Ras Mohammad National Park: Exploring, Facts, and Tips

April 29, 2022

By Eman Abdallah Kamel

Eman is a writer and an engineer. She is interested in writing about natural parks in Egypt.

In this article, you will learn about Ras Muhammad National Park, its importance, the top diving spots, and some tips for visitors.

All you want to know about Ras Mohammad Reserve.

Ras Mohammad

Ras Mohammad is a natural park located in the south of Sinai, 12 km from Sharm El-Sheikh and 446 km from the capital of Egypt, Cairo.

The protected area covers an area of 480 square kilometers, including 135 square kilometers of land and 345 square kilometers of coral reefs and aquatic environments.

Ras Mohammad is located at the confluence of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Ras Mohammed is characterized by coral reefs, colorful fish, endangered sea turtles, and rare aquatic habitats. Ras Muhammad’s coral reefs are among the best in the world and are an important tourist attraction.

The Egyptian government declared it a natural park in 1983.

Ras Muhammad submerged trees; it is unique around the world for trees growing inside the seawater because of its high salinity. wikimedia.org

Why did Ras Mohammad declare a nature reserve?

Ras Mohammad has been declared a nature reserve for its important marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves, desert medicinal habitats, and coastal environments. Plains, wetlands, and seagrass are found in the same area.

Mangroves in the Ras Mohammad National Park, Sinai, Egypt. wikimedia.org

Mangrove Tree

Mangrove is one of the rarest plants. This plant has a special nature where it absorbs salt in the water and takes it back to the outer surface of its leaves.

A Winch and associated parts sitting on the deck of the SS Thistlegorm. The Thistlegorm, a transport ship, was sunk by a German bomber during the Second World War on 5 October 1941, near Ras Muhammad in the Red Sea. The wreck was originally located. wikipedia.org

The Most Attractive Places

Shark Reef and Yolanda Ship,
Anemones City,
Eel Garden,
Ras Za’atar (Head Land of Za’atar),
Ras al-Ghazlani,
Shark’s Observatory,
The Seismic Fissure.

Let’s explore the most attractive places in the Ras Mohammad Protected Area.

Shark Reef and Yolanda Ship: All kinds of fish are available in the Red Sea, especially in the summer months, when scorpionfish are rarely seen in other dive sites, along with the wreckage of the Yolanda Ship, where an abundance of coral reefs, tuna, barracuda, and sharks are found.
Anemones City: It contains hard and soft reefs and paths. The lush anemone area is home to a large number of anemones, along with many other species of fish.
Eel Garden: It features numerous eels and coral gardens.
Ras Za’atar (Head Land of Za’atar): A beautiful wall covered with soft coral and many cracks.
Ras al-Ghazlani: It is a small rocky chain with large coral reefs. It features three dive sites, each with numerous coral reefs and a diverse array of marine life.
Shark’s Observatory: The observatory can be accessed and exited through a narrow cave, where one diver can then proceed to a magnificent rocky wall filled with gorgonians, lots of Anthias, scorpionfish, and sometimes turtles.
The Seismic Fissure: The fissure was caused by the 1968 earthquake. Its epicenter was on Shadwan Island, near the entrance to the Gulf of Suez. Small channels connected the fissure to marine life. The incision is characterized by the presence of some marine creatures, such as the red blind prawn.

The Weather at Ras Mohammad

Ras Muhammad lies at 28 degrees north latitude. The climate in the entire region is typical of that of an arid region, with cold winters and hot summers. Sea breezes influence the weather throughout the year. The area receives little precipitation (less than 30 mm/year), but localized heavy rains can cause flooding.

During the winter, floods occur when rainwater accumulates on mountaintops near an area and runs into it. Some of the water flows towards the Gulf of Suez, and others towards the Gulf of Aqaba. Temperatures range from 15°C in the short winter to over 40°C in the summer. In July and August, temperatures can reach 45°C, and the air is light to moderately humid. The winds are active in winter and are always from the north and sometimes from the west.

Ras Mohammad entrance gate. youtube.com

Tips for the Visitors

Many recommend visiting the headland of Muhammad on a boat or yacht, as this provides many diving opportunities during the visit.
Ras Mohammed welcomes divers year-round. Those who prefer cooler waters should visit the reserve in winter.
The best time to watch the barracuda fish is from mid-July until September.
To access diving places from the beach, use open-heel fins and boots. You can rent from the diving center.