Abu Nuhas is a single reef on the northern edge of the Strait of Gubal that has wrecked four ships across 150 years. Carnatic (1869, sailing schooner), Giannis D (1983, cargo ship), Chrisoula K (the 'Tile Wreck'), and Kimon M (the 'Lentil Wreck'). All four lie on the windward side of the reef in 8-26 m of water. We run two of them per visit on a Thursday day-trip from Hurghada · the most concentrated wreck-diving in the Red Sea outside the SS Thistlegorm.
- Depth
- 8-26 m
- Visibility
- 20–30 m
- Season
- Mar - Nov
- Boat ride
- 110 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
Topography and dive profile
Abu Nuhas reef sits in shallow water with the four wrecks scattered along its northern face. Giannis D (1983) is the most photogenic · upper structure intact, lying 45° on her port side, 8-26 m, the bridge sitting at 18 m and the propeller at 26 m. Carnatic (1869) is the oldest · iron-framed sailing ship, now a coral garden over the original hull, 18-26 m. Chrisoula K and Kimon M are deeper toward 24-26 m at the keel, less broken-up but more demanding to dive.
We typically dive Giannis D in the morning (most accessible, best photography), then Carnatic in the afternoon (the hull-as-coral-garden is slower and gentler · perfect for the second dive). Penetration of Giannis D and Carnatic on PADI Wreck Diver specialty only; non-specialty divers stay on the exterior.
What you'll see
- ◇Resident lionfish
- ◇Glassfish swarms
- ◇Moray eels
- ◇Barracuda
- ◇Soft coral on Carnatic
Who it suits
PADI Advanced Open Water minimum (the depth and the open-blue surface entry argue against Open Water divers). PADI Wreck Diver specialty unlocks penetration · we run the specialty on top of the day if you want it. Nitrox 32 highly recommended for the bottom-time gain at 22-26 m.
When the captain runs this site
Abu Nuhas is one of the longest-transit destinations the captain runs in the daily-dive rotation (1h 50min by boat). The captain commits to it when wind direction favours the long northward steam (most often Thursdays, but always confirmed the morning of). Hotel pickup 06:00 (early start), board the boat 07:00, two wrecks across the day with a 90-minute surface interval and hot lunch, back at the marina by 17:30. Day rate is €65 (the standard €45 daily-dive rate plus a €10 long-transit supplement and €10 wreck-day supplement). Tell us at booking if you want it on your day.