Ras Mohammed National Park

This is one of the famous national parks in Egypt located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and overlooks the Gulf of Suez on the west and to the east; it is bordered by the Gulf of Aqaba. The park occupies 48sq km of which a third is on water and only 134sq km is land.

Ras Mohammed is made up of two islands Tiran and Sanafir. Tiran Island is 6km off the shore of the Sinai Peninsula. The park is surrounded by magnificent coral reefs that are famous in the whole world for its unique beauty. These corals are part of an elevated promontory that emerged after a change in the coastline some 70.000 years ago.

Location

; The park is located in the Red Sea Riviera and is 12km from the town of Sharm El sheikh.

Wildlife

Ras Mohamed is the point where two different water masses are coming together: the salty water from the Gulf of Suez and the less salty water from the much deeper Gulf of Aqaba. As a result of these two water-come-togethers there are now more than 1.000 species of tropical fish and more than 170 species of corals as well as a huge number of sponges and gorgonians.

Activities

Camping

There is only one place in Ras Mohamed where camping is admitted. Visitors must get a camping permission from the Park Management (ask at the entrance gate). Wild camping is forbidden and will result in a money penalty or even worse.

Diving / snorkeling

Several areas in Ras Mohamed are an amazing experience for divers and snorkelers. The best dive spot in the park is Shark and Yolanda Reef and offers the best dive experience with several species of marine life including colorful fishes. Divers are also enthralled by the beauty of Anemone city, a so-called ‘bustling underwater metropolis’ with highways & byways of hard and soft corals.

Fishing

Fishing was allowed in May 2011 but it is only regulated. Commercial fishing is however not allowed in the area for preservation of the bio diversity. There are 100 species of fish-40 of which are star fish, 25 sea urchins and more then 140 crustaceans. The waters are also sighted with marine life like hawksbill turtles, green turtles and other species of marine life.