BAHRAM - El Gouna

Bahram is one of those El Gouna wrecks we always come back to. Not because it’s a big, famous freighter, but because it’s just so… *weird*. This isn't a ship that sank gracefully; it's a drill vessel, or rig vessel, that capsized violently in a storm in 2003, leaving it upside down and broken. The maximum depth is 20m, meaning decent bottom time for poking around the twisted metal and exploring the massive open spaces that were once machinery rooms. What we love about Bahram is the way the light filters through the breaks in the hull, creating these dramatic shafts. You swim through collapsed deck sections where schools of yellow snapper hover, almost glowing in the gloom. Lionfish are usually tucked into every crevice, and we've often seen a large Napoleon wrasse cruising by. It’s a good site for experienced divers who appreciate the unique, almost haunting atmosphere of a wreck that’s been truly mangled by the sea, not just sunk. Our favourite part is navigating the upside-down framework near the bow, where the original structure is almost unrecognisable and the corals are really starting to take hold.

Location
El Gouna, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
28.314444, 33.131390
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Wreck History - BAHRAM

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown

The Bahram is an enigmatic industrial wreck lying in 20 meters of water near the popular dive resort of El Gouna, Egypt. Once a drill or rig support vessel, this workhorse of the oil and gas industry now serves a new purpose as a thriving artificial reef in the Red Sea. The circumstances of its sinking remain unclear, adding a layer of mystery to the dive.

Designated a 'dangerous wreck,' divers should be mindful of its complex and potentially sharp industrial structure. However, this complexity is what makes it such a fascinating dive. The vessel's framework provides countless nooks and crannies for marine life, and divers can expect to be greeted by clouds of glassfish, patrolling lionfish, and well-camouflaged scorpionfish. The Bahram offers a unique contrast between industrial decay and vibrant marine growth.

Best Time to Dive in El Gouna

The warmest water temperatures in El Gouna occur in August, averaging 28.3°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 20.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 20.3°C
  • February: 20.2°C
  • March: 20.8°C
  • April: 22.1°C
  • May: 24.5°C
  • June: 25.8°C
  • July: 27.0°C
  • August: 28.3°C
  • September: 27.3°C
  • October: 26.1°C
  • November: 24.6°C
  • December: 22.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in El Gouna

Nearest Dive Centres to BAHRAM

Marine Life in El Gouna

Home to 64 recorded species including 46 reef fish, 7 whales & dolphins, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sea cucumbers, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 sharks & rays.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BAHRAM

Based on average water temperature of 24.1°C, currents 19 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