Abu Nuhas is a name that makes divers’ eyes light up instantly. For some it’s a legend, for others a “wreck Disneyland”. The truth is somewhere in between—and that’s exactly why Abu Nuhas is one of the most iconic dive sites in Egypt. If you love wreck diving, history, atmosphere, and warm Red Sea water, read on.

Why is Abu Nuhas so special?

Abu Nuhas is a reef north of Hurghada, famous for having several large historic wrecks in one place. Strong currents, a shallow reef, and heavy shipping traffic in the past meant that ships simply… ran aground here.

The result? A unique concentration of wrecks that are now home to corals, fish, and unforgettable experiences for recreational scuba divers.

The best-known Abu Nuhas wrecks – north

 

Giannis D – a legend among wrecks

Giannis D is a Greek cargo ship that ran aground on the Abu Nuhas reef in 1983 while carrying a load of timber. The wreck lies at around 10 to 27 meters, making it one of the most accessible and most-dived wrecks in the Red Sea. The ship is broken into several sections, with the main highlights being the open engine room, massive propeller, and well-preserved decks. Thanks to its shallow position, the wreck is heavily covered in hard and soft corals and provides shelter for plenty of fish. Giannis D is an ideal wreck for recreational divers who want to get into wreck diving without needing penetration. Thanks to its photogenic look and easy access, it’s one of Egypt’s most iconic wrecks.

Carnatic – 19th-century history

Carnatic was a British steam and sailing ship that sank in 1869 on a voyage from India to Europe. It was one of the first large ships to wreck on this reef, starting Abu Nuhas’s reputation as a “ship graveyard”. Today it’s a heavily broken-up wooden wreck, with its skeleton lying at around 20 to 27 meters. The open structure lets light in, creating a unique atmosphere on the dive. Carnatic is especially popular with experienced divers and photographers who appreciate its historic character. The wreck is fragile and requires excellent buoyancy control.

Chrisoula K

Chrisoula K was a cargo ship that ran aground on the Abu Nuhas reef in 1981 while transporting ceramic tiles. The wreck lies at around 4 to 27 meters, and part of the hull is still relatively well preserved. A defining feature is the thousands of tiles still scattered in the cargo holds and around the wreck. The ship sits at an angle on the reef slope, which—combined with current—can make the dive more demanding. The wreck offers interesting external sections, but the interior is dark and often filled with sediment. Chrisoula K is better suited to more advanced recreational divers with wreck experience.

Kimon M

Kimon M is a Greek cargo ship that sank in 1978 after hitting the Abu Nuhas reef. It’s the deepest wreck in this area, with its lower sections reaching down to around 32 meters. The wreck is heavily damaged and deformed in places, reflecting the hard impact and years of exposure to the sea. Because of the depth and more frequent currents, the dive on Kimon M is more challenging and is recommended mainly for experienced divers. It’s less covered in coral than the shallower wrecks, but offers a rawer, more technical experience. It’s often dived as part of liveaboard itineraries rather than day trips.

What kind of diving can you expect at Abu Nuhas?

Depths: approx. 10–30 m

Visibility: often 20–30 m

Currents: moderate to strong (depends on the day)

Dive types: wreck + drift (zodiac)

Certification: minimum Open Water, ideally Advanced

Abu Nuhas is often part of liveaboard itineraries, but it can also be visited as a day trip from Hurghada—it depends on the weather and logistics.

Practical tips for recreational divers

Bring a torch – even if many dives are “open water,” a light is a must for going inside wrecks. Feel free to bring a backup one too, just in case.

Gloves – exceptionally, gloves are allowed on wreck dives. For safety, not for touching.

Camera? Yes! – but buoyancy always comes first.

Full wetsuit – even if the water is a bath-warm 28°C in summer, protect the skin on your whole body. There are too many sharp, rusty objects everywhere around here.

Watch the marine life—morays, lionfish, barracudas, sometimes a turtle, an eel garden, and thousands of schooling fish. Now and then, around the southern lagoon, you’ll spot dolphins.

Safety notes you shouldn’t take lightly

⚠️ Currents can change quickly – stay with your guide

⚠️ Penetration only with training – no “I’ll just take a quick look”

⚠️ Sharp metal and nets – good buoyancy = fewer problems

⚠️ Nitrox is an advantage, but not a requirement

If you don’t have wreck experience, consider the Wreck Diver specialty—the difference in confidence and safety is huge.

Who is Abu Nuhas ideal for?

Diving Abu Nuhas is ideal for recreational scuba divers who want more than just reef dives. The site offers a unique mix of accessible wrecks, history, and dynamic conditions, making it a great fit for recreational divers who want to take their experience further. The Giannis D wreck in particular is a great choice for a first taste of wreck diving.

More advanced divers will appreciate the larger area, the option to combine multiple wrecks in one day, and working with current. Abu Nuhas is also an ideal place to take the PADI Wreck Diver Specialty, as it offers several wrecks at recreational depths and excellent conditions to practice procedures without the need for deep penetration. Photographers and fans of more technical dives will be drawn to the striking ship structures and dramatic light play.

