Ras Mohammed National Park where desert meets coral sea

Ras Mohammed National Park occupies the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba. Its visible character comes from the meeting of arid land, raised fossil coral and living reefs beneath the Red Sea.

Ras Mohammed National Park at Sinai’s southern tip

The headland faces the Gulf of Suez to the west and the Gulf of Aqaba to the east. Scharm asch-Schaich lies to the north-east, while the park extends across coastal desert, shoreline habitats and marine waters.

Egypt declared Ras Mohammed a protected area in 1983. It was the country’s first national park, and its protected landscape includes both terrestrial and marine environments. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency manages the reserve. the 1983 protected area

Fossil coral terraces above the Red Sea

Ras Mohammed’s landforms include uplifted fossil coral terraces, limestone headlands, gravel plains, wadis and sand dunes. The terraces record former shorelines, while the present coast contains cliffs, intertidal flats, salt marshes and sheltered channels.

A prominent geological feature is the Earthquake Crack, a set of ground fissures associated with seismic activity. Water occupies parts of these cracks, creating dark openings in the otherwise dry interior. The landscape also includes a mangrove channel near the peninsula’s southern end. fossil coral terraces

The mangrove is formed by Avicennia marina, a salt-tolerant tree found along the intertidal coast. Its narrow habitat sits beside desert ground, shallow water and salt marshes, giving the reserve a clearly layered coastal ecology.

Coral reefs, fish and named dive sites

Coral reefs fringe the headland and continue into the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba. The marine environment includes hard and soft corals, reef fish, sea turtles, sea grasses and other animals associated with tropical and subtropical coastal waters.

Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef are named dive sites at the southern end of the peninsula. Their underwater scenery includes steep reef walls, coral formations and open water. Boats from Scharm asch-Schaich reach offshore sites, while land-based excursions connect with coastal viewpoints and shore-entry areas.

Ras Mohammed also provides habitat for migratory birds. Herons, gulls and other birds use the coastal wetlands and mangrove areas, while the desert interior contains wadis, mountains and gravel plains. coral reefs and mangroves

The park covers about 480 km² (185 sq mi) of land and water. Marine territory forms the larger part, with the remainder consisting of desert headlands, coastal plains and geological features. the protected park area

Visiting Ras Mohammed National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Ras Mohammed National Park lies south of Scharm asch-Schaich on the Sinai Peninsula. It is reached overland through the desert or by boat from the Red Sea marinas.
• The terrain combines exposed desert, limestone and fossil coral terraces with cliffs, fissures, salt marshes and mangrove channels.
• Marine excursions use reefs and named sites such as Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef. Shore-based visits include coastal viewpoints and geological features.
• The official language is Arabic and the currency is the Egyptian pound.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

Searching for Ras Mohammed National Park on social platforms

These links open searches for Ras Mohammed National Park on each platform.

Frequently asked questions about Ras Mohammed National Park

Where is Ras Mohammed National Park?

It is on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, south of Scharm asch-Schaich. The park lies where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba.

What can visitors expect to see?

The reserve combines desert headlands, fossil coral terraces, mangroves, salt marshes, geological fissures and coral reefs. Land excursions and boat trips reveal different parts of the protected area.

What makes the park distinctive?

Ras Mohammed joins terrestrial and marine habitats within a single protected landscape. Its 1983 designation, fossil coral coastline and reef sites such as Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef define its character.

en | unterhaltung | 70171599 |