Ras Za’atar

A thyme-named headland reef on the Sinai southwestern coast with a colourful wall, gorgonian growth in the deeper sections, and an accessible dive profile in a stretch of coast between Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Mohammed.

Overview

Ras Za’atar (“headland of thyme” in Arabic) is located at approximately 27.76°N, 34.26°E on the Sinai Peninsula’s southwestern coast — south of Sharm el-Sheikh and in the coastal zone approaching Ras Mohammed National Park. The headland creates the typical current acceleration at its tip, and the reef structure follows the standard Sinai pattern: a shallow reef crest at 2–5 metres dropping to a slope and outer wall. Za’atar is positioned near Ras Ghozlani, and the two sites are often combined on the same day boat itinerary as representative southern Sinai coastal dives.

Site Information

• Location: Sinai Peninsula southwestern coast, south of Sharm el-Sheikh (~27.76°N, 34.26°E)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15–25 meters
• Current: Moderate at the headland tip
• Best Time: Year-round; October to May optimal

Marine Life

Gorgonian fans at 15–18 metres on the outer wall carry dense anthias populations. Schools of fusiliers sweep the wall face when current is running. Moray eels and groupers occupy the reef crevices at all depths. Cleaning stations in the 8–12 metre zone attract resident fish. Turtles are sighted on the upper reef regularly. The sandy bottom transition at the base of the headland slope holds blue-spotted stingrays.

Dive Profile

Enter on the sheltered side and work around the headland tip at 10–15 metres. The outer wall section at 15–18 metres holds the gorgonians. Return along the lee side at 8–12 metres for the cleaning stations. Safety stop at 5 metres on the upper reef.

Entry and Exit

Day boat from Sharm el-Sheikh (40–60 minutes). Giant stride entry. Pair with Ras Ghozlani for a two-dive southern Sinai day. SMB deployment before ascending.

Tips and Recommendations

• Za’atar and Ghozlani make a natural pairing — dive the more exposed site first when fresh and the sheltered site second
• Gorgonian fans at 15–18 metres warrant a wide-angle lens setup for the outer wall section
• Current at the headland tip can be managed by staying close to the reef structure

Safety Considerations

Current at the tip can be moderate to strong on tidal changes. Maintain the reef as a reference. Fire coral on the upper crest. SMB before ascending.

Photography

Gorgonian fan portraits at 15–18 metres in natural light are the signature subjects. Fusilier school shots on the wall face in current reward ambient wide-angle technique.

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