Liveaboard Diving in Ras Mohammed

What to Expect on A Ras Mohammed National Park Liveaboard

Liveaboards to the Ras Mohammed National Park in Egypt offer some of the most outstanding diving in the Red Sea. Covering an area of 135 km² over land and an amazing 345 km² of water the area has been protected since the 1980s against fishing and any damage to the wildlife and corals. The Egyptian Environmental Agency declared this a marine reserve largely in reaction to dynamite fishing in the area. The resulting reefs in Ras Mohammed are some of the best in the Red Sea with hundreds of different species of hard and soft corals. The park also has the advantage of being only 20 km/ 12 miles along the coast from Sharm el-Sheikh. A wide choice of Egyptian liveaboards to Ras Mohammed is available, from budget to luxury and something in-between.

The park is named after the shape of the cliffside which according to folklore looks like a bearded head, resembling the prophet Mohammed. The reefs are spread all along the coastline of the park and vary in size from a few meters to several kilometres. The depth is varied but most of the reefs are shallow although in some areas dive sites can reach 40 meters/130 ft.

The wildlife in Ras Mohammed is incredibly rich and varied with thousands of different species of reef fish as well as sharks and turtles. The reefs themselves are home to over 200 different corals and the visibility can be up to 40 meters/130 ft. making Ras Mohammed a spectacular place to dive. Calm waters and shallow reefs also mean that the area is highly accessible even for less experienced divers.

Daily Schedule

Morning - Whether the boat is sailing overnight from another Northern dive site or leaving the harbour at the crack of dawn from Sharm el-Sheikh you should wake up already at Ras Mohammed. Liveaboards try to start early to have the reef to themselves before the day boats arrive later on. That means a 6 am start is fairly standard, with a quick snack and a briefing. Then it is straight to the dive deck to analyse Nitrox and set up the gear before either jumping straight in from the deck or from a tender boat.

Afternoon - After breakfast, there will normally be a second dive before heading to another nearby dive site, four dives a day is normal but visitors should note that night diving is not permitted inside of marine parks in Egypt, including this one. 

Ras Mohammed Underwater

With miles of tropical reefs, crystal clear water and a rainbow of colourful fish, Ras Mohammed represents everything people associate with diving in the Red Sea. Add to that the chance to see sharks and turtles and it is easy to see why this national park is one of the most popular sites in Egypt.

The jewel in the crown of the park is Shark & Yolanda reefs, which can be visited in one dive. They are both aptly named. Shark reef offers the chance to dive with grey and blacktip reef sharks as well as occasional hammerheads out in the blue. It is also home to huge numbers of reef fish and some larger pelagics such as tuna passing by.

Yolanda reef is named after the shipwreck which once sat on its South West. The wreck came off the reef in a storm and was rediscovered at 160 meters. Only the cargo remains in situ which has led it to be nicknamed the ´toilet wreck´ for the pile of porcelain toilet bowls on the sea bed.

There are also a number of other excellent sites with a great variety to choose from. Anemone City is a wonderful shallow dive around 12 meters/40 ft. humming with clownfish. The Shark Observatory and Jackfish alley are also great for shark lovers with plenty of white tip reef sharks and huge barracudas.

Top Tips for Ras Mohammed

  • Be sure to wear adequate protection on your skin as there are a lot of fire corals and anemone around.
  • The water temperature varies greatly between seasons so those going with their own equipment should know that the water can be 20 degrees/ 68 F in the winter.
  • This area is very popular with day boats and snorkelers so an SMB can be useful when surfacing.

Getting to Ras Mohammed

Being that it is so close to Sharm el-Sheikh and has ideal diving conditions Ras Mohammed is a very popular dive site. As with most high traffic sites a diving liveaboard offers the chance to hit the water and enjoy the reefs before everyone else has left port. Liveaboards that visit the national park usually depart from Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada. Both of these resorts have their own international airports with direct flights to mainland Europe and connecting flights further afield.

Egyptian liveaboard itineraries that include diving in Ras Mohammed from Sharm will normally also visit other sites in this area such as The Straits of Tiran and the Thistlegorm shipwreck. Those leaving from Hurghada will usually stop at shipwrecks between the port and Ras Mohammed such as the Abu Nuhas as well as the Thistlegorm.

