AL KAHFAIN - Safaga

Al Kahfain is a proper wreck dive, a motor vessel that’s been down for a while and shows it. You drop down, and the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the superstructure, all bent and twisted. It’s got that eerie, dangerous feel about it, precisely what we love in a good wreck. It sits upright, mostly, with a decent list, and you can poke around the holds, which are now home to schools of snapper and the occasional barracuda lurking in the shadows. We’ve seen blue-spotted rays resting on the sand nearby, and the soft corals are starting to really take hold on the exposed metal. It’s a site for those who appreciate the history, the slow decay, and the way the sea reclaims things. We’d suggest a nitrox blend for longer bottom times, because there’s plenty to see if you take your time, especially around the stern. Just keep an eye on your depth here, it’s a deep one.

Location
Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
26.663334, 34.053333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Wreck History - AL KAHFAIN

Year Sunk
1991
Vessel Type
ferry
Cause
fire
Tonnage
4,269 GRT

Before its fiery demise in the Red Sea, the "AL KAHFAIN" had a long and storied career in much colder waters. Launched in 1967 as the MV Ulster Queen, she was a modern passenger and car ferry for P&O, faithfully plying the route across the Irish Sea for over a decade. After being sold and renamed, she eventually found her way to the Middle East. In 1991, while en route, a catastrophic fire broke out on board. The blaze raged uncontrollably, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The vessel, mortally wounded by the fire, eventually sank off the coast of Safaga, Egypt.

Resting on its port side, the AL KAHFAIN's stern lies in 50 meters of water, placing this wreck firmly in the realm of technical diving. This is a serious and challenging dive for experienced, properly equipped tec divers. Those who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a massive, intact ferry. The sheer scale is impressive, from the huge propellers and rudder at the stern to the cavernous car deck. Exploring this deep section of the wreck is an unforgettable experience, offering a haunting look at a once-bustling vessel now silent in the deep blue of the Red Sea.

Best Time to Dive in Safaga

The warmest water temperatures in Safaga occur in August, averaging 29.2°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 22.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.1°C
  • February: 22.3°C
  • March: 22.1°C
  • April: 22.8°C
  • May: 25.0°C
  • June: 26.5°C
  • July: 27.7°C
  • August: 29.2°C
  • September: 28.6°C
  • October: 27.4°C
  • November: 26.7°C
  • December: 24.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Safaga

Nearest Dive Centres to AL KAHFAIN

Marine Life in Safaga

Home to 32 recorded species including 22 reef fish, 5 whales & dolphins, 2 seagrass & algae, 1 sharks & rays, 1 sea cucumbers, 1 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AL KAHFAIN

Based on average water temperature of 25.5°C, currents 16 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°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