Abu Ghusun (Hamada Wreck)

Deep South Divers Team
Abu Ghusun (Hamada Wreck)

The Hamada Wreck, resting near the shore at Abu Ghusun, is one of Marsa Alam’s most iconic wreck dive sites. This small but fascinating cargo vessel sank in 1993 and now lies peacefully on its starboard side in shallow water, completely embraced by coral life.

Located around 85 km south of Marsa Alam, the site is a unique blend of wreck exploration and reef diving—making it suitable for all levels, including snorkelers, beginner divers, and experienced wreck enthusiasts.

FeatureDetails
LocationAbu Ghusun, ~85 km south of Marsa Alam town
Dive TypeShore dive / wreck dive
Entry PointEasy shore entry via sandy beach
Wreck Depth Range5 to 18 meters
Visibility20 to 30 meters
Skill LevelBeginner to advanced
Current ConditionsMild to none
TopographyShipwreck on sandy slope, surrounded by coral gardens
Marine HighlightsScorpionfish, glassfish, lionfish, turtles, schooling reef fish
Best Time to DiveYear-round, mornings preferred
Recommended GearTorch for wreck interior, booties for shore entry
Ideal ForWreck diving, underwater photography, marine life observation

🛳 Dive Site Features & Topography – Inside the Hamada Wreck

The Hamada was a coastal freighter that caught fire and sank near Abu Ghusun. It now rests on a sandy slope, tilted slightly on its starboard side in 5 to 18 meters of water—making it one of the few easily accessible wrecks in the southern Red Sea.

Key Features:

  • Ship Structure: The wreck remains largely intact. Divers can explore open cargo holds, observe the engine room, and peer through access points along the hull.

  • Coral Colonization: The wreck is now a mini-reef, with hard and soft corals covering the metal surface.

  • Surrounding Reef: Beyond the wreck lies a healthy reef slope with coral bommies, sandy patches, and seagrass beds.

  • Photographic Opportunities: The shallow depth ensures excellent natural light, ideal for both wide-angle and macro photography.

Abu Ghusun (Hamada Wreck)

🐠 Marine Life – Coral, Creatures & Color on the Wreck

Over the past 30 years, the Hamada Wreck has transformed into a thriving habitat for marine life:

  • Glassfish clouds fill the cargo hold and engine room.

  • Lionfish, scorpionfish, and stonefish hide among the wreck’s nooks and coral overgrowth.

    Need help planning your dive?

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  • Turtles are frequently seen grazing in nearby seagrass beds or cruising past the wreck.

  • Reef fish such as butterflyfish, parrotfish, and groupers are commonly sighted.

  • Macro photographers will enjoy nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp, and pipefish living among the coral and metal crevices.

This vibrant underwater ecosystem makes Abu Ghusun more than just a wreck dive—it’s a living reef with character and history.

🌤 Diving Conditions & Best Practices

Diving the Hamada Wreck at Abu Ghusun is both easy and rewarding:

  • Visibility: Typically 20–30 meters with clear water and good light penetration.

  • Currents: Minimal to none—excellent for new divers or calm exploration.

  • Depth: Suitable for Open Water divers and up (wreck ranges from 5 to 18 meters).

  • Entry: Easy sandy shore access; a short swim to the wreck.

  • Best Time: Mornings are optimal for lighting and marine life activity.

  • Tips:

    Need help planning your dive?

    Send us a quick message and we will help you choose the right trip, course, or package.

    • Bring a torch to explore darker wreck sections.

    • Maintain good buoyancy control inside and around the wreck.

    • Avoid touching the wreck or disturbing marine growth to protect the ecosystem.

With Deep South Divers, safety and preservation are top priorities. Our expert guides provide detailed briefings and ensure a safe, enjoyable dive experience.

Abu Ghusun (Hamada Wreck)

⭐ Why Choose the Hamada Wreck at Abu Ghusun with Deep South Divers?

The Hamada Wreck offers a rare combination: easy access, shallow wreck penetration, rich marine life, and photogenic scenery—all just a short drive from Marsa Alam.

Reasons to Dive Abu Ghusun with Us:

  • ✅ Perfect for first-time wreck divers

  • ✅ Great for snorkeling and scuba diving alike

  • ✅ Excellent underwater photography location

  • ✅ Professional guides with wreck diving experience

  • ✅ Eco-conscious diving with marine protection focus

Whether you’re a curious beginner or an avid underwater explorer, the Hamada Wreck promises a memorable dive experience in the southern Red Sea.

🧭 Ready to Explore the Hamada Wreck?

📍 Book your Abu Ghusun dive trip today with Deep South Divers and unlock one of Marsa Alam’s hidden gems. Dive into history, beauty, and marine life—all in one unforgettable site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hamada Wreck at Abu Ghusun a good dive site for beginner divers?

Yes, Abu Ghusun’s Hamada Wreck is ideal for beginner divers.
The wreck lies in shallow water between 5 and 18 meters, making it easily accessible for Open Water certified divers. The calm conditions, good visibility, and easy shore entry provide a safe environment to explore a real shipwreck without requiring technical diving experience.

What marine life can I see at the Hamada Wreck in Marsa Alam?

The Hamada Wreck is home to a diverse and thriving marine ecosystem.
Divers can spot schools of glassfish, lionfish, scorpionfish, moray eels, and nudibranchs hiding among the coral-encrusted structure. In nearby seagrass beds, turtles are commonly seen grazing. The site also attracts butterflyfish, parrotfish, and groupers, making it an excellent spot for underwater photography and marine observation.