Most of the liveaboards will anchor and drop divers directly from the main boat where possible but in some areas, a small skiff or tender will take them to the site. Smaller day boats will normally depart Sharm el Shiekh early in the morning, it takes between one and two hours to reach the park depending on which dive site you are visiting.


Ras Mohammed Diving Reviews

  • 9.2 Superb
  • 227 Verified Reviews
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Chelane P
  • United States United States

Ras Mohammed had some of the best dives I've ever done!

Diving Ras Mohammed in February on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Stephen L
  • United States United States

Excellent coral and marine life to go along with it.

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Emperor Superior

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Christopher D
  • United States United States

Incredible reefs and wildlife.

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Zachary R
  • United States United States

The best, but I would have liked to do more dives there.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • John B
  • United States United States

So much amazing sea life - great dive spot

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Vita Xplorer

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Stephanie W
  • United States United States

Amazing! Excellent sites. The blue ocean against the limestone is beautiful.

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • John V
  • United States United States

Great conditions with lots of fish

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Rob B
  • United States United States

Beautiful! Some of the best reefs I’ve seen and great visibility. Water temp around 72F.

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Snefro Spirit

  • 7.6 Good
  • Christopher E
  • United States United States

Nice reefs but not many big animals.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Brayden D
  • United States United States

I‘d say hit or miss. Some days good, others were average.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Snefro Love

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Celeste G
  • United States United States

Good lots of life probably second best after the wreck

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Rebeca R
  • United States United States

Incredible, stunning enormous coral gardens

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • William F
  • United States United States

Great coral and fish life, visibility ok.

Diving Ras Mohammed in April on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Bevlynn R
  • United States United States

The national park is gorgeous. I’m glad it is a park so hopefully the natural beauty of the reefs will stay preserved for generations to enjoy.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Amelie

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Sharon E
  • United States United States

Ditto! Unbelievably exquisite creatures great and small.

Diving Ras Mohammed in July on the Blue Horizon

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Steven S
  • United States United States

Nice. Big Octopus, Barracuda, Napoleon Wrasse, Triggerfish, pretty nice coral

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the Blue Melody

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jennifer A
  • United States United States

Completely amazing living coral reefs, thousands of fish

Diving Ras Mohammed in November on the SS Serena Dreams

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Kenneth G
  • United States United States

Visability was not as expected, but that’s the chances.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jordan L
  • United States United States

Eh good. Shallow dives with some bleached coral but still amazing sights

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Bradley C
  • United States United States

The pristine reefs were better than any I've ever seen.

Diving Ras Mohammed in July on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Cyr Geraurd O
  • United States United States

very beautiful! good visibility, many fun marine life, corals, warm water

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Patrick H
  • Germany Germany

Not too many fishes around but still One of the highlights

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the Blue Horizon

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Götz Ulrich L
  • Germany Germany

I just say THISTLEGORM ... :-)

Diving Ras Mohammed in November on the Emperor Superior

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Sabrina H
  • Germany Germany

Everything was clean and nice corals

Diving Ras Mohammed in November on the Snefro Love

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Adrian R
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Comparable to the Tiran reefs.

Diving Ras Mohammed in February on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Pieter S
  • South Africa South Africa

Haven't seen such beautiful soft coral since I was at Raja Ampat so it can compete with Indonesia - but more affordable

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Emperor Superior

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Götz Ulrich L
  • Germany Germany

Wonderful: Thistlegorm etc. Due to stormy weather, we escapted to the Strait of Tiran for a day or two - which was fine.

Diving Ras Mohammed in April on the Emperor Asmaa

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Tatiana K
  • Russia Russia

Ras Mohammed is one of the best places for diving in the world, very beautiful corals.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Emperor Superior

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Carol Y
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Beautiful. Lovely mix of corals, fish and remains of wreck

Diving Ras Mohammed in April on the Emperor Asmaa

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Frank U
  • Germany Germany

Beautiful marine life and a big variety of rather easy to advanced dive sites.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Snefro Love

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Utsov D
  • India India

WOW! Shark and Yolanda and Jackfish Alley were EPIC!

