AL SAID - Gulf of Tadjoura

The Al Said wreck sits upright on the sandy bottom at 29 metres, and we love finding it. It’s a sailing vessel, which means a beautiful silhouette against the blue. She went down in ‘76, caught in a storm on her way from Berbera to Sharjah, and time has been kind. You can still make out the mast structure, though it’s heavily draped in soft corals now. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the remaining rigging, creating these dancing patterns on the deck. Schools of fusiliers often swirl around the bow, catching the current, so thick they almost block the light for a moment. We often find large groupers tucked into the shadowed areas of the hull, and there’s usually a resident moray eel or two peeking from beneath a plate coral. It’s a gentle dive, really, for anyone comfortable at depth. Take your time exploring the deck; the coral growth is impressive, forming miniature gardens with anemones and their clownfish. Visibility here is usually excellent, giving you a clear view of the entire wreck as you approach.

Location
Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
12.650000, 43.483334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
29m

Wreck History - AL SAID

Year Sunk
1976
Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
storm

The Al Said, a sailing vessel plying the ancient trade routes of the Red Sea, was on a passage from Berbera to Sharjah when it met its fate. On January 4, 1976, the ship was caught in a powerful storm near the territorial waters of Aden. Overwhelmed by the rough seas, the vessel sank, becoming another testament to the unforgiving power of the ocean in this historically busy maritime corridor.

Resting at a depth of 29 meters in the Gulf of Tadjoura, the Al Said offers a compelling dive for advanced-certified divers. The wreck's remains serve as a substrate for the vibrant corals for which the Red Sea is famous. Exploring the site, divers can discover a habitat teeming with life, including schools of anthias and glassfish, with occasional visits from Napoleon wrasse or moray eels patrolling the wreckage. The depth requires careful dive planning and monitoring of bottom time, making it a rewarding challenge for those looking to explore a piece of sunken history.

Marine Protected Area: Iles des Sept Freres ainsi que Ras Syan, Khor Angar et la foret de Godoria

Best Time to Dive in Gulf of Tadjoura

The warmest water temperatures in Gulf of Tadjoura occur in January, averaging 26.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.9°C (air: 24.8°C)
  • February: 26.9°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • March: 26.9°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • April: 26.9°C (air: 28.9°C)
  • May: 26.9°C (air: 32.5°C)
  • June: 26.9°C (air: 35.7°C)
  • July: 26.9°C (air: 36.4°C)
  • August: 26.9°C (air: 34.9°C)
  • September: 26.9°C (air: 34.5°C)
  • October: 26.9°C (air: 30.2°C)
  • November: 26.9°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • December: 26.9°C (air: 25.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Gulf of Tadjoura

Marine Life in Gulf of Tadjoura

Home to 205 recorded species including 95 hard corals, 75 reef fish, 8 sharks & rays, 6 crabs & lobsters, 5 sea cucumbers, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AL SAID

Based on average water temperature of 26.9°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories