BACCHIS
Protected Area
شعاب البحر الأحمر
Why dive here
With 57+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, octopuses, seahorses and spinner dolphins - BACCHIS offers some of El Gouna's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 20-28°C, warmest July, August, September.
We’ve done the Bacchis more times than we can count, and it still holds a spot among our favourite El Gouna dives. The wreck itself, an old cargo ship, is an absolute gem sitting upright in just 5 metres of water. We love the way the light filters through the shallow water, illuminating the main deck and the large, open holds. You can swim right through them, feeling the cool water shift as you move, and it always feels like exploring a forgotten warehouse. There’s a real sense of history here, knowing this ship ran aground back in '77. Shoals of snapper often swirl in the shadow of the superstructure, and we’ve seen some hefty lionfish perched on the railings, completely unbothered by divers. It’s a phenomenal spot for photography, especially with wide-angle, and it’s brilliant for divers who want to spend ages poking around without worrying about deco limits. Our top tip? Go early in the morning, before the crowds, when the light is soft and the visibility often feels limitless.
Typical BACCHIS 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.
BACCHIS Wreck History
Year Sunk
1977
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The Bacchis was a German-built motor vessel launched in 1950 from the famous shipyards of Bremerhaven. After 27 years of service, her career came to an abrupt end on August 9, 1977. While navigating the treacherous waters of the Red Sea, the Bacchis ran hard aground on the northern edge of the Sha'b Ashrafi reef, a large reef system near El Gouna, Egypt. The damage was catastrophic, and the ship was declared a total loss, abandoned to the sea.
Today, the Bacchis is a fantastic dive and snorkeling site. Lying in just 5 meters of water, the wreck is easily accessible to all experience levels. Over the decades, the powerful Red Sea has broken the vessel apart, scattering its remains across the reef top. What was once a maritime disaster has transformed into a spectacular underwater garden. The ship's steel plates and structures are now completely encrusted with a kaleidoscope of hard and soft corals, providing a home for countless reef fish, moray eels, and crustaceans. It's a perfect example of nature's power to reclaim and beautify, blending a man-made structure seamlessly into the vibrant reef.
Nearest Dive Centres to BACCHIS
Dive shops near BACCHIS
Orca diveclub
Colona Divers
The Diveconnection
Reviews for BACCHIS
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BACCHIS
BACCHIS Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BACCHIS, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
28.25°C
83°F
Current Speed
19.42 cm/s
Direction: SE (145.5°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.066 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
38.73 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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