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Snefro Love

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Raphael G
  • France France

Very nice diving place, not so much boat with us

Diving Ras Mohammed in July on the MY Odyssey Liveaboard

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Fabrice K
  • France France

Amazing dive site, with lots of macro and micro life

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Tillis

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Thomas M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Unbelievable schooling fish, great walls with some sick currents, however was a bit busy with the day boats.

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the JP Marine

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • David H
  • Switzerland Switzerland

The diversity was great although we didn’t see a lot of big fish.

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Snefro Spirit

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Oliver M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

The marine life is plentiful.

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Michael O
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great marine life, loads of pictures. Lovely Giant Moray.

Diving Ras Mohammed in August on the Emperor Superior

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Santtu M
  • Finland Finland

It was very good. Great visibility and the ammount of sea life blew me away

Diving Ras Mohammed in August on the Emperor Superior

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Joanne L
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Still very brautiful, the coral is surviving better than other locations we have visited.

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the Golden Dolphin

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Frank U
  • Germany Germany

Great marine life, colorful underwater world.

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Shyam P
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Very nice coral reefs, coral gardens and some variety of topography. Lots of fish and reef life.

Diving Ras Mohammed in November on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • John H
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

You can see why it is one of the top dives in the world the reef was full of life

Diving Ras Mohammed in November on the Firebird

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Maya K
  • Canada Canada

Very busy ! But gorgeous dive sites

Diving Ras Mohammed in November on the Emperor Superior

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Iu C
  • Spain Spain

Estamos hablando de un spot principal de buceo en Egipto, esto es paradisíaco, puedes encontrar mucho de lo que algún día imaginaste ver buceando, en mi caso repetiré sin duda

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Amelie

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Yevgeniya M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

fantastic, I really appreciated the 2 dives in Jackson reef

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Stefano B
  • Italy Italy

Amazing corals, and loved the wc wreck, super photos there, make sure u got a camera :)

Diving Ras Mohammed in February on the JP Marine

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jesse Z
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Beautiful reefs and wrecks

Diving Ras Mohammed in February on the Snefro Love

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Tobias H
  • Germany Germany

great reef with stunning dive sites

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Rad B
  • Canada Canada

Our first diving location was the Temple just on the side of Ras Mohammed and was a great introduction site.

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Snefro Target

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Zalan M
  • Hungary Hungary

We got to see a whale shark, which is quite rare around these areas

Diving Ras Mohammed in August on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 6.4 Review score
  • Karolina K
  • Poland Poland

Was crowded, but overall nice.

Diving Ras Mohammed in April on the Amelie

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Javier G
  • Spain Spain

Corals were in very good shape. But I expected more macro and more sharks and rays.

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the Snefro Spirit

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Coen E
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Beautiful corals with life all around - in particular Shark & Yolanda Reefs are great. Mostly fairly easy drift dives, although currents can sometimes change suddenly leading to a quick change to the plan.

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Snefro Target

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Héloïse C
  • Switzerland Switzerland

very beautiful, lots of fishes and beautiful corals

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Discovery I

  • 6.8 Review score
  • Jürgen T
  • Germany Germany

Decent reef and dive at jack fish alley, diving at shark & Yolanda was not particularly interesting.

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Discovery II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Tatiana K
  • Russia Russia

perfect visibility, not a strong current, very healthy reef

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Snefro Target

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Pedrag P
  • Germany Germany

I loved the corals and fish

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • David V
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Exciting, the drift dives were a new experience for me.

Diving Ras Mohammed in January on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Catriona C
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Beautiful dive sites, even in the winter it was very enjoyable if a little chilly.

Diving Ras Mohammed in February on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Nachshon M
  • Israel Israel

I dove there many times and was never disappointed

Diving Ras Mohammed in February on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Ingemar H
  • Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia

Clear water, healthy corals

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the South Moon

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Helle V
  • Denmark Denmark

Flotte koraller Mange fisk

Diving Ras Mohammed in April on the Snefro Love

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • keon K
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

The fish and sea life was amazing

Diving Ras Mohammed in April on the Discovery I

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Dean T
  • Australia Australia

Good. Although coral shows impact of many divers

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Clare J
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Currents worrying but well handled by the crew.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Clyde B
  • South Africa South Africa

Awesome dives with abundance of sea life

Diving Ras Mohammed in August on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Jazz B
  • Canada Canada

Very nice coral garden but very little marine life

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the Snefro Target

  • 7.6 Good
  • Sebastian S
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

We came back to this a few too many times but it is a great dive site

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the South Moon

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Claire J
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Wasn't as good as it has been. Missing the sharks, octopus and turtles

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Ian M
  • Australia Australia

Not as many fish as I expected.

