Abu Nuhas

Abu Nuhas is an offshore wreck-diving reef in Egypt’s northern Red Sea, reached by boat rather than from the beach. Four much-visited wrecks lie along its northern side, and each has a different character: the open framework of the Carnatic, the tilted stern of Giannis D, the cargo of the Tile Wreck and the deeper remains of Kimon M. It is a place to enjoy one wreck at a time, rather than rush through a four-ship checklist.

Abu Nuhas is also home to marine life and hard and soft corals. That combination gives photographers plenty to look for outside the wrecks, without making an entry into a hold or engine room part of every dive. The route, depth and choice of wreck depend on the sea conditions, your training and the guide’s briefing.

Four wrecks, four different dives

Carnatic: the oldest of the classic four

The Carnatic is the oldest of these four wrecks. This roughly 90 m British passenger steamer was lost in 1869 and is also known as the Bottle Wreck. Much of its wooden planking has disappeared, leaving a framework that gives it a very different outline from the later cargo ships nearby. The bow, stern and propeller are useful features to discuss in the briefing; the seabed is around 25–27 m, which calls for planning around the actual depth of the chosen route.

Giannis D: a stern with a striking angle

The Giannis D was lost in April 1983 while carrying timber, which explains its “Wood Wreck” nickname. It is broken into three main sections: bow, damaged midships and stern. The stern leans at roughly 45 degrees, with the bridge and funnel above it. Those sloping lines are a distinctive subject for an exterior tour. They do not make the engine room a suitable shortcut for an inexperienced diver.

The Tile Wreck: a name worth clarifying

The Tile Wreck gets its nickname from its cargo of Italian floor tiles. Many guides call it Chrisoula K; other references identify the commonly dived remains as Marcus. Even published histories disagree, so this guide retains both names rather than presenting one disputed identification as settled. For your dive, the important distinction is which wreck the operator means, the planned maximum depth and whether the visit stays outside.

Kimon M: the lentil carrier

Kimon M struck Abu Nuhas in December 1978 carrying lentils. A passing vessel helped rescue the crew. Its stern reaches around 32 m. That makes it a different proposition from simply visiting the shallower structure of another wreck, especially when several dives are planned during the day.

Conditions and experience: shallow parts do not tell the whole story

The sea can be rough around Abu Nuhas, with current, waves and an exposed northern face affecting access to the wrecks. A calm anchorage on one side of the reef does not guarantee an easy entry on the other. The skipper and dive team may change the order, choose a different site or cancel a wreck dive. Visibility also varies; an attractive photograph is not a promise of clear water on your visit.

Exterior wreck diving and wreck penetration are different activities. Stay within your certification, experience and the agreed dive plan. Entering an overhead space requires appropriate training, equipment and planning; a visible doorway or an apparently open engine room is not evidence that entry is suitable. This page does not provide a penetration route. Good buoyancy also helps protect the reef life growing on the structures.

Getting to Abu Nuhas

Abu Nuhas is reached by dive boat or liveaboard. El Gouna and Hurghada are useful starting points, while northern Red Sea liveaboards may combine it with the SS Thistlegorm and other wrecks. Travel time depends on the departure marina, vessel and sea state, so a single crossing time is not reliable for every trip. A liveaboard can allow more time around the reef, but neither the itinerary nor all four wrecks are guaranteed.

For a non-diving companion, acceptance aboard, price and any supervised snorkelling must be confirmed for the actual boat and departure. An offshore wreck-diving stop should not be sold as an automatic beach or snorkelling day.

Where the reef and wrecks lie

The map uses CDWS reference coordinates. Markers identify the reef and individual wrecks for trip planning; they are not navigation, mooring or entry instructions.

• Sha’ab Abu Nuhas reef: 27°34′22″N, 33°55′28″E.
• Giannis D: 27°34′37″N, 33°55′23″E.
• Carnatic: 27°34′44″N, 33°55′32″E.
• Tile Wreck, listed by CDWS as Chrisoula K: 27°34′47″N, 33°55′42″E.
• Kimon M: 27°34′53″N, 33°55′48″E.

A look at Giannis D

This Giannis D film illustrates the wreck; it is not a report of current conditions or a dive plan.

▶ Giannis D wreck

Watch the Giannis D film on YouTube.

Questions divers ask about Abu Nuhas

Been diving here? Share your wreck, travel date, conditions and operator in the existing comments below. Those details help another diver picture the visit without treating one day’s experience as a guarantee.

Editorial facts checked 13 October 2026. Depths, history and coordinates: CDWS Carnatic, Giannis D, Chrisoula K, Kimon M and El Gouna site coordinates. Naming and local access context: Red Sea Marine.