Salem Express - Safaga

Diving the Salem Express is a different kind of Red Sea wreck dive. This isn't a site that screams with coral or vast schools of fish, though you'll spot triggerfish and the occasional barracuda cruising by. Instead, it’s a sombre, reflective experience. The ferry lies on its starboard side, largely intact, and you can still make out the lifeboats, the funnels, and even some personal belongings scattered on the seabed around it. We often find ourselves pausing, looking at the rows of portholes, each one telling a silent story. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the history and the unique atmosphere a modern tragedy brings, rather than just the biology.

Location
Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
26.639717, 34.061577
Type
wreck

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 Salem Express

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 Salem Express

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