Ras Mohammed National Park
SHARK & YOLANDA REEF
Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef are rated as one of the top ten dives in the world and is perhaps the most famous dive site of the Ras Mohammed National Park. The two reefs rise up from untold depths to the surface making a breath-taking, stunning and dramatic topography.
Covered in stunning hard and soft corals, is a vertical wall dropping to charted depths of nearly 800m. Yolanda Reef has a wide plateau with a coral garden and masses of pinnacles, each one a cleaning station teeming with fish. Between Yolanda reef and the main reef lies the cargo of the wreck of the Yolanda. A 74m long cargo ship, she was transporting bathroom supplies and a BMW to the port of Aqaba when she struck the reef in 1980. She lay on her side until 1987 when she slid into the abyss, during a heavy storm, leaving her cargo behind for divers to explore today.
Currents can be quite strong here, creating a kind of rollercoaster ride around these reefs in one direction or the other, depending on the prevailing current.
Most of the year, divers enjoy looking out for scorpionfish, crocodile fish, groupers, turtles, tuna, huge morays and napoleons that frequent this dive site but, in the summer, all focus changes to the water away from the reef where schools of fish collect together for mating; Twin spot (Bohar) Snapper, Red Snapper, batfish, unicorn fish, barracudas and more which of course sometimes attracts the predators. Silkies, grey reefs, black tips and even tigers have been seen at this dive site.
JACKFISH ALLEY
During the week trip we might also visit Jackfish Alley the name of this site derives from the white sandy road between the coral ledge bordering the coast and a parallel satellite reef that is often frequented by Jackfish and Barracuda. You will have to make it as a drift dive, lookout for stingrays, trevally, Glass fish, triggerfish and sometimes you might see a Whitetip reef shark.
SMALL CRACK
The Small Crack: at Shaab Mahmoud is a beautiful and relaxed dive site known for its colorful coral formations, and excellent marine life. Located close to the famous reefs of the Northern Red Sea, this site is ideal for divers who enjoy underwater topography and easy drifting conditions. The highlight of the dive is the “crack” itself — a natural split in the reef that allows divers to glide through a canyon-like passage filled with soft corals, glassfish, and shimmering light effects. The entrance starts around 12–15 meters and opens into sandy patches and coral gardens on the outer reef.
RAS UMM SID
Ras Um Sid: is one of the most famous and colorful dive sites in the northern Red Sea, located along the southern coastline of Sharm El Sheikh. The site is renowned for its spectacular wall diving, vibrant soft corals, and rich marine biodiversity. The reef begins on a shallow coral plateau before dropping into a steep wall covered with gorgonians, table corals, and dense clouds of anthias. Gentle currents often attract large schools of fish, making every dive full of movement and color. One of the highlights of Ras Um Sid is the impressive coral health and excellent visibility, frequently reaching over 25 meters. Divers can drift along the reef while exploring small caves, overhangs, and coral pinnacles.
TEMPLE
Temple is a shallow and visually stunning dive site located inside the protected waters of EL Fanar. Famous for its beautiful coral formations and calm conditions, Temple is especially popular for relaxed dives, check dives, night dives, and underwater photography. The site gets its name from the unique coral pinnacles rising from the sandy bottom, resembling ancient temple columns. These formations create a maze-like underwater landscape filled with hard corals, soft corals, and abundant reef fish. Temple is generally sheltered from strong currents, making it suitable for divers of all certification levels. The shallow depth allows for long dive times and excellent natural light throughout the dive.