Egypt's first protected area, at the southern tip of Sinai, where the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba meet over some of the Red Sea's richest coral reefs.
- Arabic name
- محمية رأس محمد
- Type
- National park
- Governorate
- South Sinai
- Area
- 778 km²
- Protected since
- 1983 (Egypt's first protectorate; national park status 1989)
- Nearest city guide
- Sharm El Sheikh
- Official website
- eeaa.gov.eg
Ras Mohammed sits on the very tip of the Sinai Peninsula, about 20 to 25 km south-west of Sharm El Sheikh, where deep water from two gulfs meets. The meeting currents support a very dense population of marine life, which is why the headland became Egypt’s first protectorate in 1983.
What makes it special
Underwater, sheer reef walls drop hundreds of metres into the blue. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef are among the best-known dives in the world, with schooling barracuda, jacks and snappers, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and, in early summer, huge aggregations of spawning fish. The scattered cargo of the Yolanda wreck still lies on the reef. On land the park is a stark desert of fossil coral cliffs, with a mangrove channel, the salty Magic Lake and the Earthquake Crack, a fissure opened by seismic activity.
What to do
- Dive or snorkel from a day boat out of Sharm (the most popular way to see the park).
- Join a land excursion by jeep or minibus to the beaches, viewpoints and mangroves.
- Look for herons, ospreys and white storks during migration seasons.
Practical information
Boats leave daily from Sharm El Sheikh’s marinas; land tours use the gate on the coastal road. Carry your passport, and check with your operator whether a Sinai-only entry stamp is sufficient for land visits. Collecting shells or coral, feeding fish and touching the reef are forbidden. Best time: April to June and September to November, when the sea is warm and the air is comfortable; winter is fine for diving with a thicker wetsuit.
Entry fee: roughly US$5 per foreign visitor, usually collected by tour operators; vehicle and evening surcharges were introduced under the 2025 protectorate fee system (last checked October 2026).
Last checked October 2026. Entry fees and access rules change; check with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency or a local operator before you go. Sources: eeaa.gov.eg, en.wikipedia.org, cairoscene.com.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Ras Mohammed so famous for diving?
Deep water from the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba meets at Sinai's tip, feeding sheer reef walls rich in marine life. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef are among the world's best-known dives, with barracuda, jacks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse.
How do I visit?
The most popular way is a dive or snorkel day boat from Sharm El Sheikh, about 20 to 25 km away. Land tours by jeep or minibus visit the beaches, viewpoints, mangroves and the Earthquake Crack.
Do I need my passport?
Yes, carry your passport, and check with your operator whether a Sinai-only entry stamp is enough for land visits.
What are the park rules?
Collecting shells or coral, feeding fish and touching the reef are forbidden.
How much is the entry fee and when should I go?
About US$5 per foreign visitor, usually collected by tour operators, with vehicle and evening surcharges introduced in 2025. April to June and September to November are best.
