Ras Mohammed National Parks and Protectorates:
Many people, present company included, believe Ras Mohamed does not belong to this world with its extraordinary environment and incredible beauty. The air here is cleaner and smells different than any other place in Egypt, not to mention the world. It's a special place that you'll never forget.
The Unique Location Of Ras Mohamed National Park
Its unique location in the meeting point of two different gulfs, the Suez Gulf and the Aqaba Gulf, makes Ras Mohamed unique. Ras Mohamed is the only place in Sinai that overlooks the two gulfs and is located in the south of Sinai, 12 kilometers away from Sharm El Sheikh, 70 kilometers away from Tor Sinai, and 446 kilometers from Cairo.
Ras Mohamed is 480 kilometers in size with 135 kilometers of land and 345 kilometers of water. It also includes two islands, Tiran and Sanafir, which are 370 kilometers, with 100 kilometers of land and 270 kilometers of water.
Ras Mohamed Protectorate
The protected area in Ras Mohamed was established in 1983. Its name means the head of Mohamed because of its shape, which looks like the top of a triangle, with the mountains of South Sinai forming the other side. The protected area of Ras Mohamed was included in the international list of heritage sites in the same year it was established.
Organizing A Trip To Ras Mohamed
Trips to Ras Mohamed can be organized from Sharm El Sheikh and many other cities in Sinai, like Dahab, Nuweiba, and Ras Suder. You can hire a motorboat and go from Sharm El Sheikh via an exciting diving sea voyage, or you can drive to Ras Mohamed and enjoy the uniqueness of its land and waters.
The trip from Sharm El Sheikh to Ras Mohamed takes 20 minutes by car. It takes 20 minutes to reach the gate of the protected area called the Gate of Allah. Egyptian engineers designed it after the 1973 War with Israel. The entrance is remarkable because it is made of cement rocks that resemble God's name in the Egyptian language, " Allah. "
What Will You Find In Ras Mohamed?
As soon as you enter Ras Mohamed, you will see attractive dunes around you, making you want to explore this paradise further. Soon enough, you will arrive at your trip's first stop on the Suez shore, a beach overlooking the Suez Gulf. The British author E.M. Forster described this area as a great passageway surrounded by red mountains and clear water you can't find anywhere else.
Suez Beach is full of beautiful seagulls and is the resting point of many rare species, including sea turtles. These and many other creatures encourage you to go for a dive to explore this area by yourself. You can meet dolphins, water turtles, or even sharks (be careful). There are also many crustaceans, sponge animals, and over 200 kinds of coral reefs.
Your next stop in Ras Mohamed will be the mangrove canal. A mangrove is a rare plant found in only four places worldwide. The nature of this plant makes it absorb salt from the water and produce it again with its leaves. Afterward, you can visit the location of the great earthquake that hit Egypt millions of years ago and caused a breakdown in Ras Mohamed's land- the canal's original cause.
The unique fortress of mangrove plants that connects Ras Mohamed to the Island of Al Ba'eera is located in the eastern part of Ras Mohamed. Although the area of this tree formation has obvious water, the land can sometimes become dry because of the nature of the site and the islands around it.
The Lake That Changes Color Seven Times A Day
Your next stop is the magical lake, which is totally out of this world as it contains all the shades and levels of blue. Some Ras Mohamed fans believe this lake changes its color seven times daily. According to an old story, Bedouins used to come and swim in the lake, throw gems, and make wishes, which accounts for its color. This still happens today, as tourists come and swim in the lake, throw coins, and make wishes.
Then, you go to the romantic Eastern border of the protected area of Ras Mohamed, which consists of a natural stone wall against the water of the Aqaba Gulf. You step out of the car and can enjoy the beautiful white sand. You can also dive or snorkel in one of the most remarkable diving spots in the world.
Sea Caves
There are a lot of sea caves in this spot and many sea creatures of different colors, shapes, and sizes. However, most of these creatures are friendly, and you can swim beside them safely. There are many butterflyfish in this area and several fire reefs that hurt anyone who touches them. Besides several swimming corals, this will make you feel you are swimming in a colored portrait made by God.
Your last stop at Ras Mohamed will likely be the telescope at the top of a vast rock. This telescope allows you to glance at the two gulfs and see the whole area from above.
Ras Mohamed is famous for its marvelous coral reefs and beaches that are located on both of the Gulfs with colored fish, sea turtles, and other sea creatures that you can't find anywhere else. The coral reef beaches spread from the northeastern side of Ras Mohamed around the islands of Tiran and Sanafir, where the rare bird of Osprey builds its nests and lives. Ras Mohamed has 150 different kinds of coral reefs!
Ras Mohamed Is A Diving Paradise
Ras Mohamed is famous worldwide as one of the most fantastic diving spots globally—tourists from around the world visit Ras Mohamed every year to enjoy diving and snorkeling.
Ras Mohamed has a unique biological variety. It hosts many species of birds, like falcons, herons, and storks, and mammals, like foxes, hyenas, wild rabbits, deer, and mountain goats, besides many sea creatures like dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles. Ras Mohamed also has a collection of the most ancient fossils in the whole world that ages from 75 thousand years to 20 million years! Yes, this figure is correct.
One trip to Ras Mohamed and you will become addicted to the area's beauty. A lot of tourists from Russia, Germany, England, France, and many other countries from all over the world come to visit Ras Mohamed every year and leave with memories to last a lifetime. Ras Mohamed is one of the magic spots on Earth. If you love nature, coral reefs, fish, and sand beaches, Ras Mohamed is a "must-visit" spot!