Diving in the Ras Mohammed National Park: A Marine Wonderland

Located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mohammed National Park is Egypt’s most celebrated marine protected area—and a world-class diving destination. With its dramatic underwater cliffs, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life, Ras Mohammed offers an unforgettable diving experience that lures both novice and seasoned divers from around the globe. Let’s explore what makes this underwater wonderland one of the Red Sea’s most iconic dive spots.

About Ras Mohammed National Park

A Jewel of the Red Sea

Established in 1983, Ras Mohammed National Park spans over 850 square kilometers of terrestrial and marine areas. It was Egypt's first national park, created to protect the unique environment at the confluence of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. The park’s striking geography features rocky desert landscapes above water and some of the most spectacular coral reef ecosystems below the surface.

A Biodiversity Hotspot

Ras Mohammed is home to over 220 species of coral, 1,000+ species of fish, turtles, mollusks, and occasional visits from dolphins, whale sharks, and manta rays. This high concentration of biodiversity makes it a diver’s paradise and a vital conservation area.

Top Dive Sites in Ras Mohammed

1. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef

Highlights: Wall dives, large pelagics, shipwreck remnants

This twin reef system is the crown jewel of Ras Mohammed. Shark Reef is a vertical wall plunging into the deep blue, often visited by grey reef sharks, barracudas, and jacks. The drift dive continues to Yolanda Reef, famous for its quirky shipwreck cargo—bathtubs, toilets, and even a BMW from the Yolanda cargo ship that sank in the 1980s.

2. Jackfish Alley

Highlights: Caves, overhangs, schooling fish

Named for the large schools of jackfish that roam the area, this site features swim-throughs and small caverns lined with soft corals and glassfish. Keep an eye out for blue-spotted stingrays, moray eels, and Napoleon wrasses.

3. Anemone City

Highlights: Clownfish colonies, soft corals, excellent visibility

As the name suggests, this site is teeming with anemones and clownfish. It’s often the first stop on a dive that continues through Shark and Yolanda Reefs. It’s a shallow site with vibrant coral gardens and great visibility—ideal for underwater photography.

4. Eel Garden

Highlights: Sandy slope, garden eels, calm conditions

This serene site features hundreds of garden eels poking their heads out of the sand, gently swaying with the current. It's ideal for a relaxing dive or snorkeling session, with plenty of reef life to observe at shallow depths.

What Makes Diving in Ras Mohammed Special?

Exceptional Visibility

With underwater visibility often exceeding 30 meters (100 feet), divers can enjoy panoramic views of dramatic drop-offs, colorful coral towers, and vast schools of fish.

Drift Diving Paradise

The currents in Ras Mohammed make it perfect for drift diving, where divers glide effortlessly along reefs while marine life passes by in an ever-changing spectacle.

Diverse Marine Life

From tiny nudibranchs to turtles and reef sharks, the diversity and density of marine species here is unparalleled in the Red Sea.

Accessible from Sharm El Sheikh

The park is easily reached via day trips or liveaboards from the popular diving hub of Sharm El Sheikh, making it an ideal add-on to your Red Sea itinerary.

Best Time to Dive in Ras Mohammed

From April to October, the water temperature ranges between 26°C to 30°C (79°F to 86°F). This is considered the prime diving season, with excellent visibility, warmer waters, and the peak of marine biodiversity. It’s during these months that divers are most likely to encounter manta rays and whale sharks, especially in the early summer.

Between November and March, the water cools down to around 21°C to 25°C (70°F to 77°F). This season offers a quieter, more tranquil experience, ideal for those looking to avoid crowds. Though slightly cooler and occasionally affected by wind, the visibility remains good, and divers may spot reef sharks and other fascinating marine life.

Pro Tip: If you're keen on seeing sharks, plan your dive trip between June and August, when shark activity is at its peak in the park’s deeper waters.

Responsible Diving in a Marine Park

Protect the Reef

• Do not touch or stand on corals
• Maintain good buoyancy control
• Avoid feeding or chasing marine animals

Choose Eco-Conscious Dive Operators

Select dive centers that follow eco-dive guidelines, use reef-safe sunscreen, and support marine conservation initiatives in the park.

For Non-Divers: Snorkeling & Eco-Tours

Not a diver? No problem! Ras Mohammed offers incredible snorkeling opportunities at sites like Main Beach and Shark Observatory, where shallow coral gardens are alive with fish and vibrant hues. Eco-tours also take visitors to mangrove channels, salt lakes, and panoramic desert cliffs for a full nature immersion.

Diving in Ras Mohammed National Park is more than a recreational activity—it’s a deep dive into one of the most breathtaking marine ecosystems on the planet. Whether you’re gliding past steep walls at Shark Reef or exploring the quirky cargo at Yolanda Reef, every dive offers a mix of thrill, beauty, and ecological awareness. Ready to take the plunge with Hi DMC? Ras Mohammed awaits with unforgettable underwater experiences that will stay with you long after you’ve surfaced.

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