ARMANTAN
Why dive here
With 74+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles, spinner dolphins and pufferfish - ARMANTAN offers some of Dahlak Archipelago's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 28°C.
Armantan is easily one of our favourite Red Sea wrecks, precisely because it’s not the usual crowded, pristine dive you might expect. This isn’t a quick dip; it’s an expedition. The ship lies in the shallows, which can be a bit tricky to find if you don't know the exact GPS, but that just adds to its allure. As you descend, the sheer size of the hull becomes apparent, a shadow stretching across the sandy bottom. We love how the shallow depth allows for long bottom times, giving you plenty of opportunity to pick apart the details – the twisted metal, the ghostly outline of the superstructure, and the way the light filters through the gaps. You’ll find schools of snapper and fusiliers weaving through the interior, while moray eels peek from behind rusted plating. It’s a site for those who appreciate history and the slow reclamation of man-made objects by the ocean. Definitely pack a torch for exploring the darker recesses; the light plays tricks inside.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
ARMANTAN Wreck History
Year Sunk
1988
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The wreck known as the Armantan is a large cargo ship that ran hard aground in the remote and beautiful Dahlak Archipelago in 1988. The vessel was unable to be salvaged and was abandoned to the elements. For decades, it has served as a dramatic, rusting landmark, with much of its hull and superstructure remaining defiantly above the waterline, slowly surrendering to the relentless sun and sea.
This unique site offers an incredible experience for divers and snorkelers alike. The exposed, skeletal remains of the ship create a stunning, almost post-apocalyptic scene against the clear Eritrean sky. Underwater, the submerged sections of the hull have blossomed into a vibrant artificial reef, attracting a wealth of Red Sea marine life. Exploring the transition from the sun-baked superstructure to the coral-encrusted hull below is an unforgettable adventure, offering amazing photo opportunities and an easy, shallow dive in a truly off-the-beaten-path location.
Reviews for ARMANTAN
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ARMANTAN
ARMANTAN Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ARMANTAN, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (15.66, 40.18) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
27.72°C
82°F
Air Temperature
33.88°C
93°F
Wind Speed
6.18 m/s
12.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1004.5 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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