Salem Express

Salem Express: an exterior dive at a place of loss

The Salem Express wreck lies off Safaga near Hyndman Reef in Egypt’s Red Sea. This former passenger and vehicle ferry sank in December 1991 while returning from Jeddah, with hundreds of lives lost. For some divers, visiting is a way to remember that history; others prefer not to dive here. Both responses deserve respect.

If you choose to dive the Salem Express wreck, please be very respectful and do not touch anything. Personal belongings should remain exactly where they are. This is not a place for souvenirs, staged photographs with possessions or treating a tragedy as a spectacle.

The ferry’s loss

Published accounts differ on the precise date and casualty totals. CDWS reports 470 deaths and 180 survivors. The loss occurred in December 1991; the differences between accounts make precise figures worth attributing to their source.

The ferry hit the reef and sank rapidly. Its scale and recognisable passenger-ship features make the loss tangible underwater.

What can be seen outside the wreck?

The ship lies on its starboard side. The upper flank, rows of bridge windows, twin funnels and large stern propellers help you understand its shape without going inside. Lifeboats and other debris remain on the seabed. An exterior visit can be moving precisely because these ordinary features still belong to a recognisable ferry.

Euro-Divers describes a depth range of approximately 10–32 metres. The upper wreck and the seabed are therefore different dive propositions: a view of shallow sections does not make the entire wreck accessible within a beginner’s depth limit. The operator should agree the depth, time and route with the group before entry.

Entry restrictions and respectful conduct

CDWS’s published guidance says visitors may dive the wreck but must not enter it. Plan an exterior-only visit and follow the local operator’s current restrictions. An opening, an old video or another diver’s behaviour is not permission to penetrate.

Maintain buoyancy and leave both belongings and wreck material undisturbed. Discuss photography with the guide and consider its context before sharing images. Anyone uncomfortable with visiting should be able to choose another dive without pressure.

Experience, conditions and access

Euro-Divers presents Salem Express as a dive for experienced divers. Current, visibility, sea state and the planned depth all affect suitability. There is also no requirement to complete the whole ship or to make exactly two dives. A shorter, well-planned exterior visit may be the right choice.

Boat trips operate in the Safaga area, and some liveaboard wreck itineraries include Salem Express. Confirm the actual marina and any road transfer when booking from Hurghada or another resort. The town where you stay is not necessarily the boat’s departure port.

For a non-diving companion, obtain acceptance, the passenger fare and the day’s activities before booking. A boat seat does not imply supervised snorkelling, and a reef excursion may be a more suitable choice.

Location near Safaga

CDWS lists a site reference of 26°38′22″ N, 34°03′40″ E (26.639444° N, 34.061111° E). The marker gives geographic context, not a mooring, entry position or navigational instruction.

Original video

This video provides historical visual context. It does not establish current access permission or a dive plan; the exterior-only guidance above applies.

Play Salem Express video

Salem Express questions

Sources

Checked 24 October 2026: CDWS history and entry guidance; CDWS site coordinates; Euro-Divers depth and experience guidance; Emperor wreck itinerary.