ALBERTO TREVES - Dahlak Archipelago

Alberto Treves isn't your average wreck dive. Its depth, or lack thereof, makes it an anomaly. We’re talking 0m here, which essentially means it’s poking out of the water, a skeletal finger pointing skyward from the Dahlak shallows. This isn't one for the BCD-wearing, fin-kicking crowd, but it's our pick for snorkelers, freedivers, and even just photographers with a good telephoto lens. The wreck itself is a WWI Italian cargo ship, run aground. Its rusted frame, baked by the Red Sea sun, offers a dramatic contrast to the turquoise water. Peering down into the flooded holds, you can make out ghostly machinery, a strange world of shadow and light. We love how the fish don't care about the historical significance; parrotfish graze on algae-coated metal and small reef sharks patrol the deeper shadows beneath the hull. It’s a compelling, eerie spot, proof that not all the best sites are deep down.

Location
Dahlak Archipelago, Eritrea, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
15.595000, 39.412500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - ALBERTO TREVES

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

Little is known about the vessel Alberto Treves, which now lies as a dangerous wreck in the Dahlak Archipelago. Its history and the cause of its demise are lost to time, but its location in the Red Sea speaks to a region crisscrossed by trade and conflict for centuries. Lying at a depth of 0 metres, the wreck breaks the surface, serving as a stark warning to modern mariners.

For divers, the Alberto Treves presents a unique opportunity to explore a surface-level wreck site. The shallow depth means the wreckage has been thoroughly worked by the elements, likely resulting in a scattered field of metal and machinery. This environment is perfect for snorkelers and divers looking for an easy, sunlit exploration, where the focus is less on penetrating a ghostly hull and more on discovering how nature has reclaimed the structure, with vibrant corals and reef fish making their home among the ruins.

Best Time to Dive in Dahlak Archipelago

The warmest water temperatures in Dahlak Archipelago occur in January, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.7°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • February: 27.7°C (air: 26.3°C)
  • March: 27.7°C (air: 28.0°C)
  • April: 27.7°C (air: 30.1°C)
  • May: 27.7°C (air: 31.9°C)
  • June: 27.7°C (air: 33.4°C)
  • July: 27.7°C (air: 34.6°C)
  • August: 27.7°C (air: 33.9°C)
  • September: 27.7°C (air: 33.5°C)
  • October: 27.7°C (air: 32.1°C)
  • November: 27.7°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • December: 27.7°C (air: 27.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Dahlak Archipelago

Marine Life in Dahlak Archipelago

Home to 83 recorded species including 59 reef fish, 6 seagrass & algae, 4 whales & dolphins, 4 sharks & rays, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ALBERTO TREVES

Based on average water temperature of 27.7°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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