OWD (AOWD or Deep recommended)
30 logged dives
North of Hurghada, the Red Sea resembles a shipwreck graveyard. Here, the sea divides into two gulfs: the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez. The Suez Canal is still considered one of the busiest trade routes today. Due to the numerous offshore islands and reefs, many ships have run into trouble at sea, and today they offer divers a veritable treasure trove of shipwrecks.
The British cargo ship was bombed during World War II on October 6, 1941, hit at the stern, and sunk. Despite having strong defensive systems such as machine guns and anti-aircraft cannons, nine crew members did not make it back to a safe harbor. The remaining crew were picked up by ??? and taken into Australian captivity.
In 1956, Jacques-Yves Cousteau set out to locate the wreck. The expedition team recovered some parts, including the captain’s safe. However, it contained only decayed ship documents. Cousteau never published the position of the wreck, so in 1991 German sport divers resumed the search.
The well-preserved wreck, its construction, and its cargo make it one of the most popular dive sites in the Red Sea today. Motorcycles, trucks, and even a railway wagon lie at a depth of around 30 meters. The locomotive itself, which was thrown away by the force of the explosion, lies nearby. The command bridge rises up to 17 meters.
The SS Thistlegorm is not just a pile of metal; the coral growth is a true highlight and provides shelter for:
Over the years, a beautiful small ecosystem with numerous reef fish has developed.
The dive is suitable for all experience levels, but should not be underestimated due to possible currents. With a length of 126 meters, penetration into the wreck is possible; however, for safety reasons, the exact instructions of the dive guide must be followed.
Given the ongoing corrosion, it must be expected that heavily stressed deck structures may eventually collapse. The remaining ammunition and explosives are also deteriorating. In 2007, HEPCA installed a system of mooring lines to help preserve this beautiful dive site for the future.
Abu Nuhas is a legendary reef in the northern Red Sea off the coast of Egypt, infamous among sailors and beloved by divers. The shallow, elongated reef lies near the Strait of Gubal, a heavily trafficked shipping route, and has claimed multiple cargo ships over the decades. Due to strong currents, navigational errors, and poor visibility, numerous vessels ran aground here and sank.
Today, at least five well-divable wrecks lie close together along its northern side: the SS Carnatic, Giannis D, Chrisoula K, and Kimon M, along with a fifth wreck.
Every dive at Abu Nuhas is a journey through history, featuring impressive wreck structures, fascinating cargo remains, and an abundance of marine life. An absolute highlight for wreck divers.
The British coal cargo ship SS Rosalie Moller was built in 1910 and served as a supply vessel during World War II. On October 8, 1941, she was sunk by German bombers—just two days after the famous SS Thistlegorm, which lies further south. The Rosalie Moller was at anchor when she was attacked by a Heinkel He 111. She sank during the night to a depth of about 50 meters and remained largely undiscovered for decades.
The Rosalie Moller lies upright at around 50 meters depth, with the deck starting at approximately 30 to 35 meters. The hull is still largely intact and impresses with its size, stability, and depth. The superstructures, winches, and cargo areas are well preserved, clearly reflecting the original character of a coal transporter. The masts still rise upward, though they are now covered in corals and sponges.
Due to the greater depth, visibility is often limited (10–20 meters), and the light is more subdued, giving the dive a mystical atmosphere.
The bombs struck the Rosalie Moller on the starboard side and are still clearly visible today. The wreck now lies within a restricted military zone, so it can only rarely be dived.
A distinctive feature is the large “M” on the funnel.
The wreck provides shelter and habitat for numerous marine species, including:
The exact route and dive sites are subject to weather conditions and may differ from the planned itinerary.
