AQUA SAFARI - Safaga

Aqua Safari isn’t your typical Red Sea wreck, and that’s why we love it. This sailing vessel, lying upright on a sandy bottom at 34 metres, feels more like a ghost ship than a shipwreck. You drop down, and the mast structures slowly emerge from the blue, draped in fishing nets that sway gently with any passing current. It’s got an eerie beauty, especially when the light hits it just right, casting long shadows across the deck. We particularly enjoy the way the soft corals have started to bloom on the rigging, a colourful contrast to the dark hull. Look closely, and you’ll spot crocodilefish camouflaged on the deck, and sometimes a curious octopus peeking from a sheltered corner. It’s a quiet dive, never crowded, perfect for photographers wanting to capture that evocative, slightly melancholic vibe. Our tip? Go early in the morning for the best light and the chance to have the wreck all to yourself. It’s not a massive wreck for penetration, but it's a wonderfully atmospheric dive for anyone who appreciates the quieter side of wreck diving.

Location
Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
26.708334, 33.958332
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
34m

Wreck History - AQUA SAFARI

Year Sunk
2001
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
fire

The M/Y Aqua Safari was a popular wooden-hulled dive safari boat operating in the Red Sea. In 2001, while moored for the night near Safaga, a devastating fire broke out on board. The vessel was quickly consumed by the flames and ultimately sank, coming to rest upright on a sandy seabed at a depth of 34 meters. Fortunately, all passengers and crew were able to escape without serious injury, but their floating home for the week was lost to the sea.

Today, the Aqua Safari is an intriguing dive site, reserved for more experienced divers due to its depth. The wreck is largely intact, and its wooden structure has become a thriving artificial reef. Divers can explore the decks and peer into the charred remains of the cabins and saloon. The wreck is often shrouded in a cloud of glassfish, and its surfaces are colonized by soft corals. It's a hauntingly beautiful site that serves as a stark reminder of the power of fire, now transformed into a peaceful home for Red Sea marine life.

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 AQUA SAFARI

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 AQUA SAFARI

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