Ras Mohammed National Park Sharm el sheikh diving Site

Ras Mohammed National Park is widely considered one of the premier diving destinations in the world, located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula . It’s a protected area, Egypt’s first national park, offering a stunning mix of terrestrial and marine ecosystems . Below is a detailed guide to its incredible dive sites.

🌊 An Overview of the Ras Mohammed National Park

The park’s unique geographical location, where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba, creates nutrient-rich waters that support an extraordinary biodiversity . The underwater world is home to over 1,000 species of fish and more than 220 species of coral . As a protected area, strict regulations are in place to preserve its fragile beauty, including limitations on fishing and anchoring . A daily fee (around $7 or €10) is typically paid to visit the marine park .

Here is a detailed table with all the essential information about the main dive sites in Ras Mohammed National Park, organized for quick reference.

Detailed Dive Site Information for Ras Mohammed National Park

Here is the information about the Ras Mohammed National Park dive sites, formatted in the detailed table style you requested.

Ras Mohammed National Park (General Overview & Key Sites)

Category	Details
📍 Location & Coordinates	Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, approximately 20-25 km south of Sharm el Sheikh . The park is where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba . Park Entrance: 27.8185, 34.2404 (approx.). Major Sites: • Shark & Yolanda Reef: 27.7919, 34.2335 • Ras Mohammed Wall: 27.7741, 34.2246 • Shark Observatory: 27.73212, 34.26079 • Eel Garden: 27.7521, 34.2498 • Ras Ghazlani: 27.80628, 34.26361
📏 Depth Range	Shallow Reefs/Plateaus: 0-20 meters (0-65 feet). Wall Dives (e.g., Shark Observatory, Ras Mohammed Wall): The reef wall drops vertically from the surface to over 100 meters (330 feet), with most diving done on the wall between 5-40 meters .
📈 Average Depth for Exploration	12-25 meters (40-80 feet), depending on the specific site and diver certification. The top of the reefs and plateaus are often shallower, while the walls offer dramatic deep drop-offs.
🏆 Recommended Diver Level	Open Water Divers can enjoy many sites like Eel Garden, Ras Ghazlani, and the shallower areas of the reefs . Advanced Open Water Divers are recommended for deeper, more challenging sites like Shark & Yolanda Reef and the main walls, which are subject to stronger currents. A minimum of 20 logged dives is suggested for these areas .
🚤 Access & Typical Trip	Primarily accessed by daily boat trips from Sharm el Sheikh marinas . Trips usually start around 8:00-9:00 AM and return by 4:00-5:00 PM, typically including 2-3 dives and lunch. The park can also be visited by land for shore diving and snorkeling.
📅 Best Time to Dive	Year-round. The best conditions with calm seas and peak visibility (often 20-30+ meters) are typically from March to May and September to November . Summer (June-August) is hot but offers very warm water. Winter (December-February) can have cooler air temperatures and occasional rough seas, but underwater visibility remains good .
🌡️ Water Temperature	Ranges from 21°C (70°F) in the winter months (January-February) to 29°C (84°F) or more in the summer (July-September) . A 5mm wetsuit is recommended in winter, 3mm in summer.
👁️ Typical Visibility	Generally excellent, ranging from 15 to 30+ meters (50-100+ feet) . It is often at its best during the spring and autumn months.
🌊 Common Marine Life	The park is home to over 1,000 species of fish . Common sightings include whitetip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, barracuda, tuna, jacks, trevallies, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, turtles, and large schools of pelagics . Reef fish like anthias, butterflyfish, and parrotfish are abundant.
🚢 Park/Vessel History	Ras Mohammed National Park was established in 1983 as Egypt’s first national park to protect its unique terrestrial and marine ecosystems after the Sinai Peninsula was returned to Egypt . Its name, “Cape of Muhammad,” comes from a headland that resembles the profile of a bearded man .
✨ Key Highlights to See	Shark & Yolanda Reef: Often listed among the top ten dive sites globally, featuring two reefs connected by a sandy channel and the scattered cargo (including toilets and bathtubs) of the wreck Yolanda . Ras Mohammed Wall: A spectacular sheer drop-off with caves and overhangs covered in soft corals and gorgonian fans. Shark Observatory: A wall dive with inlets and small caves where sunlight filters through . Eel Garden: A sandy slope home to hundreds of garden eels. Jackfish Alley: Known for a cave full of glassfish .
🏛️ Conservation Significance	The park is a globally recognized marine reserve and an Important Bird Area . It plays a critical role in marine conservation, protecting over 200 species of coral . It was established to prevent damaging fishing practices (like dynamite fishing) and curb urban expansion from Sharm el Sheikh .
⚠️ Important Considerations	The park is a strictly protected area. Do not touch or remove anything, including coral, shells, or artifacts. Maintain good buoyancy to avoid damaging the reef. Some sites have strong currents; always dive within your limits and follow your guide’s briefing. An entry fee (approx. €7-15) is required for all visitors .
⚓ Mooring / Conservation Efforts	To protect the reef from anchor damage, mooring buoys are installed at most dive sites. Boats are required to use these buoys. The entry fee collected goes directly to the National Park Authority to support these conservation efforts across Egypt’s protected areas .

