Diving Ras Mohammed National Park: Ultimate Sharm El-Sheikh Guide
Ask any experienced diver for a list of the world's top ten dive sites, and Ras Mohammed National Park will almost certainly be on it. Established in 1983, this was Egypt's first national park and remains its most prized marine sanctuary.
Located at the very tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the waters of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba collide, Ras Mohammed is a place of extraordinary biodiversity and dramatic underwater landscapes.
If you are diving in Sharm El-Sheikh, a trip to Ras Mohammed is non-negotiable. Here is what you need to know.
The Legend: Shark and Yolanda Reefs
This is the most famous dive in the park, and for many, in the entire Red Sea. It is typically conducted as a drift dive.
- Shark Reef: A sheer, vertical wall that drops hundreds of meters into the blue. It is covered in a dense carpet of vibrant soft corals. In the summer months (June-August), this is where you will see massive schools of twin-spot snappers, batfish, and barracuda gathering to spawn.
- Yolanda Reef: Named after the Yolanda, a Cypriot freighter that sank here in 1980. While the ship itself has since slipped into deep water, its cargo—a sprawling field of ceramic toilets, baths, and bathroom fixtures—remains at about 15-20 meters. It sounds bizarre, but the 'toilet graveyard' has become a thriving artificial reef and a favorite spot for hilarious underwater photos.
In between the two reefs is a shallow saddle where you can regularly spot large Napoleon wrasse and hunting trevally.
Other Spectacular Sites in the Park
While Shark and Yolanda grab the headlines, the park has several other world-class sites:
- Jackfish Alley: Named for the large numbers of Jackfish often seen here. It features beautiful caves and swim-throughs at shallow depths.
- Ras Za'atar: A stunning wall dive covered in massive gorgonian fans and colorful soft corals.
- Anemone City: As the name suggests, this is a sprawling field of anemones and their resident clownfish. It's a photographer's dream.
What You Will See: Marine Life
Ras Mohammed is a sanctuary. Because fishing is strictly prohibited, the fish here are larger, more numerous, and less shy than in other areas.
- Pelagics: It’s common to see reef sharks (Grey Reef and Whitetip), and occasionally scalloped hammerheads out in the blue.
- Schooling Fish: Expect clouds of orange anthias, thousands of unicornfish, and swirling tornados of barracuda.
- Turtles and Rays: Green and Hawksbill turtles are resident here, along with blue-spotted rays and the occasional eagle ray.
Logistics: How to Get There
Most divers visit Ras Mohammed via daily dive boats from Sharm El-Sheikh. The boat ride takes about 45 to 90 minutes depending on your departure jetty. Most trips include two or three dives in the park and lunch on board.
You can also visit the park via land-based trips. You travel by van to the park's beaches and shore-dive from sites like Marsa Bareika. This is a great option for those who prefer shore diving or who want to explore the park's terrestrial beauty (like the Mangroves and the Magic Lake) between dives.
Important Considerations
- National Park Fees: You will need to pay an entry fee (usually around $5-$10 USD) which goes toward conservation. Your dive center will handle this for you.
- Currents: Ras Mohammed is famous for its currents. They can be strong and can change direction mid-dive. This site is best suited for Advanced Open Water divers who are comfortable with drift diving.
- Environment: As with all of Egypt's reefs, a 'no touch' policy is strictly enforced. No gloves are allowed, and buoyancy control is paramount to avoid damaging the ancient corals.
Final Thoughts
Diving Ras Mohammed is a sensory-overload experience. The sheer verticality of the walls combined with the kaleidoscopic colors of the soft corals and the silver flash of schooling fish makes it an underwater masterpiece. It is the gold standard of Red Sea diving.