In the Shadwan Channel, off the north coast of Shadwan Island, in Hurghada, there is a reef that seems to have a magnet for shipwrecks. In 150 years, 7 freighters have been sunk by the reef, separating these ships by only 20 meters from each other... creating a paradise for diving enthusiasts who can visit 5 of these 7 wrecks. The strong currents, winds, poor visibility conditions, high traffic volume (in some cases, captain's negligence and poor planning), and a very shallow top of the reef have made Abu Nuhas a true graveyard of sunken ships.
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Five of these wrecks can be visited, and some are among the most interesting in the Red Sea such as Giannis D or Carnatic. All these wrecks have been colonized by both corals and thousands of fish that have found their home in these disasters. These wrecks give us the opportunity to dive with some of the most sought-after marine species. Playful dolphins, massive mobulas, reef sharks, napoleon wrasses, lionfish, toadfish, stonefish, schools of thousands of glassfish, clownfish, a multitude of nudibranchs... Diving into Abu Nuhas is delving into a piece of naval history.
Summary of the 4 main wrecks of Abu Nuhas
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The best liveaboard offers in the Red Sea
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Giannis D
The Giannis D was a 100-meter-long cargo ship built in Japan that collided with the Abu Nuhas reef in 1983, sinking between 6 and 27 meters. The wreck is today one of the most famous in the Red Sea, among other things, due to its easy access, allowing entry into the corridors, engine room, or the bridge. Divers with not much experience can also dive in and be amazed by the abundance of marine life that has colonized the remains. We find nudibranchs, giant moray eels, corals, napoleon wrasses, stonefish, lionfish, schools of glassfish, parrotfish, and it is visited by bottlenose dolphins. The play of lights inside Giannis D is a delight for ambient photographers.
Carnatic
The Carnatic is the oldest wreck in the Red Sea, sunk in 1869 on its way to India. This 90-meter-long British freighter, carrying gold, wine, and cotton, split in two after colliding with the reef, resulting in the death of 31 people in this tragedy. The wreck is now at a maximum depth of 22 meters, profusely decorated with corals. In it, there are nudibranchs, triggerfish, napoleon wrasses, batfish, gobies, or turtles. Some of the most famous inhabitants of this wreck are huge moray eels of extraordinary sizes.
Chrisoula K
Chrisoula K Wreck
The Chrisoula K was a Greek freighter 98 meters long that sank in August 1981, loaded with tiles and construction material. This wreck stands out for its abundance of marine life and the possibility of entering its holds and corridors. It is located between 3 and 26 meters, with the hull covered with hard corals where flatworms, lionfish, beautiful Picasso triggerfish, clownfish, and even some bottlenose dolphins come to investigate.
Kimon M
The Kimon M was a German cargo ship that sank in 1978 while carrying tons of lentils. Its 120 meters in length sank at a shallow depth, but over time, it has drifted to a depth of 32 meters, being the deepest of the wrecks in Abu Nuhas. You can reach its propeller and rudder, but due to its instability on the sandy bottom, entering its interior is not recommended. The ship's hull has different hard corals, and around the wreck, we find various schools of fish such as anthias, batfish, or needlefish.
