is included. The supplied information confirms soft drinks, but it does not give a full drinks menu. Bring extra drinking water if the operator permits it, and do not count on a large selection of refreshments.

The lunch option is most useful for families and groups that want to stay aboard rather than return to a hotel for food. It also saves you from arranging a separate meal after a morning in the sun. If you are mainly interested in snorkeling and plan to eat later, skipping lunch may help control the final cost.

The four-hour schedule needs a firm confirmation

The planned schedule is straightforward:

• Hotel pickup, usually about one hour before the boat trip
• Shared transfer of roughly 30 to 40 minutes to the marina
• About 45 minutes of sailing to the first snorkeling stop
• Around 40 minutes in the water
• Short sailing period to the second snorkeling stop
• Another 40 minutes of snorkeling
• Lunch if selected
• Return to the marina about four hours after departure
• Transfer back to your hotel

The schedule looks good on paper, but the timing is the area where I would be most careful. Pickup is by shared bus unless you pay for a private transfer. You may be collected roughly an hour before the activity, and the exact time is sent by WhatsApp around 24 hours beforehand.

That early pickup buffer is normal for a marina trip, but it means the total time away from your hotel will be longer than four hours. A shared bus also makes the start less private than the yacht itself.

More important, the full boat period has not always matched the four-hour plan. One account described a trip of about three hours, while another described a boat outing of just over an hour. That second experience included a late pickup and a fast return because of darkness.

I would not treat those reports as proof that every departure will be short. I would treat them as a reason to get the plan in writing. Confirm the time the yacht leaves the marina, not only the time the bus collects you. Ask what happens if the boat leaves late and whether the snorkeling stops will be shortened.

The real price is more than $570

The headline price is $570 per group of up to eight. Shared by eight people, that is about $71 per person before extras. Shared by four, it becomes about $143 per person. For a private boat with a chef and snorkeling guide, that can be reasonable if the full four hours are delivered and the boat suits your group.

The problem is the additional charges. The supplied details refer to a mandatory marina entrance fee of 200 euros per private boat. Booking feedback refers to an extra charge of 180 euros. These amounts do not match, so I would ask for the current fee in writing and confirm whether it is per boat or per person.

Other possible additions include:

• National park entry fees
• Snorkeling equipment
• Swim shoes
• Private hotel transfer
• Lunch, if not selected in the original booking

The information also says the mandatory national park fee and marina fee can be selected as add-ons. That makes the final checkout total especially important. A cheap-looking base price can become much less attractive once the boat fee, lunch, equipment, and park access are added.

Payment also deserves care. One account reported a card being charged three times. That does not establish a general problem, but I would check your bank statement after booking and keep a receipt for every payment.

Who will enjoy this private yacht most

I think this trip suits a group that values privacy, wants a guide in the water, and is happy to make the snorkeling sites the center of the day. A family with confident swimmers and beginners can share the yacht while using the guide for support.

It also works well for friends splitting the cost. At the full capacity of eight, the basic price becomes easier to justify. You can add lunch and possibly private transfers, then divide the total among the group.

I would be more cautious if you are booking for only two or three people. The boat may be much larger than needed, and the per-person cost rises quickly. A smaller shared boat or a standard snorkeling trip may offer better value if privacy is not essential.

This is also not the best choice if your main goal is a long, peaceful sailing session. The program is built around two water stops. If you want to remain on deck, watch the coast, and spend little or no time snorkeling, tell the operator before you go.

Practical steps for a smoother day

Before booking, ask these questions:

• Is the $570 price for the exact date and group size?
• Is the marina fee 180 euros or 200 euros?
• Is that fee per private boat?
• Are national park fees included?
• Is snorkeling equipment included, or is it rented separately?
• Are swim shoes available, and what do they cost?
• Is lunch included in the selected price?
• How many people is the yacht licensed to carry?
• What time will the yacht leave the marina?
• What happens if pickup or departure is delayed?

Use the WhatsApp contact sent before the trip to confirm the exact pickup time. Keep your swimwear, towel, and sunscreen with you rather than buried in luggage. If you are sensitive to cold, bring an extra layer for the ride back, especially outside the hottest months.

The tour is described as wheelchair accessible, with English and Russian-speaking guides. It is a private group experience, but the hotel pickup itself is shared unless you select a private transfer. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is available.

Should you book this Sharm yacht trip?

I would book it only after confirming the final price and the actual boat schedule. The ingredients are good: Ras Mohammad, two snorkeling stops, an onboard chef, a private group, and a helpful snorkeling instructor. The crew has earned strong praise for being friendly and capable, which matters more than polished wording when you are in open water.

I would pass if the operator cannot clearly explain the marina fee, equipment cost, or four-hour timing. A high price is acceptable when the service is clear and delivered as promised. It is not good value when you discover large charges at the marina or spend much of the day sitting in one place.

For eight people who want a private boat and a guided snorkeling day, this could be a comfortable way to see the Red Sea. For a small group, or for anyone seeking a long sailing cruise, compare other options first.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The planned yacht outing lasts four hours, with hotel pickup usually taking place about one hour before the trip and the shared transfer to the marina taking about 30 to 40 minutes.

Where does the tour depart from?

Pickup is from Sharm El-Sheikh, followed by a transfer to the marina and then a private yacht trip on the Red Sea.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The planned schedule includes two snorkeling stops, each lasting about 40 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is listed as an optional add-on, so you should not assume it is included in the base price. Swim shoes may also cost extra.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is optional. If selected, an onboard chef prepares a buffet with salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken, and Egyptian kofta.

Is the yacht private?

Yes, the yacht is booked for a private group of up to eight people. The supplied information does not guarantee that the yacht will be small, and one booking used a boat large enough for many more passengers.

What extra fees should I expect?

You may need to pay a mandatory marina entrance fee, national park entry fees, snorkeling equipment fees, and private transfer charges. The marina fee is stated as 200 euros in one place and 180 euros in booking feedback, so confirm the current amount before you go.