RAS MOHAMED

NAME & LOCATION

In the south of the Sanai peninsula, just 12 kilometers under Sharm El Sheikh, is the first National Marine Park of Egypt. The name Ras Mohamed means head of Mohamed and it is said that this name was given because the profile of a cliff looks like a man’s head.

The national park of Ras Mohamed was founded in 1983 and as it was founded it included the Islands of Tiran. These Islands were later given to Saudi Arabia and no longer enjoy the protection of the national park.
The national park of Ras Mohamed was founded in 1983 and as it was founded it included the Islands of Tiran. These Islands were later given to Saudi Arabia and no longer enjoy the protection of the national park.

BIODIVERSITY

The area is home to more than 1000 species of fish, 40 species of star fish, 25 species of sea urchins, more than a 100 species of mollusc and 150 species of crustaceans. Among others, sea turtles, such as the green turtle  and the hawksbill turtle  appear regularly in Ras Mohammad.

  • A tiny cowrie blending into its environment and only seen by the lucky or trained eye.
    A tiny cowrie blending into its environment and only seen by the lucky or trained eye.
  • A clownfish a.k.a. Nemo that lives in a specific Anemone where the fish protects the anemone in the day and the Anemone returns the favor as she closes at night protecting the fish.
    A clownfish a.k.a. Nemo that lives in a specific Anemone where the fish protects the anemone in the day and the Anemone returns the favor as she closes at night protecting the fish.
  • Urchin, often hiding in small holes in the reef at daytime. But as light starts to fade they come outside to feed.
    Urchin, often hiding in small holes in the reef at daytime. But as light starts to fade they come outside to feed.
  • The giant travail loves the blue waters next to deep falling walls with a medium to strong current, as they hunt schools of fish that hang nest to the reef. known to be vicious hunters and run after anything that is silver or blings.
    The giant travail loves the blue waters next to deep falling walls with a medium to strong current, as they hunt schools of fish that hang nest to the reef. known to be vicious hunters and run after anything that is silver or blings.
  • Yellow soft coral species that often grows in places where you find a current. As current picks up the coral inflates itself to feed.
    Yellow soft coral species that often grows in places where you find a current. As current picks up the coral inflates itself to feed.
  • Small pipefish seeking food In the sand.
    Small pipefish seeking food In the sand.
  • Famous around he world and native to the Red Sea, hence we do not hunt them here. At night they like to come out and hunt, being overly curious and seek company of night divers.
    Famous around he world and native to the Red Sea, hence we do not hunt them here. At night they like to come out and hunt, being overly curious and seek company of night divers.
  • The giant moral eel lives on most reefs of Egypts Red Sea. Sometimes running up to 2,5 meters they like to relax during the day and come out to hunt at night.
    The giant moral eel lives on most reefs of Egypts Red Sea. Sometimes running up to 2,5 meters they like to relax during the day and come out to hunt at night.
  • The octopus is a master of disguise and extremely hard to find. A sudden movement or a change of light often triggers them to change colors.
    The octopus is a master of disguise and extremely hard to find. A sudden movement or a change of light often triggers them to change colors.

DIVE SITES OF THE AREA

Sites in this area are known for its deep dropping walls that can drop down to a whopping 700-800 meters, where currents play around its corners and some bigger surprised can come up for a fly by. Due to its protection Ras Mohamed is knows for awesome diving in the shallow parts, just wondering into one of the stunning lagoons. And for the teckies under us, there is loads of depth to explore.

Famous divests of this area are:

  • Shark & Yolanda
  • Anemone city
  • Shark Observatory
  • Ras Ghozlani
  • Ras Zatar
  • Jackfish Alley
Right in the heart of Ras Mohamed these great sites known as Shark & Yolanda with Anemone city to the east. Currents can be rough around here but the inside of the laguna is absolutely amazing. Great for some drifting and a good chance to spot anything you can think of.
Right in the heart of Ras Mohamed these great sites known as Shark & Yolanda with Anemone city to the east. Currents can be rough around here but the inside of the laguna is absolutely amazing. Great for some drifting and a good chance to spot anything you can think of.

SHARK & YOLANDA AND ANEMONE CITY

For most divers this is what Ras Mohamed is all about: Shark & Yolanda and Anemone City. Shark and Yolanda are actually 2 pinnacles next to the Satellite pinnacle sitting on a plateau of max 20 meters and dropping down to what they say is 800 meters deep. The 3 pinnacles create a stunning lagune on the inside where blue spotted stingrays relax, turtles come to eat, calamari swims just below the surface and zebra sharks like to hang around.

Usually you start the dive on the outside to enjoy a bit of a drift and getting a fair chance to see the big schools of jacks, tuna, snappers and anything big that can pop up. After the drift you will head into the laguna to enjoy the relaxing section of the dive searching for turtles, a big school of batfish, nudibranchs and calamari.

On the edge next to the Yolanda pinnacle you will find the wreckage of Yolanda where she found her final resting place in the 1970’s. Some bathtubs stacked up, toilet bowls that make for funny pictures and even the captains BMW is still there. The rest of the wreckage slowly slid down the slope and is said to be around 195 meter deep. no

To the east of Shark & Yolanda is one of the most famous dive sites known as Anemone city. A plateau that slopes out to a depth of 40+ meters and overgrown with anemones making it into a true city for the clown and anemone fish.

DIVE SITE SPECS
Access:Year round, in the winter currents and wind pick up
Type of diving:Drift along deep walls and night dive from the boat.
Diver level:Advanced & comfortable with currents & depth.
Depth:From boat / zodiac
Current:0-40 meters
Visability:20-30 meters

WHAT TRIPS BRING YOU THERE?

These dives can be done by Liveaboard, where you combine the best dive sites in a weeks diving. The following trips offer it as part of their program: