Cedar Pride Shipwreck - Dahab

Alright, let's talk about the Cedar Pride. It's often overshadowed by the Blue Hole up the road, but we love this wreck for its quiet charm and easy accessibility. She's a freighter, sunk intentionally in 1985, and now sits on her port side across two reefs, creating some really interesting swim-throughs. You'll drop down onto the hull, probably spotting a few Marbled Spinefoot already poking around. What really gets us about the Cedar Pride is how much of the original structure you can still appreciate. We always make a point of finning along the deck, peeking into the cargo holds where the light filters in, illuminating clusters of Yellow scroll coral. Look for the resident Rama Rao's Scorpionfish tucked away in the shadows; they're masters of disguise. Deeper, around the propeller, you might catch a glimpse of a Grey Dolphin zipping past – a real treat. It's a fantastic site for anyone comfortable with basic wreck penetration, offering plenty to explore without being overly demanding.

Location
Dahab, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
29.431067, 34.973160
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Cedar Pride Shipwreck

Year Sunk
1985
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
1,197 GRT

The Cedar Pride was a Spanish cargo ship built in 1964, originally named the M/S San Bruno. Her life at sea came to an abrupt end in 1982 when a devastating fire broke out in the engine room while she was anchored at the port of Aqaba. Declared a total loss, the damaged vessel was abandoned for several years until the burgeoning dive community in Dahab saw an opportunity. With the support of the Egyptian authorities and even Prince Abdullah of Jordan, the wreck was purchased, cleaned of hazards, and deliberately scuttled in 1985 to create an artificial reef.

Today, the Cedar Pride rests on her port side across two reefs, at a maximum depth of around 30 meters. The wreck is a spectacular sight, covered in a vibrant blanket of soft and hard corals that have colonized its structure over the decades. Divers can explore the main deck, peer into the cargo holds, and swim through the bridge. The most iconic feature is the crow's nest, which provides a stunning photographic silhouette against the deep blue of the Red Sea. The wreck is teeming with marine life, including schools of glassfish, lionfish, and the occasional Napoleon wrasse, making it one of the most beloved and rewarding dives in Dahab.

Marine Protected Area: محمية أبو جالوم

Best Time to Dive in Dahab

The warmest water temperatures in Dahab occur in August, averaging 27.9°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 20.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 22.0°C
  • February: 21.1°C
  • March: 20.9°C
  • April: 21.8°C
  • May: 24.0°C
  • June: 25.6°C
  • July: 26.5°C
  • August: 27.9°C
  • September: 27.3°C
  • October: 26.1°C
  • November: 25.4°C
  • December: 23.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Dahab

Nearest Dive Centres to Cedar Pride Shipwreck

Marine Life in Dahab

Home to 27 recorded species including 12 reef fish, 6 hard corals, 5 whales & dolphins, 1 clams & mussels, 1 sharks & rays, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Cedar Pride Shipwreck

Based on average water temperature of 24.4°C, currents 5 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 24°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