Ras Mohammed is Egypt's most famous marine park and the reason many expats make the trip to the southern Sinai coast. At the tip of the peninsula near Sharm El-Sheikh, it offers some of the Red Sea's best diving and snorkelling — a very different day out from the ancient sites.
What you're looking at
Established in 1983 and covering roughly 480 km², the park protects vivid coral reefs, over a thousand fish species, mangroves, and desert coastline. Famous dive sites include Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, and Jackfish Alley, known for dramatic walls, strong currents, and abundant marine life. On land there are salt lakes, mangroves, and desert wildlife such as gazelles and foxes.
Visiting as a resident
The park is about 25 km from Sharm El-Sheikh, reached by taxi, rental car, or an organised dive or snorkel trip — there's no public transport. Most people visit as a day trip by boat or by road from Sharm. Gear can be rented in town, and dive operators handle the logistics.
Good to know
- Best months are October to April, when diving visibility is excellent.
- Some reefs have strong currents — follow the dive masters' guidance.
- Entry and environmental fees apply; bring cash.
- Sharm El-Sheikh is a short domestic flight from Cairo, making a dive weekend easy.
Related
- Living in Egypt — the full expat guide
- Getting around in Egypt — flights and transport to Sharm El-Sheikh