Ras Mohammed is a well known marine national park, and it is well known because of the truly breathtaking diving opportunities. Ras Mohammed is located approximately 12 kilometres offshore from Sharm El Sheikh in the south of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. This is an officially protected area since 1983 and that is part of the reason why it is in such pristine condition; harbouring over 200 species of corals and over 1000 species of fish, it really is the best of the best of what the Red Sea offers. Some of the highlights include jaw dropping reefs, a slope covered in over 1000 Anemones, pelagic species gliding past in the blue and… toilets!
There are shallow reefs to explore here, there are steep coral walls to drift dive past and there are tec diving opportunities here.
One of the top tec diving spots here is at Shark Observatory as there is an impressive wall which descends down to 90 metres, and has something to see all the way down. All dives are done from boats, either from a liveaboard trip or on day trip boats coming from dive centres and dive resorts from Sharm El Sheikh and surrounding areas. It is not a popular spot for diving courses, but that’s for the best, as divers don’t want to be distracted by their course and miss the beautiful scenery.
The Red Sea is accessible throughout the year in pleasant conditions. The water temperature in this area doesn’t drop down past 20 degrees Celsius and in the summer can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. The visibility in this region ranges between 10 and 30 metres and on the spectacular days can go beyond 50 metres. There may be windier days in the winter months, but very rarely are the dive sites inaccessible. The summer months, May and September are the best months to spot sharks.
One reason this dive area is so popular is because of the large number of different species, especially reef fish, here. There are fish of every colour of the rainbow which surround the reef. Among the flourishing reef filled with hard and soft corals, are Moray Eels, Napoleon Wrasse, Lionfish, Scorpion Fish and Octopus. The ‘Shark’ part of Shark and Yolanda is rightfully named so as there are Whitetip and Blacktip Reef Sharks, and on the lucky days Hammerheads. There is also the chance of seeing Stingrays and Eagle Rays gracefully fly past. At Anemone Reef, you guessed it, the stars of the show are vibrantly coloured Anemones and their protectors; the adorable Anemone Fish. This dive site is ideal for underwater photographers. There are also a lot of pelagic species to be seen, including Barracuda, Tuna and Jacks.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 28
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
