Just north of Hurghada, where the Gulf of Suez meets the open Red Sea, lies a treacherous submerged coral plateau known as Sha’ab Abu Nuhas. To mariners navigating these shipping lanes over the last century, it was a terrifying hazard, ominously dubbed the “Reef of Seven Deaths.” But for modern scuba divers, this exact hazard has created one of the greatest underwater playgrounds on earth .
Abu Nuhas is famously known as “Wreck Alley” . Over the decades, the sheer northern face of the reef has claimed multiple massive cargo ships. Today, four distinct, world-class shipwrecks rest at the base of the reef, all within a short boat ride from Hurghada . Diving four wrecks in a single area is a rare privilege – and Abu Nuhas delivers.
The Four Wrecks of Abu Nuhas
The Carnatic (The Vintage Classic)
The Carnatic is the undisputed queen of Abu Nuhas. Sunk over a century ago in 1869, this 90-meter British sail-and-steam ship struck the reef while carrying cotton, copper, Royal Mint gold, and wine . It is one of the oldest wrecks in the Red Sea.
- The Scene: The wooden decking has long since rotted away, leaving a sweeping, skeletal iron frame that rests on its port side at a maximum depth of 27 meters .
- The Highlights: Because it has been underwater for over 150 years, the Carnatic is completely draped in vibrant red and purple soft corals. Swimming through the open iron ribs feels like swimming through an underwater cathedral .
- Marine Life: Glassfish, sweepers, batfish, and colorful nudibranchs like Chromodoris quadricolor are commonly found here .
The Giannis D (The Photogenic Giant)
Sunk in 1983 after a navigational error, the Greek freighter Giannis D was carrying a cargo of timber when it violently struck Abu Nuhas . The ship eventually split into three distinct sections, with the stern being the most famous and intact.
- The Scene: The stern section sits at a dramatic 45-degree angle on the seabed at 24 meters. This severe tilt creates a famous optical illusion—when you swim inside, your brain struggles to reconcile the tilted floors with the flat horizon .
- The Highlights: The massive A-frame on the stern and the towering funnel are completely encrusted with hard corals. The engine room at 13 meters is bright, open, and offers one of the safest and most exhilarating penetrations in the Red Sea .
- Marine Life: Glassfish swarm in the engine room. Octopuses, giant moray eels, scorpionfish, and nudibranchs are also frequently spotted .
The Chrisoula K (The Tile Wreck)
Sunk in 1981, this Greek freighter was driven hard into the reef while carrying a massive cargo of Italian floor tiles .
- The Scene: The ship sits upright on the sandy bottom at 28 meters. The bow lies in just 3 meters of water, while the stern and propeller reach down to 26 meters .
- The Highlights: The Chrisoula K is famous for its staggering scale. The stern section features a massive, perfectly intact propeller and rudder assembly. If you peek into the holds, you can still see the neat stacks of Italian tiles that never made it to their destination .
- Marine Life: The superstructure is encrusted with hard corals and inhabited by lionfish, flatworms, Picasso triggerfish, and clown wrasse .
The Kimon M (The Lentil Wreck)
Rounding out the quartet is the Kimon M, a German-built cargo ship that sank in 1978 while carrying 4,500 tons of lentils (which swelled in the seawater and eventually burst the ship’s seams) .
- The Scene: Resting on its starboard side at a maximum depth of 32 meters, the Kimon M is the deepest of the Abu Nuhas wrecks .
- The Highlights: Because it sits slightly deeper and catches the sweeping currents, the Kimon M is a magnet for marine life. It is famously patrolled by massive schools of resident batfish and hunting trevally .
- Marine Life: The sheer vertical wall of the port-side hull is covered in hard corals, and the wreck is home to several species of pipefish .
Diving Practicalities
Experience Abu Nuhas with Xplorer Red Sea
For those looking to experience the magic of Abu Nuhas in comfort and safety, Xplorer Red Sea offers liveaboard safaris that include the northern wrecks . With the Argo Xplorer, the Alfa Xplorer and the Vita Xplorer, divers can access this iconic site as part of a broader northern itinerary, combining the thrill of Wreck Alley with other legendary dive sites .
Our experienced guides know every wreck intimately and will ensure you get the most out of each dive – from the historic Carnatic to the photogenic Giannis D. Whether you’re a wreck enthusiast or simply seeking a unique diving experience, Abu Nuhas offers something for everyone .
