Abu Ghusun (Wreck) - Marsa Alam

Abu Ghusun is a proper treat, especially if you’re new to wrecks and want something accessible but still genuinely interesting. It's a small cargo ship, the *Hamada*, that went down in 1993, and it sits upright and mostly intact in just 16 metres of water. We love a wreck that tells a story, and this one feels like it's just settled in for a long nap on the seafloor. The shallow depth means you get fantastic bottom time, letting you really poke around. Head inside the cargo holds, where the light filters down through the surface, creating these mesmerising shafts. It’s not spooky, just wonderfully atmospheric. Look for the resident glassfish clouds, shimmering in the shadows, and we’ve often found lionfish tucked into doorways, looking quite regal. The deck hosts a scattering of soft corals, and you'll spot parrotfish nibbling away. Our favourite part? The stern, where a small school of yellowfin barracuda sometimes circles, catching the light as they move. It’s an easy, leisurely dive, perfect for photographers or anyone keen to explore a piece of history without deep diving credentials.

Location
Marsa Alam, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
24.447900, 35.207300
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m
Difficulty
Beginner

Wreck History - Abu Ghusun (Wreck)

Year Sunk
1993
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The wreck at Abu Ghusun is the SS Hamada, a 65-meter cargo ship that was transporting plastic granules when it was caught in a fierce storm in 1993. The vessel was driven onto the reef with such force that it broke in two, creating the fascinating dive site that exists today. The bow section came to rest on the shallow reef top, while the stern and main body of the ship settled deeper on the sandy slope.

This is a classic Red Sea wreck dive, suitable for divers of all levels. The dive typically begins on the deeper stern section, which sits at around 16 meters. Divers can explore the propeller, peer into the engine room, and swim through the cargo holds, where mounds of the plastic pellet cargo can still be seen. From there, the dive continues up to the shallow bow section, which lies in just a few meters of water. The easy access, clear water, and abundant marine life-including moray eels, lionfish, and schools of glassfish-make the Hamada a favorite among underwater photographers and wreck enthusiasts visiting Marsa Alam.

Marine Protected Area: Tourism Development Area II

Best Time to Dive in Marsa Alam

The warmest water temperatures in Marsa Alam occur in August, averaging 31.1°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 22.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.6°C
  • February: 22.7°C
  • March: 22.9°C
  • April: 23.8°C
  • May: 26.0°C
  • June: 28.1°C
  • July: 29.9°C
  • August: 31.1°C
  • September: 30.4°C
  • October: 28.8°C
  • November: 27.1°C
  • December: 25.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Marsa Alam

Nearest Dive Centres to Abu Ghusun (Wreck)

Marine Life in Marsa Alam

Home to 39 recorded species including 10 seagrass & algae, 8 whales & dolphins, 8 reef fish, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 sharks & rays, 1 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Abu Ghusun (Wreck)

Based on average water temperature of 26.7°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°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