PEARL OF VICTORIA - Jeddah
The Pearl of Victoria isn't a deep dive, but don't let that fool you. This 100-meter steamship, beached on the north side of Mismari Reef since 1967, is one of our favourite shallow wrecks in the Red Sea. We're talking maximum five meters, so you get incredible light penetration, even on an overcast day. What we love about this wreck is how accessible it is. You can spend a whole hour just exploring the deck, which has collapsed in places but still retains much of its original structure. Look for the massive winches and cargo holds, now home to clouds of glassfish that shimmer in the sun, creating an almost iridescent effect. Schools of snapper often patrol the deeper parts of the hull, and we've regularly spotted blue-spotted rays tucked away in the sand nearby. The coral growth here, particularly the hard corals, has really taken hold on the metal, softening the wreck's edges and adding vibrant splashes of colour. It’s an ideal spot for macro photographers, with plenty of nudibranchs and small crabs hiding in the nooks and crannies. We usually aim for an early morning dive to beat any potential boat traffic, and the light then is just beautiful.
- Location
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea & Middle East
- Coordinates
- 21.334934, 39.031918
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
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
- Abo Almadafee أبو المدافع - 18m (wreck)
- ABUSABAA I - 15m (wreck)
- Abu Tair - 24m (reef)
- AGIA VARVARA - 11m (wreck)
- Al Bedayah
- AlBuhairat - 5-25m (reef)
- ALEXANDER III - 10m (wreck)
- Al Fahal East
- Al Fahal North
- Al Fahal South
- Al Fahal vis Wreck (wreck)
- Al leeth
- AL MEDINA - 1m (wreck)
- Altafyah Middle Reef - 20m (reef)
- ALYAMAMA - 4m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to PEARL OF VICTORIA
- 17Sixty - ["PADI"]
- Advanced Diver Center
- Al-Haddad Scuba - SSI
- Al-Haddad SCUBA - Sheraton Resort
- Al Sanbouk - ["PADI"]
- Benya Marine Group - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Jeddah
Home to 4 recorded species including 4 reef fish.
Notable Species
- Armed Squirrel-fish (Neoniphon sammara) - Reef Fish
- Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
- Rainbowfish (Halichoeres hortulanus) - Reef Fish
- Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for PEARL OF VICTORIA
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