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Linda G
  • Germany Germany

Amazing underwater world & topography, colorful fish

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the South Moon

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Rebecca T
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Good. Anemone valley was the best site.

Diving Ras Mohammed in November on the Snefro Love

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Sebastian G
  • Germany Germany

Very rich marine live and beautiful corals.

Diving Ras Mohammed in November on the Snefro Love

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Melissa F
  • Canada Canada

Like an underwater garden. Absolutely stunning! Highlight of the trip for sure!

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Stephen W
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Fantastic. Shark/Yolande reefs & the Dunraven wreck are both great dives

Diving Ras Mohammed in February on the Blue Horizon

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Michael W
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Pristine coral reef perfect morning dive even though I missed seeing the dolphins!

Diving Ras Mohammed in February on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Tamas S
  • Hungary Hungary

Great marine life and fun drift diving

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Emperor Superior

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Marc C
  • Spain Spain

Good visibility, amazing colours and abundance of life.

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Freedom III

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • DANIEL G
  • Spain Spain

Beautiful coral garden. Well conservated, colourful and full of big fishes. Drifting with the current was super fun.

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the Ghazala Explorer

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Anna Olivia E
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Awesome dive site with nice coralls and a lot of fhis schools

Diving Ras Mohammed in March on the SS Serena Dreams

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Jordan N
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Saturated with dive boats and as a result, there was quite a lot of litter on the reef. Great marine life variety.

Diving Ras Mohammed in April on the Discovery II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Oscar V
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Coral was in great health, amazing (big and small) marine life

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Snefro Love

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Marc V
  • Canada Canada

Stunningly beautiful corals.

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Snefro Love

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Claire S
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Beautiful coral and marine life. Fun cave to swim through and a good drift dive

Diving Ras Mohammed in May on the Freedom III

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jacek P
  • Poland Poland

Long dive with great amounts of sea life

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Emperor Superior

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • William P
  • Canada Canada

Best wall I have ever dove in over 4000dives

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Discovery II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Faye V
  • South Africa South Africa

Healthiest reef I have ever seen

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Ghazala Explorer

  • 9.2 Superb
  • David R
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Excellent clarity and visibility

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Freedom III

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Daniel H
  • Australia Australia

Good marine life and coral, just what I was hoping for

Diving Ras Mohammed in June on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Anna D
  • Switzerland Switzerland

The most amazing. Reefs are beautiful, colorful und a lot of fish

Diving Ras Mohammed in July on the Discovery II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Gregory V
  • Canada Canada

Super interesting fish and corals.

Diving Ras Mohammed in July on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Alex J
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Fabulous!! Gets busy with snorkelers so great to do this on a liveaboard.

Diving Ras Mohammed in July on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Petri K
  • Finland Finland

Currents like in a tumble dryer

Diving Ras Mohammed in August on the Ghazala Explorer

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Marco C
  • Portugal Portugal

Amazing natural reserve, we a saw a huge Schoolfish of fusiliers. Very nice corals and sea Fans

Diving Ras Mohammed in August on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Monique S
  • South Africa South Africa

Good. Viz not as great as my first dive there in 1994. Still an amazing site.

Diving Ras Mohammed in September on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Jessica S
  • Canada Canada

Fabulous. Lots of schools of fish and corals.

Diving Ras Mohammed in October on the Freedom III

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Lara A
  • Australia Australia

Diving was lovely. Pretty reef and coral.

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ioannis T
  • Greece Greece

Amazing coral reefs and sea life all over! A true highlight of the northern Red Sea with many different spots to visit

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Ghazala Explorer

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Hisham H
  • Ireland Ireland

Beautiful reefs with a great amount of biodiversity.

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Ghazala Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Justin G
  • Italy Italy

Jackfish Alley we had gentle drift dive and great encounter with pod of dolphins

Diving Ras Mohammed in December on the Emperor Elite