Ras Muhammad

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2004 overwater photo of coral reef in Ras Muhammad

Ras Muhammad (Arabic: رأس محمد‎) is a national park located in Egypt at the southern extreme of the Sinai Peninsula, overlooking the Gulf of Suez at west and the Gulf of Aqaba at east. It encompasses two islands, Tiran and Sanafir. The name literally mean's "Muhammad Head," head in this instance as a term for land. It is unknown whether Muhammad refers to the prophet or someone with the same name. The park is situated in the tourist region of the Red Sea Riviera near the city of Sharm-el-Sheikh.

It was established as a marine reserve for the protection of marine and terrestrial wildlife by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) in 1983. It has a surface of 480 km². Its shoreline configurations and coral reef ecosystems are internationally recognized as among the world's best. The inland area includes a diversity of desert habitats such as mountains and wadis, gravel and coastal mud plains and sand dunes.

The area also plays a role in bird migration, serving as a place of rest and nourishment. About two hectares of mangrove forest cover a 1.1 km shallow channel at the southernmost end of Ras Muhammed pennensula.

More than 220 species of coral are found in the Ras Mohammed area, 125 of them soft coral. The area is home to more than 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. Among others, Sea Turtles, such as the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) appear regularly in Ras Mohammed.