Plane wreck - Dahab

The Plane wreck in Dahab isn't what you might expect, and that’s why we love it. Forget massive, intact fuselages; this is more like an archaeological dig, scattered debris from an old cargo plane, believed to be a C-130 Hercules. You'll find twisted metal, parts of the cockpit, and sections of the wings strewn across a relatively shallow, sandy bottom. We often find it feels like a scavenger hunt, spotting a new piece of wreckage on each dive. What truly makes this site compelling is how marine life has integrated with the wreckage. Staghorn coral grows directly from the metal, and the skeletal remains offer hideouts for a surprising variety of fish. We've seen Coral Hinds peering from behind mangled struts and schools of Longtail Silverbiddy darting through the fragments. Keep an eye out for Leopard Blennies and Townsend's Fangblennies tucked into crevices. It's not a deep dive, around 10-15m, making it accessible for newer wreck divers or those who prefer longer bottom times to really explore the nooks and crannies. Our favourite time to dive it is early morning; the light catches the scattered metal beautifully, and the site feels more serene before the day boats arrive.

Location
Dahab, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
29.418062, 34.971620
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Plane wreck

Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
scuttled

The aptly named "Plane Wreck" of Dahab is one of the area's more unusual and mysterious dive sites. Resting on a sandy slope just a stone's throw from the shore, the origins of this small, stripped-out aircraft are the subject of local legend. Most stories suggest it's the fuselage of an old military transport plane that was intentionally sunk in the late 1990s to create an artificial reef and an interesting feature for divers. Today, the wreck itself is small and can be explored in minutes, but its shallow depth makes it an excellent and quirky stop during a larger reef dive. It's a fantastic photo opportunity and a unique entry in any diver's logbook.

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 Plane wreck

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 Plane wreck

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