Ras Mohammed National Park Dive Sites

RAS MOHAMMED South of Sharm el-Sheikh the coast is totally deserted, with no shelter, for more then a mile, up to the small bay named Marsa Ghazlani, where the Ras Mohammed National Park begins. This is followed by another bay, Marsa Bareika, which is much larger and deeper. It penetrates the land for 2.8 miles, forming the Ras Mohammed peninsula, which extends southeastwards into the Red Sea for almost 5 miles and separates the gulf of Aqaba from the Gulf of Suez. The eastern coast of the Ras Mohammed peninsula is composed of a tall fossil coral reef that is interrupted for a few dozen meters by the only accessible beach in the area, Aqaba Beach, and ends at the Ras Mohammed Headland - Mohammed`s Cape in Arabic, because it's profile is like the bearded one of the prophet. The rocky spur is about 50 meters high; on top of it is the Shark Observatory balcony. On the southern side of the peninsula there are three beaches - Shark Observatory Beach, Main Beach and Yolanda Beach - the sandy, shallow Hidden Bay, whose mouth is completely blocked by a long coral reef, and Mangrove Island, an islet with a small beacon, seperated from the rest of the peninsula by the Mangrove Channel with ist numerous mangroves (Avicenia marina). The western side of the peninsula is low and sandy, and ist sole attraction is the only mooring, which is well sheltered, in the area on a level with the half-submerged remains of an old jetty known as The Quay. Because of ist geographic position the Ras Mohammed peninsula is a privileged area distinguished for the strong massive currents that transport large quantities of plankton and other food that give rise to an extrordinary growth of stony and soft corals and attract large schools of both reef and pelagic marine fauna.Given the great abundance of food, barracuda, Jackfish, tuna, and sharks swarm in these waters, offering divers the chance to make extremely interesting and exciting dives, especially from June to August. The classic diving sites begin at the southern tip of Marsa Bareika, known as Ras Za'atar, and continue along the eastern coast with Jackfish Alley, Eel Garden and Shark Observatory (also known as Ras Mohammed Wall), and at the southern end of the peninsula with Anemone City, Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef.

Ras Za'atar Difficulty : 2 Current : 1 to 2 A splendid wall covered with multicoloured Alcyonarians. On a level with the chimney further north there is a spectacular landscape. In the blue there are many schools of Jackfish and barracuda hunting for prey. Keep at a depth of 15 meters to avoid missing the chimney. The current may get stronger arround the cape. This is the steep rocky promontory, 9.6 miles from Naama Bay and 5.9 miles fom Ras Umm Sid, that delimits the Marsa Bareika inlet to the south and plunges almost vertically into the Red Sea. The lacl of a shamandura means you have to make a drift dive that skirts the cape. This may be done in both directions, depending on the current; the most frequent moves northeast, with the reef on your left. Since the most interesting part of the dive is around the headland, it is important to start your dive past the large crevice that can be seen on the coastline. After descending for 28-30 meters to observe some lovely gorgonians and colonies of black coral (Antipathes dichotoma), it is a good idea to go up to about 15 meters' depth to investigate the reef wall, which is full of life and studded with red and pink Alcyonarians. While there, do not miss the spectacular wide split (preceded by a similar but less impressive one) that begins precisely at this depth and narrows towards the surface, becoming a true chimney. In these recesses you will see the typical inhabitants of gullies and crevices such as Lionfish, Glassfish and some large Malabar groupers (Epinephelus malabaricus) . Once past the tip of the wall, turn into Marsa Bareika Bay, where there is a partly sandy slope with many coral pinnacles that create a coral garden frequented by a great number of reef fish and even some sea turtles.

Furnished By Diving Centers Werner

Shark Observatory Difficulty : 2 Current : 1 to 2 Superb marine landscape. The chance to see large pelagic predators. Check the direction of the current; it is better to dive when the tide is ebbing. Stay at a depth of 15-20 meters and go up to 8-5 meters in the last phase of your dive. The afternoon is ideal for obseving the spectacular effects of the light. This name indicates not only the first balcony on the top of the Ras Mohammed promontory, but also the diving site that is on a level with that promontory. This is a magnificent wall dive, also known as the Ras Mohammed Wall: while looking down into the deep blue, you can admire a grandiose environment and at the same time see large pelagic predators (even some Whale sharks have been seen in this area time and again). Although many divers today dive before Shark Observatory Bay, the classic and more striking dive begins not far from the second balcony on the cliff (A). After descending for about 15 meters you can explore the wall on your left, which is rich in Alcyonarians, gullies, shelters and caves swarming with life, without losing sight of the blue, from which Jackfish, barracuda and some sharks might suddenly appear. On a line with the southern corner of the promontory the wall takes a sharp turn westwards and runs towards the small beach under the observatory:here you will see some large gorgonians (subergorgia hicksoni) and, further up, a majestic overhang. Continue along the wall until you enter an extremely beautiful cave that has a large fissure in its top through which light filters. From this opening you can exit onto the reef.

Furnished By Diving Centers Werner

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