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Liveaboard Diving in Abu Nuhas
What to Expect on an Abu Nuhas Liveaboard
Abu Nuhas, also known as 'the Ships Graveyard' is a wreck divers delight. Located around 2 hours north of Hurghada, the name Abu Nuhas means "Father of Bad Luck", and with good reason! This submerged reef has caused the sinking of at least 5 ships here, including the oldest shipwreck available to divers in the Red Sea, the British cargo ship, the Carnatic.
The easiest way to dive the wrecks at Abu Nuhas is by liveaboard. Our dive safari yachts to the northern Sinai, departing from Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada, include this fabulous dive area in their itineraries.
Abu Nuhas Underwater
The highlights of diving Abu Nuhas are of course the wrecks, but due to the amount of time the wrecks have been underwater (the Carnatic sank in 1869), there is abundant marine life and beautiful vibrant corals that have encrusted the wrecks over the years.
Dive Sites Of Abu Nuhas
The 4 wrecks below are the main reason people dive Abu Nuhas. Starting from oldest to newest...
The Carnatic is a favourite amongst Red Sea divers. She was en-route to India when in September 1869 she ran aground laden with gold, port wine and copper. She was initially balanced on top of the reef but didn't stay there for long before breaking in half and resting next to the reef at around 25m/82ft. The 90m (297ft) passenger supply vessel lies on her port side and is in good condition. Over 100 years later you can dive the whole length of the Carnatic, and her beams encrusted with soft coral and hydroids, whilst common inhabitants are nudibranchs, scorpionfish, sweepers, glassfish and batfish.
The Kimon M was a cargo ship transporting lentils from Turkey to Bombay when she met her fate on the Abu Nuhas reef in December 1978. She was travelling at full speed when she hit the north-east corner of the reef. Fortunately the passing cargo ship the 'Interasja' immediately responded to the distress calls and was able to take all the crew to safety to Suez. Now the Kimon M rests at around 32m/106ft on her starboard side. She is almost fully intact so makes an excellent dive with swim-throughs and interesting features.
On her final journey, the Chrisoula K, also known as the 'Tile Wreck', met her end in August 1981. She was a Greek freighter transporting Italian tiles to Jeddah when she also collided with the north-east corner of the Abu Nuhas reef at full speed. Fortunately, all the crew were rescued and the Chrisoula K now rests in an almost upright position in an open sandy area. She is extremely accessible for divers, with the deepest point being in 26m/86ft of water, and the shallowest part is only 3m/10ft below the surface. She is now encrusted with hard corals harboring flatworms, lionfish, triggerfish and clown sand wrasse and offers plenty of swim-throughs and penetration opportunities to her engine room.
Last, but certainly not least, is the famous Giannis D, a cargo vessel transporting timber when she sank in 1983. She lies at a 45-degree angle in 24m of clear water with the stern and bow still intact. Divers can easily explore the rooms and passageways, to discover schools of glassfish, scorpionfish, gobies, nudibranchs, octopus and giant moray eels, whilst her funnel with its famous "D" has been much photographed.
There are remnants of other wrecks in the area, which is no surprise as the Abu Nuhas reef is right in the shipping canal lane, but the above 4 are the most accessible for recreational divers.
Top Tips For Divers
Use the descent line if one is available. The line generally will take you to the start of the dive. Sometimes the visibility can be stirred up and if there is strong current the line will take you right to the start point
Be careful with wreck penetration. Make sure you listen carefully to the dive briefing as your guide will know where you can and can not go for your own safety. Some parts of the wrecks may be falling apart which can cause hazards, or there may be broken glass, nails or sharp objects around.
Monitor your air supply and watch your no-deco time more frequently. It is easy to lose track of time when diving a wreck, but easy to multi-level your dive to stay within no-deco limits, so make sure you come shallower when your dive computer tells you to.
Be sure to have an SMB. When exploring a wreck your surface point may not be at the same place as everyone else. Having an SMB means the boat will be able to spot you and your buddy and come and pick you up.
Getting There
The best way to get to Abu Nuhas is by Red Sea liveaboard which will depart from either Sharm El-Sheikh or Hurghada. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh both have international airports and also serve domestic flights from Cairo.
Abu Nuhas Diving Reviews
- 9.3 Superb
- 153 Verified Reviews
Good introduction to the week
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Blue Fin
We had very good visibility and I was able to get very nice photos.
