A Spectacular Red Sea Experience
Ras Mohammed National Park, located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is widely regarded as the crown jewel of Red Sea diving. Since becoming Egypt’s first national park in 1983, this protected marine reserve has consistently ranked among the world’s top diving destinations . The park sits where the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba meet, creating nutrient-rich waters and powerful currents that attract an astonishing diversity of marine life .
Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef: The Signature Dive
Without question, Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef are the most famous dive sites in Ras Mohammed National Park – and arguably in all of Egypt. They are consistently rated as one of the top ten dives in the world . The two reefs rise dramatically from untold depths to the surface, creating a breathtaking, stunning, and dramatic underwater topography . The seabed here descends steeply to over 800 meters, making it a sheer wall dive that plunges into the deep blue abyss .
What Makes This Dive So Special?
The Topography: The dive is conducted as a drift dive, typically starting at Shark Reef and drifting towards Yolanda Reef. The wall is adorned with incredible soft corals in purple and orange, and it is filled with fish life throughout the year . Hanging out on the wall are snappers, batfish, barracuda, and many more. During the peak period of July and August, they mass together in such numbers that it’s like diving in “fish soup” .
The Yolanda Wreck: Adding a unique historical dimension is the wreck of the Jolanda (spelled with a J, but the reef is spelled with a Y), a cargo ship that sank in 1980 . While the main wreckage lies too deep for recreational divers at 90 meters, its cargo was scattered across the reef in 1986, leaving behind an extraordinary underwater museum . Among the debris, divers can find a large collection of porcelain toilets, bathtubs, and even the remains of the captain’s BMW . This surreal scene of bathroom fixtures scattered among vibrant corals and marine life is one of the most photographed sights in the Red Sea .
The Marine Life: The reef is teeming with life year-round . In the summer months, a giant school of Bohar snapper aggregates to spawn, creating one of the most spectacular underwater scenes in the Red Sea . Divers can regularly spot:
- Schools of barracuda, batfish, and unicorn fish
- Giant trevally and tuna
- Napoleon wrasse
- Turtles, eagle rays, and blue-spotted stingrays
- Reef sharks, and occasionally hammerheads in the blue during summer months
The Experience: The dive can be a “roller coaster ride” of currents that turn every which way during the dive – creating an adrenalin-pumping, awesome experience . Strong currents can be present along the walls and between the reefs, so it is recommended for fairly experienced divers . The visibility is often exceptional, regularly exceeding 30 meters, which is some of the best you will ever see in the ocean .
Experience This World-Class Dive with Xplorer Red Sea
For those looking to experience the magic of Shark and Yolanda Reef in comfort and safety, Xplorer Red Sea offers liveaboard safaris that include Ras Mohammed and the northern wrecks. With the Argo Xplorer, Alfa Xplorer and Vita Xplorer, divers can access this iconic site as part of a broader northern itinerary, combining the thrill of Shark Reef with other legendary dive sites .
Whether you are a newly certified diver or an experienced technical enthusiast, diving Ras Mohammed offers unforgettable underwater experiences. It is a must-visit destination that will make you want to return time and time again .
