SS Thistlegorm - Sharm el-Sheikh

The SS Thistlegorm is a proper wreck dive, a piece of history resting upright on the seabed. We’re talking about a British cargo ship sunk by German bombers back in 1941, and what a cargo it was: motorcycles, trucks, rifles, even a couple of locomotives. Exploring the holds is like stepping into a time capsule, seeing the bikes still chained to the deck, the boots neatly stacked. It’s a large site, often done over two dives, and while the currents can sometimes be a bit sporty, the reward is worth it. Keep an eye out for batfish schooling around the superstructure and the occasional turtle cruising by. It’s definitely one for the wreck lovers, a real opportunity to explore.

Location
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
27.814093, 33.920048
Type
wreck

Wreck History - SS Thistlegorm

Year Sunk
1941
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
4,898 GRT

The SS Thistlegorm is arguably the most famous wreck dive in the world. This 128-meter British armed Merchant Navy ship was built in 1940 to transport supplies for the Allied war effort. In October 1941, loaded with a huge cargo of military equipment destined for troops in North Africa, she was anchored in the Straits of Gubal awaiting passage through the Suez Canal. She never made it. Two German Heinkel He 111 bombers, searching for a much larger vessel, spotted the Thistlegorm and scored direct hits with two bombs. The resulting explosion, which ignited ammunition in the cargo hold, was massive, sinking the ship almost instantly and splitting the stern section from the main vessel.

Rediscovered by Jacques Cousteau in the 1950s and popularized in the 1990s, the Thistlegorm is a breathtaking underwater museum. Divers can explore its cargo holds, which are still packed with BSA motorcycles, Bedford trucks, Bren guns, armored vehicles, and crates of ammunition. The ship sits upright on the seabed at 30 meters, with the blast area providing a fascinating and dramatic view of the ship's final moments. The wreck is now a bustling artificial reef, patrolled by schools of batfish and trevally, making it a truly unforgettable dive into history.

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 SS Thistlegorm

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 SS Thistlegorm

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