wreck

Log This Dive

RAAD AL-BAKRY VIII (AFTERPART)

The *Raad Al-Bakry VIII* feels like a ghost ship, sitting upright in 24 metres, just waiting for divers to glide over its immense decks. This tanker, formerly *Maya Farber '83*, stretches 175 metres, offering an expansive playground for exploration. We love how the sheer size of the wreck allows for a genuinely immersive experience; you can spend an entire dive just exploring a fraction of it, perhaps the stern, with its massive propeller and rudder, or the bridge area, now heavily encrusted. Inside, the light filters through portholes, illuminating schools of Glassfish that shimmer like scattered diamonds, while robust Groupers patrol the darker corridors. Our favourite part has to be the mast structure, still standing proud, adorned with colourful soft corals swaying gently in the current – a perfect spot for watching the larger pelagics cruise by. Visibility here is often excellent, letting you appreciate the scale of this historical vessel as you approach. We'd suggest getting there earlier in the morning to enjoy the wreck mostly to yourselves before the day boats arrive. It’s a site for divers who appreciate the silent drama of a large, well-preserved wreck and the marine life that has made it home.