Barge de Gubal

Lying in the shadow of the mighty SS Ulysses wreck in the Strait of Gubal, this humble barge has a history intertwined with the safety of these treacherous waters. In the late 19th century, as maritime traffic through the Suez Canal grew, a series of lighthouses were constructed to guide ships. This barge was a support vessel for the project, laden with construction materials and equipment. During a sudden and violent storm, it broke free from its moorings and sank, becoming one of the area's first artificial reefs.

Today, the 'Barge de Gubal' is a beloved dive site, often visited as a second or third dive after exploring the nearby deep wrecks. Resting on a sandy bottom at a shallow depth of around 15 metres, it's a perfect subject for underwater photographers. The wreck is teeming with life; its open structure is packed with thousands of shimmering glassfish, which part like a curtain as you swim through. It is also famous for its resident giant moray eel, often found peering out from its home. Scorpionfish, stonefish, and crocodilefish are frequently spotted camouflaged on the deck, making it a dive that rewards a slow and careful pace.