# Ras Mohammed National Park, Sharm El Sheikh > Ras Mohammed is Egypt's first national park, at the southern tip of Sinai about 40 minutes' drive from Naama Bay: reefs right off the beach, mangroves, an earthquake crack and a salt lake. Allow 4–5 hours. Entry is around US$5–7 (unofficial), usually included in tours. Daylight only — leave before sunset. Bring your passport. Web page: https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/ras-mohammed - City: [Sharm El Sheikh](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh), Egypt - YesGo score: 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - Entry: ≈ US$5–7, usually included in tours - With kids: Fine with kids - Entrance fee: ≈ US$5–7 per person (unofficial); usually included in tours - Hours: Daylight only; entry 8:00–15:00, out by sunset (unofficial) - Time needed: 4–5 hours by road, a full day by boat - From Naama Bay: ≈ 35 km by road, ≈ 40 minutes - Public transport: None — tour, taxi or car - Documents: Passport required at the checkpoint - Sinai-only stamp: Park not named in the official list — a full visa (US$30) is the safe option - Payment: Cash in US dollars and Egyptian pounds; card at the gate reported by one operator - Coordinates: 27.76944, 34.20972 - Facts checked: 03.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1983** — protected as a reserve; declared Egypt's first national park in 1989 (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Wikidata) - **480 km²** — total area, of which 345 km² is sea (source: English and Russian Wikipedia) - **Two gulfs** — the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba meet at the cape (source: English and Russian Wikipedia) - **1,000+** — species of fish on the park's reefs (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; nashaplaneta.net) - **150–220** — coral species — sources give different counts (source: Russian Wikipedia (≈ 150); English Wikipedia and nashaplaneta.net (220+)) - **Cape of Muhammad** — what the name means; in antiquity it was the Cape of Poseidon (source: English and Russian Wikipedia) - **Earthquake cracks** — open fissures in the ground with water pools at the bottom (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; nashaplaneta.net) - **Mangroves** — line a shallow channel at the southern end of the peninsula (source: English Wikipedia; nashaplaneta.net) - **1 April 1980** — the Cypriot freighter Yolanda, carrying bathroom fittings, ran aground on the reef now named after her (source: English Wikipedia; Divernet) - **Not listed** — the official list for the free Sinai stamp names only the resorts, not the park (source: GOV.UK) ## Ras Mohammed entrance fee and opening hours There is no official price list online. Operators quote **around US$5–7 per person** for a day visit, with a separate charge for a car; we treat this as unofficial. On organised tours the fee is normally included, or the guide collects it in cash before the gate — ask when you book. The park is open in daylight only. One operator running a camp inside says cars must enter between 8:00 and 15:00 and that no traffic is allowed from 30 minutes before sunset. That operator also says the gate takes cards; still, carry US dollars in small notes and some Egyptian pounds in case the machine is down. > **Is the Sinai-only stamp enough?** There's no official answer. The UK government says the free stamp covers resorts in Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba, and that travelling outside the resorts needs a visa — Ras Mohammed isn't mentioned. Sharm dive centres and the park's camp operator say the stamp is fine; Dive Magazine says divers technically need a visa. If the park is on your list, the safe move is the US$30 visa on arrival, paid in cash. ## How to get to Ras Mohammed National Park 1. There's no public transport to the park — the microbuses on Peace Road (Al Salam) stay in town. Your options are a tour, a taxi or a rental car. 2. Tour: a bus or jeep picks you up at your hotel, usually around 8:00. This is the easiest option, and the park fee is often included. 3. Taxi from Naama Bay: about 35 km south past Old Sharm, roughly 40 minutes. Agree the fare for the return trip and waiting time before you get in — drivers rarely use the meter. 4. At the checkpoint, show your passport and pay the entry fee per person plus the car fee. 5. By boat: day trips leave from the Sharm marina in Old Sharm, about an hour to the park's reefs. 6. Plan to be out before sunset — the park closes to traffic after dark. ## Is Ras Mohammed worth it? Yes, if you came to Sharm for the sea. The reefs here start a few metres from the shore and drop off into deep blue water, and the fish life is richer than off most hotel beaches. Even a half-day bus trip gives you proper snorkelling without a boat. Skip it if you want a lazy beach day: there are no sunbeds, almost no shade, no changing rooms and nothing to buy inside. Bring everything with you. If you're not a confident swimmer, wear a life vest — the reef edge drops sharply. ## Bus tour or boat trip? | | By road | By boat | | --- | --- | --- | | Length | ≈ 5 hours | Full day | | Start | Hotel pick-up | Sharm marina, hotel transfer | | You see | Allah's Gate, the crack, mangroves, salt lake, shore reefs | Reefs from the water, often White Island | | Getting in the water | From the beach, through shallows | From the boat, straight into deep water | | Best for | Kids, beginners, anyone prone to seasickness | Confident swimmers | | Lunch | Usually not — bring water and snacks | Usually on board | What's included varies between agencies — check the park fee, snorkel gear and lunch before you pay. ## What to see in Ras Mohammed - **Allah's Gate** — the concrete arch near the entrance. It's modern, not ancient, but it's where every photo stop begins. - **The Crack** — an earthquake fissure with clear water at the bottom. - **Mangrove channel** — mangroves growing in salt water at the southern end of the peninsula. - **Magic Lake** — a warm, very salty lagoon where you float easily. - **Shark Observatory** — a clifftop viewpoint over the sea, and the reef below it. - **Shark and Yolanda reefs** — the park's headline dive sites; toilets and bathtubs from the Yolanda's cargo still lie on the reef. - Beaches with reef entry such as Main Beach — coral and fish within a few metres of the shore. ## Snorkeling and diving at Ras Mohammed Sources count more than 1,000 fish species here; coral species range from about 150 to 220-plus depending on who