Some dive sites are beautiful. Abu Nuhas is something else entirely. A single shallow reef sitting in the middle of a busy shipping lane has claimed four merchant vessels over the decades, and every one of them is now an underwater world worth a full tank. If wreck diving is on your list, this is the Red Sea's answer.
Quick Facts
- Location: Northern entrance of the Gulf of Suez, approximately 45 km northwest of Hurghada
- Depth range: 10–30 metres across all four wrecks
- Experience level: Advanced Open Water and above
- Access: Day boat from Hurghada (60–75 minutes)
- Number of wrecks: Four, all on the same reef
- Diving type: Wreck diving, penetration diving
The Four Wrecks of Abu Nuhas
Each wreck at Abu Nuhas has its own character, depth profile, and marine life. Most day trips visit two wrecks, the Giannis D and the Carnatic are the standard pair, though experienced divers often request the full four.
Giannis D
The most dived wreck at Abu Nuhas and one of the most photographed wrecks in the entire Red Sea. A Greek cargo ship that ran aground in 1983, the Giannis D lies on her port side in three sections at 10–28 metres. The bow is the shallowest and most accessible section, it's where most divers begin. The engine room, accessible to experienced penetration divers, is one of the more dramatic spaces you'll find underwater anywhere in the region.
| Depth | 10–28m |
|---|---|
| Level | Advanced Open Water |
| Visibility | 15–25m |
| Lies | Port side, three sections |
| Highlights | Bow, engine room, glassfish clouds |
| Marine Life | Glassfish, lionfish, moray eels, soft coral |
Carnatic
The oldest and most atmospheric wreck on the reef. A British steamship that sank in 1869 carrying cargo and passengers, the Carnatic rests upside down at 16–27 metres and is now so heavily colonised by coral that it barely resembles a ship from the outside. Inside is a different story, the cargo holds are vast, the light filters in at unusual angles, and the marine life has made every compartment its own. This is the wreck that gets under your skin.
| Depth | 16–27m |
|---|---|
| Level | Advanced Open Water |
| Visibility | 15–25m |
| Lies | Upside down, intact |
| Highlights | Cargo holds, coral coverage, atmosphere |
| Marine Life | Glassfish, batfish, Napoleon wrasse, soft coral |
Chrisoula K
A Greek cargo ship that sank in 1981 carrying ceramic floor tiles, you can still find them scattered across the seabed around the wreck. The Chrisoula K sits upright at 14–28 metres, which makes it one of the more navigable wrecks at Abu Nuhas. The superstructure is largely intact, and the visibility inside the holds is often better than expected. Less visited than the Giannis D, which means you're more likely to have sections of the wreck to yourself.
| Depth | 14–28m |
|---|---|
| Level | Advanced Open Water |
| Visibility | 15–20m |
| Lies | Upright, largely intact |
| Highlights | Superstructure, scattered cargo tiles, holds |
| Marine Life | Lionfish, scorpionfish, grouper, moray eels |
Kimon M
The least visited of the four and arguably the most challenging, the Kimon M broke apart on impact and lies scattered at 15–30 metres in a way that rewards patient, experienced divers willing to piece together what they're looking at. It's not the wreck for a first visit to Abu Nuhas, but for divers returning to the site it offers a completely different experience from the other three.
| Depth | 15–30m |
|---|---|
| Level | Advanced / Experienced |
| Visibility | 15–20m |
| Lies | Broken apart, scattered sections |
| Highlights | Isolated, uncrowded, complex navigation |
| Marine Life | Reef sharks, barracuda, large grouper |
Marine Life at Abu Nuhas
The wrecks themselves have become artificial reefs over decades, and the marine life has responded accordingly. Glassfish, present in extraordinary numbers, particularly inside the Giannis D and Carnatic, are the defining visual of Abu Nuhas. Schools so dense they turn the interior of a cargo hold silver, parting around divers and closing again behind them.
Beyond the glassfish: lionfish occupy almost every overhang, moray eels rest in the structural crevices, and Napoleon wrasse patrol the exterior of the larger wrecks with the unhurried confidence of animals that have nothing to fear. On the Kimon M, reef shark sightings are more common than on the other three, the relative isolation of that wreck seems to suit them.
