Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt

Ras Za'atar

Ras Za'atar is a vertical wall on the western side of the Ras Mohammed peninsula, dropping cleanly from 5 metres to well past 50 metres. The wall is decorated with large red and orange gorgonian fans, black coral bushes and dense soft coral stands fed by the moderate current sweeping along the peninsula. Three small caverns and overhangs cut into the wall between 15 and 25 metres harbour glassfish schools, soldierfish and resting whitetip reef sharks; the surface above the entrance to the deepest cavern is often stained dark with cleaner shrimps. Out in the blue, tuna, jacks, batfish and the occasional eagle ray pass; reef hooks are forbidden in the park. The dive is typically run as a drift south toward Jackfish Alley. Visibility 25–30 metres year-round. Part of Ras Mohammed National Park.