Ras Mohamed Protected Area in Egypt

Location: Gulf of Aqaba


Area: 480 km2


Type: Marine Reserve


Year of establishment: 1983


Objective: Protection of marine and terrestrial wildlife


Management: The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA).

 

Boundaries: The boundaries of this National Park extend from a point opposite the Qad Ibn Haddan lighthouse on the Gulf of Suez to the southern boundary of the Nabq Protected area on the Gulf of Suez. The area includes the island of Tiran and all shorelines fronting the Sharm el Sheikh tourism development area.

 

Geographical aspects:

 

 

Wonderful landscape of Ras  Mohamed Protected Area

 


Ras Mohammed is the headland at the southern most tip of the Sinai Peninsula, overlooking the juncture of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. The islands of Tiran and Sanafir are part of the site. Littoral habitats include a mangrove community, salt marshes, inter-tidal flats, a diversity of shoreline configurations and coral reef ecosystems that are internationally recognized as among the world's best. In addition a diversity of desert habitats such as mountains and wadis, gravel plains and sand dunes.

 

Flora:

 

Sea-grass beds and mangrove trees.

 

Fauna:


More than 200 species of corals, where 125 species are soft corals, around 1000 species of fish, 40 species of star fish, 25 species of sea urchins, more than a 100 species of mollusc and 150 species of crustaceans.

 

 

Many birds of the Ras  Mohamed Protected Area

 

Ras Mohammed is important as a bottleneck for migratory soaring birds. The majority of the world populations of white stork Ciconia ciconia pass through this area. The islands of Tiran and Sanafir hold important breeding populations of the threatened and endemic White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalamus and Osprey Pandion haliaetus. The island of Tiran has one of the largest recorded Osprey populations in the Red Sea. The threatened Green Turtle Chelonia mydas and Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata occur off Ras Mohammed regularly. The threatened mammal species include Dorcas Gazelle Gazella dorcas, Nubian Ibex Capra ibex nubiana

 

Tourist Attractions:

 

An eagle in the Ras Mohamed Protected Area

 

Tourism in Southern Sinai is inherently linked to the natural resources of the area. Degradation of these natural resources as a result of tourism or development activities is not in the best interests of investors or tourists. The Protected areas program seeks to establish equilibrium between development activities, tourism and the natural resource conservation measures needed to achieve sustainable economic development.

 

Due to Ras Mohameds geographical position, divers find almost permanent strong currents during all the year, which attracts larger fish. Beautiful beaches, extraordinary coral reefs and exciting dive sites make Ras Mohamed National Park a worthwhile visit.

 

Unique Coral Reef ecosystem:

 

Coral reef ecosystems found in the National Park are recognized internationally as among the world's best. This recognition is based primarily on the diversity of flora and fauna, clear warm water devoid of pollutants, their proximity to shorelines and their spectacular vertical profile. The reef exists as an explosion of color and life in stark contrast to the seemingly barren desert adjacent to it. In reality, the desert is rich in fauna, mainly nocturnal. These ecosystems are intrinsically linked and thus must be managed as a single unit.

 

A fox in the Ras Mohamed   Protected Area

 

The National Park offers outstanding coral reef and nature viewing experiences to the visitor.

 

The Eel Garden, named for its population of garden eels at 20m, also provides excellent and calm conditions.

 

The Main Beach, often crowded, remains one of the best locations to see vertical coral walls. Access is restricted to the left side of the bay. The Old Quay, often calm but having more turbid water, has some of the best shallow water reef structure.

 

Marsa Bareika, newly opened with superior corals, calm water and excellent beaches. Mangrove Channel - Hidden Bay are the best locations to view resident or migratory birds such as Herons, White Stark, Osprey, etc. Mangrove Channel - Hidden Bay are the best locations to view resident or migratory birds such as Herons, White Stark, Osprey, etc.

 

Entrance to Ras Mohamed Protected Area

 

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