Water Conditions
Visibility
Visibility at Abu Nuhas ranges from 15 to 25 metres and is generally consistent year-round. The site sits in open water away from the coast, which keeps the water cleaner than many inshore reefs. Inside the wrecks, visibility varies depending on how recently other divers have stirred up sediment, another reason early morning dives produce better conditions.
Current
Current at Abu Nuhas can be moderate to strong, particularly on the eastern side of the reef and around the Giannis D. This is one of the main reasons the site is rated Advanced, not the depth, but the need to manage buoyancy and position in moving water. Dive briefings will cover the current direction for the day, and guides adjust the dive plan accordingly.
Temperature
- Summer (June – September): 27–29°C, a 3mm suit is comfortable
- Winter (December – March): 22–24°C, a 5mm full wetsuit recommended
- Spring and Autumn: 24–27°C, ideal conditions for extended bottom time
Best Time to Dive Abu Nuhas
Summer
Warm water and long daylight hours make summer viable, though the crossing from Hurghada can be rough in afternoon winds. Most operators depart early, by 7am, to reach the site before conditions deteriorate. Marine life activity is high and the warm water makes the longer boat journey worthwhile.
Winter
Cooler water but often the clearest visibility of the year. The crossing is more exposed in winter swells, and some days Abu Nuhas is simply not accessible from Hurghada by day boat, liveaboards handle these conditions better. If you're on a day trip in winter, check the forecast the evening before.
Best Overall Window
April–May and September–October consistently offer the best combination of calm sea conditions, good visibility, and comfortable water temperature for the 60–75 minute crossing and multiple dives.
📍 Location & How to Get There
Abu Nuhas reef sits at the northern entrance of the Gulf of Suez, approximately 45 kilometres northwest of Hurghada marina. The crossing takes 60–75 minutes by day boat depending on sea conditions. Most Hurghada dive centers offer Abu Nuhas as a dedicated day trip, it's not typically combined with inshore reef dives given the travel time involved.
For divers wanting to spend more time at the site, ideally diving all four wrecks, a liveaboard departing from Hurghada is the better option. Abu Nuhas is a standard stop on most northern Red Sea liveaboard itineraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special certification to dive Abu Nuhas?
Advanced Open Water certification is the standard requirement for Abu Nuhas day trips. The depth of the wrecks exceeds the 18-metre limit of the Open Water certification, and the current conditions require solid buoyancy control. Penetration diving inside the wrecks requires additional training, most guides will assess your experience on the day and advise accordingly.
Can I dive all four wrecks in one day?
In theory yes, but in practice most day trips cover two wrecks, the Giannis D and the Carnatic, with surface intervals in between. Diving all four in a single day requires good conditions, an early start, and enough bottom time budget across four dives. A liveaboard itinerary is a more comfortable way to dive the full site.
How different are the four wrecks from each other?
Very different. The Giannis D is dramatic and accessible. The Carnatic is atmospheric and heavily encrusted. The Chrisoula K is upright and navigable. The Kimon M is scattered and challenging. They share a reef but offer four distinct experiences, which is what makes Abu Nuhas worth repeat visits.
Is Abu Nuhas suitable for underwater photography?
It's one of the best sites in the Red Sea for it. The combination of wreck structure, coral growth, glassfish clouds, and consistent visibility makes almost every dive photogenic. Wide-angle lenses work best for the exterior shots and large interior spaces. A torch is essential for shooting inside the holds.
How far is Abu Nuhas from Hurghada marina?
Approximately 45 kilometres by sea, which translates to a 60–75 minute boat journey depending on the vessel and conditions. It's further than most Hurghada day-trip sites, which is why Abu Nuhas trips are typically full-day excursions departing early in the morning.
Ready to Dive the Wrecks of Abu Nuhas?
Abu Nuhas is the kind of dive site that changes how you think about wreck diving, four ships, four stories, one reef. If you're an Advanced diver based in Hurghada and you haven't been, it belongs at the top of your list. Get in touch to arrange your trip and we'll make sure you dive the right wrecks for your experience level.