The coral reefs
The park's coral reef ecosystem is its main feature, on a hyper-arid coast with a wide variety of marine, coastal and land habitats.
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Sharm El Sheikh · South Sinai coast, Sharm El Sheikh
Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island
Egypt's first protectorate, a national park declared in 1983 on the South Sinai coast, with White Island among its most visited reef sites.
About Ras Mohammed and White Island
Ras Mohammed is a national park on the South Sinai coast near Sharm El Sheikh. Declared in 1983, it is listed first among the protectorates Egypt has declared under Law No. 102 of 1983, and it covers 778.2 km². In Egypt's description to UNESCO, its most spectacular features are the coral reef ecosystem and geological sites of fossil corals, raised terraces and a fault.
White Island is one of the park's most visited reef sites. In May 2026 Egypt's environment ministry began fitting eco-friendly mooring buoys at the dive sites of Sharm El Sheikh and Ras Mohammed, at least 50 in a first phase, starting with the White Island area and the Shaab El Utf reefs, to stop boats anchoring on the coral.
A short history
- 1983Ras Mohammed became the first protectorate under Law No. 102 of 1983, by Prime Minister's Decree No. 1068 of 1983, amended in 1996.
- 2002Egypt submitted Ras Mohammed to UNESCO's Tentative List as a natural site, the step before a World Heritage nomination.
- May 2026Phase one of the mooring-buoy project for the dive sites of Sharm El Sheikh and Ras Mohammed began, with the White Island area first in line.
What you'll see
Boat trips to the reefs
White Island is a reef site inside the park and one of its most visited; it is first in line for eco-friendly moorings so boats no longer anchor on the coral.
Getting there and how the visit runs
Our Ras Mohammed and White Island trip picks you up at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel and goes by boat from the marina to the reefs of the national park, with lunch on board.
Before you go
What to wear and bring
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the boat
- Sun protection and a hat
- Modest clothes once you leave the resort and the beach
Photos
- Drones need permission from Egypt's Ministry of Defence
- Ask before photographing people
Average daily high in Sharm El-Sheikh (°C)
The coolest months are December to February.
World Meteorological Organization climate normals (monthly averages, not forecasts)
Questions about Ras Mohammed and White Island
Is Ras Mohammed a national park?
Yes. It was declared in 1983 and is classed as a national park covering 778.2 km² of South Sinai, per Egypt's Environmental Affairs Agency.
Where is White Island?
Inside Ras Mohammed: Egypt's environment ministry lists the White Island area among the most visited sites of the Ras Mohammed protectorate.
Is Ras Mohammed a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Not yet. Egypt placed it on UNESCO's Tentative List in 2002, the step before a nomination.
How are the reefs protected from boats?
In May 2026 the ministry began installing at least 50 eco-friendly mooring buoys at the most visited dive sites of Sharm El Sheikh and Ras Mohammed, starting with White Island and the Shaab El Utf reefs, so boats no longer anchor on the coral.
Do your tours go to Ras Mohammed?
Yes. Our Ras Mohammed and White Island trip goes by boat from Sharm El Sheikh to the reefs of the national park, with snorkeling gear and lunch on board.
Sources: Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency; UNESCO World Heritage Centre; World Meteorological Organization; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Day tours
Tours that stop at Ras Mohammed and White Island
Guides
