ABED AL SALEM
Protected Area
EKVOLI GEROPOTAMOU MESARAS
Why dive here
ABED AL SALEM is a wreck dive where divers can encounter sea turtles. Water ranges 16-25°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Abed al Salem isn’t about huge pelagics or technicolour reefs. No, this is a shallow wreck with a story, perfect for a long, relaxed dive or even a snorkel if the conditions are right. We love it for its sheer accessibility and the way the light plays through the broken hull. She went down in 1981, a cargo ship from Marseilles to Beirut, coming unstuck when two containers broke loose in heavy seas. Diverted to Iraklion, she ended up beached and abandoned. Now, she lies just offshore, the bow barely breaking the surface, making for an easy entry. The stern is the deepest part, sitting at around 5m, so you’re never far from the surface. What we really enjoy is poking around the twisted metal, imagining the chaos of her final hours. Small schooling fish, often hundreds of juvenile barracuda, swirl around the superstructure, shimmering like silver confetti. You'll spot plenty of blennies peeking from crevices and the occasional octopus tucked into a pipe. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs on the hull plates, too. It’s a fantastic site for photographers keen on ambient light wreck shots, especially mid-morning when the sun is high and bright.
Typical ABED AL SALEM Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
ABED AL SALEM Wreck History
Year Sunk
1981
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
The motor vessel Abed Al Salem was a modern cargo ship built in 1960. Its final, fateful voyage began in Marseille, with a destination of Beirut. While en route in January 1981, the ship encountered heavy seas that proved to be its undoing. The violent motion of the storm caused two of its cargo containers to break loose from their lashings on deck. This sudden and significant shift in weight caused the vessel to take on a dangerous list, making it unstable and difficult to control.
The crew diverted course, attempting to make for the safety of the port at Iraklion, Crete. However, battling the storm and the severe list, they were unable to save their ship. The Abed Al Salem ultimately ran aground on the Cretan coast and sank. Today, its remains lie in just 5 meters of water, making it a superb site for divers of all levels and even snorkelers. The clear Mediterranean water offers excellent visibility to explore the wreckage, which serves as a dramatic reminder of the power of the sea.
Nearest Dive Centres to ABED AL SALEM
Dive shops near ABED AL SALEM
POSEIDON DIVING CLUB
ECO DIVING CENTER
HORIZON DIVING CENTER
Diver's Club Crete
Cretan Divers
Aquadive
Reviews for ABED AL SALEM
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ABED AL SALEM
ABED AL SALEM Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ABED AL SALEM, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
25.05°C
77°F
Current Speed
11.05 cm/s
Direction: S (185.2°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.076 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
39.4 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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