BAHRAM
Why dive here
With 57+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, octopuses, seahorses and spinner dolphins - BAHRAM offers some of El Gouna's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 20-28°C, warmest July, August, September.
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.
Typical BAHRAM Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BAHRAM Wreck History
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.
Reviews for BAHRAM
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BAHRAM
BAHRAM Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BAHRAM, 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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