Sha'ab Ohroob / Wreck of Sabri Baba 1 - Marsa Alam

Sha'ab Ohroob brings us the Sabri Baba 1, a small freighter now settled upright on the reef. It’s not one of those massive Red Sea wrecks, but its smaller size means you can really get to know it in a single dive. We’ve found cowfish picking their way around the superstructure, and the open holds offer easy swim-throughs, perfect for divers keen to explore without complex navigation. The real draw here, though, can be the dolphins – we’ve had some incredible encounters with both bridled and Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins passing through. It's a relaxed wreck dive, good for anyone comfortable with a bit of penetration and hoping for some pelagic company.

Location
Marsa Alam, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
22.626612, 36.559345
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Sha'ab Ohroob / Wreck of Sabri Baba 1

Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
grounding

The wreck of the Sabri Baba 1 lies on the northern side of Sha'ab Ohroob, a reef system near Marsa Alam known for its strong currents and pristine coral. This small wooden safari boat met its end when it struck the reef, eventually sinking to its current resting place on a sandy bottom next to the reef wall. The wreck is relatively small and broken up, but its scattered remains have become a vibrant part of the underwater landscape. Divers can explore the boat's skeletal structure, now encrusted with coral and home to glassfish, scorpionfish, and moray eels, before continuing their dive along the beautiful and dramatic coral wall of the main reef.

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 Sha'ab Ohroob / Wreck of Sabri Baba 1

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 Sha'ab Ohroob / Wreck of Sabri Baba 1

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