Ras Mohammed Diving Guide — Egypt's Premier Marine Park
Ras Mohammed National Park sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba. Established in 1983, it was Egypt's first national park and remains its most important marine protected area. The park's underwater topography — sheer walls dropping into 700-meter deep channels, strong nutrient-rich currents, and hard coral coverage exceeding 150 species — creates conditions that consistently place Ras Mohammed among the world's top ten dive destinations.
The park's signature dive, Shark and Yolanda Reef, is a twin-reef system separated by a shallow saddle at 18 meters. The eastern wall of Shark Reef plunges vertically into the blue, patrolled by grey reef sharks, barracuda schools, and seasonal hammerheads. Yolanda Reef takes its name from the Cypriot freighter MV Yolanda, which sank here in 1980 — her scattered cargo of bathroom fixtures (toilets, bathtubs, tiles) now covered in coral creates one of the most surreal underwater landscapes anywhere.
Dive Profile
5–40m+
22–28°C
20–40m
Moderate to strong
Boat (primary) or Shore
Open Water to Advanced
Overview
Ras Mohammed contains over 20 named dive sites, but three consistently rank as the best in the Sinai.
Shark and Yolanda Reef is the park's crown jewel. The standard boat dive begins at the mooring on the north side of Shark Reef, descending to 20–25 meters along the east wall. The wall is densely packed with soft corals — purple, orange, and red gorgonians — and frequented by Napoleon wrasse, giant trevally, and schools of snapper. At the southern end, divers cross the sandy saddle at 15–18 meters to reach Yolanda Reef and its famous cargo debris field. Air management and current awareness are essential; the current typically runs south-to-north along the wall.
Jackfish Alley is a shallow site (max 15 meters) on the park's western side, named for the resident school of bigeye trevally that forms a swirling tornado in the channel between two coral blocks. It is one of the best sites in Egypt for underwater photography at recreational depths.
Ras Ghozlani, at the park's eastern entrance, offers a gentle slope dive with exceptional hard coral coverage and regular turtle sightings. It's suitable for all certification levels and is often used for second dives after Shark Reef.
Access to the park requires a boat trip from Sharm el-Sheikh (45–60 minutes) or entry through the land gate with a park fee (currently 50 EGP for Egyptians, USD 5 for foreigners). Shore diving is possible at some sites but boat access opens the full range.
Who Is This For
Ras Mohammed rewards all levels but in different ways. Open Water divers enjoy Ras Ghozlani and Jackfish Alley. Advanced divers will get the most from Shark and Yolanda Reef's walls and currents. Underwater photographers find world-class opportunities at every site.
Best Season
Year-round. Water temperature 22°C in winter, 28°C in summer. Visibility peaks in autumn (September–November) at 30–40m. Hammerhead sharks are occasionally spotted November–February. Currents are strongest in winter. Summer is calmer but warmer water attracts more jellyfish inshore.
Safety Notes
Currents at Shark Reef can be powerful and unpredictable. Always carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and be prepared for blue-water safety stops if swept off the reef. Listen carefully to the boat briefing regarding current direction. The park enforces mooring regulations — do not touch or stand on coral. Penalties for park rule violations are enforced.
Frequently Asked Questions
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