Egypt: Red Sea - Dive Sites - Ras Um Sid

Ras Um Sid

Diving

Snorkelling

By Boat

By swimming

By Live-aboard

All Divers

3

3

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Location:

Ras Umm Sid point, southeast of Sharm El Moya/Sharm El Sheikh town

Access:

By shore, or by local or live-aboard boat from Sharm El Sheikh, Naama Bay or other ports

Average Depth:

20m (65ft)

Maximum Depth:

35m+ (115ft+)

Average Visibility:

20m (65ft)

Ras Um Sid is located at the North Point of Sharm El Sheikh Harbor and is a coral shelf that begins at the shore. The reef slopes down to a depth of 80 feet and a sandy bottom. This is a steep sloping wall, extending from the point at Ras Umm Sid inward toward the bay to the west. The reef follows the shoreline, and is marked by intermittent sand patches, coral heads and pinnacles.

Coral attractions include gorgonians, acropora, fire corals, dense soft coral patches and some substantial coral formations.

The coral heads are the home of many reef fish. Among the many fish found here is the lionfish. In the blue waters off of the reef, are many open ocean fish including rays, barracudas and sharks, and on the sandy bottom, crocodilefish. There are also big and small jacks/trevally, emperor and regal angelfish, various parrotfish, picasso and other triggerfish, yellowspine and ringtail surgeons, Napoleon wrasse and moray eels .

The typical depth range for Ras Um Sid is 20 to 80 feet and is best accessed by a shore dive, dive boat and local guide. The expertise required for this area is a snorkeled, novice, advanced, dive master or instructor.

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Last Updated: May 29th, 2011