COLOMBO - Dahlak Archipelago

The Colombo wreck sits upright in just 13 metres of water, a fantastic relic that tells a story. We love that it’s so accessible, almost like a museum piece you can swim right up to. You’ll find the bow section completely gone, a gaping maw where the ship once met the waves, but the stern remains surprisingly intact. Look for the prop shaft and the steering gear, often swarming with silversides – it’s quite a sight when the sun catches them just right. This isn’t a rummage-through-the-hull kind of dive; the Colombo is a dangerous wreck, classification-wise, and quite broken up in places, so stick to the exterior and enjoy the structure. We’ve seen groupers lurking in the shadows and nudibranchs grazing on the coral growth. It’s a photographer’s dream on a clear day, with the light penetrating all the way down. Our favourite part? Cruising over the scattered debris field around the wreck, a surprisingly good spot for finding smaller critters that have made a home there. It’s perfect for a relaxed dive, suitable for anyone comfortable exploring a historical wreck in shallow water.

Location: Dahlak Archipelago, Eritrea, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates: 15.590000, 39.457780
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 13m

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)

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

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
White Dolphin (Sousa chinensis) - Whales & Dolphins
Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) - Sea Urchins
Remora (Echeneis naucrates) - Reef Fish
Blue Green Chromis (Chromis viridis) - Reef Fish
Arabian Angelfish (Pomacanthus asfur) - Reef Fish
Grouper (Epinephelus areolatus) - Reef Fish
Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) - Reef Fish
Long-beaked Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
Ternate Chromis (Chromis ternatensis) - Reef Fish
Crescent Grunter (Terapon jarbua) - Reef Fish
Sand-dusted Cone (Conus arenatus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Silver-cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) - Reef Fish
Bryde's Whale (Balaenoptera edeni) - Whales & Dolphins
Edgeblack Grouper (Epinephelus summana) - Reef Fish
Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) - Reef Fish
Smooth-fin Blenny (Ecsenius frontalis) - Reef Fish
honeycomb stingray (Himantura uarnak) - Sharks & Rays
Bridled Goby (Gnatholepis cauerensis) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for COLOMBO

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