Ras Mohammed National Park: Snorkeling Guide From Sharm El Sheikh

Ras Mohammed National Park is a protected headland at the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba, about 12 km from Sharm El Sheikh. Declared in 1983, it is Egypt's oldest protected area. Most visitors see it on a full-day boat trip from Sharm El Sheikh, snorkeling over coral walls with a buffet lunch on board.

Key Takeaways

• Ras Mohammed became a national park by Prime Minister's Decree No. 1068 of 1983, amended in 1996.
• The park sits where two gulfs meet, so its reefs drop into deep, clear water with strong currents.
• The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency lists the park at 778.2 km²; other sources give 480 km² (135 km² of land and 345 km² of sea), so the sources disagree.
• Boat trips leave from the Sharm El Sheikh marina in the morning and return in the afternoon.
• The free Sharm El Sheikh entry stamp covers the resorts only, so check your visa before a land trip into the park.

Where Ras Mohammed Is

The park covers the very end of the Sinai Peninsula, south-west of Sharm El Sheikh. On one side is the Gulf of Suez, on the other the Gulf of Aqaba, and the two meet in the open Red Sea just off the headland. That meeting point is what makes the reefs special: nutrient-rich water and deep drop-offs bring large schools of fish close to the reef walls.

The park protects both land and sea: the desert headland and the reefs along its coast.

Visiting by Boat or by Land

	Boat trip from Sharm	Land trip by car
How it works	Day boat from the marina, several snorkeling or diving stops along the park's reefs	Drive into the park, short walks to viewpoints and swims from the shore
Best for	Snorkelers and divers who want the outer reefs	Visitors who prefer to stay on land or get seasick
Meals	Usually lunch on board	Depends on the operator
Paperwork	Ask the operator which ID to bring	Bring your passport and check your visa covers travel outside the resorts

Our Ras Mohamed snorkeling trip by boat follows the classic route: pickup from your hotel, boarding at the Sharm yacht marina, snorkeling stops in the park, a buffet lunch on board, and return to the hotel in the afternoon. Introductory dives and scuba dives can be added on board.

What You See Underwater

The reefs at Ras Mohammed are fringing reefs, which means they grow straight from the shore and drop steeply into deep water. Snorkelers float over the top of the reef wall, where the corals and reef fish are most colorful in the light, while divers follow the wall down. Because the currents can be strong at the tip of the headland, the boat crew chooses the stops each day according to the conditions.

Practical Tips

• Bring your passport. The free entry stamp given at Sharm El Sheikh airport covers the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba; the UK government says travel outside the resorts needs a full visa. Ask your operator before you book which document you need for the park.
• Ask about the park fee. Check whether a park fee is charged and whether your trip price includes it.
• Protect the reef. Do not stand on or touch the coral, and do not feed the fish.
• Sun and water: a long-sleeved rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen help on a full day at sea.
• Choose a licensed operator. The UK government notes that safety standards of Red Sea boat and dive operators vary considerably.

Ras Mohammed or Tiran?

Both are full-day boat trips from Sharm. Ras Mohammed heads south to the national park at the tip of Sinai; Tiran heads north-east to four reefs in the Strait of Tiran. Many visitors do one of each. See our Tiran Island guide and our article on what to ask before booking a Red Sea island day trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-swimmers join the boat trip?

Ask the operator for a life jacket and tell the crew you cannot swim before you get in the water; many guests stay on deck at some stops.

Is Ras Mohammed good for beginners?

Yes, when the sea is calm. The crew picks sheltered stops on rougher days.

When is the best time to go?

Trips run all year. The sea off Sharm El Sheikh averages about 22°C in February and about 29°C in August, so a wetsuit is welcome in winter.