Ras Mohammed: Egypt's Greatest Dive Destination
Ras Mohammed National Park sits at the very tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez collide. This confluence of currents creates a nutrient-rich underwater highway that supports one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on Earth. Established as Egypt's first marine national park in 1983, Ras Mohammed has been protected from fishing and development, allowing its reefs to thrive to a degree rare in the modern world.
Divers from around the world make pilgrimages to Ras Mohammed. The walls drop hundreds of metres into an impossibly blue void, the coral is healthy and abundant, and the fish life is extraordinary at every depth. Whether you're a newly certified Open Water diver or an advanced technical diver, Ras Mohammed has a site that will challenge and delight you.
Top 5 Dive Sites at Ras Mohammed
1. Shark Reef
Shark Reef is the signature dive of Ras Mohammed. This submerged plateau begins at 2 metres depth at its shallowest and drops to over 70 metres on its eastern wall. The wall is draped in enormous sea fans and soft corals, and the resident marine life is extraordinary: schools of barracuda, Napoleon wrasse up to 1.5 metres long, eagle rays, and on lucky days, oceanic whitetip sharks patrolling the blue water. The current-swept reef attracts pelagic fish in great numbers — drift diving here is one of the great experiences of the Red Sea.
2. Jolanda Reef
Adjacent to Shark Reef, Jolanda is named after the MV Jolanda, a Cypriot cargo ship that sank here in 1980 during a storm. The ship's cargo — thousands of porcelain bathroom fittings — now lies scattered across the reef in one of the world's most surreal underwater scenes: toilets and bathtubs colonised by coral and inhabited by fish. The ship itself slipped off the reef into very deep water in 1985, but the porcelain cargo remains at 25–40 metres. Combined with Shark Reef, this double dive is the most requested dive in Sharm El Sheikh.
3. Anemone City
Anemone City lives up to its name. A vast, shallow plateau — most of it between 8 and 18 metres — is carpeted with giant anemones, each hosting families of clownfish. This is an exceptional site for underwater photographers: the light is bright, the subjects stay still, and the backgrounds are clean and colourful. It's also ideal for Open Water divers doing their first Red Sea dives, as depths are manageable and currents are gentle.
4. Jackfish Alley
A channel between two reef systems, Jackfish Alley is renowned for its enormous schools of bigeye trevally (jackfish) that congregate in spiralling, silver formations. Strong but manageable currents push nutrient-rich water through the channel, attracting the fish and the divers who pursue them. The reef walls on either side are decorated with table corals and sea fans.
5. Ras Za'atar
One of the more remote sites in the park, Ras Za'atar rewards divers willing to take a longer boat ride with pristine, uncrowded reef. Hard corals cover the top of the reef at 5 metres, giving way to soft corals and sponges on the wall. Hammerhead sharks are occasionally spotted here in early morning dives.
Marine Life Guide
The diversity of marine life at Ras Mohammed is staggering. Here's what to look for:
- Sharks: Grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and occasional hammerheads (early morning, winter months). Oceanic whitetips patrol the blue water at Shark Reef.
- Rays: Eagle rays are common year-round. Manta rays visit the park from June to September, drawn by the plankton blooms in warmer water.
- Napoleon Wrasse: These enormous, gentle giants reach 1.5–2 metres and often approach divers with curiosity. Their bulging forehead makes them unmistakable.
- Barracuda: Massive schools of 200–500 great barracuda hover in the current at Shark Reef — one of the most dramatic fish spectacles in the Red Sea.
- Turtles: Hawksbill and green sea turtles are seen on almost every dive, resting on the reef or feeding on sponges.
- Moray Eels: Giant morays inhabit the reef crevices. Spotted morays and tessellate morays are common at all sites.
- Nudibranchs: Over 40 species of nudibranch have been recorded in the park — paradise for macro photographers.
Dive Conditions and Seasons
- Water Temperature: 22–24°C (October–May), 26–30°C (June–September). A 3mm wetsuit is appropriate year-round; 5mm in winter.
- Visibility: Typically 20–35 metres, sometimes more. Ras Mohammed rarely disappoints.
- Currents: Variable. Can be strong at Shark Reef and Jackfish Alley, particularly on the ebbing tide. Drift diving is the norm at many sites — part of the attraction.
- Best Months: October–May for calm conditions and comfortable water temperature. Summer diving is excellent but air temperatures make surface intervals hot.
Beginner vs Advanced Divers
Beginners (Open Water certified): Anemone City and the top of Shark Reef at 5–12 metres are perfect for first Red Sea dives. The visibility makes it easy to stay oriented, and the shallow sections are forgiving of buoyancy imperfections. Stick with a dive guide who knows the site.
Advanced divers: The walls at Shark Reef and Jolanda, Jackfish Alley in a strong current, and the deep wall at Ras Za'atar require good buoyancy control and experience with drift diving. Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent is recommended for wall dives below 20 metres.
Equipment
All reputable dive operators in Sharm El Sheikh provide BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins, and mask as part of their dive packages. For hygiene reasons, many experienced divers bring their own mask and fins. If you're serious about underwater photography, bring your own camera housing — rental options are limited.
A dive computer is strongly recommended for wall dives where depth can creep down quickly. Most operators rent dive computers, but owning your own is preferable.
How to Book
The best way to dive Ras Mohammed is via a full-day liveaboard or day-boat excursion from Sharm El Sheikh marina. Day boats depart at 8–9am, allowing two or three dives at different sites, and return by 4–5pm. Full board (breakfast and lunch) is typically included.
We recommend booking your Ras Mohammed diving experience well in advance in peak season. Our Ras Mohammed Diving & White Island tour covers two legendary sites in one day with a PADI-certified guide, all equipment, and hotel transfers.
Browse all diving and snorkeling tours →
FAQ
Do I need to be a certified diver to visit Ras Mohammed?
Yes, for scuba diving. A minimum of Open Water certification (PADI, SSI, CMAS, or equivalent) is required. Non-certified divers can join a "Discover Scuba Diving" experience with a dive instructor — this is a supervised shallow-water dive requiring no prior experience. Snorkeling requires no certification at all.
How far is Ras Mohammed from Sharm El Sheikh?
The park is approximately 20 kilometres south of Sharm El Sheikh by road, or 30–40 minutes by boat from the marina. Day trips typically travel by boat, which is faster and allows access to offshore sites like Shark Reef and Jolanda.
Is it safe to dive with sharks at Ras Mohammed?
Absolutely. The sharks at Ras Mohammed — predominantly grey reef, whitetip reef, and occasionally hammerheads — are wild animals that have learned to coexist with divers over decades. Unprovoked attacks are essentially unheard of. The cardinal rules: don't touch, don't chase, and don't feed. Experienced guides know how to position divers for safe encounters.