Middle Garden

Middle Garden is one of the classic trio of reef sites in Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai, Egypt — sitting between the Near Garden and Far Garden dive sites along the park’s protected reef system. The site name reflects both the topography and its position along the reef: a coral garden formation that divers follow sequentially from near shore outward. It is accessed by day boat from Sharm el-Sheikh and is one of the most consistently dived sites within the national park’s inner reef system.

Overview

The “garden” sites at Ras Mohammed represent the inner, coral garden habitat that contrasts with the famous outer wall dives (Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef) at the park’s exposed southern tip. Middle Garden features a complex arrangement of coral formations — table corals, branching formations, and mixed hard coral structures — arranged across a sandy floor in the 10-20 meter range. The protected national park status maintains the site in good condition, with coral recovery outpacing damage from occasional storm events. The site sits at approximately 27.91°N, 34.35°E, within the park’s sheltered bay system.

Site Information

• Location: Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai, Egypt
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15-30 meters (50-100 feet)
• Current: Mild to moderate; variable within the bay
• Best Time: September to May

Marine Life

The garden reef formations at Middle Garden host an impressive density of reef fish. humphead wrasse circle the larger coral structures with characteristic curiosity, and giant moray eels occupy every suitable crevice. Schools of anthias in orange and red hover above table corals in thousands, and butterflyfish patrol in characteristic pairs along the reef top. Lionfish are common in shaded overhangs. Sea turtles rest on sandy patches between formations. The sandy floor channels between coral heads support garden eel colonies visible from above. Spinner dolphins sometimes enter the park bay and may pass through Middle Garden’s waters.

Dive Profile

The coral garden layout rewards a meandering, exploratory approach rather than a straight-line dive. Work through the formations systematically, examining each coral structure from multiple angles. Follow coral avenues created by natural channels between formations, descending to 15-20 meters to explore the base of larger structures before returning to the productive 8-15 meter range where fish density is highest. The dive can be combined with Near Garden or Far Garden as a continuous circuit on a single tank.

Entry and Exit

Day boats from Sharm el-Sheikh (approximately 30-45 minute journey) anchor in the park bay. Entry via giant stride. Park entry fees apply and are typically included in operator pricing. The sheltered bay provides calm exit conditions. Deploy SMB before ascending.

Tips and Recommendations

• Combine Middle Garden with Near Garden or Far Garden on the same dive for a complete garden reef circuit
• Look carefully at the sandy channels between coral heads for garden eels and the occasional flatfish or stingray
• humphead wrasse at established park sites are habituated to divers and can approach very closely — resist the urge to touch
• Morning light (before 10am) illuminates the garden formations from a favourable angle for photography
• The site is within Ras Mohammed National Park — no marine life interaction, no collecting, and follow all operator guidelines

Safety Considerations

Conditions within the Ras Mohammed bay system are generally benign, but the bay entrance can experience tidal flow. Fire coral is abundant throughout the garden formations — maintain neutral buoyancy and never grab coral for balance. Urchins are common on the sandy floor adjacent to reef structures. Always complete a 5-minute safety stop and use an SMB.

Photography

Middle Garden is one of the best reef photography sites in Sinai for coral garden compositions. Wide-angle images through coral avenues with fish populations create layered, complex reef scenes. The anthias clouds above table corals are a signature shot with a wide lens looking upward through the formation. humphead wrasse portraits require a 60-105mm equivalent lens and a slow, non-threatening approach.

Sources: Divezone - Red Sea, Dive the World - Egypt Red Sea, Red Sea Scuba Diving, PADI - Diving in Egypt. Last updated 2026-04-04.