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Group of scuba divers swimming near colorful coral reef with fish, showcasing underwater marine life.
📷 Atlantic Ambience · Pexels

Ras Za'atar

3.6 — based on 16 community signals
4.2 12 species 24 contributors

Ras Za'atar is a year-round dive site in Egypt's Ras Muhammad National Park, known for healthy coral and diverse marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPABoatOnlyFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Common octopus

Top operators here

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Map

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Ras Za'atar location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.5 kn
Wave
0.4 m
Water
28.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WNW (39%)
Now: W (268°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.5m

Next: Low at 07:00 (-0.16m)

+0.3 m0 m-0.2 m
▼ 07:00 · -0.16m ▲ 13:00 · +0.02m ▼ 18:00 · -0.08m ▲ 01:00 · +0.04m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6.85 · high Air PM2.512 · good 06:30 18:43
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 10 0.64 7 0mm
09-20 14.3 0.74 7 0mm
09-21 16.3 0.78 7 0mm
09-22 7.9 0.6 7 0mm
09-23 5.9 0.62 7 0mm
09-24 5.8 0.62 7 0mm
09-25 12 0.84 7 0mm

About this spot

Ras Za'atar sits within Ras Muhammad National Park on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, a premier diving destination in the Red Sea. The site benefits from year-round diving conditions, making it accessible to divers throughout the calendar. Local observations document at least 12 species in the area, indicating a healthy and diverse marine ecosystem. The site features coral structures with no current stress indicators, suggesting vibrant conditions for reef exploration. Divers visiting Ras Za'atar can expect encounters with Red Sea fauna and flora characteristic of the park's protected waters. The area's positioning within this established marine reserve reflects its value as a diving destination. Access to Ras Muhammad National Park typically involves boat transport from nearby coastal towns. Diving operations in the region are well-established, with operators familiar with the park's geography and regulations. The park itself is managed to protect its marine environment, so divers should expect clear guidelines on site use and behavior. Ras Za'atar complements other dive sites within Ras Muhammad, offering variety for multi-day dive trips to the region.

📖 Guide: Diving in Egypt: 258 Sites From Wrecks to Hammerheads

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Common octopus

Dive types

ReefBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 3910km · ~899kg · €16

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 59/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 8h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 7h east · 5 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Ras Za'atar?

Ras Za'atar is diveable year-round, so plan according to your schedule and comfort with seasonal water conditions. The Red Sea maintains warm water temperatures even in winter months, making it an accessible destination in any season.

What marine life can I expect to see?

At least 12 species have been documented at Ras Za'atar. The site sits in healthy coral habitat with no bleaching stress, so expect a diverse reef environment typical of the Red Sea. Specific species vary by season and dive depth.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Ras Za'atar lies within Ras Muhammad National Park, which is a protected marine reserve. Divers must follow park regulations. Book with an established operator in the region who manages entry requirements and ensures compliance with park guidelines.

What is the difficulty level and depth?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings for Ras Za'atar are not documented in available sources. Contact local dive operators in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab for current details on site conditions and suitability for your certification level.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Black Pearl - Red Sea

9.9 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving at Old Key, Ras Za'Atar and Ghozlani - Ras Mohammed - Sharm El Sheik

Scooba-Doo!

Ras Za'Atar Egypt Scuba Diving

orobori

Moray Eel at Ras Za’atar dive site, Ras Mohamed National Park, Red sea, Egypt

Sharm Dive
wind peaks Jun-Jul-Aug, calmest Oct-Dec-Nov, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (83/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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Ras Ghozlani

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Shark Observatory Egypt Diving
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Shark Observatory

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