Diving Abu Nuhas in July on the Blue Adventurer
Life was abundant. Great current dive.
Diving Abu Nuhas in June on the Sea Serpent Excellence
Very enjoyable and nice easy dives to start the trip for those who are out of practice or less experienced divers to build confidence.
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Really great wrecks and such a great spot to see such a wide range of sunken ships.
Diving Abu Nuhas in May on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Great- lots of interesting wrecks.
Diving Abu Nuhas in June on the Liberty
Fantastic sights plenty to see
Diving Abu Nuhas in October on the Blue Planet 1
some trash, but otherwise beautiful
Diving Abu Nuhas in January on the Blue Adventurer
All three wrecks were free of other divers. Conditions were perfect.
Diving Abu Nuhas in October on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Pretty reefs and lots of fish.
Diving Abu Nuhas in October on the Red Sea Blue Force 3
I am not a huge fan a wreck diving, but there was a lot of life on this wreck.
Diving Abu Nuhas in May on the Amelie
Reef is ok nothing special. We couldn't get to the good wreck due to strong waves on the first day.
Diving Abu Nuhas in May on the Emperor Superior
Extraordinary array of wildlife.
Diving Abu Nuhas in July on the Blue Horizon
Diving in the Abu Nuhas was fantastic, lots of diverse coral and marine life, small schools of fishes and large marine life.
Diving Abu Nuhas in July on the Blue Planet 1
Very good for both Coral condition and fish life. We avoided other boats and had to ourselves 😁😁
Diving Abu Nuhas in August on the Blue Pearl
Dove with the dolphins here
Diving Abu Nuhas in November on the SS Serena Dreams
Amazing Visibility. Lots of life and things to see.
Diving Abu Nuhas in April on the Snefro Pearl
We did three of the four wrecks. My favourite: the 'Carnatic'.
Diving Abu Nuhas in November on the Emperor Superior
Rough and an experience but that's just the weather. Getting to the sites on the rhib was an adventure but at all times the crew made it safe and enjoyable. The wrecks were great and easy to navigate.
Diving Abu Nuhas in December on the Emperor Elite
incredible - those wrecks were something to see
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Emperor Superior
Carnatic very beautiful in sunlights.
Diving Abu Nuhas in May on the Emperor Superior
3 incredible wrecks that never lose their charm. Throw in a pod of dolphins and it can't get any better
Diving Abu Nuhas in April on the Emperor Asmaa
super schön! Korallen, Fische soweit das Auge reicht!
Diving Abu Nuhas in June on the Blue Planet 1
Very good dives at Giannis D., Krisoula K. and so on.
Diving Abu Nuhas in July on the Blue Adventurer
Amazing wrecks, bit crowded at the Giannis D wreck
Diving Abu Nuhas in July on the Sea Serpent Contessa
Very nice wreck esspecially the Rosalie Moller.
Diving Abu Nuhas in July on the Seawolf Dominator
Beautiful wrecks - 100% recommend
Diving Abu Nuhas in April on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Great. Some nice wrecks too
Diving Abu Nuhas in May on the Emperor Superior
Great choice of 4 wrecks here, all great, vis was good and conditions were perfect.
Diving Abu Nuhas in June on the JP Marine
Started here. Wrecks are great especially the open one. Reef great as well
Diving Abu Nuhas in June on the Red Sea Blue Force 3
Plenty of interesting wrecks on expense of seeing sharks.
Diving Abu Nuhas in June on the Liberty
It was pretty cool. Amazing ship wreck and fishes also amazing
Diving Abu Nuhas in July on the Tillis
Super nice, so many wrecks there. Paradise for wreck dive lovers
Diving Abu Nuhas in August on the Tillis
Nice. Clear water, almost no current. Great coral reefs
Diving Abu Nuhas in August on the Red Sea Aggressor II
In Abu Nuhas was one of my favourite spots: Chrisoula k. There's a labyrinthine flare in it that I just loved.
Diving Abu Nuhas in September on the Tillis
Amazing reef and lots of marine life!
Diving Abu Nuhas in September on the Tillis
Sadly too windy to do more than one of the wrecks but we were visited by dolphins whilst on our dive
Diving Abu Nuhas in September on the Golden Dolphin
The wrecks there are Amazjng
Diving Abu Nuhas in September on the Dreams
Lots of amazing wrecks amongst the reef.
