ANATOLI - Jeddah

The Anatoli sits upright, a real classic, broken into three big pieces from its collision in '76. We love that it’s still so intact, a proper ship rather than just a pile of rubble. Drop down and you’re immediately enveloped by the gloom of the wheelhouse, then you can drift over the cargo holds, sometimes spotting big groupers tucked away. The stern section is our favourite, with the propeller still there, slowly being claimed by soft corals. This wreck really shows you how the Red Sea reclaims its own. Visibility can be a bit variable, so pick a calm morning if you can – it makes exploring the holds much easier. We've seen schools of snapper move like a silver curtain around the superstructure and moray eels peeking from every nook. It’s a site for divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a current sometimes, but it’s never too deep, so you get plenty of bottom time to really snoop around.

Location
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
21.460083, 39.117832
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Wreck History - ANATOLI

Year Sunk
1976
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision

The M/V Anatoli was a motor vessel whose career came to an abrupt end on November 28, 1976. While navigating the busy shipping lanes near Jeddah, it was involved in a catastrophic collision with the cargo ship LASH Atlantico. The impact was severe, and the Anatoli quickly took on water and sank, coming to rest on the seabed where it lies today. Fortunately, its story is one of shipping misfortune rather than human tragedy, but it left behind a fascinating underwater relic.

Today, the Anatoli rests at a maximum depth of 20 meters, making it a highly accessible dive for certified open water divers and above. However, the wreck is classified as 'dangerous' due to the nature of its sinking. The collision tore through its hull, leaving a chaotic landscape of twisted metal, sharp edges, and unstable structures. Divers are strongly cautioned against any form of penetration. The exterior, however, provides a dramatic sight and has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, attracting schools of fish and a wide array of Red Sea marine life that have made the broken vessel their home.

Best Time to Dive in Jeddah

The warmest water temperatures in Jeddah occur in August, averaging 31.6°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 25.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.4°C
  • February: 25.4°C
  • March: 25.4°C
  • April: 26.7°C
  • May: 28.9°C
  • June: 29.6°C
  • July: 30.0°C
  • August: 31.6°C
  • September: 31.1°C
  • October: 30.9°C
  • November: 30.0°C
  • December: 28.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Jeddah

Nearest Dive Centres to ANATOLI

Marine Life in Jeddah

Home to 4 recorded species including 4 reef fish.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANATOLI

Based on average water temperature of 28.7°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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