you read. Sea turtles are regular visitors, and the reef walls drop away dramatically. The best-known dives are **Shark Reef** and **Yolanda Reef**. The Cypriot freighter Yolanda ran aground there on 1 April 1980 with a load of bathroom fittings; a storm later pushed the hull into deep water, but part of the cargo stayed on the reef. Sharm dive centres run boats here daily, and try-dives work in the shallows. Snorkel only where your guide shows you, and wear reef shoes: the coral is alive and you must not stand on it. Don't feed the fish or take anything from the reef. ## Ras Mohammed and White Island in one day White Island is a sandbar in the open sea. Boat trips often pair it with Ras Mohammed: snorkel the park's reefs, then an hour or two on white sand. On that trip you won't see the land side of the park — the crack, the lake or Allah's Gate. Want both? Do a road trip and a boat trip on different days. There is no shade on the sandbar, so bring a hat and sunscreen. ## What to bring - [ ] Passport — the checkpoint won't let you through without it - [ ] Visa, or a clear answer from your operator about the Sinai stamp - [ ] US dollars in small notes and Egyptian pounds - [ ] Swimwear on under your clothes — there are hardly any changing rooms - [ ] Mask and reef shoes - [ ] Plenty of water and snacks - [ ] Sunscreen and a hat — shade is scarce ## Sharm El Sheikh by the sea, compared Every waterside spot in Sharm El Sheikh rated by YesGo. - [Naama Bay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/naama-bay) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free (promenade) - [White Island](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/sharm-el-sheikh-white-island) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Tour ≈ US$30–50 + park fee ≈ US$5 - [Tiran Island](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/tiran-island) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ≈ US$30–50 + ≈ US$5 park fee - [Ras Mohammed National Park](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/ras-mohammed) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ≈ US$5–7, usually included in tours ## Reef in the morning, town in the evening Snorkel the park, stop at the Old Market and Al Sahaba Mosque on the way back, then spend the evening on the Naama Bay promenade. YesGo works out timing and transfers. 1. [Ras Mohammed National Park](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/ras-mohammed) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ≈ US$5–7, usually included in tours 2. [Old Market (Old Sharm)](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/sharm-el-sheikh-old-market) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free entry 3. [Al Sahaba Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/al-sahaba-mosque) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free 4. [Naama Bay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/naama-bay) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free (promenade) ## Good to know Ras Mohammed is not Ras Abu Galum (the reserve near Dahab) or Nabq (the reserve north of Sharm). Hotels and dive centres named after the park are unrelated to it. The SS Thistlegorm wreck lies near the park but is a separate trip for experienced divers. ## Tips - Go early: calmer water, more fish and less heat. - Want both the reefs from the water and the crack and lake? Book a road trip and a boat trip on separate days. - Wear reef shoes — sharp rocks and sea urchins near the shore. - Not a strong swimmer? Wear a vest: the reef edge drops off suddenly. - Don't feed the fish or touch the coral — this is a protected reef. - On the way back, stop at the [Old Market](https://yesgo.io/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/sharm-el-sheikh-old-market) in Old Sharm. ## Questions ### How much is the Ras Mohammed entrance fee? Around US$5–7 per person according to operators (unofficial), plus a car fee. Tours usually include it. ### What are Ras Mohammed National Park opening hours? Daylight only. One operator gives car entry as 8:00–15:00 (unofficial), and traffic must be out by sunset. ### How do I get to Ras Mohammed from Sharm El Sheikh? By tour, taxi or car — no public transport. It's about 35 km and 40 minutes from Naama Bay; boats run from the Sharm marina. ### Can I visit Ras Mohammed without a tour? Yes, by taxi or rental car. Bring your passport, pay at the gate, agree the taxi's waiting time, and be out before sunset. ### Do I need a visa for Ras Mohammed? The official Sinai-only stamp list doesn't mention the park, and sources disagree. The safe choice is the US$30 visa on arrival. ### Is Ras Mohammed better by boat or by bus? Bus for the land sights and shore snorkelling, kids and beginners; boat for a full day of reef snorkelling, often with White Island. ### Is Ras Mohammed good for snorkeling? It's the best snorkelling near Sharm: reefs start a few metres from the beach. Wear reef shoes and a vest if you're unsure in water. ### How long do you need at Ras Mohammed? 4–5 hours on a road tour including the drive; a full day by boat. ### Is Ras Mohammed suitable for kids? Yes, on a road tour: you wade in from the beach. Bring life vests, reef shoes and lots of water. ## How we checked The Sinai-only stamp rules come from the official UK government page (GOV.UK). It doesn't name the park, and unofficial sources split: Circle Divers and the Bedawi camp operator say the stamp is enough, Dive Magazine says a visa is technically needed — so we show both and recommend the visa. We found no official fee schedule or opening hours online: the US$5–7 fee and 8:00–15:00 entry come from operators and are marked as checking. Coral species counts differ between sources (about 150 vs 220+), so we show both. Sources give different years for when the Yolanda's hull slid off the reef, so we leave the year out. The distance from Naama Bay is an OpenStreetMap route estimate. ## Sources - GOV.UK: Egypt — entry requirements (Sinai-only stamp, visa on arrival) - Dive Magazine: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism says visa fees remain unchanged - Circle Divers: Do I need a visa for diving in Sharm? - Bedawi: Eco camping Ras Mohamed — park entry and payment rules - English Wikipedia: Ras Muhammad National Park; Yolanda (ship) - Russian Wikipedia: Рас-Мохаммед; Wikidata Q1028367 - nashaplaneta.net: Ras Mohammed National Park - PADI, Lonely Planet, Divernet: Shark and Yolanda reefs --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.