This is also a site where using DPVs (underwater scooters) makes perfect sense. The distances between wrecks and the reef’s northern slopes make a scooter a practical helper and a fun part of the dive. On our liveaboards, we have DPVs available, and we provide full training before use so the dive is safe and comfortable even for divers without previous scooter experience.

Wrecks that give diving a story

Abu Nuhas isn’t just about diving. It’s about the stories of the ships that ended here—and how the sea took them back. Whether you go by liveaboard or as part of a day trip, wreck diving in the Red Sea will show you here why divers keep coming back to Egypt.

👉 If Abu Nuhas is on your bucket list, get in touch.

 

Check this year’s liveaboard (safari) schedule too—and if you want to include diving the Abu Nuhas wrecks on your trip, choose dates with a northern route:

Do you have any questions? Perhaps some of these most frequent ones, see Frequently Asked Questions:
(if you don’t find the answer, please write to us immediately!)

This article was prepared by Eva, PADI Instructor at GRAND DIVERS

 

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If you like this article and think it might be interesting for your diving friends, we’d be very grateful for a share:

Hurghada is one of the most popular diving destinations for Slovaks and Czechs – and not by chance. Short flights, warm Red Sea, excellent visibility, and sites that both complete beginners and experienced divers can enjoy.

If you’re planning your first daily dives in Hurghada, or returning and want to know where it’s really worth going, we’ve selected 5 sites that we frequently dive with our clients and love for their diversity.

No promises of “guaranteed dolphins” and no embellishment – just real dives. But first, let’s briefly discuss:

 

Why Hurghada is ideal for divers from Slovakia and the Czech Republic

 

Hurghada is exactly the type of destination where you can go for a few days or a few weeks. Flights are short, diving is affordable, and the diving season here runs practically all year round.

A great advantage is the diversity of dive sites – from calm coastal reefs to the open sea with currents and large fish. That’s why we dive with Open Water beginners one day and take advanced divers on more challenging dives the next. Here are a few sites we’d like to highlight. Each is TOP for a different reason:

1. Abu Ramada South

Dive type: reef / drift
Level: Open Water +
Depth: approx. 5 – 35 m

Abu Ramada is one of the most versatile sites in Hurghada. It’s often visited in less favorable weather, when the wind is stronger, as it’s protected by the reef from currents. Life here is practically always present – schools of smaller fish, moray eels, lionfish, occasionally a turtle, or a ray. If you’re lucky, you might even find an eel garden – hundreds of shy garden eels poking out from the sandy bottom. Beautifully colored coral blocks pose here for photographers.

It’s an ideal site for first dives after a course, for getting back into diving after a break, or simply for a relaxed, stress-free dive. Currents are usually mild, and visibility is often very good. At a depth of only 5-6 meters on the main reef, a small wreck has been resting for many years; above its remains, you can see snorkelers, Intro divers, and you can comfortably do your safety stop there.

If you feel you haven’t quite “settled in” with your gear or buoyancy yet, Abu Ramada is a perfect place to fine-tune. More experienced divers will also find something here; there’s a great route for them into deeper waters with interesting points. But we’ll cover everything in the briefing

2. Carless Reef

Dive type: open sea
Level: Advanced +
Depth: 10 – 30 m, sloping into a deep wall

Carless Reef is a site for those who want something more. Open sea, stronger currents, and a chance to encounter larger fish – including sharks (seasonally).

This is not a site for absolute beginners, but for divers who have their buoyancy and gas consumption under control and can react to potential changes in conditions. Thanks to the open sea, which begins right behind these reefs, and stronger currents, you can see beautiful healthy colorful corals here; especially the northern and eastern sides are rich in soft corals of various types and sizes.
It’s like a gateway to the Hurghada zone, which is why you often see large pelagics passing through here.

Carless Reefs are also known for a large number of moray eels, which seem accustomed to divers and are happy to pose for photos. At this spot, you’ll encounter a whole chain of marine life – from nudibranchs (shell-less sea slugs of various colors and sizes), through barracudas, tuna, trevallies, all the way to sharks.

 

A reward for experience – exactly this type of dive.

3. El Fanous

Dive type: reef
Level: Open Water +
Depth: 5 – 25 m

El Fanous – a reef just 40 minutes by boat from Hurghada. It’s mainly known for dolphins occasionally appearing here. The word “occasionally” is important – these are wild animals, not an attraction.

Even if you don’t see dolphins, the site is worth it. The dive is calm, suitable even for less experienced divers, and visibility is often excellent, provided there isn’t a sudden change in weather.

Crocodile fish, rays, and stonefish camouflage themselves on the sandy bottom. Schools of small glassfish fill the spaces on the coral blocks near the main reef. They are often under attack from jackfish – it’s extremely interesting to observe their synchronized movement.

At Fanous, on one of the tall coral blocks, you’ll also see a so-called Cleaning station – a cleaning station for local inhabitants, as well as for those just passing through. Small, brightly colored cleaner fish (Labroides dimidiatus) gather here. These “barbers” wait for their clients. They enter every crevice and remove everything that shouldn’t be there. Sometimes they even nibble on divers 😀

If you want a relaxed dive without performance pressure, El Fanous is a good choice.

