wreck

Log This Dive

DAHRAN

Dhahran is something else, a genuinely unique spot in the Red Sea. We’re talking about a wreck that’s practically dry, sitting right on the reef flat, with its bow pointing out of the water. It’s an old Saudi cargo ship, probably from the 70s or 80s, and it ran aground hard. You dive it at high tide, gliding over its rusted deck in barely two metres of water. It’s less a dive, more an aquatic exploration, crawling along the hull, peering into shadowy gaps where the light barely penetrates. Our favourite part is the sheer amount of life that’s made a home here, despite the shallow depth. Schools of juvenile snapper dart in and out of the exposed ribs, parrotfish graze on the algae growing on the deck plates, and we’ve even spotted small reef sharks cruising past the stern. It’s an incredible insight into how quickly a man-made structure becomes part of the ecosystem. We'd suggest going early in the morning, before the sun gets too high, when the light plays beautifully off the rusted metal. It’s perfect for snorkelers or new divers, or anyone who just wants a different kind of dive. You’ll be talking about this one for a while.