Iconic Wrecks. World-Class Reefs. One Unmissable Itinerary!The North & Safaga route is a showcase of the Red Sea’s finest — where wrecks aren’t just steel on the seabed, but thriving ecosystems; and reefs aren’t just coral gardens, but underwater cities alive with movement. This is a trip designed for divers who want both heart-pounding exploration and rich, colourful reef life — without compromise.Drift through the kaleidoscopic walls of Ras Mohamed National Park, then descend into the wartime legacy of the SS Thistlegorm, a dive that never fails to impress. At Abu Nuhas Reef, dive into one of the Red Sea’s most renowned wreck sites, where multiple shipwrecks, including the Carnatic, Giannis D, and others, are nestled among vibrant coral formations and teeming with marine life. Further south, the sheer walls of Panorama Reef or Abu Kifan bring big blue drama and the chance of encounters with pelagics. Then, take a quieter moment at the Salem Express — a haunting site that divers often describe as unforgettable. Round off the journey with relaxed dives around Little Gubal Island, where calm waters and the possibility of dolphin sightings offer the perfect finale.For wreck lovers, reef enthusiasts, and those who simply want the best of both — North & Safaga is one of the most rewarding itineraries in the Red Sea.
Arguably one of the most famous and best wrecks in the world, the SS Thistlegorm was sunk in World War II with a full load of trucks, ammunition and supplies. She's a living museum of the war and should be dived at least twice to get a real taste of the wreck and all her cargo, which is scattered around the site. When conditions permit, night dives are an amazing experience and an opportunity to explore a special piece of underwater history.
Since its rediscovery the wreck has become a popular dive site because of its shallow depth. The wreck has largely broken up as it lies upside down upon the reef, but there are three large holes in the hull which allow divers to penetrate the wreck and examine the two large boilers and a host of fallen metal work. In part owing to the shallow depth, an abundance of reef fish can be found: Glassfish, Groupers, Jackfish, Scorpionfish and Crocodilefish can all be seen around the ruptures in the hull.
Home to vibrant and healthy coral reefs and a family of friendly bottlenose dolphins, the Gubal Islands offer several dive sites and two exceptional wrecks. The Ulysses sits on her port side at maximum depth of 28m. A stunning artificial reef that's bursting with marine life, wreck penetration is straightforward and easy. The opportunity to explore the cargo scattered around the wreck gives a fascinating insight into the goods carried along the Suez in the late 19th Century. The Barge sits at 15m and we moor directly above her. She's one of the best night dives in the Red Sea and offers incredible opportunities for photography. There are thousands of fish on this wreck. Keep a look out for George and Georgina, two peaceful giant morays who've made the Barge their home.
The ship is lying on the bottom in roughly three separate sections parallel to the reef, with the crumpled bow lying at 10 meters, the cargo area amidships being a jumble of steel and remains of the cargo, and the aft section with an intact A-frame located forward of the superstructure. The wreck is populated with numerous varieties of aquatic life with glassfish, scorpionfish, wrasse, the occassional napoleon, crocodile fish, and blue-spotted stingrays along the bottom. This is really a fun wreck dive for divers of all certification levels.
One of the most beautiful and protected dive locations in the world, Ras Mohamed national park offers over a dozen exceptional dive sites. Full of vibrant marine life, it's not to be missed! With visibility up to 40m (dependent on weather conditions), you'll encounter an incredible variety of species including jacks, snappers and tuna and occasional sharks and rays. The iconic wreck of the Yolanda can also be found here with its payload of toilets scattered around her. Please note that night diving is prohibited within the national parks.
Four wrecks situated close together make this an excellent location for wreck divers and underwater photographers, with all being suitable for recreational divers. Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K and Kimon M are covered in soft and hard corals and there are often bottlenose dolphins in the area. The engine room and machine rooms are easily accessible on the Chrisoula K and Giannis D.
