wreck

Log This Dive

CITY OF GRAZ

The City of Graz, a dredger that went down in 1979, feels like a proper piece of maritime history sitting on the seabed. It’s one of our favourite UAE wrecks, largely because it's still quite intact and offers some fantastic penetration for those with the right training and gear. Dropping down onto the main deck at 25m, you immediately notice the scale of the thing. We love picking through the various compartments; the engine room is particularly atmospheric, with light shafts cutting through the gloom. Outside, the wreck is draped in soft corals, purple and orange, which really pop against the steel hull. Schools of yellowfin barracuda often cruise overhead, and we’ve seen some hefty groupers tucked away in the shadows. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs clinging to the metalwork and moray eels peeking from crevices. We’d suggest diving this one early in the morning for the best visibility and fewer other boats. It’s a dive for those who appreciate wrecks with a story, not just a reef.