Mini Safari Adventures
Mini safari adventures to the Northern Wrecks and Reefs.
We can tailor make a mini safari adventure throughout the year to the North, starting with a visit to the Thistlegorm, this wreck was a supply ship that was hit by German bombers in World War Two, SS Thistlegorm has lain at the bottom of the sea for over sixty years. Located in the Straits of Gubal, Northern Red Sea this famous vessel is located on a bed of just thirty metres in good visibility this is the perfect wreck dive where much of the original cargo still remains. The bow is just fifteen metres below the surface and the propeller at twenty-seven. Measuring over four hundred feet long, SS Thistlegorm often requires several dives to complete an extensive coverage, inside and out.
Another of the locations visited on the mini safari is Abu Nuhas, this famous reef in the Shadwan Channel, just off the north coast of Shadwan Island (the Egyptian Red Sea's largest island) north of Hurghada. The submerged reef has been unlucky to a number of passing ships. There are actually 5 cargo shipwrecks now lying off its northern slopes so if you enjoy wreck diving then this part of the Red Sea is for you. There are three that are normally dived and in order from west to east they are :-
The Giannis D, a 100m general cargo vessel hit the Abu Nuhas Reef at full tilt on 19 April 1983. The ship, laden with timber, sank to 24m with the stern and bow still intact but the middle section is not. The engine room at a depth of 13m offers easy and superb penetration through clouds of glassfish.
You can investigate the multilevel rooms and passageways. The bow mast extends out horizontally from the boat, creating a great spot to complete your safety stop at around 5 metres.
The British built Carnatic is one of the oldest wrecks in the Red Sea and is a firm favourite with many divers. It hit the reef on 12 September 1869, laden with gold, wine and cotton on route to India. The cargo ship initially balanced on top of the reef but after 36 hours it gave up its fight to the elements and its fate, snapping in two and sinking parallel to the reef at 24m.
This beautiful wreck at 90 metres long lies on its port side in remarkably good condition. Its wooden flooring has rotted away to reveal its iron ribbed inner holds, which allows easy penetration with some fantastic camera shots available. Diving is possible the entire length of the ship.
The Chrisoula K was a 98m Greek registered freighter that sank on 31 August 1981, with a cargo of floor tiles. The ship lies with its stern and propeller at 26m and its bow in shallow water at only 3m. It sits more or less upright but the stern is slowly separating. The wreck offers plenty of swim-throughs and penetration diving opportunities.
One of the famous reefs that we always try to find time for is the famous Shaa’ab el Erg, which is always popular with the tourists but also to the local dolphin population.
The boat is available throughout the year but the mini trips are dependent on numbers and can also be affected by the weather.
For any enquiries then please contact us at safaris@splashredsea.com.