Ulysses, wreck - El Gouna

The Ulysses wreck in El Gouna is a fantastic dive for a reason: it's a proper old steamer that feels its age, sitting upright and mostly intact. We love how the story of its sinking, way back in 1887, adds to the atmosphere. Dropping down, you'll see her bow pointing north, often silhouetted against the surface. It’s a great intermediate dive, deep enough to feel like a proper wreck but still within comfortable no-decompression limits for most. She's an elegant old girl, a cargo ship carrying cotton and textiles when she ran aground. Now, her holds are open, inviting exploration. We usually fin through the main deck, peeking into the various sections. You'll often find a large napoleon wrasse cruising the deeper parts of the wreck, and we’ve seen big schools of goatfish swirling around the stern. The resident glassfish are a permanent fixture, shimmering in the darker recesses. For us, the highlight is often finding the propeller, remarkably well-preserved at the deepest point. Best dived mid-morning after the initial rush, when the light plays beautifully through the wreck.

Location
El Gouna, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
27.686500, 33.801500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: شعاب البحر الأحمر

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 Ulysses, wreck

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 Ulysses, wreck

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