Ras Mohammed by Land: Mangroves, Magic Lake and the Earthquake Cracks

Ras Mohammed, at the very southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, became Egypt's first national park in 1983. It's famous for its coral reefs, usually seen on a boat trip, but the land side of the park is just as striking. The Ras Mohammed tour by bus visits its best-known sights in a single morning, finishing with a swim and some snorkeling from the beach.

The tour at a glance

• •Duration: about 5 hours; pickup around 8:00, back at your hotel around 13:30.
• •Price: €16 per person, with park entrance, hotel transfers and a snorkeling guide included.
• •Not included: snorkeling equipment, food and drinks. Bring water, a snack and your own mask if you have one.

The mangroves

The first stop is one of the park's most unusual sights: mangrove trees growing straight out of the salty water of the Red Sea. Mangroves are among the few trees that tolerate seawater, and their roots make a sheltered nursery for small fish and crabs. Look out for herons wading in the shallows.

Allah Gate

Next comes the park's famous gateway, a large monument with the word "Allah" in Arabic and English. It's the classic photo stop of a Ras Mohammed visit, with the desert and the sea on either side.

The Magic Lake

The Magic Lake, also called the Wishes Lake, is a shallow lagoon whose colours seem to change with the light, the clouds and the time of day: turquoise, green, deep blue. There's time to swim, and local tradition says a wish made here comes true.

The Earthquake Cracks

The Earthquake Cracks are long, narrow fissures in the ground left by earthquakes long ago; in places you can look down into clear water at the bottom. They're a reminder that the Sinai sits where the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba meet, along active fault lines that shaped the whole Red Sea.

Beach snorkeling

The tour ends at one of the park's beaches, where you snorkel from the shore over coral and tropical fish with a snorkeling guide. It's an easy introduction to the reef, especially for children and less confident swimmers. Wear reef shoes for entering the water, and never stand on the coral. Our Red Sea fish guide will help you identify what you see.

Good to know before you go

• •Bring: swimwear, a towel, sun cream, a sun hat, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, drinking water and a little cash. Reef shoes make the beach entry easier.
• •Snorkel gear: bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them; a mask that fits makes all the difference.
• •Sun and heat: there's little shade at the stops. From June to September the morning start helps, but drink plenty of water.
• •Who it suits: families with children, older travellers, non-swimmers who want to see the park, and anyone who gets seasick. The stops are short walks from the vehicle.
• •Respect the park: it's a protected area. Don't take shells, coral or sand, and don't feed the fish.

Land tour or boat trip?

The land tour is shorter, cheaper and calmer: ideal for families, anyone prone to seasickness, and travellers who want to see the park's landscape. For the best snorkeling, the boat trip to Ras Mohammed and White Island (from €27, lunch included) reaches the park's famous reef walls. We compare them in detail in Ras Mohammed by boat or by bus.

Before you go, check your entry stamp: several governments' travel advice has said the free Sinai-only stamp does not cover Ras Mohammed. Our visa guide explains the options.

Frequently asked questions

What can you see in Ras Mohammed National Park by land?

The land tour visits the mangroves, Allah Gate, the Magic Lake and the Earthquake Cracks, and ends with snorkeling from a beach inside the park.

How long is the Ras Mohammed bus tour?

About 5 hours. Pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh is around 8:00, and you're back around 13:30, leaving the afternoon free.

Can you swim in the Magic Lake?

Yes. There's time for a swim at the Magic Lake, a shallow lagoon known for its changing colours.

Is snorkeling equipment included on the Ras Mohammed land tour?

No. Park entrance and a snorkeling guide are included, but bring your own mask, snorkel and fins or rent them. Food and drinks are not included either.