BASHAYER - El Gouna

Bashayer, oh Bashayer. This isn't one of those grand, famous Red Sea wrecks, but it's got character, and we love it for that. She's an old yacht, sitting upright at 33 metres, her mast still reaching up towards the surface. Drop down and you’ll find the bridge largely intact, and you can swim through the saloon. It’s got that slightly spooky, 'ghost ship' feel without being too dark inside. What makes Bashayer special for us is the way the soft corals have absolutely exploded all over her railings and superstructure. They’re a riot of colour – purples, oranges, and yellows – waving gently with the current. Schools of glassfish often shimmer around the deck, creating a silver curtain you can swim right through. We’ve seen quite a few lionfish lurking in the shadows, and occasionally, a curious barracuda will cruise by for a look. It’s a comfortable dive, usually with mild currents, making it a good pick for divers looking to explore a proper wreck without the intensity of some of the deeper sites. Go a little later in the afternoon, and the light filtering through the water onto the wreck creates some truly dramatic visuals.

Location
El Gouna, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
28.266666, 33.333332
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m

Wreck History - BASHAYER

Vessel Type
yacht
Cause
unknown

Resting in the clear, warm waters of the Red Sea near El Gouna, the Bashayer is a modern yacht that now serves as an intriguing dive site. The story behind its sinking is not widely known, adding a layer of mystery to the dive. Unlike the ancient cargo ships and warships that populate the seabed, the Bashayer offers a glimpse into a more recent, luxurious past. Its sleek lines and modern design stand in stark contrast to the surrounding natural reef, creating a unique underwater landscape.

At a depth of 33 metres, the wreck is an ideal destination for advanced divers. Classified as a non-dangerous wreck, it provides a relatively safe and straightforward exploration. Divers can glide over its decks, peer into its cabins, and admire the rapid colonization by Red Sea marine life. The structure has become an artificial reef, attracting schools of colourful fish, moray eels, and a variety of hard and soft corals that have begun to soften its metallic edges. The Bashayer is a perfect example of how quickly the sea can transform a man-made object into a thriving marine habitat.

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 BASHAYER

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 BASHAYER

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