4. Fanadir (North & South)

Dive type: reef / drift
Level: Open Water +
Depth: 5 – 30 m

Fanadir is one of our favorite sites. It’s the longest reef lining the coast of northern Hurghada. The boat ride to it is quick, reaching it in just 30 minutes.

Crocodile fish, moray eels, scorpionfish, octopuses – if you like details, photography, and slow diving, you’ll find your place here.

Fanadir North is a bit more rugged, with a shorter plateau, and the drop-off is close for deep divers.
Fanadir South is calmer; our courses often take place here. Thanks to the larger sandy areas on a relatively wide plateau, it’s a safe environment for students and their surroundings.

Within the plateau, at a depth of approx. 15 – 18 meters, you’ll find breathtaking intricate coral blocks with an abundance of small marine life. Recently, dolphins have also taken a liking to this destination!

Look for octopuses and scorpionfish at the drop-off and near the main reef.
The main reef offers beautiful colorful safety stops.

Fanadir is a great choice for photographers and divers who like to “stop and look”.

TIP: When you’re at the drop-off, watch the blue. Rays often swim by.

5. Umm Gamaar

Dive type: reef / drift
Level: Open Water + (better for intermediate divers)
Depth: approx. 5 – 30 m, sloping into the deep

Umm Gamaar is one of those sites that many divers fall in love with only on their second or third dive. It’s not a “wow” place at first glance, but a reef that rewards patient diving.

Typical features of Umm Gamaar are long coral walls and plateaus that smoothly transition into deeper water. The site is often dived as a drift, and currents here are usually mild to moderate, giving the dive a pleasant rhythm.

Underwater, you’ll find healthy hard and soft corals, moray eels, lionfish, Napoleon wrasse, and often larger pelagic fish appearing from the blue. With a bit of luck, you might also encounter a whitetip reef shark or barracudas here.

At a depth of approx. 30 meters, there’s a small cave for a maximum of 3-4 divers, with a sandy bottom – see photo. We plan the dive according to the group’s experience; if possible, we will definitely visit it. Just check your buoyancy and deco!

We recommend Umm Gamaar to divers who have already mastered basic skills and want to enjoy a smooth, calm dive without rush. It’s a site where there’s no need to hurry – just let the water carry you and observe what appears around you.

If you like drift dives and want to experience the Red Sea at its natural pace, Umm Gamaar is a very good choice.

If you’ve read this far, you deserve one more BONUS as a reward 🙂

Here in Hurghada, we have an extra site, actually 3 such dive sites, created by the HEPCA organization in cooperation with military forces, to relieve pressure on natural reefs and divert some diver attention to something different… So they decommissioned, gutted, cleaned, submerged… and we dive here.

 

Military Museum

Dive type: reef / artificial wreck park
Level: Open Water +
Depth: approx. 6 – 20 m

Military Museum is one of the unconventional dive sites around Hurghada. It’s not a classic wreck, but deliberately sunken military equipment that now serves as an artificial reef.

On the bottom, you’ll find tanks, armored vehicles, cannons, and other equipment, arranged so that they can be safely dived even by less experienced divers. Everything is located at a relatively shallow depth, making the Military Museum a very pleasant and undemanding dive.

Marine life gradually settles on the equipment – lionfish, moray eels, octopuses, and schools of smaller fish. The site is particularly interesting for those who enjoy a combination of history and diving, or for divers who want to try something different from a classic coral reef.

We also recommend the Military Museum as a relaxed post-course dive or as a way to diversify your diving program. Thanks to good visibility and minimal currents, the site is also suitable for divers who want to calmly practice buoyancy or photography.

If you’re looking for a simple, interesting, and visually unique dive in Hurghada, the Military Museum is worth a visit.

If we were to put these dive sites into a clear table, it would look something like this:

LOKALITA	ÚROVEŇ	TYP PONORU	HĹBKA	VHODNÉ PRE
Abu Ramada	OWD +	reef / drift	5 - 25	začiatočník
El Fanous	OWD +	reef / drift	5 - 20	pohoda
Fanadir	OWD +	reef / drift	5 - 30	foto
Umm Gamaar	AOWD	reef / drift	10 - 30	skúsenejší
Carless	AOWD +	off shore	10 - 30	dobrodruh
Military Museum	OWD	reef / umelý vrakový park	15 - 20	extra zážitok

Did any of these places catch your eye? We have many more here… honestly, it’s quite difficult to pick the very best; we rather tried to create a mix of interesting sites.

See what it looks like here and how daily dives proceed, write to us and let’s go diving!

Do you have any questions? Perhaps some of these most frequent ones, see Frequently Asked Questions:
(if you don’t find the answer, please write to us immediately!)

This article was prepared by Eva, PADI Instructor at GRAND DIVERS

 

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If you like this article and think it might be interesting for your diving friends, we’d be very grateful for a share: