You can do many of these dives as day dives from Sharm El-Sheikh. However, the best way is probably by liveaboard - either from Hurghada or Sharm. For suggestions of companies operating dive boats and complete packages, see the Dive Operators page.

A lovely wreck with marvellous silhouettes against the surface. This Greek ship sunk in 1983 after colliding with a wreck. 100 m long, the stern rests at 23 m. It is lying at a 45^o and can be slightly disorientating. You can go in the engine room, which is big. Other rooms lead off this. Look out for an enormous grey mottled moray eel, of sea serpent proportions, as well as coral, prawns, mullet, butterfly fish and pretty pipefish (Corythoichthys schultzi).

The Ghiannis D is north of Sha'ab Abu Nuhâa reef, in the Strait of Gobal.

"An absolutely beautiful wreck, teeming with life. If you have the nerve, penetrating the wreck provides an excellent view of this huge ship. One of my favourite dives in the Red Sea, and one which has to be done if you are near it. Shoals of Batfish, Giant Moray Eels, and the wreck itself are all amazing! "
Ben Ashcroft

The Carnatic is on the North side of Sha'ab Abu Nuhas Reef in the Straits of Gobal. She was a sail and steam ship launched in 1862. In 1869 see struck and remained fixed on the reef. For two days she remained there with all passengers and crew staying on board. Just as they were abandoning ship she broke in half. Thirty-one people died but the rest reached the lifeboats and Shadwan Island. For more information see http://www.touregypt.net/vdc/Carnatic.htm

"Did the R.M.S Rhone many years ago in the British Virgin Islands, and loved it. A diver on the same boat told me about a virtually identical wreck off Hurghada, with similar tragic history/intrigue. The dive centre did it as a 'special trip' when the sea was flat and needed 7 minimum to go. An extra 20 Euros for this day - did another brilliant wreck as well - Giannis D, 100 metres away. Best diving 'day' I've had to date. "
Julie

The bottom of this wreck slopes down from 7 to 22 m at the stern with the propellor and wheelhouse. At the shallow end of the wreck is a slightly broken up reef. The stern points north-east and currents are generally mild and south-flowing. A Greek boat with a cargo of tiles and stone, it was sunk in 1981. Look out for spanish dancers, schools of striated fusiliers (Caesio striata), box fish (Ostracion trachys) and masked butterfly fish (Chaetodon semilarvatus).

The Chrisoula K is on the eastern side of Sha'ab Abu Nuhâa reef, in the Strait of Gobal.

This makes a good night dive. The barge is literally crammed full of fish, along with several lion fish (Pterois miles and P. Radiata). Take your camera. An enormous, toothless, moray also patrols here. Look in the coral for tiny crabs (Trapezia rufopuctata).

The boat is upright, but only the hull remains.

The barge is opposite Bluff Point Lighthouse, in the Strait of Gobal.

A fantastic dive, which has been voted one of the Top Ten Dives in the World. You'll need to do this more than once to explore more than a tiny part of the wreck.

Thistlegorm is Gaelic for Blue Thistle. A British vessel, it was attacked from the air and sunk in 1941 whilst carrying a cargo of war supplies: rifles, motor bikes, train carriages, trucks. A big wreck - 131 metres long. Currents can be strong, and in different directions at the surface and at the wreck.

We don't have space to describe everything there is to see on the Thistlegorm, which is in very good condition. The Diving Guide to the Red Sea Wrecks contains 17 pages on this one wreck.

The Thistlegorm is in the Strait of Gobal, north of Ras Mohammed. For photos see our Thistlegorm Gallery.

"The eeriness of diving there in a rough sea with the clanking sound of the anchor chains on which she sank beating against the fairleads, & looking through the ship's rails, bent & broken by the explosion, make you respect those who lost their life when she sank all those years ago."
Ben Sennett

"The shipwreck is one of the most marvellous dives I have done to date. The holds cargo is extremely historic, whether is be the BSA motorcycles, or the various Morris trucks in hold 2. An absolutely cracking dive, which should be done sooner rather than later, as it is quickly deteriorating due to the swarms of divers visiting each week! "
Ben Ashcroft

"If you are ever diving in the Red Sea area you must take a trip to the Thistlegorm no matter how early you have to get up to do it. I got up at 4 in the morning to do some early dives there. A fully preseved wreck where it's not only the superstructure but also the entire cargo including boots, rifles and trucks. "
Russell Welch

"Most fantastic recreationally accessible wreck I have ever been on. 126 m of beautifully coral encrusted hull with an astonishing load of trains, motorbikes, jeeps, tanks and artillery...to name just a few wonderful highlights, that never look the same twice. Maybe it's becuase you never have to dive it the same way twice - always a new route, up in one way, out another...oh and don't forget the sight of the propeller as you come around the stern. Ahhh! fantastic. "
Ashley Kidd

"Huge wreck with so much to explore, and very good penatration options. Full of equiptment, motorbikes cars and a couple of tanks to top it off, lots of marine life and several very large schools. "
Dan Harding, 2006

"A real priviledge to step back in time and see such a well preserved and interesting wreck "
Andy Ebner, Ireland, 2007

"Just returned from Sharm where I dove on the SS Thistlegorm. The site had been closed down by Egyptian authorities for a month to install buoys on the side of wrecks so diving boats would not use anymore the wreck as a point of anchorage. Most dive operators could not find the new buoys and ending up tying up the rope to the wreck...Otherwise, by far the best wreck I ever dove, excellent visibility and truly an experience worth getting at 4 am for. "
Nick, Switzerland, 2008

The Rosalie Moeller was sank two days after the Thistlegorm by the German Luftwaffe. Cargo was coal, so not as exciting, and the wreck is deeper, sitting in about 45 m. But it is totally intact and very scenic. For more pictures see Room 9 of our Photo Gallery.

The wreck lies upside-down. Enter the wreck at the stern. You can then swim the entire length inside to the bow, which is on the reef (18 m). Be careful not to stir up the sand and mud on the bottom. End the dive by swimming along the reef. Lots of sea life. An enormous napoleon or maori wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) may greet you on the way down. The wreck is broken half way along, and an amazing shoal of glass fish school here. Look also for nudibranchs and regal angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus), plus large groupers.

The Dunraven was a British ship, returning from Bombay to Newcastle carrying a cargo of wool and cotton. It sank in the 1870s. It was powered by both sail and steam.

Like many wrecks, the Dunravn is in the Strait of Gobal, north of Beacon Rock and 12 km West of Ras Mohammed.

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