Ras Muhammad National ParkAbout Ras Muhammad National Park
Ras Muhammad National Park is a marine and terrestrial protected area at the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, established in 1983 to protect coral reefs, seagrass beds and desert coastal habitats. It lies at the junction of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba and is a prime site for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Reef walls, coral gardens and well-known dive sites such as Shark Reef and the shallow wreck of the cargo vessel Yolanda. The park also contains mangrove-fringed lagoons, small islands and cliff-top viewpoints, and supports a mix of marine life including reef fish, corals and occasional pelagic species.
The reserve was created in the late 20th century in response to pressure on local marine ecosystems and has been managed for conservation and regulated tourism since then. It is a frequent day-trip destination from Sharm El Sheikh and other Red Sea resorts.
Ras Muhammad sits at the southernmost coastal tip of the Sinai Peninsula, a short drive from Sharm El Sheikh and its airport, and forms the marine gateway between the two gulfs of the Red Sea.
- Protected status: Protected as a national park since 1983, the area is managed for both marine conservation and diving tourism, with popular snorkel sites close to shore.
- Yolanda wreck: The shallow wreck of the cargo ship Yolanda is a distinctive snorkeling site near the park’s reefs and is often included on half-day boat trips from Sharm El Sheikh.
What to See#
- Shark and Yolanda Reefs: Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef - two of the park’s best-known dive and snorkel sites featuring coral walls and abundant reef fish; the wreck of the cargo vessel Yolanda is a shallow snorkel site near the reef.
- Mangrove lagoons: Mangrove and tidal lagoons along the coast that form sheltered nurseries for fish and provide easy snorkel access from beaches.
- Coastal headlands and viewpoints: Rocky headlands and cliff-top viewpoints along the park’s coastline offering views into the Gulf of Aqaba and of coral-protected bays.
Best Time to Visit Ras Muhammad National Park
Plan a visit in autumn through spring (Oct-May) for the best diving/snorkeling conditions and comfortable onshore temperatures.
Weather & Climate near Ras Muhammad National Park
Ras Muhammad National Park's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in August) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 36°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 13° - 21° | 17° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 3.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.5h |
| February | Excellent | 13° - 23° | 18° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 46% | 3.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.1h |
| March | Ideal | 16° - 25° | 20° | 1 mm | clear | 43% | 3.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 19° - 29° | 24° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 38% | 4.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.7h |
| May | Ideal | 22° - 32° | 27° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 35% | 4.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.4h |
| June | Ideal | 25° - 35° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 33% | 4.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.7h |
| July | Ideal | 26° - 35° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 35% | 3.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.6h |
| August | Ideal | 27° - 36° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 37% | 4.1 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.0h |
| September | Ideal | 25° - 34° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 4.4 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 22° - 30° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 44% | 3.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.4h |
| November | Ideal | 18° - 26° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 3.3 m/s | 1.0 high | 10.7h |
| December | Excellent | 15° - 23° | 19° | 1 mm | clear | 49% | 3.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.3h |
How to Get to Ras Muhammad National Park
Ras Muhammad National Park is at the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula near Sharm El Sheikh. The park is reached by road from Sharm El Sheikh (taxi or hired car) or by boat/snorkel trips that depart from Sharm El Sheikh and nearby resort areas; park entrances and dive/snorkel departure points are along the coastal road at the peninsula’s tip.
Tips for Visiting Ras Muhammad National Park
- For best snorkeling visibility and fewer day-boat crowds, enter the park early-first light boat trips give calmer seas and clearer water at the main reefs.
- Access from Sharm El Sheikh is the quickest option for one-day visitors; many operators run morning boat trips that land you at the park and return in the afternoon, avoiding long overland transfers.
- Walk the short coastal trails to the mangrove lagoon and coastal viewpoints before or after snorkeling-these quieter areas are often missed by visitors focused only on the reefs.