Dive the Sinai Peninsula at Ras Mohammed

Ras Za'Atar

A deep dive, Ras Zaatar is located on the northern tip of the Ras Mohammed peninsula.

The reef here is similar to but more contoured than Ras Ghazlani. It is made up of a steep wall which extends very deep down to house a large variety of marine life. The wall features a series of vertical undulations and indentations, creating a number of chimney-like structures which make the wall an interesting experience with ever-changing light and overhead vistas.

A few large caves and overhangs provide cover to glass sweepers and a range of soft corals. You'll find hundreds of longnose hawkfish flitting around the black corals, which are found deeper along the wall. The wall is covered in soft and hard corals with a preponderance of Sessile xenia (Anthelia glauca) and Broccoli soft coral (Lithophyton arboretum) but also with many small samples of acropora and gorgonian fans. Throughout this dive you will see large numbers of anthias, damselfish and sergeant majors (Adubefduf vaigiensis).

Around the corner heading into Marsa Barika, the wall gives way to a sandy slope scattered with many coral bommies that create a coral garden home to a variety of glassfish, lionfish and some large Malabar groupers. Also look out for Sohal Surgeonfish (Acanthurus sohal), and Blue triggerfish (Pseudobalistes fuscus). In and around the wall you can spot Red Sea anemonefish and fire dartfish plus Forskkal's Goatfish foraging in sandy patches.

Many pelagic fish visit this area of the Sinai Peninsula, so make sure when you're diving here to look out for skipjack tuna, barracuda, jacks and eagle rays as well as black-tipped sharks.

Ras Za'Atar Reef Basics: Wall diving and overhangs
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Medium
Surface conditions: Generally calm
Water temperature: 22 - 28°C
Experience level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round
Distance: 11 km southwest of Sharm El Sheikh
Access: Daytrips and liveaboards

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• Sinai Peninsula  -  Egypt

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