Snorkeling Egypt’s Most Spectacular Marine Reserve
The Ras Mohammed National Park Snorkeling Tour is the single best day trip available from Sharm El Sheikh — and not by a small margin. Ras Mohammed is Egypt’s first national park, established in 1983 and covering 480 square kilometres of protected land and sea at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba, two bodies of water with different temperatures, currents, and chemistry converge — creating an underwater ecosystem of extraordinary richness. The reefs here support over 1,000 species of fish and more than 130 varieties of coral, with visibility regularly exceeding 30 metres. Most serious divers consider it one of the finest snorkeling and diving sites on earth.
This full-day boat tour departs from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel at 08:30, reaching the sea dock after a 20-minute drive. From there, a comfortable snorkeling vessel sails south to the park, making 2–3 stops at the best reef locations including the famous Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef — where the submerged cargo of a 1980 shipwreck, including its distinctive porcelain bathroom fittings, has been colonised by coral and is now home to an astonishing density of marine life. Lunch and soft drinks are served on board between snorkeling stops, and the return transfer drops you back at your hotel by 17:00. A snorkeling guide accompanies the group throughout.
The tour runs every day of the year and costs from $35 per person, making it one of the best-value full-day excursions in Sharm El Sheikh. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. For those planning a wider Egypt itinerary, this tour pairs naturally with our Nile Cruise packages or Luxor private tours.
About Ras Mohammed National Park
Ras Mohammed — the name means “Head of Mohammed” in Arabic, referring to the shape of the headland — sits 30 kilometres southwest of Sharm El Sheikh. It was designated Egypt’s first national park in 1983 and is widely considered one of the world’s great marine biodiversity sites. The convergence of two gulfs creates upwellings of nutrient-rich water that feed the reef system year-round, resulting in coral formations and fish populations that remain exceptional even by Red Sea standards.
The main snorkeling sites on this tour are:
- Shark Reef — a dramatic wall of coral dropping into deep water, with barracuda, reef sharks, and enormous schools of colourful reef fish
- Yolanda Reef — named after a cargo ship that ran aground in 1980, whose scattered contents (including an intact bathroom suite) have been entirely colonised by coral over 40 years, creating one of the most unusual and photogenic snorkeling spots in the Red Sea
- White Island (weather-dependent) — a brilliant white sandbar that emerges where the two gulfs meet, surrounded by shallow turquoise water, known as the Egyptian Maldives
What to Bring
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the tour date
- Water shoes
- Sunblock (reef-safe preferred)
- Sunglasses
- Snorkeling equipment (or hire on board)
- Towel from your hotel
- Photo/video camera or waterproof phone case
Overview
The Ras Mohammed National Park Snorkeling Tour is the best full-day excursion from Sharm El Sheikh. Ras Mohammed is Egypt’s first national park — 480 square kilometres of protected marine reserve at the southern tip of Sinai where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba. Over 1,000 fish species, 130+ coral varieties, and visibility exceeding 30 metres regularly place it among the world’s finest snorkeling destinations.
This full-day boat tour departs from your hotel at 08:30 and makes 2–3 stops at the park’s best reef sites, including Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef. Lunch and soft drinks are included on board. A professional snorkeling guide accompanies the group throughout. Return to your hotel by 17:00. Runs every day. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Highlights
- Full-day snorkeling trip to Ras Mohammed National Park — Egypt’s first and most biodiverse marine reserve
- 2–3 snorkeling stops at world-class reef sites: Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, and White Island
- Over 1,000 fish species and 130+ coral varieties — visibility regularly exceeding 30 metres
- Lunch and soft drinks served on board throughout the day
- Professional snorkeling guide accompanying the group at every reef stop
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off from any hotel in Sharm El Sheikh — pickup 08:30, return 17:00
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