How was the Hamada Wreck in Abu Ghusun created and when did it sink?

The Hamada was a cargo freighter that sank in 1993 near the shore of Abu Ghusun.
After catching fire, the ship was intentionally grounded and ultimately sank in shallow water, where it became an artificial reef. Over the past three decades, it has developed into one of the most popular wreck diving sites in southern Egypt, favored for its accessibility and vibrant marine life.

Can snorkelers visit the Hamada Wreck dive site at Abu Ghusun?

Yes, snorkelers can also enjoy the Hamada Wreck thanks to its shallow depth.
Parts of the wreck reach up to just 5 meters below the surface, making it visible and accessible to snorkelers. While divers can explore the deeper sections and interior, snorkelers can still observe marine life and coral growth from above, making it a great shared activity for mixed-experience groups.

How do I get to the Hamada Wreck dive site from Marsa Alam?

The Hamada Wreck is about 85 km south of Marsa Alam and accessible by road.
You can arrange a dive trip through a local dive center like Deep South Divers, which typically includes transportation, dive guides, and equipment rental. The site is reached via a sandy beach entry, making logistics easy for both snorkelers and scuba divers.

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Z Moniką zaczęła się nasza przygoda z nurkowaniem i tak w Deep South Divers ukończyliśmy nasz pierwszy kurs nurkowy OWD we wrześniu 2021. Co roku wracamy i za każdym razem przeżywamy kolejne piękne podwodne przygody. To ekipa wspaniałych i doświadczonych Instruktorów. Mimo, że mamy ukończony podstawowy stopień kursu, to zawsze jesteśmy obdarowani dużą dawkom nowej dodatkowej wiedzy. Czujemy się bardzo dobrze zaopiekowani a to wszystko w cudownej atmosferze. Duży wybór możliwości miejsc nurkowych. Bardzo dobre zaplecze z bazą nurkową, sprzęt pomiędzy nurkowaniami każdego dnia zabezpieczony, wypłukany i wysuszony. Monika, Montana, Moody, Hassan i dla całej ekipy wielkie podziękowania. Bardzo polecam.

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I recently had the pleasure of diving with Deep South Divers in Marsa Alam, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience. From start to finish, the crew was incredibly professional and kind, making sure that every aspect of the dive was well-organized and enjoyable.The dive spots we visited were nothing short of amazing. The underwater scenery was breathtaking, and we were fortunate to see a diverse range of marine life. Each dive was unique and memorable, thanks in no small part to the expertise and guidance of the crew.The professionalism of the team stood out the most to me. They were attentive to every detail, ensuring that all divers felt safe and comfortable at all times. Their passion for diving and the underwater world was evident, and it made the whole experience even more enjoyable.I highly recommend Deep South Divers to anyone looking to explore the underwater beauty of Marsa Alam. Their exceptional service and knowledge of the area make them the perfect choice for both novice and experienced divers alike. I can't wait to dive with them again in the future!Cheers to the entire Deep South Crew.Mark

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I recently had a pleasure of diving with Deep South Divers in Marsa Alam and it was an exceptional experience. We finished Advanced Adventurer and did couple of diving trips.Our main guide, Hassan, was professional in every aspect. He showed us diverse corals and did his best for us to see us much as possible.We saw dolphins, baby white type reef shark, dugong, two mating turtles, sand ray, blue stingrays, Napoleon fish, Grupers, Barracudas, turtle, Crocodilefish, moray eels, cleaning shrimp, snippers, trevally fish, tuna, batfish and many many more :)Thanks to all the staff for excellent service. Hope to see you all again :)

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Właśnie ukończyłem kurs OWD nie mogłem wymarzyć sobie sobie lepszej szkoły i instruktora. Pani Monika z wielką pasją i zamiłowaniem uczy nowych kursantów( dodam że dowiedziałem się dużo więcej informacji i rad niż znajomi którzy robili licencję w Polsce). Gorąco polecam nie ma lepszej szkoły żeby zacząć przygodę z nurkowaniem. Instruktorzy to zawodowcy i bardzo doświadczeni nurkowie. 🤩

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Byliśmy w Egipcie w maju. Super baza nurkowa i świetna opieka ze strony pani Moniki Lis. Wszystko było doskonale zorganizowane, na czas i bez stresu. Nurkowania przebiegały super sprawnie. Czuliśmy się bezpiecznie i w dobrych rękach. Jesteśmy bardzo zadowoleni! Polecam z całego serca <3

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Hands down the best diving school! They are very thorough, very sensible but also caring and warm, the instructors here make the first steps into scuba into an amazing experience. Every student is taught according to their progress and possibilities so that everyone can advance at their own pace. I saw such beautiful things and had such moving moments marvelling at the underwater world. From a complete beginner, I now know what to do in every basic situation that I'll find myself in! Muhammed and Monika are patient, kind and extremely professional teachers and if you want to get OWD certified - go to Marsa Alam and ask for them, it's gonna be great 😁 Regards - I'll be back for more dives!

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I had a great time with these guys. Every dive spot they chose had something unique. Dive masters are very professional and helpful. English works well. Full recommendation

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We had wonderful time together. Our instructor, Mohammed, was the best! He explained us every part of the course in an easy and efficient way. We hope to come back diving with you soon 🤩

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