Barge de Gubal - Sharm el-Sheikh

The Barge de Gubal is a personal favourite when we’re after a solid wreck dive in Sharm, away from the big-name ships. It’s not a deep dive, making it perfect for extending bottom time and really getting to explore. We love swimming through the holds, which are often packed with glassfish, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large Brown-spotted Groupers lurking in the shadows. The outside of the wreck is a canvas for soft corals, and you’ll find plenty of inquisitive Bandcheek Wrasse darting about. Keep an eye out for Snakefish on the sandy bottom nearby, they’re masters of camouflage. The real treat here, though, is the chance of spotting dolphins passing by; we’ve had incredible encounters with both Indian Ocean bottlenose and Grey Dolphins. It’s a great site for photographers, especially with the ambient light filtering into the wreck.

Location
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
27.677984, 33.804600
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Barge de Gubal

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
storm

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.

Marine Protected Area: شعاب البحر الأحمر

Best Time to Dive in Sharm el-Sheikh

The warmest water temperatures in Sharm el-Sheikh occur in August, averaging 29.9°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 22.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.6°C
  • February: 22.8°C
  • March: 22.5°C
  • April: 23.3°C
  • May: 25.6°C
  • June: 26.9°C
  • July: 28.4°C
  • August: 29.9°C
  • September: 28.6°C
  • October: 27.8°C
  • November: 27.1°C
  • December: 25.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Sharm el-Sheikh

Nearest Dive Centres to Barge de Gubal

Marine Life in Sharm el-Sheikh

Home to 13 recorded species including 6 whales & dolphins, 5 reef fish, 1 sharks & rays, 1 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Barge de Gubal

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°C, currents 10 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