📝 Essential Information for Divers

• Location: Ras Mohammed National Park is located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, approximately 30 km south of Sharm el Sheikh .
• When to Dive: The park is a year-round destination. Water temperatures are pleasant even in December, staying above 20°C (68°F) . Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 10 to 30 metres (30-100 feet) .
• How to Dive: All sites are primarily accessed by daily boat trips from Sharm el Sheikh . Trips usually run from about 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM .
• Experience Levels:
  • Certified Divers: You must provide evidence of your certification. For some of the more demanding sites (like Shark & Yolanda), an Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum number of logged dives (e.g., 15+) are highly recommended or required by some operators .
  • Beginner/Uncertified Divers: You can absolutely experience the park through an “Introductory Dive” . This includes a short briefing and a guided dive with an instructor to a maximum depth of 8-12 metres, allowing you to safely enjoy the underwater world .
• What to Bring: Don’t forget your passport or a copy (required for the park entry), swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera . Seasickness medication is a good idea if you’re prone to it.
• Important Fees: There is a mandatory national park entry fee, which is typically around €10-15 per person and is usually paid in cash on the boat or included in your trip price .
• Conservation: Ras Mohammed is a protected area. It is vital to be a responsible diver. Do not touch the coral or marine life, and maintain good buoyancy control to avoid damaging the fragile reef.

🐠 Signature Dive Sites of Ras Mohammed

The park boasts a variety of dive sites, each with unique characteristics. Here are some of the most famous:

Dive Site	Key Features	Marine Life Highlights	Diver Level
Shark & Yolanda Reef	Two reefs connected by a sandy channel; Yolanda is famous for its “white goods” wreck site (bathroom fixtures) .	Whitetip reef sharks, barracuda, tuna, massive schools of fish, and vibrant soft corals .	Advanced
Ras Mohammed Wall	A spectacular wall dive extending nearly half a kilometer with sheer drops, caves, and overhangs .	Giant gorgonian fans, anthias, jacks, tuna, and the occasional shark or eagle ray .	Advanced
Shark Observatory	Named for the rock formation above; features a sheer wall with inlets and small, sunlit cave systems .	Pelagic species, glassfish, sweepers, and diverse reef fish .	Advanced
Eel Garden	A sandy slope between two wall sections, named for its large population of garden eels .	Garden eels, grey reef sharks, barracuda, jacks, turtles, and various reef fish .	Beginner / All Levels
Ras Za’atar & Ras Gozlani	Stunning underwater scenery with dramatic drop-offs and incredible biodiversity .	Schools of fish, vibrant reef life.	All Levels
Marsa Bareka	A large bay offering sheltered anchorage; the southern point (Ras Atar) features a sheer wall .	Large schools of barracuda and snappers; strong currents possible at the point .	Intermediate

🤿 Ras Mohammed National Park Planning Your Diving Trip

Most diving day trips from Sharm el Sheikh follow a similar pattern. Here’s what you can generally expect:

• Typical Itinerary: Hotel pickup is usually around 8:00 AM . You’ll be transferred to a marina to board a boat for a full-day trip (approx. 7-8 hours) . The boat will make two or more stops at different dive and snorkel sites within the park .
• Onboard Inclusions: Most trips include a buffet lunch, unlimited soft drinks, water, and tea or coffee . Snorkeling equipment is often provided, and scuba diving gear is included if you’ve booked a diving tour .
• For Beginners: If you’re uncertified, you can opt for an “Introductory Dive” . This includes a short safety briefing and a guided dive with an instructor, usually to a maximum depth of 7-12 meters for about 10-15 minutes .
• For Certified Divers: Trips are available for certified divers to explore the deeper, more challenging sites like Shark and Yolanda Reef under the guidance of a professional .
• Alternative Options: Besides boat trips, it’s also possible to visit the national park by bus for snorkeling and to see the terrestrial sights like the Mangrove trees and Earthquake crack .

💡 Important Ras Mohammed National Park Tips for Visitors

• What to Bring: Don’t forget your passport or ID card (a copy is often accepted), swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera . Seasickness medication is recommended if you’re prone to it .
• Conservation First: As a protected area, it’s vital to respect the environment. Touching the marine life or coral is strictly prohibited . Be a responsible diver and buoyant.
• Safety Note: Some sites, particularly Shark and Yolanda Reef and the Ras Mohammed Wall, are subject to strong currents and are best suited for advanced divers . Always dive within your limits and follow your guide’s instructions.