OSTIA - Dahlak Archipelago
The Ostia wreck in the Dahlak Archipelago is a real time capsule. Lying upright in just 5 metres of water, it’s remarkably intact for its age, a stark silhouette against the blue. We found ourselves circling the main deck, spotting schools of snapper darting in and out of the hold, and plenty of lionfish tucked into shadowy corners. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for photographers or anyone keen to spend an hour slowly exploring a piece of history, especially if you’re looking for something different from the usual Red Sea reef dives.
- Location
- Dahlak Archipelago, Eritrea, Red Sea & Middle East
- Coordinates
- 15.614445, 39.480556
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
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
- ADUA - 3m (wreck)
- ALBERONI - 9m (wreck)
- ALBERTO TREVES - 0m (wreck)
- ANTONIO C - 17m (wreck)
- ANTONIOS H - 15m (wreck)
- ARMANTAN - 0m (wreck)
- BERTRAM RICKMERS - 17m (wreck)
- BOLESLAW KRZYWOUSTY - 2m (wreck)
- BRENTA - 13m (wreck)
- CAPTAIN PANAGOS DP - 5m (wreck)
- COLOMBO - 13m (wreck)
- CREFELD - 19m (wreck)
- Dahlak Kebir Reef - 5-30m (reef)
- Difnein Channel - 10-35m (drift)
- DIRE DEWA (DIRA DAWA) - 11m (wreck)
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 OSTIA
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