Ras Mohamed

Ras Mohamed

Ras Muhammad National Park: Egypt’s Marine Treasure

Ras Muhammad is a national park in Egypt located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, overlooking the Gulf of Suez to the west and the Gulf of Aqaba to the east. When the Sinai Peninsula was returned to Egypt, Ras Muhammad was designated a protected area to safeguard it from fishing and other human activities.

Certain fishing methods, such as the use of dynamite and knives, were also damaging the coral reef and fish populations. In 1983, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) designated the area as a marine reserve to protect marine and terrestrial wildlife.

The park was also established to protect against urban expansion from Sharm El Sheikh and other coastal developments.

What’s in a Name?

The name literally means “Head of Muhammad,” where “head” in this case means “tip.” There is a saying in the area that the name arose because, when viewed from the side, the outline of the cliff resembles the profile of a bearded man’s face, with hard horizontal strata forming the nose and bearded chin.

Geography and Natural Formations

Ras Mohammad encompasses two islands, Tiran and Sanafir. Tiran Island is located approximately 6 km off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Underwater caves formed as a result of earthquakes are found in Ras Mohammad.

Exploring the Coral Reefs of Ras Mohamed

Coral reefs, of the fringing and hermatypic types, exist along the coast around Ras Mohammad, near the shore. More than 220 species of coral are found in the Ras Mohammad area, 125 of them soft corals.

The coral reefs lie between 50 and 100 cm below the sea surface and are 30 to 50 m wide in most places. However, in some areas along the western coast, the coral reef is 8 to 9 km wide.

Popular Diving and Snorkeling Sites

• Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef: Popular coral reef sites in the park for divers.

• Other Sites: South Bereika, Marsa Ghozlani, Old Quay, and the Shark Observatory.

• The SS Thistlegorm: The wreck of the SS Thistlegorm, located off the coast of Ras Mohammad, is a popular spot for divers.

Biodiversity and Marine Life

The area is home to more than 1,000 species of fish, 40 species of starfish, 25 species of sea urchins, more than 100 species of mollusks, and 150 species of crustaceans.

Among others, sea turtles, such as the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), are regularly seen in Ras Mohammad.

Flora and Vegetation

On the Ras Mohammad peninsula, there are acacias and palm trees (Hyphaene thebaica) around the mouths of the wadis. Herbs and ephemeral plants also grow in Ras Mohammad.