Diving Abu Nuhas in November on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Fantastic diving at the Wrecks when there’s no one else around
Diving Abu Nuhas in November on the Firebird
Enormes pecios (para mi mejores de los que he visto tanto en España como en Tailandia pero de mucho) que te permiten 'perderte' (tranquilos sin riesgo de salida, siempre hay opción) por sus salas y zonas de mercancías rodeados de muchísima vida salvaje
Diving Abu Nuhas in December on the Amelie
Legen... wait for it dary. Legendary.
Diving Abu Nuhas in December on the Tillis
Great, amazing Wreck experience
Diving Abu Nuhas in January on the Emperor Elite
Beautiful wrecks, Giannis D was great
Diving Abu Nuhas in January on the Emperor Elite
The condition of the reef was fantastic
Diving Abu Nuhas in February on the Princess Diana
Nice corals and what can I say about diving with Dophins
Diving Abu Nuhas in February on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Nice spot - super great dive with dolphins
Diving Abu Nuhas in February on the JP Marine
nice dive site, easy also for beginners
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Cristal water and full of see life
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Great diving with a lot of different wrecks.
Diving Abu Nuhas in August on the JP Marine
Lots of pretty corals and wildlife
Diving Abu Nuhas in August on the Red Sea Aggressor II
perfect beautiful wrecks, very good for photography
Diving Abu Nuhas in October on the Red Sea Aggressor II
It was a great experience. Did two wreck dives, we could go in the wrecks and there wasn't any other groups
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Amelie
Good, although due to weather we were able to visit only 2 wrecks out of 4
Diving Abu Nuhas in September on the Blue Planet 1
Great. Couldn’t do all the wrecks because of weather/waves though.
Diving Abu Nuhas in October on the Blue Pearl
Both wreck there were among the best dives of the trip. Really stunning coral there and schools of glass fish. Impressive size, both wrecks, and awesome photo opportunities, too.
Diving Abu Nuhas in October on the Discovery II
Very impressive different wrecks!
Diving Abu Nuhas in November on the Firebird
It was great to see all these wrecks, all different
Diving Abu Nuhas in January on the Emperor Superior
Good, we saw Spanish Dancer
Diving Abu Nuhas in January on the Blue Adventurer
Excellent, enjoyed the wrecks.
Diving Abu Nuhas in February on the Thunderbird
Diving was simple and quiet at this time of year with lots to see.
Diving Abu Nuhas in February on the Blue Pearl
A lot of fishs and Nice reefs
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II
Not as much sea life but still a relaxing dive
Diving Abu Nuhas in April on the Discovery I
It was fine. The same old wrecks and the big old prehistoric moray.
Diving Abu Nuhas in April on the Blue Melody
intact marine live with beautiful hard corals
Diving Abu Nuhas in August on the Blue Planet 1
Amazing reef and some nice wrecks there too.
Diving Abu Nuhas in September on the Firebird
Best dives. Super healthy tones of corals. And the wreck is amazingly beautiful.
Diving Abu Nuhas in September on the Amelie
This region had some really good diving (eg King Stone) and saw the dolphins in Chrisoula K
Diving Abu Nuhas in September on the Blue Adventurer
Crystal clear waters, healthy coral and an abundance of life.
Diving Abu Nuhas in November on the Amelie
The Dive guides knowledge of the area was amazing and they were able to point out some of the long term residents of the area.
Diving Abu Nuhas in November on the Ghazala Explorer
Nice easy dives with plenty of sealife
Diving Abu Nuhas in January on the Emperor Elite
Beautiful, bountiful and incredible visibility. The reefs were so full of life and exciting.
Diving Abu Nuhas in January on the Amelie
Exciting wrecks and great marine life
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Emperor Superior
Great marine life, and endless visibility
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Amelie
It was beautiful. The wrecks over there are well conserved. Plenty of marine life.
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Ghazala Explorer
Beautiful colored coral reefs
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the Ghazala Explorer
Good site for shallow dives, reef seems a bit damaged
Diving Abu Nuhas in March on the SS Serena Dreams
great wrecks with interesting backgrounds
Diving Abu Nuhas in April on the Emperor Superior
Super visibility, good fish life.. all the typical Red Sea fosh
Diving Abu Nuhas in April on the Amelie
Gianni G wreck was great and an adorable crew member took us to a group of dolphins by speedboat
Diving Abu Nuhas in April on the Sunshine
4 wrecks in one spot, nice corals for a night dive.
Diving Abu Nuhas in May on the Tillis